The Golden Pear

Luminous strands of gold, interwoven throughout snowy white curls, was the view Hannah saw through the window over the kitchen sink. Hannah smiled. Every morning at a set time, Hannah’s Grandma, Grace, welcomed the day sitting on her bench under the pear tree in the family garden. That was her routine as far back as Hannah could remember, more than fifteen years. Hannah welcomed the scene like a sweet, warm embrace.

Hannah’s reverie was soon disrupted when she thought of the day she first met her grandma. She and her parents had spent the day in the park. Hannah’s details of that day were fuzzy, but the warmth of the sun and her daddy’s smile was enough to ensure her it was the best day ever. They were on their way home, later that night when her world ended abruptly; lights blinding, her father yelling, the world spinning, darkness approaching. Hannah awakened from her sleep, surrounded by strange beeps of monitors and the muffled voices of strangers, chilling her to the core. Panic consumed her.

“Mommy!?” She cried. “Daddy!?” They didn’t answer.

Without warning unfamiliar arms encircled her. Petrified, Hannah did not respond to their embrace. She kept calling for her parents. The soft, calming effect finally overtook her as she felt soft hands cup her cheeks. “Hannah, Honey, I am your grandma, Grace.”

Stilling her body, Hannah eyes rapidly searched for her parents. Still she could not find them.

“Sweetie,” Grace pleaded as she drew her nearer. Hannah looked into her gaze full of grief. Her tears threatened to fall as she gently stroked Hannah’s cheeks. It was then Hannah knew. She knew that her parents were gone.

The whistling of the tea pot jolted Hannah back. She shook herself free from thoughts of the past and composed herself. She relaxed her shoulders to release the tension from her muscles. Opening the back door to the garden, the smell of sun-ripened pears engulfed her. That was Heaven to her. Taking the tea that smelled of roses, she drew near to Grace. Hannah thought of the many things that had taken place over the last 15 years. Grandma Grace and Grandpa Terrence celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary, Grandpa’s passing, the abundance of a pears that the pear tree produced and were given away to neighbors and friends, and even strangers.

Hannah owed everything to her grandmother. It was her patience, faith and never-ending meals that slowly brought Hannah out of the dark depth her parents’ death had caused. She had a life because of her. How, out of tragedy, a strange woman could bring such peace and love and devotion and without effort, become the center of her world.

“Awe, my sweet Hannah Bear bringing me my favorite tea,” Grace spoke cheerily. “I was going to come in you know.” Her lovely blue eyes shone with adoration for Hannah.

“Well, I’ve come to you, Grandma. We’ll enjoy our tea under the pear tree.” Hannah answered.

Sighing, her grandma returned her gaze to the tree. “Did I ever tell you why I sit out here every day?”

Smiling, Hannah poured the hot amber liquid into the mismatched china cups. Handing Grace her favorite green one, she said, “No, Grandma, I don’t recall you ever telling me.”

Giving her granddaughter a cheeky glance, Grace said, “I am surprised you never asked.”

“I just thought that was your morning routine but I’m ready to listen now, Grandma.”

Letting the tea flow down her throat Hannah waited. Her grandma was a good storyteller. Hannah learned this through the years as she grew up and went to magical places in her grandmother’s stories. “This pear tree was given to me by your grandpa. He and I had been dating for awhile and he said he had a surprise for me. So of course, I thought he had a ring attached to a life altering question.”

When Grace said nothing, Hannah eagerly urged her on, “And?”

“He brought me out here and he threw his hands up towards this small, newly planted tree and smiled really big.”

“Oh no,” Hannah muttered.

“Oh, yes,” Grace responded.

“Were you mad?” Hannah asked, knowing that her grandmother would never put up with something like that.

“I was furious,” Grace said on a chuckle.

“What happened?”

“You mean after I hoisted the nearest pot above my head threatening to smash it? He knelt down on his knee and proffered a ring.” Grace uttered wistfully.

Hannah had never heard the story of how her grandparents met, she hung on every word.

“’Darlin’ he said to me,” Grace continued, “’I wanted to give you something that would out last you and me long after we are gone. This is a symbol of our love, and the memory of that love. Our rings will stay with us but this tree, like our love with nourish generations to come.”

Swiping a tear from her cheek, Hannah whispered to the lazy Sunday morning, “That is beautiful.”

“Yes, but what he didn’t know is I was allergic to pears!’ Grace laughed outright before regaining her breath and said, “Awe, but that just meant I would give the fruit to others and not keep it for myself; a gift for me and a blessing for others. Another symbol of love I suppose.”

A comfortable silence settled between the two women. The melodious song of a native bird served as the background music for this precious moment.

Swiping a tear away, Grace broke the silence, “I miss that wonderful man. He was so thoughtful, and a very hard worker. He was always concerned about caring for me. He would say, “I’m saving up Gracie so you’ll have no worries when I’m gone.” I know he had been saving for years, but I was never able to find the money. It wasn’t in any accounts under our names, and I have torn the house apart with no luck. I’ve given up looking for it. I guess things happen for a reason.”

Hannah thought that was strange. Knowing her grandpa, she couldn’t imagine him keeping anything from the love of his life.

“Well, no use dwelling in the past.” Grace said as she stood and breathed in a deep breath of springtime air. “Let’s make use of the time given us now.” She smiled and tapped Hannah’s shoulder as she headed back to the house.

Hannah turned to see her grandma disappearing into the house. Gazing at the tree, she looked up into its infinite branches woven together like arms reaching for a loved one.

“Grandpa, hi,” Hannah awkwardly spoke to the tree. “This is Hannah, your granddaughter.” Clearing her throat, feeling silly, she powered through and said what she needed to say. “Grandma told me how you worried about her and how you were going to make sure she was taken care of when you were gone. She told me that you had been saving up for years for exactly that. The thing is, Grandpa, she can’t find the money. I know you well enough that you probably planned to tell her but didn’t have the chance. I just wanted you to know. Thanks, Grandpa.”

When the expected silence was her only response, she turned to go. As she turned around, her foot caught on something, casting her forward. Luckily, the tree was there to catch her fall. Looking down at what could have tripped her up, Hannah rummaged through the leaves and twigs expecting to find a rock. Instead, a corner of something was peeking out from behind a disrupted pile of leaves. On closer examination, she uncovered an old, weatherworn metal box.

Kneeling on the ground, excitement pumping through her, she brushed the box free of dirt.

“Oh my,” Hannah whispered to herself, as her fingers traced over the engraving on the lid. T&G. Her grandparents’ initials.

She opened the box and dropped the lid, in shock. In front of her, were countless gold coins and innumerable stacks of cash with rubber bands around them. She couldn’t imagine the value contained in this little box. Nestled among the treasure was a folded note addressed to “Gracie.” Regaining her wits, Hannah thought it best to turn the note over to her grandmother.

“Hannah,” Grace called from the back porch, “Come on inside. What are you still doing out here?”

Hannah, still stunned, didn’t answer. When her grandma went to the garden to check on her, Hannah handed her the note.

Disbelief overcame Grace upon realizing who it was from. Hannah simply smiled and nodded.

Tearfully, Grace read aloud, “Grace, my love, I hope you never find this letter, because if you do that means, I am no longer by your side weathering this adventure called life. But even though I am not there, here is my gift to you for your care and anything you need or want. Gracie, you were the smile on my face, the skip in my step, the beat of my heart, and the sigh on my lips. Know, that even in Heaven, my one thought, is you. Until we meet again, know that you will always be my Golden Pear. My love to you forever and always.”