The Widow’s Quest Begins, part 2

Claudia slipped from the SUV and fumbled for the key to the motorhome, memories cascading like a waterfall.  Abe spending countless hours locked in the garage after work, early weekend mornings, after Mass on Sundays, and grabbing a sandwich and heading back out to the garage as he wolfed down dinner.  She remembered feeling neglected and jealous of the motorhome in the beginning but in the end, she loved the motorhome as much as Abe. 

The key slid easily into the lock and the door opened and Claudia was overwhelmed with Abe’s scent.  She breathed deeply, inhaling that wonderful mix of sandalwood, motor grease, sawdust, and BBQ that she wished could be captured in a bottle for all time.  Yes, the air was stale and there were other odors mixed in but all she could smell was Abe and she quickly shut the door behind her trying to preserve the last of the heavenly scent before it escaped to be lost forever.

Claudia collapsed in the nearest open spot and gave herself up to the moment.  Breathing in the very essence of Abe, hearing his laughter, and catching the mere perception of Abe out of the corner of her eye.  Claudia shook her head in an attempt to clear her head and to think clearly.

“Oh Abe, what am I supposed to do without you?  How am I supposed to go on with our life if you aren’t here?”

Silence was the only response to her question.  The sun filtered through the closed blinds in the living area of the motorhome.  The subtle pale blues and lavenders creating a warm and cozy feeling.  Claudia slipped off her shoes and stood, determination flooding through her.  She opened the cabinet nearest and quickly emptied it’s contents all over the table.  It was an assortment of board games and a couple of decks of cards.  She quickly rifled through the boxes but only found the expected contents in each one.  As she shoved the games and cards back, she bite her lip in consternation. 

She went through all the cabinets in the living area and kitchen efficiently but thoroughly.  There was nothing remotely unexpected in any of them.  She did find an unexpected $50 in spare change and bills but surely that wasn’t what Abe considered a precious family treasure.  All the remained was the bedroom and she didn’t know if she could face the bedroom.

Claudia sat down and forced herself to try and relax.  She could feel the tension and the anticipation in her muscles.  A couple of quick stretches and a silently prayer and she was ready to face the bedroom.  As she opened the door, she saw their bed and she gasped involuntarily.

As she slumped against the door, she sighed heavily and felt a couple of tears trickle down her face.  She forced herself forward and sat down on the bed.  As she sunk into the mattress, she glanced around trying to figure out where Abe could have hidden something.  She quickly eliminated the drawers on her side of the room.  Abe wouldn’t have hidden something on her side in case she discovered before it was intended to be discovered.  She settled on his side of the room and quickly dumped the contents of his side of the room on the bed. 

Settling herself amongst the clothes and cluttered of Abe’s, she began to sort.  Nothing unusual, spares socks and shorts, hiking boots, jeans, sweaters, shirts, and sneakers.  All items she expected to find.  She sorted through the couple of books Abe had stashed, no secret notes or treasure maps slipped out pointing to “X” marks the spot.  Frustration set-in once again and as she replaced the clutter back in it’s appropriate spot she talked to Abe.

“Abe, why did you give me some impossible quest and not even leaving me a clue?”  Her voice was husky with emotion and exhaustion.  “I’ve searched the two most obvious locations today and come up empty, not even a note.  I miss you more than words can say but I never would have guessed you could be as frustrating in death as you were in life.”  She shook her head and laughed at this last statement.

There was a smile on her face as she surveyed the room.  “Well, it’s back in order and I’m exhausted and hungry.  I’m going home and I will tackle this again tomorrow. Why am I talking to myself?”

Locking the motorhome behind her, she climbed into the SUV and drove home. 

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The Widow’s Quest Begins, part 1

Claudia awoke early the next morning, exhausted emotionally but energized at the same time.  She dreamt of Abe last night which had become normal, but as she lay there in the pre-dawn light she reflected on last night’s dream.  Unlike previous nights, Abe wasn’t reaching out to her or walking away from her rather last night it was images of Abe as he lived his life.  Laughing and engaging in activities he loved while he was alive.  She smiled as the images danced in her head, Abe lighting the grill and prepping for a weekend in the woods. 

