Never Judge a Notebook By The Cover

“EVICTION NOTICE! You, Maria Milano, are hereby notified to vacate the premises…” The ominous yellow letter glared at Maria as she ascended the creaking stairs to her poverty ridden apartment. She and her son, Cameron, like so many others, had fallen victim to the plague that is the Covid19 and all that had come with it. Before now, Maria and her husband, Jacob had worked in her parent’s restaurant in Chicago. When the shutdowns happened, the somber realization hit early that the restaurant wouldn’t survive. After 54 years, they had to close. Maria and Jacob filed for unemployment, but that was a nightmare itself. After weeks with no checks in the mail, the mortgage began to pile up, the house fell into foreclosure, and they were forced to move.

Not long after moving, Jacob came home one evening with that dry cough everyone feared these days and the following night he was admitted into the hospital. The virus was still too new at that point, so it wasn’t long before he succumbed to his illness. He died 5 days later.

With no income, no husband, and the very real possibility of no place to live, Maria began the tedious task of job hunting. After weeks of searching with no luck, she settled on applying at the store down the street.

“Cam, come here please?” Maria called to her son in the other room. It was the night before her first day of work. When he came into the room, she took a deep breath while fighting back the tears welling up in her eyes. “Since your father…” her words trailed off as that sentence was still too painful to finish. “I had to get a job...” She paused for a moment as the faucets from her eyes threatened to turn on. She took a deep breath trying to suck the water back in her eyes but when she looked up at her son, there was no containing them.

“It’s ok mom.” Cameron whispered as he wiped away the streams streaking down her face “You don’t have to worry. I can take care of myself while you’re working.”

Maria felt waves of emotion course through her. How did she get so lucky to have such an amazing son?

“Let me grab my notebook to write down everything you need me to do.” Cameron said as he dashed out of the room. One Christmas, Jacob had bought everyone a small, black Moleskine notebook with their name engraved on the front. At the time, the notebooks were so nice and fancy no one used them. Everyone was afraid to tarnish its perfection. There was something about the feel of the leather in your hands and the smell of the crisp pages that seemed almost sacred. After Jacob passed, everyone began to use their notebooks as if it somehow kept him alive within its pages.

“OK, I’m ready!” He said as he began jotting down tasks one by one.

The next morning Cameron stopped Maria before leaving for work and handed her Jacob’s Moleskine notebook.

“It’s dad’s. I thought he could bring you good luck on your first day. You don’t have to write in it if you don’t want to but maybe it will help you though the day.” Maria felt her heart crack in her chest as she slowly took the notebook from Cameron fighting back tears once again.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Was all that she could manage to get out as she kissed him on the forehead and escaped through the front door. She was instantly greeted by her young manager, Adam, when she walked into the store.

“OK, so you are going to be on the stocking and conditioning team.” Adam began, “That guy there is Jared. He will be your department supervisor.”

“Who is that next to Jared?” Maria asked starting at the ragged young man next to him. The man looked to be about Maria’s age, maybe slightly older. He had dropped a notebook on the ground which Jared unapologetically kicked as he walked past the man to where Maria was standing.

“Is this the new hire?” Jared was unenthusiastic at Maria’s presence.

“yes, this is Maria. She’s going to be working with you today.” Adam Replied.

“How about she works with Berni today. I have a lot to finish from last night.”

“Eh, I don’t know.” Adam said turning to Maria with uncertainty. “So Berni is… well… we don’t really know actually. He never talks to anyone, and he’s always carrying around that old dirty notebook. But I guess it can’t hurt.” With that they were gone. Maria walked slowly up to Berni trying not to startle him as he seemed to be unaware that she was approaching.

“Hi, Berni. I’m Maria. I think you are supposed to train me today?” Maria questioned, still slow to move. Berni looked at Maria for a long moment then waved her to the stock room. He logged her into the training system in the computer lab where she spent the next 4 hours watching mind numbing training videos, trying not to fall asleep.

When the last video played, she stood up and saw Berni in the breakroom. She realized how hungry she was and decided to sit next to him to eat.

“Is this seat taken?” She asked motioning to the chair beside him. He took another long look at her before pulling the chair out for her. She sat down and immediately noticed the notebook under his right hand next to her. It was a Moleskine notebook just like the ones Jacob had given her family. “I have that same notebook!” She said as she placed Jacob’s notebook on the table. He tightened his grip on the notebook but surprisingly looked at Maria with interest. Maria proceeded to tell Berni her story about Jacob, the notebooks, and the fallout for her family from the coronavirus. When she finished, she was surprised at how easy it was to pour out her life story to a stranger who has yet to say a single word to her.

