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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