Where the Story Ends

Friday, January 1st, 2021

It's the beginning of a new year, hooray! (That was sarcastic btw.) We're still in a pandemic and...surprise surprise...it's 2020 again. Mom gave me this small, black notebook and a funky pen with a globe on it for Christmas. I didn't ask for it, well...I didn't ask for anything because times are tough and I'm 16 which is a little old for gifts. But she gave it to me and told me to write in it until I filled all the pages up. I rolled my eyes and groaned because writing is the last thing I want to do on winter break. But she said just scribble a few thoughts here and there and that "it could even be a drawing of your Auntie Zabine vacationing in Mexico with her 3 chihuahuas". I snorted chocolate milk out of my nose when she said that. I’ll explain Auntie Zabine later. Mom asked kindly and promised that she wasn't going to read it (frankly she doesn't have the time to do so since she works 3 jobs so I believe it). I didn't want her to feel bad. So far it’s not the worst thing in the world. But yeah, that's why I am writing to you now.

-Ali Airam

Saturday, January 2nd, 2021

Not really sure what people write about but I guess I'll start by writing how I feel cause that's what most people do right? I've been feeling meh. No surprise, that's how we're all feeling right? Ugh scratch that. I don't want to talk about how I feel because I'm pretty sure you feel the same and I'd rather not go down that hole. Okay no more of this “feelings” talk.

Right now I'm sitting on a wooden swing that overlooks some redwood trees. If you look between the leaves, you can see our little town, the blue roof tiles of my favorite restaurant, and a sliver of the ocean. I hiked 3.5 grueling miles uphill just to get here, but it's been my favorite place to escape to so it's worth the initial blisters. I’ve been exploring trails around town ever since lockdown. I found this spot and because it’s so far of a trek, there’s rarely anyone up here. The air is crisp and almost makes me forget all that’s going on in the world.

The swing hangs down from a fat branch with two thick loops of black rope on either side (I think it's Oak, not actually sure, I will look it up later). It casts a shadow the size of my Uncle Jer’s afro. It’s really pretty and pretty wild.

It’s getting chilly and my hands are starting to go numb. I think I’ll come back again tomorrow.

-Ali

Sat, January 2nd, 2021

I forgot to mention, I call the tree “The Jesus Tree”. Why? Because it's got holes all along the trunk. Sure there's your usual woodpecker hole, some holes that look like tiny caterpillar tunnels, and there’s a few up high that are probably big enough for my head to fit in it. I don’t know if that’s accurate since I haven’t actually tried to do that yet. But anyway, a few of the holes are jagged and clearly not carved by an animal but a human being. It's quite strange. Every day that I come up here, I've allowed myself to look in 1 hole. It's stupid but it gives me something to look forward to. I'm on hole 37 today. Yeah, I’m extremely patient. God knows how long this pandemic will last. This tree is my advent calendar!

I never know what I will see when I look in...thay may be scary for some people, but it’s the most fun I've had in a while. I started peering into the lower holes first because I’m afraid of heights, but today I finally built up the courage to climb up and take a peek inside one of the higher holes. Most of the lower holes had nuts, leaves, some had nests, and there was trash in quite a few.

I was reaching into one of the higher holes (which by the way I do while wearing gloves and still scares the crap out of me every time I stick my hand in but what's a bored person to do for fun these days?) and I found a little jar decoupaged on the outside with a dark blue ceramic floral looking print. It's jammed shut or something because I tried to get it open but I couldn't.

The sun's setting so I'm going to throw it in my backpack, hike back down, grab my bike, and open it when I get home!

-Ali

Sunday, January 3rd, 2021

Good morning! I completely forgot about the jar because I had to help my mom fill out some paperwork and help her and my grandma make dinner when I got back. The paperwork didn’t make any sense to her and I had no idea either so I helped my mom research a bunch of terms. She's not great with the internet or computer since she didn’t grow up with either. It took a while but it seemed really important so I couldn't say no. She's done a lot of things to get us here and I know she is tired because sometimes she doesn't even notice when I've been out. I’ve also caught her crying. I used to be a lot more impatient and quite the troublemaker when I was younger but this past year especially I finally noticed how much she’s aged, how much she does, and how hard she tries to make sure I'm happy. I started a (secret) part time job so that I can hopefully save up and buy her all her favorite things again.

