Casa Blanca Lilly

Every morning I wake up to the sound of waves crashing on iridescent sand and the smell of my favorite salted caramel coffee calling my name. I think to myself, "Thank God it is Saturday!" I cannot wait to see the sunrise's magnificent colors of pink and yellow hues as the sun rises above the ocean.

I look forward to the weekends after a long work week to relax. Growing up in Fernandina Beach with my grandmother, Lilly was a whimsical community on Amelia Island with a fascinating history. My parents passed away when I was five years old in a car accident, and Lilly raised me. I did not know anything about my grandfather. Lilly and my parents, Aria and Steven, never spoke of him, and I never thought to ask. My grandmother was the most gracious, companionate, and gentle person I ever knew. When Lilly passed away last year, she left the cottage to me and will always remember that she believed this was her piece of heaven.

After a year of doing odds and ends because time goes so quickly, I was down to the last few things of my grandmother's memories. I took out a small decorative white box with flowers and butterflies to see what was in it. Sitting on the porch swing, I could feel the calm and peacefulness of the ocean and the cool breeze blowing against my face. Lilly always said her favorite flower was the Casa Blanca Lily. She would say, "The blooms at night reflect the moonlight just as it does off the sea."

I remember asking her, "Grandma, it is funny that your name is your favorite flower." She would say, "Yes, Willow, it is, and one day you will have a favorite too."

As I opened the box, there were pictures and letters that I had not seen before. I remembered that I never saw Lilly's pictures when she was younger and only very few in her later years. I began to read a letter from my mom, Aria, my grandmother's daughter. When I lived with my parents in New Jersey, my mom always sent Lilly letters and pictures of me as I grew, the new things I was learning to do, and the fun things we did as a family. Although Lilly was originally from New Jersey, she never visited, and we always would take vacations to see her at the cottage. I do not recollect much of the accident that happened not far from where my grandmother lived. I could only remember Lilly picking me up from the hospital a week later. I found a picture of my parents when they got married. I began to tear up looking at my mom and how I looked so much like her. I did not see any photos of Lilly. Thoughts began to make my mind wander. Where was Lilly?

I had the phone number for Bella, my mom's best friend. However, there has been no contact for several years. Bella was a huge help when my parents passed with going through everything and having the remainder shipped to my grandmother. Then I came across several letters from a man that I could only assume was my grandfather.

One letter stuck out the most "You are my truest love and always remain in my heart. Any pain I have caused, please forgive me. You will forever be my Casa Blanca Lilly Moon, Love Sebastian." I did not see any more letters from Sebastian after this one."

Then I found a letter addressed to me from Lilly. My heart sank and began beating fast as I opened it. It said," My Dearest Willow, if you are reading this, then know I have moved on and do not worry. Remember when you see the sunrise, it is a beautiful new day. Let the fireflies and moon a night light your way in the darkness. Listen to the sea ease your worries. Most of all, continue to care for my Casa Blanca Lilly because it has a story to tell. Love you with all my heart and soul, Lilly."

As the week went on, I could not stop thinking, "What story is Lilly talking about?" I had some cleaning up to do in the garden and found my favorite Lavender plant that I would put next to the Casa Blanca Lilly. As I walked into the small shed decorated with shells and driftwood, I noticed a little wooden sign. I turned it over and engraved in it was "Casa Blanca" in beautiful calligraphy letters. Lilly must have forgotten to hang it. I took the sign and hung it above the front of the cottage. Now to start planting.

I began digging next to the Casa Blanca Lilly but was careful not to disturb it. Exploring a little further, I thought I hit a rock as I made the hole large enough to get what appeared to be a tin of some kind out.

To my surprise, I thought," What could this be?"

I did not feel I had to prepare myself for what I was about to see. As I opened the 4 x 5 silver tin, there were pictures. I began to panic and feel very weak. It was pictures of Lilly with Sebastian and Lilly by herself. I felt happy but also confused, "Was this the story Lilly was talking about?"

There was writing on the back, and I could tell it was my grandmother; however, I had never seen Sebastian before. He was tall, dark-haired, slim build and very handsome. Lilly had long blonde curly hair, the bluest eyes, and beautiful. Next, I find a small black book that I could only assume was a diary of some kind. On the outside of the book, it said, "Secrets are not to cause harm but only to protect."

