The Secret

The heart shaped locket dangled between my fingers. I held it up against the sunlight. It seemed to surpass sentimental value so I placed it delicately into it’s black silk bag. I hoped any displacement would go unnoticed.

I laid in my bed. It had taken 2 years to put an end to this nightmare our family couldn’t seem to wake up from. The sound of screaming awoke me from my sleep. I ran to the landing of the steps just as my mom was grabbing my sister’s hair.

“Why would you do that?” Mom screamed.

Meribeth cried, “ I was trying to make more”.

Dishwashing liquid was hard to come by and by the sound of it we had come to the last of it.

Our world had changed. Never before have I seen mother turning against daughter, father against son, mother in law against daughter in law.

I’ll be back. I said as I closed the front door behind me.

Life took on a new reality. Starving was not what it used to be. But I treasured in my heart that our family’s heirloom could insure our future. The price of the appraisal was more than we could afford. My parents no longer considered it an option to find out what it was now worth. Bottles I kicked around I now collected. Pennies and dimes I once ignored I kept in a secret place. At times I would find myself working past curfew. No one was allowed out past eight 'clock at night. Rising early was the new norm.

Mrs. Dhuvri’s children were one way I saved up to pay for the appraisal. She called it a blessing that someone was there to care for them while she went out to earn a living. Two days a week along with a couple of hours at the thrift store for the last couple of years brought me two payments shy of the fee.

The door opened before I could knock twice. “Good morning” Mrs. Dhruvi. I said with a smile. Morning she spouted as she rushed past me. Her voice faded as her arms motioned cleaning instructions.

I closed the door. Right away the children needed to be bathed and the dishes washed. The heat made the grime stains and trash fill her home with an ostensible smell. I cleaned then reheated the last of the small pan of leftovers. I shared my granola bar for their dessert. They read as I bucket washed the last of the dishes. I thought about my dad a lot when I worked.

The door opened and Mrs. Dhruvi walked in as the children were playing quietly. I was happy to see food in her hand. The kids looked like a school of fish as they went to give her a hug at the door. A sound of gladness filled the house and for a second my worries were gone. She placed the pan on the table as the children flowed behind her. I went to grab my jacket just as she slipped a few bills in my hand and with sincere eyes she said, “thank you”

“Any time”. I smiled.

I closed the door behind me as they screamed goodbye. Rubbing the money between my fingers I hungered for the heart shaped locket because It satisfied me more than food and more than wanting my dad to tell us the truth about his condition. I wish I could explain to my sister to forgive mom for not knowing how to put in words what dad was facing. After the appraisal he could get the help that he needed.

I couldn't get home fast enough just to look at it. I remembered what my dad would tell me. “The world is backwards”. Maybe now life could make sense again. I would listen as my grandparents talked about how much the necklace was worth, hoping it would be worth so much more now.

I ran inside passing my sister and mom. Softening my steps, as I got closer to my dad's room. I opened the floorboards. Just one more job and our lives would change. I unwrinkled the bills and rolled them with the others. The stairs creaked as I placed the boards back. My mother's voice came from over my shoulder.

“You know your dad will need to use the bathroom before dinner”.

“Sure Mom”. I replied.

Standing in the candle lit mirror in the bathroom a small basin sat in the sink. We kept a bucket of water near the toilet to wash our hands and to flush. Coughing from my dad's room told me he was sitting up. I quickly washed my hands and face and flushed the water. I saw him as I opened the door.

“Hi daddy”.

“ Hi Sweety”.

His body was tall and heavy but sweaty and worn out. I squeezed him briefly.

I looked up at him. “You will get better''.

Meribeth and mom were seated in their favorite chairs. We turned the lights on during dinner. This is the only time we sat still long enough to see each other's faces. My mom looked tired and I could see wrinkles crowning around her eyes. Meribeth was excited to see a meal. The diner gave away the food leftover at the end of the night. It smelled like Mrs. Dhruvi’s home. Dad joined us and settled in his chair. We all looked at his face and held hands as he began to say grace. I tagged on an extra prayer for the locket. Lord please let it be worth more than we could ever ask or even think. Amen.

The thought of easing the burden off my family was what I truly wanted.

“Look dad, dinner rolls are your favorite”.

” Dinner looks great.” He said.

Meribeth and I giggled at his voice. Silverware rattled, cups were lifted and stories were told. On the inside I had to see it again. I excused myself as if I had to go to the bathroom. I needed to hold the heart shaped necklace in my hands.

