Reviewed: - (Review Updated: )
I’m a sucker for romances, and I also like a good BTB story. Another plot element that appeals to me is when somebody gets dumped on but prevails in the end.
The Inheritance has elements of all three, and it is among the stories I reread occasionally.
Bill is working hard to build a home remodeling business with the help of his wife, Dottie. Then he comes home unexpectedly and finds her being bent over their kitchen counter (yeah, a bit trite). Bill goes postal on the guy and physically throws them both out on the porch. After the dust has settled, Bill ends up doing a year in jail and the couple loses everything due to lack of an income. He can't even afford a divorce, so he goes his own way.
To add insult to injury, Bill's folks almost disown him for being such a Neanderthal. He finds this out after his parents are killed and the will is read. His siblings share big bucks, and Bill gets a rundown house.
Things start looking up when Bill finds out the house contains several treasures, not the least of which are renters: a young widow and her little girl. In the process of upgrading the house Bill finds more things of great value, which he soon puts to good use.
To put the cherry on top of this, Bill is able to rub Dottie’s nose in his new relationship, as he takes pleasure in her being relegated to a menial job.
This is a nicely done short story which will leave the reader with a good feeling. This is another one that stays in my permanent collection.
Reviewed:
Bill Knight doesn't have a lot going for him, but he does have his wife Dottie... at least until he comes home and finds her bent over the kitchen table for another man.
From there his life goes to shambles, he gets jailed a bit unfairly, his parents disown him at the lowest point in his life, and before he can make any reconciliation with them, they die.
And to rub it in the only inheritance they give him is a hovel of a house that is basically a worthless dump - his brothers inheriting the family wealth.
He moves to turn his life around, and with a few surprises the story takes us to a fairly uplifting place showing perseverance, good spirit and good values, can win out.
A really great read.