“The dream couldn’t have been just a mere coincidence,” Claudia thought.  “Abe was trying to telling me something, a clue maybe?”

Claudia mulled this thought over as she made coffee and carried it back into the bedroom.  As the coffee cooled and she showered, the thought wouldn’t be dismissed that her dream had significance.  Slipping into her comfortable navy sweats and Abe’s soft and favorite t-shirt emblazoned with Animal from the Muppets, Claudia grabbed her coffee cup and made her way to the kitchen and made herself another cup.

As the coffee brewed, Claudia grabbed some paper and a pen making a list of all the likely places Abe could have hidden this family treasure.

1. Boat
2. Camper
3. Under the bed
4. Hidden compartment in his desk?
5. Back of the file cabinet

A smile graced Claudia’s face, not one of those fake, insincere smiles she had been flashing to family and friends since Abe’s death.  This smile came from the heart and lit-up her face as she thought about Abe.  Unbeknownst to Claudia, the healing process had begun and she was going to be fine in the coming months.  Abe might be physically absent but his presence and love would be felt for the remainder of her days.

“The boat and the camper are the least likely I think.  I’m going to tackle those first.”  As she sipped her coffee, she realized that she had begun to talk out loud to herself to fill the silence. Shrugging her shoulders, she decided that if it brought her comfort than it wasn’t hurting anyone.

As the door to the garage silently shut behind her, Claudia made her way to the boat.  The three car-garage held their SUV and the boat.  The camper was stored at a facility a couple of miles down the road.  “Boat first, no sense driving over there if the treasure is hidden in the boat.”

She climbed into the loving restored boat and the memories came flooding back.  Abe hunched over the crumbling and rotting wood as he assured her that despite it’s outward appearance now, one day she would be a thing of beauty.  Claudia shook her head now, as she had all those years ago, smiling at the memory and the beautiful boat Abe had restored.  Over the next hour or two, every cushion and cubby hole was thoroughly searched and although she found a pair of lost earrings and a couple half-finished paperbacks there was nothing resembling a family treasure hundreds of years old.

Her hair had slipped out of it’s pony tail and as she re-secured her hair, she surveyed the mess she had made, there were cushions haphazardly placed, cubbyholes half-way closed, and bits and pieces of their life scattered on every available surface.  The sight brought a heavy hearted smile to her face and Claudia sat down with an audible “thud” as she surveyed the mess.  “Oh Abe, I miss you.  I miss reaching out and feeling you beside me.  And most of all, I miss knowing that we will never again have a sunset boat trip on the lake.”  The tears flowed but she made no effort to stop them, nor did she feel guilty for the first time since that phone call a month ago for being alive without him. 

The tears passed as she straightened up the boat.  Once the boat was once again immaculate, Claudia climbed down and brushed herself off.  Without sparing second thought for how she must look, she grabbed the keys to the car and the camper and headed out.  The camper was only fifteen minutes down the road and Claudia made it without really paying attention to where she was going.  Pulling up to the camper, another wave of memories engulfed her.  Another of Abe’s restoration projects, this one an old motorhome from the 1970’s.  She remembered the look on his face as he proudly drove up in the thing as she came out the front door. 

“Abe seriously, it is in worse condition than the half-finished boat you are reviving in the garage.  What are we supposed to do with this, this thing?” her voice was filled with contempt, confusion and exasperation all at the same time.

Abe had smiled as he parked the motorhome and walked over to her.  “Don’t worry honey bunch, it will be lovely and we can spend our golden years escaping into the woods and away from the hustle and bustle.  Just imagine, our own private hide-away just ready and waiting for us whenever we want.  I promise it will be perfect.”

Claudia shook her head, trying to clear the memories.  “Oh Abe, it is beautiful and I would have loved to spend time in the woods with you.”  Again, the tears started as she slipped from the SUV and unlocked the camper.

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Dragon’s Head Village: The Birth of a Friendship, part two

Flinn stood calmly and looked curiously at Crispin and Arsenic. Crispin couldn’t believe the façade of calm and pounced on Flinn. Claws out, he landed on Flinn’s bare leg and hung on as if Buttercup had come back to life before his eyes.

