Little Black Books

For as long as I could remember my grandpa has been my savior. He saved me from a tragic house fire that claimed the lives of both my parents. He raised me, taught me everything I know and has been there for me my whole life. Today is the saddest day of my life because now I am on my own. He passed away suddenly a few days ago after I came back from class. The worst part was I found him in his favorite place, the science laboratory! Well, that is what we called it, but it is just our plain old garage. We used it for experiments and new discoveries we came up with. I found him in his chair holding a little black book with my name on it. As weird as it sounds, I had never seen the book before but even weirder the book looked older than me and grandpa combined.

I opened the book to discover lots of dates in the margins with phrases, companies and names attached. Didn’t think much about it till I found another little black with my name on it too but with only a few names in the margin that match the same writing from the 1st. I put the little books in my room after I called 911 but they told me someone was already on the way to my surprise. I wondered if grandpa tried to call for help before I reached the house. A man came knocking before long with a long white bio- hazard suit on which freaked me out and stated that he was here to take grandpa to the hospital. I asked why he had to wear the suit and if I was contaminated in which he explained it is to preserve the condition of the body. The man then loaded grandpa in his truck and said to come to the hospital tomorrow to fill out paperwork.

The next day with tears still in my eyes from the day before I get to the hospital to fill out the paperwork for grandpa. Grandpa had a Will to be cremated and to leave everything to me. Upon asking the clerk at the reception desk for the location to view the body she said she had not had my grandpa’s name on the list. The mixed emotions of sadness and grief quickly turn to frustration and anger. I yelled out curse words and threw the clip board into the copy machine making papers fly all over. The receptionist told me to calm down and I broke down screaming louder. She then picked up the phone and you guessed it called security to throw me out. I sat there on the hospital bench wondering what the hell is going on and where the man took my dead grandpa.

I called the police to investigate by telling them the whole story of finding my grandpa passed away in his chair and the strange guy in the white bio-hazard suit picking him up yesterday. The police came to the house and stated they would need to see any documents my grandpa left behind. Inside the house, digging through grandpa’s documents, pictures, and keepsakes they only find information with my name. The police stated all the policies, documents and paperwork all have my name on them. Not one single thing with grandpa’s name on it. The house, bills, car, and credit cards all had my name on them. The police thought I was prank called them to the house and even threatened to arrest me for telling them such a false claim. I felt like I was in the twilight zone and losing my mind. I pleaded with them that I was not lying and that he was here, but all the evidence just pointed toward a college kid with a mental break down.

Once the police left, I sat and stared at the photo’s and documents left behind which are just memories now. I remember the little black books found on his lap so I ran to my room to see if I could find any clues to this mystery. I take a deep breath and go through each page to see what dates and names are tied to me and grandpa. What I realized is the handwriting in the little black books is my handwriting its just skewed a bit. This had my head going a million miles a minute because I do not ever remember seeing the books let alone writing in them. The 1st line of the 1st page had a date of yesterday which was the day grandpa passed away. I check in both little black books and it was written in both. The 2nd line was tomorrows date with towns bank and an account number. In a rush I tried to call but the bank was already closed for the day. I wrote down the account number to check the bank account in the morning when they opened. The 3rd and 4th lines were future dates in the older little black book but missing in the newer one. I had no clue what was going on and staving at that because I had not eaten since yesterday after finding grandpa.

I grabbed my coat and put both little black books in my pocket to keep them close. I went down to the best burger spot in town Sweet Patties. It was grandpa’s favorite place to go and mine. We used to get the number 3 Sweet Pattie double. It came with sweet fries, strawberry milkshake, and a double burger with cheese. It is the kind of meal that leaves you feeling like you could pop open after you finished it. After sitting down and ordering my meal I made a discovery. Grandpa must have gotten these books from someone else. Some of the dates in the book go back hundreds of years and some of the dates are in the future. I thought to myself how the day could get any worst and right then my meal was dropped in my lap by the waitress. Pink milkshake and cheese all over my pants as I try to pick it up off me before it goes through my pants. She looks at me like a ghost and says, “I am so sorry something tripped me from behind”. I look up shake my head and procced to the restroom to clean up. While in the restroom cleaning my meal off my pants and shirt, I notice the necklace grandpa gave me years ago after my parents passed. I remembered the picture of my parents which is all I had since I did not remember them from memory. It was grandpa standing in the front holding the necklace charm to his squinting while mom and dad stood behind smiling. I cleaned up and got my food to go with a full refund due to me wearing my 1st meal home now.

Once home I cleaned myself up a bit with a shower. After getting dressed I used the necklace to squint out of to see if anything happens or appears. Just as I though nothing happens and now back at square one with nothing learned, a missing dead grandpa and hungry. I eat my meal and turn in for the night to get up early to go to the bank. I woke up early so I could be there when the bank opened to ask as many questions as I could. I brough the 2 little black books and my backpack filled with all the documents grandpa’s left.

I told the bank manager my grandpa’s name and the account number from the little black book. We went to the back of the bank where the managers office was located. The bank manager stated that name is not associated with this account number and to recheck the account to make sure. I stated “I am sure of the name sir, and the account number could it be wrong in the system at all? “The manager explained that account has a different name and has been with the bank for well over 150 years so there so no way the system could be wrong. I then told the manger my name and he stated that is the name the account has in the system. He then asked me for ID and my social security number to verify. I hurriedly reached in my wallet and had given him both. After he typed my name and account in the system he got up and left the office. He returned with an envelope and a key and placed them both in my hands. He explained once the owner of the account came in it was to be given to them at once. He stated the items had been sitting in the safe literally since the bank opened in town. The manager then leads me down a long hall to a basement. In the back corner was an old vault. Inside there was lots of old safety deposit boxes. The manager stated take as much time as you need since yours is the last box not opened.

My thoughts running wild with anticipation to what could be inside the box. I turned the key, and the box lights up and pushes out. There is light coming through the box and once I open it there is 20,000 dollars in cash. My eyes are open wide trying to figure out how a box that is 150 years old looks new inside and has 20,000 dollars in new bills. I open the envelope and in my own writing it states “Sorry to keep you in so much suspense. I had to make sure to keep you safe even when I am gone. Its from grandpa but it is just from yourself. The experiments we work on in the garage are part of our light travels. We are originally from the future or well I am. I traveled back in time to prevent the ability of time travel from those that would do harm and to learn. When you were born, I brought you back to this time with a version of myself who is nearing the end. The cycle is completed every 22 years from different times in history. The little black book just records dates and names to make sure time does not change when we enter that period. The necklace once you reach your 22nd birthday tomorrow activates, and you too shall be put on a path of light travel. The older you that came to pick me up will be outside the bank to give you instructions on your new life. The money is there to invest in new and upcoming companies and technologies. We use 20,000 because the money will become more over time and does not draw much attention once it is invested over years for the following light traveler.” I take the 20,000 out of the box and put it inside my backpack. A note inside the box states on your way out of the back get a new safety deposit box and once you invest re put back the 20,000 for the next us and please insert this letter. I do as the note instructs and get a new deposit box and leave a new note and key behind. Once outside the bank a horn beep with a car across the street and an arm waving me over. I look over and walk towards the parked car. I open the door and see an older version of myself. I smile then happily sit down to ask questions and enjoy my new life as a light traveler.