Fated Memories (6 page)

She thought for a moment then nodded. “Yeah, I’m good, Lucy, you?”

Their smiles turned to giggles that progressed to full-blown belly laughs, clearing the tension in the air. They laughed so hard and so long, they missed the green light and had to sit through another red one. After catching their breath, they drove the rest of the way home, still reliving their narrow escape from the old house.

“Thank God you handled that, Kit. When I saw them coming so close I thought we were finished. And I’ll never forget that expression on your face when you said ‘I’ve got this’.” She mockingly deepened her voice, making it sound like The Terminator. “You were such a different person, so in control and focused. I knew you’d get us out of there alive! You have no idea how amazing you are.” Maggie reached over with her free hand and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze.

***

They carried the trunk into Maggie’s house and dropped it in front of the sofa where they both collapsed. “Wait a minute.” Maggie jumped up and ran into the kitchen singing to herself and returned with two glasses and a bottle of cheap champagne. “I bought this for us to celebrate.” She popped the cork with flair and poured them each a good size glass.

Maggie raised her glass, “To a job well done.” They clinked glasses and took long draughts of the cold bubbly liquid.

Kitty countered with, “To not getting killed or arrested.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

There were several more toasts that got sillier each time and the champagne disappeared quickly.

“Let’s check out our booty and see what we’ve got.” Maggie unlatched the trunk and rifled through it. “These old linens are amazing. Check out the intricate embroidery, it must’ve taken months to finish these things.”

Though not Kitty’s style, she tried to sound impressed for Maggie’s sake. “Well, I guess there wasn’t much to do for entertainment in those days, though I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been to do that close work by candlelight.”

Kitty waded through the old pictures again. The one of Grandma Margaret intrigued her. It was amazing how much she resembled Maggie. There were also a bunch more of people she didn’t recognize. Still, seeing the faces matching up with the names inscribed below, made them come alive.

“Are any of these photos of the ancestors we have in common?” It occurred to her that the possibility existed.

“I don’t know. I’ll have to recheck my research and see where they connect.”

As Kitty dug deeper into the chest, examining each photo and spreading them out on the floor, a small ornate jewelry box caught her eye. Filled with lovely antique pieces, each one had to be worth a fortune. Among the items, attached to a thin gold chain hung an antique oval shaped locket that showed two roses, one pink and one red, on a cream-colored background encased in ornate gold. The roses appeared to be made from a thousand tiny chips of colored stone and Kitty marveled at the craftsmanship needed to have created the image. She inspected the photo of Grandma Margaret again, comparing it to what she held in her hand.

“Maggie look, here’s the locket your grandmother wore in this picture. It’s even more gorgeous now that you can see the colors.”

Maggie stopped examining the linens and removed both things from Kitty’s hand. “Oh wow, you’re right, it is.” She released the catch, revealing a miniature of both her grandmother and her grandfather on each side. Tears formed in her eyes and Kitty plucked a tissue from the dispenser on the side table for her.

“Help me put it on, I want to wear it.” 

Kitty knelt behind her on the floor and connected the ancient catch. It hung at her throat just as it did on her grandmother in the photograph. 

“I’ll bet it’s been many years since Grandma’s seen this. She’ll be so happy that we found it. Let’s gather up as many of the documents and binders as we can and we’ll bring them to Grandma tomorrow when I come home from work. I’m not sure what she was looking for, but it must be among these things.”

Maggie’s next day at work flew by as she relived the escapade over in her mind. Grandma had been rambling about getting something from an old trunk for weeks and, after scoping out the house, Maggie realized she needed help to retrieve it. The original plan was to recruit Sylvie, but Kitty’s misfortune at the hospital turned out to be a blessing, turning a potential disaster into a successful mission.

