Payback

[I wrote this story based on a story on the following scenario: You received an envelope from a law firm in Idaho. The letter within stated you were the recipient of a sum of money totaling- $95.43. In addition to the monetary inheritance, a large antique serving platter, and an old key were bequeathed to the person named, Meranda Edith Cromsby. Please continue the story……]

I was surprised when I received a letter from a law office with the news of a windfall of $95.43. I don’t know anyone in Idaho who would leave me an inheritance. The whole thing seemed strange. My initial thought was to tell the lawyer to donate that money to some volunteer organization, especially when the condition was that I would have to be in the lawyer’s office in Boise to receive that money. Why would a totally strange person leave me anything? Is it random or is there a mystery behind it? Also, who is this person mentioned in the letter received this silver platter and a key along with monetary inheritance? Is it some kind of a joke? I called the lawyer’s office to verify the letter. All seemed genuine. I was still puzzled, but smelled a story behind all these and became curious. I wanted to know more about the benefactor. But no additional information was forthcoming. I decided not to pass up the chance for a good story even though the transportation alone would cost me a whole lot more than my inheritance.

I went to the Lawyer’s office the following week at the appointed time and handed the letter and a picture id of me. After the introduction, I realized the other person in the room, a well dressed lady, was Meranda Edith Cromsby, a friend of the benefactor. The lawyer explained to us what we were about to receive. He handed two envelopes to both of us and asked to check the contents. There was a short note in my envelope. The note and the contents inside the envelope surprised and shocked me. The lawyer also handed the lady a neatly wrapped package. I guessed that it was the silver platter. She was visibly overjoyed with her inheritance. The lawyer asked me to check the contents in my envelope and make sure that it contained an amount of $95.43. It did. The lawyer asked if we had any questions. I just wanted to know if he had any pictures of our benefactor. The lawyer took out a picture from his drawer. I thanked the lawyer and stood up to leave.

As I was leaving, suddenly I heard,”How do you know him?” I turned around. The well dressed lady asked me the question. Know him? Meaning, the person is alive? I smiled and left with my envelope.

I came back to New Jersey and called my friend, Jeremy. He told me to meet him in New York with the envelope. We met at the Jacob Javits center. There were a couple of events going on inside. We got ourselves coffee from a stall in the lobby and sat at a corner table. He took the envelope and started to look over the contents very intently with a magnifying glass which he carried in his briefcase. Our conversation progressed.

Me — I counted. They all add up to $95.43.

Jeremy -Yes, I can see that. Those were the original cost price. It is not $95.43 anymore.

Me — Whatever, you can have them. I am interested in finding out who would do this?

Jeremy — I bet it is Robert. You met him many years back. Well, as far as I can tell, this envelope is worth much more than $95,43. You can sell or trade the stamps for a tidy amount.

Me — That’s OK. It is yours. You know I have no interest in collecting much of anything except maybe dirt. But why do you think it is Robert?

Jeremy — Who else will do this? He was a little strange anyway. Besides, do you know any other amateur stamp collectors beside Robert and myself?

Me — No, not personally. But I am just surprised that Robert would remember me after all these years. I now remember you introducing us and the three of us having lunch together. I think I saw him only a couple of times at this center during stamp shows. Both of you were so excited about old and defective stamps! I basically came to hang around at the famous Javits Center. It is such a big and fantastic place!

Jeremy — Robert was genuinely happy to meet you because he never met anyone from Bangladesh before. Do you remember how excited he was when you showed those stamps on the envelope that you had received from your mother?

Me — Yes, I remember. Robert asked me what I was going to do with the stamps. I was surprised. Those were used stamps! Anyway, I gave him the stamps. He seemed quite happy and wanted to pay for it, which of course, I would not accept.

Jeremy — I bet he paid you back now. Although this is only a guess.

Me — Jeremy, did you know Robert moved to Idaho?

Jeremy — No, I didn’t. I lost all contact with him after a couple of years. Did you get to see him when you were in Ohio?

Me- As a matter of fact, I didn’t remember him at all. When I asked the lawyer if he could show a picture of the benefactor, he only showed a group picture but did not identify him. I couldn’t recognize him. I feel bad.

Jeremy — Well, don’t feel bad. A lot has changed since then. We all have changed.

Me- True. But he remembered me. I remember now how happy I felt that day that someone wanted to collect used stamps from the country of my birth.

Jeremy and I spent a few more minutes reminiscing about the old times and wished Robert well wherever he was. We went inside the center. There was a stamp exhibition going on inside.