by Edward Shawn
But nothing came to mind.
Dropping two slices of bread into the toaster, James grabbed the peanut butter from a shelf. While waiting for his toast to pop, an idea began percolating within his brain. Maybe I could find something valuable to sell, he pondered as the toaster fired his breakfast into the air. Snagging the slices before they fell, James dropped them onto a plate, then smeared peanut butter over each. Dining on his gooey, crisp breakfast, he mulled the idea over and decided it was worth pursuing. Now, if only he could find an item worthy of selling.
Glancing at Castle, he saw the dog standing next to the basement door. Their eyes locked, and instantly James knew where he might find something to help pay off his gambling debt.
James got up from the table, crossed the kitchen and opened the door to the basement. Staring into the gloom, he flicked on the stairway light before descending to the cold concrete floor. Looking around at the piles of jumbled mess, he was sure that among the useless mementos, memorabilia, storage chests and cardboard boxes, he would find something of value he could turn into cash.
As Castle wandered off absorbed in a world of scents he discovered along the floor, James gazed around at the assortment of boxes, stuffed garbage bags, discarded junk and old furniture. The basement appeared as if an explosion had taken place, the contents in the area settling into a chaotic mess. Old magazines lay in piles on the floor. Cardboard boxes were stacked to form small pillars, some of which were on the brink of collapsing. CD’s and DVD’s were strewn about. Boxes full of his father’s old discs sat in a corner of the basement surrounded by empty disc sleeves and plastic cases.
Movie posters adorned the wall. Some were framed but most had been stuck up with tape. James saw his bicycle propped up against a wall, abandoned for all time. He doubted he would ever ride it again; he planned on getting his driver’s license soon. He could probably sell his bike and no one would even notice. Moving on with his search, he examined various boxes and rummaged through different bags for anything of value, but nothing jumped out at him.
James went to his bike and gripped the handlebars. He considered riding it to the pawnshop on the Main Street corridor to see what he could get for it. He probably wouldn’t get a lot, but at least Cooper would back off for a couple of days. During that time, he could look for something else to sell.
In a corner of the basement, Castle sniffed the floor around a tattered yellow blanket thrown over a rectangular shape. Letting go of the bike, James watched his dog linger around the worn covering. “Whatcha got there, boy?” he asked, joining his dog.
Lifting the blanket, an old wooden chest lay underneath, one he had never seen before. With a flat lid and pointed corners, it was shaded dark green like new leaves in springtime. Kneeling down, James examined the chest. Castle sat close by, his steady panting providing the only sound in the quiet house.
Two latches were built into the front of the chest. Gold in color, the luster had long since faded. Grasping a latch in each hand, James flipped up the bolting mechanisms holding the lid in place. Opening the chest, he stared at the contents inside.
He was disappointed by what he saw. A faded white wedding dress lay folded inside. Looking much too old to have belonged to his mother, he doubted it had any value besides the sentimental kind. James started removing the items from the chest. He counted two photo albums, three framed pictures of his mother and grandmother–a woman who passed on long before his birth–and a small brown book with the words Jea’s Journal written in large flowing letters on the worn out cover. There were old letters and postcards, some birthday cards, a large music box and a small clay figure of an angel. Looking over the items he set on the floor, it dawned on him that the chest must have belonged to his grandmother and not his mother like he initially assumed.
The discovery left him feeling like an invader of her privacy. He regretted going through her things, but he was also aware of a growing curiosity regarding a woman he never met and knew absolutely nothing about.
All he knew of his grandmother was her face. There was a picture on the ledge above the fireplace, but his mother never talked about her. During his childhood he had seen a few snapshots of an unremarkable woman; the albums in the chest contained the first he saw from his grandmother’s youth.
James studied the photographs, observing the details. Not only did her face shine with radiant beauty, her physique and posture were finely sculpted. Her skin glistened like polished bronze and her eyes sparkled with intelligence. Long shiny black hair hung loosely in some photos, tied back in others. She looked very much like the Native American woman that she was, more so than his mother did. But then, his mother was only half indigenous, James even less than that. Finished with the pictures, he frowned knowing he would never get the chance to meet her, to get to know his grandmother like most grandchildren did.
Realizing there was nothing in the chest he would ever consider selling, he began putting everything back. As James picked up the music box, Castle got up, his large body bumping into his master and knocking the device from his hands. Crashing heavily into the bottom of the chest, the impact jarred the panel loose, the sections of it swinging up like a drawbridge.
“What the...a hidden compartment?” James looked at Castle. “Shall we see if anything’s inside?” Castle barked as James reached into the chest once again.
Lifting the sections apart, he gazed at the compartment under the false panel. Something white lay against an ebony background. James thought it resembled a piece of fur, and as he reached in and touched it, the softness confirmed his initial premise. But something hard was concealed beneath the pelt. Picking up the fur, he removed it and the hidden object from his grandmother’s chest.
The fur was actually a pouch. James peered inside curious about the object so important that it had to be placed within a pouch, then hidden within a false compartment of an old storage chest once belonging to his deceased grandmother. Dropping the object into his palm, he held up a circular piece of wood attached to a thick gold chain. The chain was short and linked to a gold loop driven into the edge of the object. An inch thick at best, the object was flat on one side, slightly rounded on the other. “Now this has got to be worth something,” James muttered.
