Premonition

Sally held her hand over the shelf in her closet for a long moment. " What is it?" she wondered, looking intensively at a black object tucked under her white pajamas. The next moment she was holding a small, black notebook, not knowing where did it come from, who did it belong to, and how did it find its way to her closet. It was a late evening and Sally had a long day behind her. She was tired and languid, but this discovery had sharpened her attention. She kept looking at the small, black cover with interest. It had no inscription. The nicely rounded, thin spine of the book was holding a bundle of white pages. Sally was turning the small black thing in her hands as if waiting for permission to open it. If there were some answers to her questions, she could only find them inside. Sally lowered her head and carefully opened the notebook. But there was nothing inside. Not a single letter or a mark. All pages had a smooth surface, and they reminded Sally of the paper she used to preserve food. Sally realized how tired she was. She placed the notebook on the nearby table and reached for her pajamas.

The next morning Sally woke up to the sound of the raindrops. She went to prepare her tea, and on her way to the kitchen, she reached for the black notebook she had left on the table last night. But the table was empty. The notebook was gone. Sally was left little time to search the room, but the notebook had become significant for her, for some reason. She searched meticulously every corner of the room, every shelf, and every drawer. She found few forgotten objects, but there was no trace of the small black notebook.

Later, during the day, Sally went for lunch with Pat. They met in a tiny, cozy Cafe. They liked to chat. " Are you sure it wasn't a dream?" asked Pat when Sally shared her story. " It was as real as it could be," murmured Sally. What do you think I should do? I can't get it out of my head." Sally was inconsolable. Pat raised her shoulders. " Give it some time."

It was Thursday before the Spring holidays when Sally decided to visit her relatives in Vermont. It has been a few years since her relatives moved into her parent's house. This visit was long overdue. And Sally knew how happy her Aunt Sophy and Uncle Ted would be to see her. They have been inviting her since they moved in. Since they have bought the house. It was their house now, but for Sally, it was a place she grew up. There were old and dear furniture, meaningful objects, and many precious memories. Sally paused, not being sure if she was truly ready for this visit.

The next day Sally called her aunt and uncle in Vermont and told them that she had accepted their invitation. She joyfully made a map of all giftshops in the neighborhood and imagined what she would buy for each family member. The first place to visit was a bookstore.

Few blocks away from Sally's home was an old, fancy building with a tiny book store on the first floor. Sally was among its frequent visitors. The store had a wide variety of books. Between the bookshelves were large tables with homemade cosmetics and sweets. It was a perfect place to buy a gift. Sally was looking for a book for Uncle Ted. Passing a shelf with calendars and magazines, she noticed something that looked strangely familiar. Among colorful magazine covers was a small black notebook. It had a familiar black cover with a thin spine holding a bundle of yellowish pages. It looked like a perfect gift for Uncle Ted. On the shelf nearby, Sally found home magazines for Aunt Sophy, and among cosmetics, she discovered handmade soaps and fragrances she knew her cousins would like. She bought homemade chocolates with nuts and seeds for the kids and found nice wrapping papers and bows. And wrapping up the gifts was so much joy. For the magazines' Sally used white paper decorated in garden-rose patterns. She had placed each cosmetic in a suitable pastel box and decorated all chocolates with bright bows. And for the notebook, Sally had the burgundy paper with dark brown patterns resembling tree branches. She found it lovely.

Vermont greeted Sally with warm yet rainy weather. Sally's house seemed the same, from a distance. She saw Aunt Sophy and Uncle Ted waiting outside under their big navy umbrella. Sally paused. Her cousin had opened the door. The house inside had a smell of cinnamon. Aunt Sophy had prepared delicious meals. Uncle Ted tended to a fireplace. The family dinner was ready.

Sally unpacked the gifts. She didn't buy anything for the house, and she was glad that she didn't. The house was so different now. Uncle Ted gave Sally a warm hug when he noticed that a small burgundy package she brought him had for her a special significance.

The following days were filled with fun, tasty meals, storytelling, and walks in the park. On the day of Sally's departure, she heard Aunt Sophy and uncle Ted talking in the kitchen. Their conversation didn't make much sense to her. " We can put this cheque in one of the gifts," said Uncle Ted." It is a cheque for 20 000 dollars!" said Aunt Sophy. "I wouldn't put it in the kitchen bowl. It would have to be a special gift." Someone entered the kitchen and interrupted the conversation.

Sally had finished packing her suitcase and went to say goodbye to everybody. There were hugs and kisses. Aunt Sophy gave Sally a bouquet of small, purple flowers, and Uncle Ted handed her a small package wrapped in grey paper. He asked Sally to open it at home.

Hours later, sitting in her living room with a glass of wine and flowers on the table, Sally had opened her gift. Inside the grey package was another small package and an envelope with a note. Sally closed her eyes. She paused in the same way she paused before she reached for her black notebook in her closet. Then, she slowly opened her eyes and read the note.

" It is a gift from your father," she recognized her uncle's writing." I have promised him to give it to you after your first visit home. Your father would have liked you to open it and to use it in your own home. It is my pleasure to fulfill his wish. P.S. We hope to see you soon. With love, your family."

Sally looked at the unwrapped small package in her hands and the flower bouquet. The freshness and beauty of the flowers have made her feel appreciative. Inside the small package was a black notebook with a cheque for 20 000 dollars.