“Mom, all my education is practically covered by my G.I. Bill.”
“I know sweetie, but I also know that once you’ve got your mind made up it’s hard to convince you otherwise. If you change your mind all you have to do is ask.”
“I appreciate that, but I really would like to pay my own way. You’re doing enough just letting me stay here.”
“And I’m thrilled to have you with me,” she said and then rested her head on her folded hands, smiled at me and continued, “You look so much like your father.”
We were silent for a moment and then I asked, “You still miss him, don’t you?”
She closed her eyes and nodded her head one time, and I could tell that I had stirred up some feelings with my comment. I slid my chair over next to hers and put my arm around her and she responded in kind.
“Dana, I think about him every day.”
After a few seconds I said, “Yeah, me too mom.”
“So young man, if you go to school, what are you thinking about studying? Girl chasing?”
I laughed and said, “If there were job opportunities in that career field, I might consider it.”
We both laughed at my comment and then I said, “You know how I accumulated a number of college hours while I was in the Army?”
“Yes, I remember you talking to me about that.”
“I’m definitely a sophomore at least, between the Army credits and the courses I took, so I’m definitely ahead to the game.”
“That’s great baby.”
“Even though I’m leaning toward Psychology I may just be a directionless youth for a semester.”
We chuckled and she said, “That’s the last thing you would ever be, you’re way too responsible and always seem to have it all together.”
“I think I will get online tonight and check out the local community college, as well as, a couple of small universities, and then maybe go and pay them a visit over the next few days. After, we get this house unpacked and in order that is.”
Saluting me once again mom said, “Sir, yes sir!”
Chapter 3
Over the next couple of days, mom and I put the house in order and unpacked nearly everything, which was actually a great relief since I’ve always been one of those people who can’t relax until the job I’m working on is done.
The next day mom was finally off to work and her first shift was 4:00 p.m. to midnight, which she actually liked. People that like working in the ER enjoy that particular shift, as that is frequently when all kinds of crazy stuff happens, resulting in people getting rushed to the emergency room. Medical types who like emergency medicine totally get off on the fast-paced routine and the adrenaline hits they get from the job. It takes all kinds, but my idea of a good time is not working in a hospital ER. How much fun can it be working somewhere where people are wheeled in on a stretcher with a bunch of personal problems that I did not create? People with gunshot wounds, women about ready to give birth, and junkies coming in trying to get pain pills prescribed so they can get their next fix are not my idea of a good time. However, mom likes doing it so more power to her.
I ate a light dinner of ramen noodles and some egg rolls about 6:00 p.m. that evening and then headed to the study to put away mom’s books, which was the last bunch of things to unpack. One of the reasons mom liked the house was that the office had beautiful rich cherry wood bookshelves galore. Since mom loved to read, it was a major selling point for her.
While putting away several heavy medical reference books on boring topics such as Advanced Gunshot Wounds to The Head In Emergency Medicine (I’m making that title up by the way), I stumbled across something that looked a bit odd. A panel on the back wall of the lowest shelf looked like it was not in place, so I tried to move it by putting my hands flat against it and sliding it over. Not moving into position, I then decided to push it the opposite direction, and when I did it slid to the right slicker then snot. In my mind I would now be able to move it back the other direction and it would slide into place, but before I started something got my attention.
The fact that there was a hollow space made me want to take a look and see what was behind the panel, and with it being about 12 inches by 12 inches I was able to maneuver up to it, stick my head in slightly, and look inside. Taking my cell phone I turned on the flashlight to illuminate the space and I was quite surprised to see that there was a small box resting inside. Hoping there were no spiders inside ready to take revenge upon me for entering their lair I reached in, took it out and set it on the hardwood floor in front of me. As I examined the small wooden box, which was about six inches by six inches I noticed it was made of the same cherry wood as the bookshelves, or so it appeared anyway.
What on earth could be in this thing? Gold coins? Cash? A treasure map? I was clearly excited at what I might find inside, so I lifted the small bronze latch on the front and opened the box.
Inside was a necklace, which rested on a medium blue felt surface which was raised and held it in perfect position. As I examined the necklace, I noticed that the chain was gold and that it had an emerald pendant that was in the shape of tear drop and appeared to be polished to perfection. Even the edges were smooth. I then noticed a small bronze engraved plaque mounted to the inside lid,