Silver disks decorated the front. There were five in total, the largest one centered and surrounded by four small triangles trimmed with the same silvery substance. Each triangle pointed towards an adjacent circle placed around the object’s perimeter. The four disks along the edge of the object were connected by a charred groove in the wood, creating a diamond shape. Splaying outwards from the heart of the object was a pattern of branches and leaves stretching out to each circle of silver.
James gazed at the mirrored surfaces but failed to see his reflection. Flipping it over, he examined the back and noted the lack of any distinguishing marks. Stained a dark green similar to the hue of the chest he found it in, the back contrasted sharply with the honey-colored wood on the opposite side.
Running his thumb over the large circle, Castle started barking as soon as he did. Looking down at his dog, James’s attention was drawn back to the object as an eerie green light filled the blackened grooves on the wooden surface.
Before he could process what was happening, an emerald blast shot forth enveloping James and Castle. Stumbling from the onslaught of stunning pain penetrating his head, James fought against the darkness creeping into the edge of his vision. Watching the gleaming object fall from his grasp, he recalled the stranger’s words. Had he done what the old man asked? It was the last coherent thought he would have for a while as he succumbed to the pounding waves of green tinged blackness.
***
Physics class first thing Monday morning was starting to become a real grind. Instead of easing into the school week, Danny immediately had to tackle one of the toughest subjects known to man. To make matters worse, Mr. Ashburn’s teaching style caused more than one student to drift between daydreams and naps for most of the perio
d. Consequently, it made for an extremely trying learning experience.
Danny stared at the empty seat in front of him. He sent James a text but had yet to receive a reply. He wanted to believe his friend came through yesterday’s nightmare unscathed, but maybe he hadn’t as evidenced by him being absent. Maybe James had suffered more than he was willing to admit.
Mr. Ashburn cleared his throat and looked directly at Danny, his glasses halfway down the length of his nose. “Mr. Tai, would you please stop looking so miserable and tell me where Mr. Mason is this morning, hmm?” Pushing his glasses back up, the instructor continued with his class attendance ritual. “Well, Danny?” he persisted while scanning the classroom and jotting things down on a sheet of paper.
“I don’t know. I guess he’s at home,” Danny replied.
“You guess. Okay then...marked absent.” Mr. Ashburn finished up, then pushed the sheet aside. Moving to the front of his desk, he picked up a textbook and flipped through the pages. “Let’s look at chapter eleven, everyone.”
Danny stared at the clock on the wall. There were fifty-five minutes left until first period was over.
***
“And don’t forget, the questions at the end of the chapter are due next class,” Mr. Ashburn informed the students filing out of his classroom.
Danny weaved his way through the crowded halls. Sprinting up a stairway, he reached his locker, tossed his physics book inside, then removed a sketchpad in preparation for art class starting in five minutes. In the meantime, there were a couple of things he needed to do first. Taking out his phone, he placed a call and waited for the line to pick up. But James still didn’t answer. Hanging up, Danny set off to take care of one last piece of business.
Returning to the main floor, his head on a swivel as he looked around, Danny made his way to the cafeteria. Spotting his target sitting inside with his friends, he headed straight for them. “What’s up, Colby?” Danny asked, stopping in front of him.
Colby greeted him with a friendly smile. “Hiya, bro.” He paused, his smile slowly disappearing. “Hey, sorry for what went down yesterday, but your boy needs to pay up and do it soon. Cooper is ticked off about it. I know you ain’t scared of him, but still –”
“That’s what I’m here for–to see Cooper. You know where he’s at?”
“Yeah, I do.” Colby motioned towards the main entrance of the cafeteria.
Turning around, Danny saw Cooper and Sarah just beyond the entrance. He noticed she did most of the talking while Cooper stood fiddling with his phone.
“Is that how you knew where we’d be?” Danny jerked his thumb in Sarah’s direction.
Colby grinned but didn’t answer the question.
Danny could never figure out why Colby hung out with a guy like Cooper. Training at the same mixed martial arts studio, the two of them had developed a respect for one another. He believed Colby to be of honest character but he seemed to lack good judgment on occasion.
“Never mind, forget about it.” Danny glared at Cooper until he looked up from his phone and saw him.
Cooper strolled casually into the cafeteria as Sarah walked off in the opposite direction. Looming over Danny, his ugly grin curled into a sneer. “What do you want, little man?” Cooper gazed around before settling back on him. “Where’s your friend at? Where’s Jimmy? If that little punk thinks he can avoid paying, I’m gonna find him and tear him a new one!”
Danny stared up into Cooper’s face, his anger bubbling and aching to be released. But he refrained from acting upon his desire; this wasn’t the best time to teach Cooper a lesson.
Taking out his wallet, Danny dropped a stack of money onto a nearby table. “That’s three hundred bucks–all the money owed. You stay away from us from now on.”
Cooper scooped up the bills and started counting.
“It’s all there,” Danny said.
