Promise Me

A week after her funeral, an attorney called Crystal. He said he had a business matter that he needed to discuss with her.

“To Ms. Crystal Jackson, I, Virginia Joyce being of sound body and mind, leave the sum of $20,000 with specific instructions. The specifications are as follows... You are to travel the world, visiting at least four of the seven continents. You can travel to any country you like, but you will have specific places that you must visit. You will send a postcard and a picture to Mr. Roberts from the specified locations before receiving your next set of instruction.” Mr Roberts read on explaining her first assignment. Crystal let out a giggle. “Even in death, Mrs. Virginia is still bossy.” “It’s too much,” she shouted to the air. “Okay, this is a joke. Haha,” she laughed. “Ms. Jackson, I assure you this isn’t a joke. Mrs. Joyce has given you $20,000 to travel. She wants you to explore the world on her.” Still amused, Crystal said,”I have rent to pay and a job both of which I’ll lose if I just up and leave.” “Ms. Jackson, I highly recommend you do this. If nothing else, please honor Mrs. Joyce‘s final request.” Crystal continued laughing “I loved Mrs.Virginia as if she were my own kin. Don’t you think I want to honor her last request? I’d love nothing more than to travel, but my job as good as it is does not afford me the opportunity to just leave my responsibilities like that. I could really use that money to pay my bills. Mrs. Virginia knew that I could use that money to help mama at the facility.” Crystal stopped laughing. Her laughter turned to tears. Sorrowful, agonizing tears fell repetitiously from her eyes. Mr. Roberts spoke again,”You have one week to decide Ms. Jackson. I’m sorry I couldn’t make this easier. This was Virginia’s request. She asked that I say just one thing to you before you make your decision and that was this… Trust me.” “Trust me huh? “Crystal said sarcastically. “She said you would know what that means.” They both sat there in silence. Mr. Roberts’ face was unreadable.

Crystal broke the silence, “It pains me to say this Mr. Roberts, but I can’t do it. I can’t honor her request. There’s no way I can do it without being tossed out onto the streets.” Mr. Roberts watched her thoughtfully. He saw the agony on her face. “Very well Miss Jackson. The will requires that I give you one week to make your final decision.” “There’s no need for the week. I can’t do it. As much as I want to do this for her, I just can’t. $20,000 or not. I can’t do it.” “Take this little black book home until the day of the deadline. Do not read past page 7 unless you decide you will honor Virginia’s request at which time you will return to my office for instructions and collection of the money for the trip.” “What happens if I don’t do this? Do I get a consolation prize?” she spit out. “I’m sorry. Don’t answer that. I’m just really hurt that I can’t even do this for my friend.” She closed her eyes and brought her hands to her face. She sighed. “If I can’t do this for her, I don’t deserve anything,” she said, then stood. “Um, Ms. Jackson, the notebook.” He handed it to her. She hesitantly took it, then left without another word.

Crystal left the office feeling defeated and like she had betrayed her best friend. She knew that she could not honor her dearest friend’s request. It felt like she was dishonoring her memory, but there was just no way she could do it.

It had been almost a week since Mr. Roberts read Mrs. Virginia’s will. Crystal was touched by Virginia’s generosity. It was extremely thoughtful to offer to cover the expenses of the dream of a lifetime. She had no idea where that money came from. Truthfully, she was expecting to have to pitch in or pay for her dear friend’s funeral expenses, but the funeral home director told her that it was taken care of. In all the years she knew Virginia, she would have never expected she had money like that.

Crystal took the leftovers out of the fridge and heated them up on the stove. She stood there stirring and thinking about her last conversation with Mr.Robert. He reminded her about the last conversation she had with Virginia. Crystal wondered if he knew. She was curled up in the recliner next to Virginia’s bed at the hospital. The television was on. “Promise me something,” Virginia choked out with shallow breaths. “What’s that Mrs. Virginia?” Crystal asked turning away from the t.v. to look at her. She instinctively reached out her hand. Virginia was weak, but she mustered up enough strength to lift her hand and place it in Crystal’s. “Promise me that if I ask you for one last favor, that you’ll do it.” “Now, you’re not gonna ask for anything crazy are you?” Crystal asked, half joking, half serious. She knew her well. “You’re not going to ask me to get married and have babies tomorrow or talk to Gordon in our apartment building? He’s not my type.” Virginia laughed, then coughed. Crystal grew concerned. She knew her friend’s time was coming to a close, and as much as she didn’t want to see her go, she knew that it was just a matter of time. “Don’t speak,” Crystal whispered. “I have to say this,” Virginia mumbled. She swallowed and began again. “Do you trust me?” she asked. Crystal nodded as she spoke, “Of course I do.” “Then promise me,” Virginia pleaded. “Okay Mrs. Virginia, I promise.” “I love you Crystal.” “I love you too Mrs. Virginia.” With the satisfaction of the promise being fulfilled, Virginia took her last breath. Crystal sat by the bed holding her hand until she cried herself to sleep.

