Misfortune

He noticed the right side of the entrance hall illuminated by a series of luxurious rooms. He followed them. 

Soon he saw an old man laying on an inclined hospital bed in front of a fireplace. The opposite wall was bursting with books. 

“Matt, my boy! How good to see you!” groaned the old man. “Come closer! Let me see you. You’re all grown up, a proper man I’d say!”

“Mr. Dahlman, I suppose. Forgive me but your lawyer, Mr. Powers, didn’t really give me any details,” Matt said in one breath. 

“I will explain. You see, my boy, I’m your sole benefactor.” Mr. Powers paused. “I know you and your mother knew of me but I never thought it right to bother you.” His eyes darkened. 

“Bother me? Mr. Dahlman, I’m indebted to you! You changed my life.” Matt was now beaming. 

“But, why me?” he asked. “Did you happen to know my father?” 

Somehow this upset the old man. “I happened to play a part in your family’s misfortune,” he hesitantly answered. 

“What do you mean?”

“Matt, you should know I never meant to harm your father. It was a horrible accident. I woke up to learn I killed a man and left his wife a widow and his son an orphan.” 

Matt looked at him aghast. Time had stopped. 

“What?” whispered Matt in disbelief. He looked at his frail body.

“…And what do you want now? Forgiveness? To make you feel good? Are you out of your mind?” the young man yelled.

“No, no Matt. You need justice,” he replied. 

“There, I have a syringe that could kill me. Nothing is traced, Matt, and I made sure you won’t get into trouble. Go on,” he begged.

“To make me a killer? That’s your solution?” the young man cried in shock. 

“Nobody will know my boy. I’m an old man in poor health. They won’t notice. It’s there, on the nightstand.” 

Matt felt disgusted. He felt disgusted with himself because he had already grabbed the injection and found himself struggling in an internal battle.