Cooper scowled at him, his eyes seething contempt. “I should trust you now, is that it?” Satisfied with the total, he stuffed the bills into his jacket. “It’s been a pleasure. Tell Jimmy, no hard feelings. He’s welcome to lay down some bills anytime he wants.”
Danny wanted to kick the smirk off Cooper’s face but he walked away instead. Already late for his next class, he left the cafeteria, the sound of laughter fading behind him.
Though he knew James wouldn’t be pleased when discovering his debt was paid, getting Cooper to back off was more important than a bruised ego. Besides, James could pay him back if he wanted. He’d be better off owing him than Cooper anyway. The main thing now was to make sure he didn’t repeat his mistake and start placing more bets. Danny made a decision as he reached art class. With James absent from school, he would pay him a visit during lunch break and check up on his best friend.
5
Something warm and wet slid along his cheek. Consciousness nudged him, and in a flash of memory James recalled going down to the basement, though, he didn’t remember what for.
His eyes snapped open. Castle’s large head hovered just inches away. Lying flat on his back, the dog was licking his face. Propping himself up on his elbows, his faithful friend let out a small whine.
Sitting up, James rubbed the side of his head. Sluggish and confused, he didn’t know how he ended up on the concrete floor of the disheveled basement. His upper lip felt coated and sticky. Wiping it with the back of his hand, he saw a crusty reddish substance he instantly recognized as blood. The sight of it startled him but he didn’t have time to dwell on it; someone was walking around upstairs.
A voice called out his name. James jumped up at the sound of his mother’s voice. Picking up an old rag, he cleaned the blood from his face, then tossed it into a corner.
“James, are you home?” A shadow fell across the doorway leading down to the basement. “James? You down there?”
“Yeah, mom, I’m here.”
“What are you doing down there?” she asked, her tone brushed with annoyance. “And what are you doing home?”
He started towards the basement stairs but then spotted the medallion on the floor. In an instant, everything came rushing back. He remembered it all, including the fact he wouldn’t want his mother to know what he’d been up to. Having to explain why he was home was bad enough. Having to explain why he had opened his grandmother’s chest and left everything in a heap on the floor would be even worse.
The sound of her heels now on the steps, James and Castle reached the stairs and began to climb. His mother, dressed in a turquoise business jacket and black skirt, stopped partway down, her path now effectively blocked by both boy and dog.
“Hi mom,” James said meekly.
Susan Mason gave him a look that withered him on the spot. Turning around, she headed back into the kitchen. James followed her in, Castle heading straight to his water bowl. As the big dog walked by, Susan patted him on the head.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone, Jimmy? I tried to reach you, I even texted you after your school called to tell me you were absent today! I dialed home–you didn’t answer that line either. Are you trying to worry me?” She paused briefly. “Well, say something.”
“Sorry, mom.”
“You’re sorry. You think that’ll work?” Susan unfastened her hairclip and freed her long black hair. “God, I could use a drink.” Finding a glass, she poured herself some red wine. Drinking down half the contents, she looked at her son standing nearby. “What’s going on? Why are you home?”
“I wasn’t feeling good, so I took the day off.”
She touched his forehead. “You do feel a little warm,” she said. “What’s this?” Holding his chin, she examined the healing scrape.
“Oh, that’s nothing.” He had forgotten about the scrape. “I fell when we were out hiking.”
“It’s not too bad. So, what about the phone, why didn’t you answer?” she asked again.
James glanced at the clock. The time was ten past twelve. He’d been lying on the basement floor for almost three hours. “I did
n’t hear the phone and mine’s upstairs.”
“You didn’t hear the phone,” she said skeptically. “Because you were in the basement. Just what were –” Her phone buzzed. Removing it from her purse on the kitchen table, Susan looked over the text. “What were you doing in the basement?” she continued while typing in a reply.
“I was looking for something.” James knew this would be over soon. His mother had that look on her face, the one that said I’m busy.
Sending her message, Susan turned her full attention towards her son. “Well, no use going to school with the day half over. I’m just glad you’re okay. I was worried...the school calling, and then no answer on your cell or when I called home...” Her phone buzzed again. She looked at it long enough to see the caller before dropping the phone back into her purse. “I’ve got to get back to work. We’ll finish this discussion later.”
“Sure, mom.”
James followed her to the front door. He was eager for her to leave but did his best not to show it. He wanted to get back to the basement and clean up the area before anyone discovered the mess he made. For all he knew, his father might be next to show up unexpectedly.
“You’re looking tired,” Susan said, straightening a lock of hair on his head. “I want you to go upstairs and rest because you are not missing two days in a row, got me mister?” Her face eased as she gazed at him. Her smile, so warm and loving, was one of a kind. In all his life, James had never seen a smile as beautiful as hers because no one in the world loved him as much as she did.
Susan hugged him and he hugged her back. “I love you. Be good.” Opening the front door, she stepped outside.
James shut the door behind her. “Love you too, mom.” Rushing to the basement, he picked up the object lying beside the chest and slipped it into a back pocket. He then placed all his grandmother’s things back where they belonged. Satisfied all the evidence of his activities had been disposed of, he headed back upstairs.