I brushed aside the photo album and old newspaper clippings hidden over my dad's cigar box. The black silk pouch was right where I left it. I pulled out the necklace and smiled as I gathered more motivation. It was cold and heavy as it sat in my palm. My sister would be able to get to know the old mom once I got those documents. The real mom wouldn't have to go look for work. Squeezing it one more time I slid it back in the bag under the photos.

“Veronica when you're finished help your sister clear the table”.

Meribeth was almost finished with her quiche. She saved the flaky crust for last. I saved apiece for later and began to clean the table. Dad went back to his room while mom washed dishes. She handed Meribeth the dish rag while I grabbed the broom. Everything was tidy just like she liked it. We turned off the lights and went upstairs.

Under the covers I treasured the locket in my mind feeling the good news at the same time. One more job and I'll bring the locket to Mr. Ray's appraisal shop. Dad has to go to the doctors next week so I'll go while everyone's gone and have it back before they return. I prayed for my family and fell asleep.

I woke up to Meribeth standing over me.

“What are you doing, I asked?

“Mom wants you”.

I ran to the landing, “Mom?” I shouted.

“I need you to watch your sister and listen out for your dad”.

“I'm going to the Tailors.”

“ Okay sure”.

Wiping the sleep out of my eyes I hugged her. She kissed my head and closed the door.

Meribeth sat crossed legged on my bed.

“Hey move over. Dad is still sleeping and you should be too”.

She scooted to the foot of the bed to play with her doll's hair. Closing my eyes, I planned my last job. She should be back in time for me to go see Mr. Goodman at the thrift store. He needed extra help on Saturdays but lately very few people had items to donate.

Breakfast had turned into brunch and dad was ready for his bath. You can see the medicated substance seeping out of his pores. 2 Cal would be his only meal until dinner.

Meribeth danced around his feet as he sat in his chair. She twirled with her doll around and sang, this made him happy. Mom came in as he laughed with Meribeth.

“Mommy”, Meribeth yelled.

There was a surprise on her face as she witnessed the atmosphere and order in her absence.

She carried a basket of bread and butter to the table.

”How did it go?” Dad asked.

“They miss you down there, everyone sends their love”.

I placed the plates on the table. Meribeth sat her doll in the chair. Cutting the bread into fours I noticed the butter was soft as I spread it on each piece.

“Just a little for me Sweetie”. Dad said.

Once we were all settled together I reminded mom I had to go to the library.

She looked at me sternly and said, “don’t be out too late”.

I kissed her and dad then grabbed a few random books.

Hello Mr Goodman.

Hi V,

“What do you have for me today”?

“Just a few books”.

“It's the thought that counts these days”.

“Hey, do you think you can help me out in the back? These need to be organized".

It had been hours since I looked up.

‘Hey Mr. Goodman, I have to go before curfew. Can I come again some time to help you finish back there”?

“Absolutely”.

I shook his hand. I could feel something slip in my palm.

I walked in the house, quietly running up the stairs to my room.

I uncovered the floor boards and placed the lid on quickly.

Washing up for dinner was a little different this time around. I joined mom, helping her set up for dinner. I anticipated my meeting with Mr Greer. I enjoyed the thought that this could be the last supper as we knew it. We seem to make ends meet, but if we could do better we should.

I woke up early that morning. When I reached Mr. Greer's shop customers were coming out. He stood at a glass counter.

“Well hello little lady. What brings you in today”?

I quietly slid the black bag across the glass. He pulled out 150.00 dollars in small bills.

“Well it looks like you have the ticket. Let’s see the prize”.

I raised my squeezed fist and opened my hand.

He flipped a smaller pair of glasses over his larger pair and studied the heart shaped locket. He placed it on the scale. “I can get the paperwork ready for you. Just have a seat”.

I waited while he talked to me from his back office.

“You know, I haven’t seen one of these since before”.

“Has it been in your family a long time”?

“Yes Sir”.

“Well I know I don't have to tell you this because I suspect your family knows but you have a royal piece on your hands. Worth Millions”.

We met back at the glass counter. Here is the paperwork, and your necklace. He dropped the heart shaped necklace in the bag and handed them both to me.

“Thank you Sir”. I said. Then I turned around to leave.

“I will see you again”.

I waved goodbye.

The end