That One Day (That One #1.5) Read Online Free PDF

information, then proceeds to say “Okay” a number of times before hanging up.
    “Third floor, straight ahead once you step out of the elevator.” With that, she turns back to her computer, ignoring me completely. Fine by me.
    “Thanks,” I say before taking off in the direction she pointed out.
     
    As soon as I step out of the elevator on the third floor, the door across from me opens and a middle-aged man with grey hair and beard walks toward me. Unlike his receptionist, he doesn’t bat an eye at my appearance. He even shakes my hand.
    “Mr. Gibson. Nice to meet you. I’m Daniel Murphy. Please, follow me.”
    We step into his office and he offers me a seat before sitting down behind his desk.
    “Would you like something to drink?” he asks and points to the side table with an assortment of beverages.
    I eye the whiskey for a second, but then shake my head. “No, thanks.”
    “I’m sure you’re here about my letter concerning your grandmother’s will. I didn’t expect to see you here and definitely not this soon.”
    I don’t want to make small talk, but right now this guy is the only person who can give me any information about my father.
    “I thought it’d be a nice road trip.”
    “Forgive me if I say that you don’t look like you enjoyed it very much.”
    Yeah, no shit, is what I want to say, but instead I go with, “It was a bit tiring.” I leave it at that, not going into any detail.
    He seems to sense my hesitance and sits up straighter.
    “It wasn’t easy to get ahold of you, young man. It took us a few months to figure out where you live now since your last name has changed and we weren’t aware. It’s been a bit of a challenge, I must say. But that’s what your grandmother paid us for, I suppose.”
    He smiles at me. “Well, why don’t we get down to business so you can catch up on some sleep?”
    I’m sure he also thinks I should catch up on a shower and shaving. Can’t say I really blame him.
    “That’d be great.”
    “Your grandmother has left you everything. Her house, which is old, but should still be worth something. Her car. Some money. I’ll just need you to sign some papers and then I can hand over the keys.”
    “Wow. Why would she leave it to me?” I ask, feeling a bit confused. I’ve never met that woman, didn’t even know she existed. She never tried to contact me and now she just leaves me everything she has.
    “From what I understand, you’re her only family.”
    I feel like he punched me in the stomach; my breath leaves my lungs in a whoosh. Does that mean my father is dead? Will I never meet him?
    “What about my father?” I inquire, my voice strained.
    For the first time, Mr. Murphy looks a bit uncomfortable, shifting in his chair, clearing his throat a few times.
    “Mr. Gibson…may I call you Benjamin?”
    Great, he wants to build a foundation of trust.
    “Ben,” I reply.
    “From what I understand, you haven’t met your father. Is that correct?”
    I don’t want to rehash my fucked-up life with this stranger, but I want answers.
    “I didn’t even know he existed,” I reply, my teeth clenched. I notice I’m bouncing my leg.
    “Sorry. Listen, Ben, I don’t know the details. But your father, he’s not well. He’s been in a mental health institution for many years now. He’s in no place to take over your grandmother’s house. The only person left is you.”
    I don’t move for a moment, except for blinking frantically. The relief that washes over me when I hear my father is alive is quickly replaced by the shock over what Mr. Murphy just told me. My father, a man I never met, never knew existed, is in a mental hospital. My mind is spinning and for a moment, everything goes out of focus. Is he basically telling me my father is crazy?
    When I look back at him, sympathy is clearly written all over his face.
    “Do you know where my father is? What…” I pause. “What institution?”
    “Yes. It’s in the file. I’ll be right back. My