Aunt Hattie’s

A red engine warning light appeared on my car’s console.

Suddenly, I had a very bad headache.

I turned right at Sherwood Drive. My home was straight ahead. A rustic looking cabin house.

I lifted the lid of the mailbox. Inside the mailbox was a little black notebook. I left the little black notebook sitting in the mailbox.

Gridley was waiting for me at the door.

As I entered the house, I could see Gridley dancing his little jig. Under my breath, I said, "thank you God for Gridley." I baby-talked with the poodle and hugged him dearly. "Gridley is the best dog ever;" I said, shouting it out loudly.

It's late and where is Blake, I thought. Something was up with Blake. Something was bothering him—like for about a week now.

Blake was a tall, well-built babe. His blond hair, baby-blue eyes, dark tan, large smile was a very tantalizing and incredibly irresistible package.

Blake is a sweetheart (but not lately). As of lately, Blake was just a pain.

I went to the kitchen. I opened up the refrigerator door and there sat the groceries Blake bought yesterday. There was a 12-pack of beer and some tortilla chips. I sighed.

I filled Gridley’s dog dish with dog food and sweet potatoes. I filled Gridley’s water dish to the top of the dish, like Blake requested.

I grabbed some ice tea and some chips and headed for the living room.

I took three Bayer aspirins for my ever growing headache.

I locked up the house and turned on the television.

I checked my phone. No calls. I groaned.

I grabbed my over-sized dog and sank into my big comfy over-sized chair and fell fast asleep.

Pain

My friend—without you there is no right or wrong...no happy or sad ...no salt or pepper...without you my friend ...just no measure for pleasure.

Pain

My friend—in your absence--relief ensues—Pressures gone.. Joy abounds--and then--and then you're back again.

Pain

My friend—I know you're here to stay..even though..from time-to-time, thankfully..you seem to stray..

Pain

One need not ask you how you've been when one knows why you're here again..to bring--lots of pain..time-after-time again..

The Little Black Notebook

I woke up in a stupor. Gridley was barking his head off. I touched my phone. My phone glared 3:00 am. What gives?

And then the doorbell rang.

I went to the front door. Through the peep hole I saw Blake. I opened the door.

‘Blake, where have you been?” I asked.

“Honey, you don't want to keep this little black book in this mailbox. Didn't you get my message?” Blake asked emphatically.

“No. I did not. What message?’ I asked.

The tension in my voice was abating. I was relieved that Blake had an explanation for being out all night.

Blake explained, “My phone.. I left my phone somewhere... I’ve been looking for it all night.. I called you from you're sister's house. I left a message on the answering machine, over there. ”

Blake pointed to the corner of the room.

I could tell Blake was becoming upset because he was talking too fast.

I looked over at the entry room table and sure enough there was an antiquated answering machine—with its lights flashing.

I walked over to the answering machine and pushed the play button.

(Blake’s voice on answering machine)

“’Annie , Jack London, you’re family’s lawyer called today. That little black notebook that was missing from your Aunt Hattie’s hat box—you know—from way back when; Jack found the little black notebook.

The black notebook is in our mailbox. Please go get it. Jack says it’s valuable. Please take it out of the mailbox as soon as you can.

Jack said he had a plane to catch this morning and that he had to leave town on an emergency.

I told Jack I'd give you the notebook.

I lost the key to the house. I'm over at your sister's house. I can't seem to find my cell phone or my house key.

I thought I had left them at your sister's house. My cell phone and my keys are missing too.

I’ll talk to you later Annie. Love you.’

( The message recorder snapped off).

"Blake, hand me that little black book.” I said curtly.

Dutifully, Blake handed me the little black book.

I noticed that the book was very very old. Inside the book were old coins..very old coins. Aunt Hattie had the coins labeled from one-to-ten. Each coin was taped to a page. Each page contained an abstract of the coin. The value of each coin (and this was the value of the coins in 1880) was at least $500,000 per coin.

I let out a big gasp.

Blake added, “Jack said he was sure you're mother did not know what was in the book when she told him to give it to you.”

