My grandmother's secrete

I stare at the payment only feeling shock or maybe even anger at myself.

"I thought we paid it," I said my eyes burned with the threat of tears.

James looked at me Only sympathy showing on his grim face.

Yet he said only nothing not even muttering words of encouragement, but maybe because that would just be a lie.

" Hey um... you got something in the mail today from your grandma," James said his eyes not meeting mine.

They were fixed on a little black book that sat at the center of the table.

" That is insane she died three years ago unless heaven has UPS I don't see how she could send me something."

He dropped the little book in front of me along with the package.

His hands were raised in defeat and he took a step back away from me and the book as if I was a bomb that was ticking away to explode, and maybe I was.

I looked back and forth from James and the book It was hers I muttered more to myself than to him.

I laughed in hysteria it was hers it really was.

I use to see her write in it all the time, she never said what it was.

All I knew was that it was a little black notebook just like this I raised the notebook to emphasize.

James only arched an eyebrow at me.

" So let's read it" he mused " um... let's not," I said with a pointed look even tho deep down I wanted to read it as bad as he did.

" Come on" he begged "Just the first page"

I took a deep breath through my nose " Fine," I breathed and started reading.

May 14, 1918

I buried it today, tho I should have burned into Ashes, but then again I don't think I could have brought myself to do so.

The money is secure well that's what I keep telling myself I do not know how many times I have to keep telling myself. I have not told anyone of my plains to escape yet, tho they would never understand.

May 15, 1918

I left today I told myself that I would not look back. Eyes forward I told myself, and I did not look back even when my daddy cursed me underneath his breath 19 and pregnant I was considered a disgrace.

I paused and looked at my husband whose eyes held mine wow was only one of the words that went through my head.

money was the second and the question did she ever get the money I was intrigued. " keep reading" James ordered from his seat his focus solely on the book.

May 16, 1918

I left the money with no time to reach it at the baseball field only two people know where the money is. I am at the train station now awaiting my trip to the new world my baby is due any month now.

Jane my best friend is told to never touch the money let it rot in the dirt. this is the last I will ever speak of the money what I did to make it I don't deserve this life.

Jane, I whispered I know her James stood up his eyes meeting mine. we have to find her. I racked my brain for her information.

writing the address down James peering over my shoulder do you know what this means. we will be rich.

" We don't know that," I said not able to contain my smile.

"Tomorrow we will go and see her, but for now I said laying the book down we go to bed and dream of money or what is left of it why bury money"

James shrugged his shoulders the only answer I will get from him.

The morning sun shone through the old dirty curtains and I blinked against the oddly bright December sun.

James was still asleep when I went into the bathroom to put on what little makeup I had and got dressed into what had to be my nicest outfit.

we were poor.

An hour later we were out the door walking towards the main street an eight-mile walk to where we were going.

The nursing home.

we arrived at twelve both of us coated with sweat Jane baker I said a little unevenly to one of the nurses who shot me a dirty look.

she glances at James who to my surprise was drinking yet another bottle of water his shirt off revealing his tan muscled chest and I shot the lady one of my own dirty looks as her attention shifted.

" 212" the Lady hissed we left the lady staring at us as we made our way closely reading the door numbers all the way until we found 212.

" Hello miss Jane," I said as I made my way to where she was sitting staring off into nothingness.

we Have a question we received this book in the mail yesterday I held the book out in my hand to show her and there was talk of money I was wondering where it saw me and she put her hand out to stop yes, of course, it is just at the baseball field at Jefferson high school just under the bleachers in the middle there is red tape to mark it. she smiled and even as we left her room and the whole nursing home I could not help but shiver as we made our way to Jefferson High school baseball field.

We made our way to the bleachers and found the spot where she was talking about marking the money location my hands were sweating as I got down on my hands and knees and started digging.

minutes past and what felt like hours passed just when I was started to give up I saw a black duffel bag peeking out. Money, I gasped pulling the bag out, I handed it to James who opened it gaping at the money.

wait there is more I said and I kept digging, but what I saw was an arm and hid my cry my scream muffled by the snitch of decay James called 911 before rushing away from the scene with the money that was no doubt evidence.

MY grandma is a Murder.