Flinn flinched but made no move to remove Crispin from his leg. Rather, he said “That really smarts Crispin, if you wanted my attention you could have just asked me a question.”

Arsenic merely laughed and made his way up to Flinn’s left shoulder. “Don’t mind him, he’s grumpy and he doesn’t really know who he can trust.”

Flinn nodded and merely reached down and stroked the bristled fur on Crispin’s spine. “I promise Crispin, you can trust me.”

Crispin growled and released his hold on the boy’s leg. “We shall see about that. After all, I’ve have heard the whispers about your mother.”

Flinn slumped down against the base of the tree, his whole demeanor instantly changed. “What are they saying now? I’ve seen the looks when I walk in the village. I have no friends and it is lonely.”

Arsenic settled on Flinn’s shoulder and spoke up. “We, Crispin and I, have been talking. I have come up with a plan and I think I’ve convinced our friendly dragon here to help us all. But it means we all have to trust one another and be willing to take a risk.”

“I still think it is a horrible idea,” muttered Crispin. “I mean after all, a dragon, a fairy, a boy, and a wee girl unite to save a village? It’s daft.”

“What wee girl are you talking about? I want to help.” There was an air of excitement and curiosity in Flinn’s voice that was undeniable.

Arsenic spoke before there was a chance to for Crispin to start to complain. “Flinn, first anything we talk about this afternoon is between the three of us. Promise?”

Flinn vigorously nodded his head, his long brown hair slipping over his eyes as he nodded his head.

“Alright then, here’s the situation. I’m a horrible flower fairy. Everything I touch withers and dies and yet I love the village and the people. The other fairies are afraid I have something catching and they ignore me most of the time. Crispin here has a night time problem, he can’t sleep and so he roams the village at night. I followed him several nights and you will never guess what our “oh so scary” dragon here does on these nights.”

“What? Does he plug chimneys or dig up rose gardens?”

Crispin scowled, the displeasure evident on his face. “I do not dig up rose gardens. I told you this was a bad idea Arsenic. Can we kindly go now before this goes any further?”

Arsenic just laughed and ignored the plea. “Flinn he actually helps people at night. He sneaks into houses and shops and gardens and does things that need to be done. I’ve seen him stoke a fire that has almost gone out and tuck a smile child back into bed after the covers have ended up on the floor. One night I watched with amazement as Crispin straightened the butcher’s shop after a particularly bad day for the butcher.”

Flinn looked down at Crispin and smiled. “I never thought the stories about him were true. They seemed like too much bluster and not enough sustenance to be honest. Who is the wee girl and how do I fit into the plan you have?”

“The wee girl is Hermonia, she just moved back into town with her parents. She is three, maybe four, and she, like you, can see fairies. She is also not fearful of Crispin. She is very curious and intelligent and is fearless. I quite like her but Crispin is completely nervous about trusting one so young.”

“I’ve met her once when she came to my mother’s with her parents. She was quite talkative and funny. I liked her. But how do I fit into your plan? I am just a boy and according to my mother not a particularly bright or funny one.”

Crispin spoke up, “Your mother is wrong. I’ve watched from a distance since you were very small. Your mother is a bully who favors your sister because she wants her to someday take over the herbal business from her. Your mother has convinced everyone she’s a ‘witch’ and thus the village fears her. I think you are smarter than your mother and sister combined.”

Flinn just stared at Crispin, a bewildered look on his face. “You’ve been watching me? I never even knew.”

Crispin nodded, “Yes but I think you and Hermonia are too young to be involved in Arsenic’s crazy plan. It’s one thing if I get caught sneaking around, everyone already doesn’t trust me but you and Hermonia are innocent and if we get caught there is nothing we can do to help you. The village doesn’t even know about the flower fairies and they will never believe that I can talk.”

Flinn nodded, his face pensive. “That is true but although I’m only eight I know that a life without risk is boring. I’m already bored and lonely enough. I want to help. I understand the risks but I would rather run the risk of getting caught then doing nothing.”