What a shame her grandma hadn’t been lucid enough to mention that room when the bills poured in from her surgery. Those gorgeous antique clocks would’ve gone a long way to help pay for the hospital and aftercare.
Hmm…
With the experience they now had under their belts, Maggie wondered what it might take to cajole Kitty into going back for another crack at them. It made no sense leaving those poachers sitting on that gold mine.

***

When they arrived at the nursing home that evening, the clerk at the nurse’s station told them the doctor was with Grandma Margaret right now and they should stay in the waiting room. She gave assurances he’d speak with them before he left.  

Doctor Brunsting turned out to be a rather large, heavyset man in his sixties, with gray hair and a warm voice. He came into the waiting room wearing a grim expression.  

“Maggie, I'm so glad you’re here.”

After Maggie introduced Kitty, Doctor Brunsting settled in the chair facing them. “I’ve just been examining your grandmother, Maggie, and I'm afraid the update I have on her condition isn’t very promising. Since that last heart attack, her condition has taken a sharp turn for the worse. Your grandma is an extraordinary woman, but, as you know, age catches up to all of us and it appears her time is short.” Doctor Brunsting closed the chart on his lap. “Right now, she’s still awake and I'm sure she'll be glad to see you.”

“Thank you Doctor Brunsting. You've been so kind to my grandma and me. I appreciate everything you've done.”

He patted her hand and gave them both an apologetic smile then left to complete his rounds.

Kitty let Maggie cry on her shoulder for a few minutes.

“I don't want to waste too much time out here.” Maggie blew her nose and calmed her breathing. “I'll never forgive myself if she passes away while I'm sitting out here blubbering. Let's hurry up and get to her room.”

They carried the old trunk down the hall between them, the excitement of showing the contents to Grandma Margaret dissipating with the doctor's words.  

In the room they found Grandma half sitting up, her face pale and worn, the nasal prongs for oxygen in her nose and an IV running in her arm. The dimness of the room echoed their sorrow and heightened the foreboding atmosphere. Even so, Grandma gave them a warm, welcoming smile and tried to act as if nothing was wrong.  

“Maggie, Kitty, so nice of both you to visit.” Her labored breath made her voice weak. “What's that you have there?”

They were both so glad to hear her speak they almost forgot about the heavy trunk they’d been carrying.

“Grandma.” Maggie started sniffling again and ran over to hug her.

“Oh dear, you've been talking to that silly doctor haven't you.” She patted Maggie's back like a baby. “Don’t worry baby, everything will be fine. Your Grandpa Joe’s been waiting a long time for me and you have your own life to live without hanging around an old lady.”

Kitty fished the old photograph of Grandma Margaret out of the trunk and carried it over to her bedside. “Grandma, we have a surprise for you. We went to the old house as you asked and we found this picture with your name engraved on the bottom in the trunk with the papers and other photos. You looked so beautiful. Do you remember taking it?”

“Get my glasses from the table and let me see.” Kitty helped set them right on her face and placed the photo in her shaking hands. “Oh my, yes, look at me. I was quite a looker in my day you know.” She puzzled over the old photograph for a few minutes. “But no, I don’t remember posing for this. I’m just not sure. There are so many things I don’t remember anymore.” A note of regret and frustration tinged her voice. “Getting old is such a bugger!”

Maggie and Kitty couldn't help smiling at her brashness. 

Grandma studied both of them as she weakly shook her finger. “Remember to take every opportunity that comes your way because it might not come again. Now I’m not saying to be reckless of course, but if you stay on the safe road all your lives you’ll never have any fun. And what good is getting old if you don’t have any fun to remember?” A devilish smile flitted across her pale lips as she gazed at Kitty and then over at Maggie. The moment disappeared, though, as an expression of alarm froze on her face.

Grandma's hand lifted, and she brushed the locket around Maggie's neck with her fingertips. “The locket, you found it.” she whispered. The lines on the monitor spiked higher as she spoke. Her voice regained a little strength, and her eyes filled with wonder at the sight. “I bought this in Philadelphia at an antique shop on Broad Street on my sixteenth birthday. I do remember that. You know how I love to shop for antiques. Ah, I was so young then, so adventurous, just as I hope you ladies are.” Grandma's wistful smile was contagious. “Those lovely roses with the pearl white background drew such envy from the ladies in Paris when I wore it.”