Every workday thereafter Maria would sit with Berni for lunch, telling him whatever new challenge or diatribe she had encountered since she last spoke to him. He would listen intently every time, never saying a word. No one bothered them and Maria didn’t mind. she was grateful for the opportunity to lift the weight off her shoulders.

It was the same every day for months, until one cold, rainy night about 5 months later. There was a knock at her door. She felt a mix of fear and curiosity when she cracked her door open to find Berni drenched and shivering.

“Berni! You’re freezing! Come in and sit down!” The words shocked her as they slipped out of her mouth. Berni had become a friend to her over the months she talked to him at the store, but she still didn’t know anything about the man she ushered into her home.

“What’s going on mom?” Cameron said looking Berni cautiously up and down.

“I’m So sorry to intrude on you, sir. My name is Berni. Your mother is a kind friend to me at work.” Maria froze at hearing Berni’s voice for the first time. He stood and extended a shaking hand toward Cameron.

Cameron slowly shook his hand, unsure about the man before him. “You’re soaked and cold. I think you’re my dad’s size. I’ll see if I can find some dry clothes for you to change into.” Cameron turned and retreaded to find a dry change of clothes.

Maria was at a loss for words still in shock that Berni spoke. “you have an accent.” She said settling on the surprise that he was not American.

Berni smiled slightly. “I’m from Italy.” He responded. Maria remained wide eyed staring at Berni. Cameron reappeared with a fresh set of clothes. “I was asked to work late tonight. I live in Evanston and honestly, I don’t know how I am going to get home since I missed last bus for the night.” Berni practically whispered. Maria heard him and paused for a moment.

“Well, we can’t have you walking four hours back home, now can we?” She said slowly, not knowing how certain she was in the decision she made.

“You can stay on the couch.” Cameron said sternly before disappearing again to acquire pillows and a blanket. Maria smiled and swelled with pride at the young man she has seen her son become this year. Cameron returned and placed the sleeping supplies on Berni’s lap. “On. The. Couch!” Cameron said pronouncing each word with authority.

“Thank you for your hospitality. Words cannot express how grateful I am.” He said as he stood. “If you don't mind, I think I would like to retire early. It has been an exhausting day and these old bones could use some rest.”

Maria nodded and showed Berni to the living room. Still slightly uneasy with the decision she made, She bid Berni and Cameron good night and retreated to her bedroom.

Maria arose early the next morning, having gotten little sleep. She opened the door quietly, slowly sneaking into the kitchen, trying to avoid making too much noise so as to not wake Berni. Only when she peaked into the living room, she was surprised to find the bedding folded on the edge of the couch with a brand-new leather Moleskine backpack sitting next to it with “MARIA” engraved on the front. She walked to the couch and opened the curious bag. Inside the backpack she found an envelope, the old dirty notebook Berni never let out of his sight, a folder and $20,000 cash. Maria quickly opened the envelope. Inside was a letter that read:

My dear friend Maria,

It has been a pleasure getting to know you these past months. Please forgive me for not speaking much, but I had to be sure you were a person of good character before I left you with this task. You see my name is Arrigo Berni and I have done quite well for myself in business over the years. However, I found myself looking around this past year at all the hurt and pain that so many are facing, and I felt compelled to do something. I disguised myself and began working at the store. While there were many who showed no evil towards me, after 8 months of working there, you were the first to show kindness upon me and befriend me when no one else would. It is because of this kindness and your good heart that I have chosen you as my vessel for spreading my fortune to those in need at this time. In the folder of the bag, you will find the deed to the house that you and your husband Jacob had lost in the foreclosure. I bought it back from the bank and it is paid in full. You will also find a business card to a car dealership. Go there and ask for Manny, who will give you the keys to your new car.

As you have noticed I have also left you with my notebook. In it contains the names and addresses of several good families, like yours, who are in need. On the front page you will find the bank account number to an account in your name. Please give each of these families the same $20,000 in cash that you have received and provide them with any items I have listed that they need. All that you will need to accomplish this is contained within the backpack. This will take time as there are a lot of families in this book. Please take Cameron with you and enjoy each city you pass through. Lastly, I have secured a position for you within my company. It will be waiting for you when you are finished.

Until we meet again,

Berni