7. - #3
Finally, I realized that I couldn’t put it off any longer.
I took a deep breath and reached for the book.
I slid the curved clasp that kept the diary closed, then I tried to turn to the first page, but couldn’t.
The first twenty to thirty pages had been glued together and were held down with a small magnet.
It was a false book, one that looked like a book when closed but was actually a box.
I grasped the thick pages and pulled. They lifted, and inside the hollowed-out cavity was a small jewelry box, a hinged blue velvet box, like high-end earrings are packaged in.
When I opened the box, to say I was a little shocked is an understatement.
Inside was a simple but beautiful vintage brooch.
At first glance, one would think it’s just cheap costume jewelry, but I had seen my memaw wear it a hundred times.
It was her favorite piece. It was 18-karat white gold.
The stones were set in platinum in an elegant floral design, and were marquise-cut sapphires, amethysts, and pear-cut emeralds.
It was a gorgeous piece, and apparently, Mama had been looking for it because Memaw had left it to Rachel with strict instructions that it was to be passed down to our oldest daughter.
Mama had been so distraught to even think that it had been misplaced, or possibly stolen.
When I touched it, I immediately could feel the imprint coming off the brooch. It was very strong, and I knew that she had imprinted on the brooch only recently. This vision would tell me everything. I sat back on the couch and pulled the brooch from the box. Tears began to sting my eyes.
Memaw talked for nearly forty-five minutes. She told me everything, and in the end, I was content in the knowledge that Memaw had always done the very best for those she loved, and sometimes that meant keeping your mouth shut.
I shut off all the lights and locked the door as I left Memaw’s. Soon, it would be Rach's and my house, but it still needed some work. It would take a couple of months to get it move-in ready, but in the end, it was what Memaw had wanted.
I pulled out my phone as I was slowly driving down the driveway and called Rachel.
“Hey, my love, would you do me a favor? Sorry, it’s short notice, I know you are on your way to work a long shift, but could you call Mama or Dad on the way and see if they could meet us at Frangelli’s for supper tomorrow night, and I’ll call Frangelli’s and get a reservation for 6:30 in the back booth?
Wait, you are off tomorrow night, right? ”
She laughed and said, “Hello to you, too. Yes, I am off tomorrow night. Yes, I will call your mom, and Frangelli’s sounds perfect. What’s the occasion?” she asked.
I couldn’t contain my excitement. “I have news. I know the whole story now. I want to tell you all at the same time, so this is the one time that I can’t divulge anything to you until then. I’m sorry. You know how much I love you, but you have to trust me on this one,” I said quickly.
“Well, this is gonna be the longest twenty-four hours of my life. Thanks a fucking lot,” she said, feigning irritation. I knew it was difficult sometimes, which was why I had to beg her to trust me.
“Thanks, love. I know that all of this is going to blow your mind! I’m headed to Larry’s Burgers. I have a craving for a double cheese with bacon, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. After I hit that, I’m going straight to bed.” I was almost to the main road by that time.
“I’ll be lucky to get a pack of crackers tonight, so Janet, Tiffany, and I will probably hit Sunny Side Up in the morning for breakfast. Want me to bring you anything home?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, my love. I can bring you something later, if you want me to.”
She sighed, “I would, but honestly, I’m looking forward to an omelet in the morning, and you need to rest anyway.”
“Well, if you change your mind, just call me. But most likely, I’ll be sleeping when you get home, so you don’t need to bring me anything.
Besides, cold eggs are nasty. Have a good shift, and I’ll see the back of your head when I wake up.
Hahaha,” I always said this, and she would always roll her eyes at me, and I could hear her do it as she would say, “I love you! Have a good sleep!”
I called Frangelli’s and reserved the back booth table for 6:30 pm, and then I went to Larry’s and got a burger, fries, and shake. I sat in the back booth and devoured it so fast I barely tasted it. That was another side effect of such an intense reading or session.
Afterwards, I went home, showered, and fell exhausted into bed.
I don’t even think I pulled the covers up over me.
The following morning, well, more like noon, I woke up to two very angry birds fighting on our balcony.
Rachel was facing away from me, curled into a ball and snoring loudly, as I knew she would be.
If only she would stretch out, she wouldn’t snore, but I would typically sleep so deeply that she wouldn’t bother me at all.
There was a sticky note on my phone that read “Love, I called your Mom and she said Frangelli’s sounds wonderful.
Text her with the time of the reservation.
Wake me at 3 so I can shower and get ready.
I love you!” She would always sign her notes to me with just her initial “R”.