CHAPTER ONE
The Earnhardts found themselves sitting in a lawyers office waiting to hear the reading of Dale Senior’s will. The shock of it all was still so new and none of them were sure of anything, especially the young lady and small boy sitting off to one side.
Gabby could feel all their stares on her and she hugged her son closer to her. She didn’t want to be here anyway but apparently this couldn’t happen without her and she just wanted to get it over with and get back to her own life.
Suddenly the door swung open and Teresa and the Earnhardts lawyer walked in. The little boy in Gabby’s lap jumped up. "Gma Esa."
The 3 Earnhardt children’s eyes grew wide. "Grandma? Someone want to tell us what the hell is going on here."
"Dale Junior sit down and be quiet." Teresa said taking a seat between Gabby and the other kids.
"We are going to do just that. Your father wanted to explain it to you himself." The lawyer said as he hit play on the VCR. The kids looked to each other and back to the screen.
Suddenly Dale Sr. appeared on the monitor. "Well kids and Ter, if you are watching this then I am apparently gone. Man, I hope I went out in that car and not in something stupid like a plane crash or a hunting accident. " Teresa gave a small smile. "First, I love you all, I hope everyone of you knows that. Second, I am pretty sure ya’ll have noticed the stranger among you. Don’t take this out on Teresa, it was my idea for you to find out this way. I actually had been wanting to introduce her to all of you but I obviously ran out of time." Gabby caught the stares return to her out of the corner of her eye. "This is Gabriella and yes, she is an Earnhardt. She took her adoptive father’s name but is still and always will be my daughter."
Dale Jr. opened his mouth to talk. "Now, Dale Jr. I am pretty certain Teresa has told you to be quiet and I’m asking you to let me explain." Junior always hated how he knew what he was up to before he did it. "I haven’t always been the best father or husband, I don’t even have to say that out loud. I have always had a problem with committed relationships and although I changed all that for Teresa and Taylor it wasn’t right away. Gabby knows the whole story of her life and her father so I am not saying anything here she doesn’t know. Her mother and I were only together one time, and yes, I was with Teresa at the time. That is something Teresa and I spent many years working through and none of it was ever Gabby’s fault. I know you all have a lot of questions and I wish I could be there to take the pressure off of Ter and Gabby but I can’t."
The lawyer handed envelopes to each of the kids. "Jackson just handed you a personal letter and the papers you will need to get to your trust funds. Kelley, Kerry, Gabby you will find extra paperwork there for my grandkids. It isn’t much right now but it will be a considerable amount by the time they reach maturity. As for each of you those trust funds are to do with what you will, Kelley, Kerry, I have a feeling you will be spending it on your kids." He laughed. "Gabby, I am so proud of everything you have already accomplished at such a young age and I wish I could be there to see you continue it. Use it for school, for Robby, for what ever. Taylor, your mom will be in charge of yours for a few more years, now I know you want it now but I don’t think you need to be shopping that much yet." He laughed and Teresa put her arm around Taylor’s shoulders. "Dale Jr." He paused. "Please don’t use it to put another bar in your basement." Jr. laughed softly. "Seriously, I hope you will be spending it on a wife and family soon. Have one hell of a wedding on me. I know, I know. Trust me I’ve heard a million times how you feel about all that, I just hope you see what I do. You are going to make one hell of a husband and father one day, a much better one than I did." Gabby heard Jr. take a deep breath and saw him wipe at the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He clutched the letter in his hand as though it were written in gold.
"Well kids, I need to get going, there is a lot more in your letters. Ter, I love you with all my heart and will be here waiting for you, but take your time I ain’t going anywhere." The screen went black and sobs could be heard throughout the room. Jackson handed the tape to Teresa. "Just briefly, the entire estate and business went to Teresa and her will, will then specify what goes to who. Dale and Teresa sat down a couple of years ago and revised both together. That’s all, if any of you have any questions please my door is open or feel free to call."
Dale Junior stood quickly saying his goodbyes. He hugged Teresa and glanced at Gabby. He walked out the door without another word. Kerry and Taylor both made small talk with Gabby while Teresa talked to Kelley. "How you doing?"
"Well, my father is dead and I just found out I have a sister that appears to be barely out of high school and a new nephew. Having a great day."
"Kelley, I know this is hard but she is amazing. I know you would love her to death and Robby is a wonderful child."
"I am sure they are and I don’t want to take it out on her but it’s just too much right now. Please apologize to her for both me and June. I do want to get to know her, just not yet."
"I understand, I really do." Gabby said walking up. "Teresa, we are taking off."
Teresa took Robby out of her arms. "air gampa?"
Gabby took a deep breath. "He doesn’t understand."
"Grandpa’s not here buddy but he loves you very, very much." Teresa said hugging the small boy. "You aren’t heading home are you? I was hoping you would stay for a day or two. Maybe come to the race this weekend."
"I can’t. Really, I need to get home, get him back to some normalcy."
"At least stay here in town just for a day, come have dinner tomorrow. Maybe the kids will come and they can get to know you better." Teresa said looking at Kelley hopefully.
"I don’t know." Gabby said. She felt sorry for Teresa, she was going to have to take the brunt of all this on her own, which wasn‘t fair. Teresa wasn’t her mother, hell she had every right to resent them both. Her husband had an affair and she was the product of that lie. She looked to Kelley trying to read her thoughts.
"Renee and I will be there." Kerry said stepping up.
"You know I will." Taylor said.
"Kelley?" Teresa asked.
She sighed. "Ok, I will and I’ll try to get June there."
"Gabby?"
"Well, I can’t be the only one to say no."
Teresa‘s eyes lit up. "Great everyone be at the ranch at 5pm tomorrow? We’re going to have a great time." She tickled Robby’s belly as the small boy giggled.
Everyone agreed to the time and said their goodbyes. Gabby took her son and headed back to the hotel, wondering what she was getting in to, she had a feeling it would be a lot more than just dinner.
Everyone’s lives had been upside down on Feb. 18. They didn’t realize that was only the beginning.