Arsenic fluttered down to the ground standing between Crispin and Flinn. “Then it is a deal. The three of us are in. That just leaves having a conversation with Hermonia.   She is always with an adult unless she slips out of the house to talk to the fairies. I guess I will try and catch her on one of those occasions.”

“I heard she’s coming her in the morning with her mother. I’m not sure why they are coming or how long they will be here.” Flinn spoke up, excited and nervous.

“Then tomorrow morning it is. I will be here with the first light since I’ve noticed the Hermonia likes to wake up with the sun. Crispin I will brief you at tea time if you can manage to sneak away from the afternoon walk.”

Crispin nodded his head slowly, “It seems like the best plan. Although I still think it has too many risks for the children to take.”

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The Widow's Gift, part four

Claudia forced herself to relax and ease in the tension building in her shoulders. Abe’s letter was sitting on her knee, silently demanding to be read. Claudia felt the tension, the longing, the need to read the letter but knew that continuing to read the letter would mean accepting, once and for all, that Abe was really gone and would never again be walking through the door.
Sighing, she picked up the letter and forced herself to continue reading.

I know how hard this is for you but I also know you are stronger than you think and that with time you will be fine. I wrote two letters, one for you and one for Jared as is family tradition. Stop wrinkling your brow, there is one secret I kept from you all these years and this letter will explain it. Had life turned out differently, Jared would have received the letter explaining all of this so that he could pass on the tradition.

Before I explain further, I need your promise that once you have read this you will make similar provisions leaving the contents of this letter and your addition to it, to Jared. Family tradition is clear, that it passes from husband to wife or oldest son. I fulfilled my obligations when I left you the family tradition and I will admit that it is a puzzle I know you will enjoy.

Now enough of being secret and obtuse. For the last five hundred years, the oldest male member of the family has hidden and passed on a cache of wealth to be used in case of a threat to the safety and stability of the family as a whole. The cache has been used and rebuilt many times, most recently in the Revolutionary War.

Since then, after the family was moved out of New York and to Philadelphia, the cache has grown in value and wealth. It is never kept in a bank and is never kept in the form of liquid cash or stocks. It must always be kept in a commodity that can be liquidated if necessary regardless of where the family ends up. The only other stipulate placed on the cache is that it must be a mix of assets that can be liquidated so that the cache is insulated from fluctuations in value.

I learned of the cache when my father passed fifteen years ago. If you remember, I went on a business trip after Dad passed. I had to find the cache and make sense of the contents thereof. It felt like an unnecessary wild goose chase when I got my letter and I freely admit I was pissed off at my dad. However, now I understand the value of the cache and the necessity for secrecy.

Now for the puzzle part of the tradition. In an abundance of caution, the family tradition is that the location of the cache is never written down. Each must find the cache left to them without a clue. All I can say is that the cache is located on the property and that it is something you use every day almost.

It will not be easy to discover and will undoubtedly cause you to swear at me loudly in the coming weeks. There is an unintended side benefit to the tradition, the search helps you work through the grief, anger, and loneliness. Well, that’s what I discovered as I mourned Dad and searched for the cache.

I know, Claudia. I can hear you think and grumbling at me without even being aware. I promise love if I didn’t think you were strong enough to see this through then I would have broken tradition and passed the cache directly to Jared. Please don’t seek help from the children and please don’t fret if you don’t find it immediately. Unlike my dad, I think I hid it so well it will take much longer than a couple of weeks to find.

You are the love of my life and not even death can deny how deeply I love you. I am still there, standing beside you every day. You will never be alone. Don’t give up on life because I am not there to share it. Please remember that I love you but I do not want you to give up on life because I passed first. Be happy, laugh every day, go outside and tend the garden. If you find new love, then embrace it with open arms and my blessing. I am gone but I will always be with you. You made my life complete and made me a better person my love.

Abe

Claudia felt the letter slip from her hand as the tears poured down her face. Subconsciously, she reached a hand up behind her search for Abe. Finding nothing, the tears intensified and the sound of her screaming in agony echoed through the house.

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