That Old House

“I used to love this old house. Whew!! If these walls could talk, I’d certainly be afraid, and love the hidden stories all at the same time.” I thought to myself as I walked around the house I grew up in one last time.

The property was set to be demolished, after my Grandparents passed on, and years of being unkept. So, it was only right that I pay homage to the place that held the “firsts” of many things in my life. The first house I ever lived in. The first porch that held a congregation of teenagers every morning before school. The first house I ever snuck out of! Lol! That’s a story in and of itself! This house held the first bedroom I ever snuck a boy into, which is extra funny because that boy, turned into my Husband some twenty plus years later.

As I walked through the massive house, the creeking floors, the smell of mold, the discoloration of the walls reminded me that it was time to move on. The once happy laughter that filled these walls has faded. The tears of uncertainty, and questions that occupied the once clean air in this house, has dissipated. So many memories in this house. Now they are just that....memories.

Slowly, I walked through each room. And took in the sad sight, of a crumbling house that made so many people happy.

So many disguarded items were left sprawled about. I guess whomever was in here last had to rummage through to see if there was anything of value. I get it. I’m lying... I was trying to get it.

The last stop before I would leave this house forever, was the back bedroom that my Grandparents shared. Baby listen, this tiny bedroom was my safe haven. When I had cramps, in my Granny’s room I would go. When I needed money, or when I needed to cry, to my Granny’s room I would go. Even after my Grandfather passed on, I would lay on his side of the bed, just to inhale his scent, and to be engulfed in his spirit.

The room was not big at all, and it appeared that whomever was here last, went through all of the obvious places that valuables would be kept. BUT.... the joke was on them! I turned to open the closet door in the tiny room, and if my memory served me correctly, inside the closet, on the left hand side, behind the drywall was a door.

I felt around for the crease in the wall to find the opening, and VOILA!! It was there! I opened the small door, and there it was! The black Moleskin notebook that my Granny would always tell me that the contents were none of my “nosey ass business”!!!

I felt like a kid on Christmas!! After all of these years I would finally know what was in this notebook.

I found a place on the floor, under the tiny window. I took off my jacket and spread it out on the floor. I noticed that my breathing became short and shallow. I could feel my heart beating outside of my chest. “Here it is”, I thought to myself.

Opening the leather cover, and turning the first page slowly, there was an entry written to my Grandmother.

“My Dearest Arthur Lee,

I’ve known for some time, that my end was coming. I just didn’t know what to make of it. I didn’t know how to cope with not being here physically for you and our family. So from the time that I found out that cancer has taken over my body, I put together this note, and notebook to soothe some of your worries.

Arthur, thank you! Thank you for putting up with my bullshit all of these years. Thank you for being the backbone to this family. Thank you for having, raising, working, and instilling in our seven kids what a family is. Thank you! I know I never said it often, or enough, but I love you! I will be at the pearly gates, arms wide open, waiting on you.

If you find this notebook, and its pages are no use to you, then make sure that J gets it. She’ll know what to do.

Your Dearest

-Henry.

Wow! Tears. Just tears.

I slowly turned the page trying to preserve the essence in the room, while trying to blink back the tears that clouded my vision.

Clearing my eyes, and taking in the sight, my Grandfather had in fact torn out the pages of the Moleskin notebook, and replaced each page with one hundred dollar bills taped perfectly together.

I eagerly flipped through the book, and swiftly counted about $20 Thousand dollars!

Wow! Tears. More Tears.

Frozen into the floor, thinking ... even in death, he provided for us.

This old house will forever be embedded in my heart. ♥️