Maggie’s brow creased. “Paris? I had no idea you'd visited Paris, Grandma.”

“I went back to find earrings to match,” Grandma continued without acknowledging Maggie's question. “But I couldn’t find the store again. I searched up and down the street where the shop had been, even stopping at other shops to inquire, but that little antique store had just vanished into thin air. It was so disappointing.”

“Anyone can understand why the other ladies would be so jealous, Grandma, the piece is stunning. And I love that you put pictures inside of you and Grandpa Joe. I'll treasure it always.”

“Yes, and remember to hold on to it very tightly dear, very tightly.” Grandma sunk back into the bed fatigued from the effort of speaking. “It's such a wondrous thing. It took me anywhere my heart desired.”

As they talked, Kitty dug out other photographs and assembled the important papers for Grandma's attention. By the looks of things, time was running short.

“Maybe we should let you rest Grandma, you're looking exhausted.” 

“Tired, yes, I'm very tired.”

Maggie didn't leave her grandma's side, but sat there with her cheek resting on her grandma’s frail hand.

Minutes later the slow beeping became a steady tone and nurses swarmed into the room. As Maggie wept, Kitty saw her grandma had passed. What do you say to someone who's just lost the one person who’s been their lifeline for the last several years? Even as old and frail as she was, just knowing there was someone nearby who knew you intimately, who could understand and comfort you, be your crutch and confidante when you were at your lowest, meant all the difference in the world to Maggie after her parents died. The two women had become so close over the last year, more like sisters than cousins, and the painful scene before her made Kitty’s own problems seem insignificant. There were just no words to comfort that emptiness, so enfolding Maggie in her arms, she rocked and cried with her.    

“Thank you Kit, for being here with me, I can’t imagine how I’d have handled this by myself.” Maggie struggled to hold her emotions in check.

“Seriously, Mags, if I wasn't already here you know I'd have dropped everything and flown here in an instant. I'd never leave you to face this alone, best buds forever, right?” Maggie rewarded her paltry effort at humor with a weak but grateful smile.

The nurses were kind enough to let them stay in the room as long as they needed. A couple hours later, the paperwork signed, and the mortuary notified, Maggie and Kitty made their way back to the house, drained of emotion.

***

The next few days went by in a blur. Kitty had only planned to stay in Harrisburg for two or three weeks, but she couldn't walk out on Maggie now. She called her parents to tell them what had happened and that she'd be staying as long as Maggie needed her and not to worry. They sent their condolences with a huge basket of flowers. In fact, Maggie's house resembled a florist shop from so many well-wishers.

There were no other family members, but Maggie's many friends from the diner and the rec center attended the small memorial service she held at her house, bringing gifts of food and bouquets of flowers. Kitty assumed the role of hostess, welcomed the well-wishers, and accepted the thoughtful gifts on her behalf so Maggie could relax as much as possible with her friends. And at long last Kitty got to meet Simon. He'd been keeping his distance because Maggie had told him she'd be busy visiting with her cousin, but there was no way he’d miss such an important event. Maggie clung to him for support and introduced him to her friends.

He definitely looked hotter than she described and Kitty hoped that sometime she'd get the chance to discuss the past life memories Maggie had mentioned. Not tonight though, Mags really needed his attention and Kitty didn't want to distract him.

The guests didn't stay too long so by nine o'clock the leftover food had been put away. Kitty had just finished up the last of the dishes when Simon came into the kitchen.

“Kitty.” Simon put his arm around her shoulder and led her back out to the living room. “You've been such a great help to Maggie tonight, but now I want you to get off your feet and come have a drink with us. We need to toast her grandma's exit from this world as she begins her journey to heaven.”