“Where has this book been for the past 30 years? That's what I'd like to know.” I said.

“I need to get this notebook in a safe place. I need to get it insured. I can't believe Jack would hand this book over to you like this.” I said.

“I need to find Jack's phone number.” I continued.

“Annie, it's three o'clock in the morning. I'm tired. Can't this wait until tomorrow? What's in that little black book anyway?”

“Just some old coins.” I said.

“Let's hit the sack, Annie.”

“Go ahead Blake. I'm a little wired at the moment. I think I'll just sit up for awhile.”

Blake came over and pecked me on the cheek. “Good night Annie. I love you. I know I've been preoccupied lately. I really do love you.”

I stared at Blake for a moment. “I'll see you a little later, Blake.” I said.

I was upset that Jack left the book with Blake. It was an irresponsible thing to do.

I remembered what my sister said a few weeks earlier about Jack. She said the last time she'd seen Jack he looked ill. That he could barely focus on one subject when she was talking to him. And that Jack was 95 years old.

I thought to myself, if something is to good to be true, it probably is to good to be true.

I got the dog, and the little black book and jumped into my big over-sized leather chair and eventually fell asleep.

The Phone Call

I heard the the answering machine go off at about 10a.m.. It was Jack London, the lawyer.

"Hey, Annie. I'm just making sure you got that little black book. I know I have some explaining to do.”

I picked up the call.

“I'll say you do. Like where has this notebook been for the last 30 years?” I said irritably.

“ I cleaned out my office last week. I’m moving back to Ohio. I’m retiring.” Jack said.“ I found the little black book stuck in a file drawer I was cleaning out.

Before your Aunt Hattie died, she put a few of her belongings in a hat box for your mom to divvy out to you girls. Do you remember that?”

I shook my head up-and-down. I said, "Yes."

At that time, I inventoried all the items in the hat box, per you're mom‘s request. At that time, as I believe you recall, you’re mother said you were to get the notebook .

A week before you're mom died she asked me to come over to her house. She asked me to get the hat box from her guest room. I did as she requested. I got the hat box from the guest room.

I took the items out of the hat box as she requested. The little black book was missing from the hat box. The little black book was on my inventory list, but not in the hat box when I opened the box at your mom’s. I mentioned this to you're mom.

Your mom said, as I am sure you will recall, that if the little black book was found that you should get it.” Jack stated.

I familiar pain surfaced. I remember being so hurt at the time.

“Annie, I am truly sorry I didn’t give you the notebook in person yesterday.

By the way Annie, the coins are the real deal,. I had them appraised a few days ago. Congratulations, Annie.

I’ll be giving you a call in a couple of days, you know, to tie up a few ends. I’ll talk to you soon.”

The other Phone call on the Machine

"This is Kay Jeweler's and we have your engagement ring re-sized. It's ready. And Blake, you left your keys and your wallet here. See you soon."

Life Changes

I took the coins to the bank where they belonged.

The engine light was still flashing on the console of my car.

My headache was gone.

I grabbed the dog and the leash. I new a hike around the Fountain would be just what the doctor ordered.

I was glad I moved to Fountain Hills. It was truly a beautiful little town. The dog and I walked all the way around the fountain.

During the walk I thought about Aunt Hattie. Her given name was Priscilla Berard. Mom said they started calling Priscilla “Hattie” because she wore too many hats.

I remember seeing pictures of Aunt Hattie and she was a beauty. Even when she was in her 90’s she was beautiful. She was also a beautiful person inside too.

The Berard’s moved from France, sometime in the 1700’s to Canada for the fur trade. My Aunt was a servant there for an English family. I remember her talking about serving tea to the family all the time.

What I remember best about aunt Hattie is she like to fix me breakfast. She would go all out,. When I was a little girl she would let me drink coffee. We would talk and drink coffee like grownups all morning. I really love daunt Hattie.

Thank you aunt hattie, I thought for the coins, I’ll keep one coin. I will give my kids the others. I headed up. I had something important to tell Blake .

The recorder and the rin.was a beauty’s

The Trevor fee and the engine light The recorder and The baby