Our last place burned down unexpectedly but we were lucky to make it out alive. Instead of shuffling from apartment to apartment, I’d like to buy a house for my mom and grandma to live in so we finally have a place to call home. I know I need to study hard and probably get a college degree to do that. I just don't think I can do 4 years of Zoom University and plus, I couldn't afford to go directly to a UC or CSU anyways. But I'd love to study archeology or cultural anthropology. I think it's fascinating to know that there were other people who lived before us and I always wonder what their lives were like. I also just want to dig holes.

ANYWAYS, the jar! I was going to talk about the jar before I got all side tracked. I ran it under hot water and it wouldn't budge but I did the good old back of the knife tap trick that my mom taught me, and to my surprise, that is an actual technique that works. I got the jar open!

Inside of it was a note on ivory paper that said “I’m not here but I’ll always have your back. Never change, never cry, I’m always by your side. Love you A ” followed by weird symbols that I don’t understand. There was also a set of keys, a container of tiger balm, a coin, and a picture of a little toddler and an older guy, probably the kid's dad. I tossed the coin on my nightstand since it didn’t look like anything special and I spent the rest of the time trying to type in the symbols into Google but I didn't find anything. The keys also have the same symbols but in different orders. The tiger balm, uhh...I didn't want to open it because well, it's tiger balm. I didn’t know what to make of the picture but I felt weird having it out so I put it back in the jar.

I have to go to work now, I have to do more research later but I'll update you in a bit.

-Ali

Mon, January 3rd, 2021, 2am

I still can’t figure out the symbols and it’s driving me nuts!!! I literally can’t sleep so I opened the jar and took everything out. I suppose these items are all connected somehow, right? You’re probably thinking I read one too many mystery books. You’re probably right...but at least I’m entertained and using my brain!

I started looking at the photo again. It’s dated 2003 so it’s unfortunately not ancient but it’s still a good old mystery to me. I’m assuming it’s a girl based on the length of hair, but perhaps it’s a little boy with long hair? It’s hard to tell since both of them have their backs turned away from the camera and only a sliver of the guy’s face is showing. They’re standing in the forest with white mist swirled all around as if it were about to swallow them. It looks like they are heading into another world. They seem happy.

I wonder what they’re like today?

Shoot it’s getting really late and I want to get up early to go back to the swing and The Jesus tree in the morning.

-Ali

Mon, January 4th, 2021, 6:30am

I went back to the tree. I swear this hike never gets any easier.

I peeked into two holes today hoping to find more clues, but nada. Better luck next time.

I took a closer look at the keys. I don’t know about you but my mom has a pile of random keys with no recollection of where they go and I always tell myself I’d never be one to hold onto something if I don’t know what it’s for. Here I am, proud owner of my own set of keys with no rhyme or reason. Ahh, life. I threaded the keys onto the necklace chain that I have our house key on. I’m hoping that I’ll get some inspiration to figure it out when I’m out and about.

-Ali

Mon, January 4th, 2021, 8am

I’m back in bed.

I showed my grandma the picture and the keys when I got back and she said something but I couldn’t understand her because of our language barrier. She got frustrated and shoved one of her thick, dusty books into my hands. She’s been having a hard time speaking and remembering things as of late and usually resorts to muttering something and nudging a book into my hands, probably telling me I need to study.

"What was that grandma?"

"Read...so you smart"

What did I tell you?

I walked to my room, tossed the photo on my nightstand, and threw the book beside it. I’ll get around to reading it. Right now I need a few Zzz’s

-Ali

Mon, January 4th, 2021, 5:30pm

I woke up to the sound of mom shrieking. I thought it might have been a spider or something.

"What's wrong? Is it a spider?"

She pointed towards the jar and started sobbing.

“No!"

"But then why are you crying?”

She told me that there was something important I should know.

“That jar belonged to your father. Your Pa loved ceramics and adventures, so he got the jar and told me he kept it somewhere safe for you. He wanted to give it to you when you were old enough. I thought it had burned in the fire. I’ve been working hard all these years trying to replace it.”

“Wait, how much is it worth?” I asked.

“The jar isn't worth anything”

I stared at her confused. She wasn’t making any sense.

“Before he passed, he said that the ending of his story would be the beginning of yours. He left you $20,000. You just have to follow the clues.”