Pop's Little Black Book

After the last mourner had left the wake, Kellee knew it was time to tearfully go through the remnants of two lives that had spent over fifty years together. There wasn’t much, as Pops and Gran had been quite frugal. I guess growing up during the depression had instilled in them to hold on to every dollar. They lived simply and may not have appeared to have much, but they were rich in Love and Family.

Kellee had recruited his sons Clint and West to help clear out the old farm home, that Pops had built with his own two hands. The boys were anxious to get it done, but Kellee knew there was one item he must find. Pops always carried a little black book in his front pocket. It had always intrigued Kellee. Pops raised and sold cattle, chickens for eggs and butcher, and worked his and others’ fields for planting and harvest. Pops always worked hard to bring in the cash needed to sustain the Ramseys’. Kellee always wondered why Pops entered every transaction in that little black book. To him, it appeared he did not seem to do any better than just above breaking even.

As Clint and West cleared out the desks, drawers and cabinets, Kellee was sure to insist they not throw anything away. He was intent on finding that little black book. It had more than sentimental value. He just knew it would give him some insight into Pops mind. How he managed to “make it all work”.

Kellee had finally gotten his own place with the acreage to follow in Pops footsteps. He had struggled to get the tractor business, Exterior Creations, to be profitable. This was the legacy he wanted to leave to Clint and West. Every time Kellee got ahead, it seemed life threw him another curve ball. He needed the wisdom in that book to guide him. To have Pops repeat to him what Kellee had ignored so many times before. Like when Pops had told him, keep a hold of that woman Joyce. She is the brains of your union. But, Kellee let others take precedence over her and Joyce was gone. Gone, just like all of his hopes and dreams. He needed that little black book more than the air he breathed.

The boys had already lit the burn barrel. The timing was perfect. The sun was setting as Kellee walked out the door and looked upon the land his Pops had cultivated over more than fifty years. Gold and red shined upon Clint and West as they stoked the fire from a coop that had served it’s purposed many years ago, and was now fuel. Anticipation was the feeling Kellee had in his gut. But, he shrugged that off and went to the burn barrel to decide what would burn and what would not. Like most of Kellee’s life, a lot had burned. Gone forever. But, he was intent to find that little black book.

As Kellee sat down, West said “Hey dad, funny thing, as I was tearing down that old coop, I found a little black book. Can’t make much sense of it, but, I thought it may be important”. Kellee’s hands shook as he took that little black book. Memories flooded his mind. Pops telling him hang on to that woman. He opened the book and flashed through the pages until something caught his eye.

Under the heading of Joyce, were entries of monetary amounts. Some more than 5 thousand dollars. What was this? Why would she have any interest in the Ramsey family? Joyce left. She was no longer a family member in his mind. He looked more closely, and after each entry, there was a heart drawn next to it. As if there was love there. WHY? Did Pops love her that much? Why? She left. Gone.

It agitated Kellee so much, he had to call her. “Why are you in Pop’s little black book? After a silence that seemed to be forever, she responded. “Pops loved you more than you know. He entrusted me with the proceeds from the wells on his property. I told him, I would not touch those funds, as they belong to the Ramseys’. I am proud that he entrusted me with such an honor, and if you would like access to those funds, you have to admit I was the best thing that you ever had”.

Kellee began to sob, because he knew it was true. This woman could have profited off the funds entrusted to her, but she chose to hold them. Knowing, one day, Kellee would inquire. In all there was more than $20,000 that had built up. Joyce felt satisfaction that Pops knew best. And now Kellee did also. Love is the strongest of emotions, when it is true.