After I took the book out there was an envelope left. I opened it and pulled out a lump sum of money. I could not believe my eyes and think I let out a small scream. I threw everything in the box and hurried to plant the lavender and then would take everything inside to be safer from anyone seeing anything. Once inside, I began laying everything out on the dining room table. I sorted pictures, the little black book, and money. There were hundred-dollar bills, and after it was all counted, it totaled $20,000. 'Where in the world did Lilly get this money" I thought.

I opened the book, and as I began reading, it had names, dates, and times listed that I did not recognize. A small piece of folded white paper fell out as I turned another page. I opened it, and it read, "Lilly, please take this and the money. Hide it in a safe place so that no one can find it. I am so sorry for the hurt I have caused you. I never thought my life would come to this" signed Sebastian.

The numerous thoughts began to overwhelm me. I put everything back into the tin. I did not want to bury it again.

"What if someone had a metal detector and found it?"

If I hide it in the cottage, "What if someone breaks it and steals it?"

If I take it somewhere, "Will I be asked a bunch of questions of where the money came from?"

If I ever needed a drink, it would be now.

I loved my grandmother with all my heart but could not get these questions out of my mind.

"What were her secrets?"

Who was Sebastian, and how was he involved?

"Did my parents know anything about Sebastian or what was there to hide?"

Most of all. "Was I safe if Lilly had been hiding something for all these years?"

I needed to try to go to sleep and see if I have a fresh new perspective tomorrow.

The next day I made my coffee and dug through all the papers. I had to try and find Bella's phone number. I came across a card from Bella to Lilly that had a number, so I dialed, hoping it would be her number.

When the lady answered, I said, "Hello, I am trying to reach Bella."

The person responded, "Yes, this is Bella. Who may I ask is calling?"

I replied, "This is Willow, Lilly's granddaughter. You were best friends with my mom, Aria."

There was a moment of silence, but then Bella said," Willow, it is so good to hear from you. I am sorry I have not stayed in touch. I am sorry to hear about Lilly. How are you?"

I explained that I was doing well and living at the cottage; however, I found Lilly's things, and they have made me very curious. Bella asked if I was planning on visiting anytime soon. I said, "I would love to visit."

I said that I could plan to come in two weeks. Bella said,' You are more than welcome to stay with me. I have plenty of room. It will be so good to see you."

Friday came quick, and it was time to head to Chester, New Jersey, to see Bella. I flew into Alexandria Field Airport, and rather than Bella picking me up just took an Uber to her house. When I arrived, I saw the cutest Cape Code, and Bella was there to greet me.

She hugged me and said," Willow, it is so lovely to see you; it has been so long. You are as beautiful as your mother."

I said," It is so great to see you too. I know my mom thought of you like family, so I am happy that be here."

I took my things in and got settled. Bella's house was beautiful and so well kept. We went to the back porch that overlooked a small pond and the smell of honeysuckle. We talked about my mom, dad, and grandmother. Bella said they never had children, and her husband, Larry passed away last year. She said they were married for 30 years, and we both were able to spend several years traveling together after he had retired from his medical practice.

I mentioned to Bella that I had found a box buried by Lilly's favorite flower that contained a little black book. I did not say the 20,000 because I did not know how she would react. I also asked. "Do you know anything about my grandfather or a man named Sebastian?"

Bella smiled and said," I knew this would come up eventually. Lilly did not like to talk about it, not because she was scared, but she did not want to look back. She moved to Fernandina Beach to move forward. Lily and Sebastian were high school sweethearts. They married right out of high school and a year later had your mom. Sebastian worked as an account for a private company that has since shut down."

She then went on to say, "After your mom graduated college, she met your dad. You arrived 11 years later. Aria and I had been best friends since elementary school, and she was like a sister to me. Sebastian was the accountant supervisor for a large firm in Boston; for over 20 years. The FBI began investigating money laundering and other illegal activities. I do not think Sebastian was a part of it as much as he was trying to protect himself. He had to go on a business trip, and the plane crashed. They never found him."

Knowing that Sebastian was indeed my grandfather was a relief. It made more sense now about what my grandmother has hidden. Now I will do what she would have wanted and find a new hiding place. I realized that nothing is perfect, and everyone has secrets that never need to be known.