The heat burning her hand brought her out of the haze. She pulled her hand away from the handle, and ran her finger under the cold water. “I’m sorry. I can’t do it,” she said definitively. She saw the black book on the table next to her phone and a stack of overdue bills. Everything in her told her to toss the book away. She even took it over the trash can, but she just couldn’t bring herself to throw it away, so she sat down at the table with her food and opened it to page one.

July 28, 2019

If you’re reading this, then I guess I passed on. I have a lot to say. When you moved into our building, I knew we’d eventually be good friends-the best of friends. I’m so glad you didn’t get upset with me for suggesting you come home early from work so you could catch that good for nothing Liam. He wasn’t good enough for you. You deserve so much more. I know I’ve told you a thousand times, but I want you to take my words to heart. You are truly an amazing person. I am so very lucky to have you as a friend. I see you as my daughter. This request is important to me because I want your dreams to come true- just like mine.

Virginia went on to tell her about her late husband and how she met him in Uruguay. Crystal knew it, but it was nice to learn more about her second mom’s love of her life. She could imagine Virginia sitting there beside her telling her the stories. Her ocean blue eyes vivid with excitement and nostalgia. On page seven, she found two tiny words in the middle of the page. She had to squint to read them. She read them aloud, “Do it.” Crystal was amused by her friend’s humor. She closed her eyes and exhaled before picking up the phone to call Mr. Roberts. She had reconsidered.

The sun was at its highest point as Crystal stood at the edge of Bridge Ponte Sisto. She thumbed through the same little black book to find a printed black and white picture imprinted on the bottom of the page. In the picture stood a young Virginia in the exact spot that Crystal now stood in. She posed for the picture, then walked to the fountain to marvel at history and wait for a gentleman by the name of Marcellus. Marcellus was already there when she arrived. He showed her and her mom the beautiful city. They watched an opera at Teatro dell’ Opera and explored Trastevere. When she’d seen all of Rome, she received instructions for her next destination.

Crystal arrived in Paros, Greece where she took pictures in the same exact location as Virginia many years before. She was amazed at how some things were exactly the same, but other places were more modernized.

She traveled to five continents, met and sometimes stayed with people that Virginia knew. They all spoke highly of her. Crystal realized that she had spoken with a lot of these people by phone. They’d called Virginia a time or two.

As she and her mother packed their things to travel back to the states, they reflected on their amazing journey. It was a bonding experience they’d never forget. They had spent six months crossing the globe. Crystal feared she would run out of money, but Virginia had already planned for her friends to take care of them. They had a true experience. They lived with the people, ate with them and lived how they lived. They were grateful for all of it.

Crystal had to meet Mr. Roberts at noon. It was nine in the morning and she still had to meet the landlord, Mr. Foster at ten. There was a knock at her door. It was the landlord. She couldn’t stop the rising panic as she opened the door. “Hello Mr. Foster. I thought I was meeting you at the office,” she nervously avoided eye contact. “ Yes, you were, but I thought I’d come by here because I have a meeting that I need to attend,” he answered. He looked around the apartment. “So, you paid four months rent before you left. I imagine that you have two months rent for me.” “ Yes sir, I do. I’m so sorry that I forgot to send the last two. Thank you for not tossing my things out into the street.” She wrote out the check, then handed it over. He took the check and left.

Crystal arrived twelve minutes early to Mr. Roberts’ office. He called her in right away. “Ms. Jackson, we will now read the last will and testament of Mrs. Virginia Joyce.” “ Uh, didn’t we do that six months ago? Mrs. Virginia has given me the gift of a lifetime. I don’t need anything else.” “She knew you’d say that too,” Mr. Roberts replied. “ She knew me well,” Crystal said to herself. Mr. Roberts didn’t reply. Instead, he began reading,” This is the last will and testament of Mrs. Virginia Joyce. I, Virginia Joyce, being of sound body and mind do hereby bequeath all of my worldly possessions to Ms. Crystal Jackson. She has fulfilled my last request. Crystal, I leave to you the deed to the brownstone. Everything in my apartment. The sum of 3,423,456.73 is yours. Please give your mother, Elizabeth Jackson the safe deposit box and all of its contents.”

Overcome with emotions, she began to cry. She spoke,”I don’t deserve all—,” “Yes, you do Ms. Jackson,” he spoke effectively cutting her off. “Mrs. Joyce said that everything goes to her daughter… you. I’ll cut the check.”

This time, Crystal left Mr. Roberts’ office in awe of her dear friend’s generosity and love.