Love,
Grandpa
Behind the letter was another envelope, which was worn with age. It looked like it had been cut open with precision.
Wesley watched raptly as I inspected the envelope. I was about to open it when Margaret’s voice came over the intercom and almost scared the bejesus out of me.
“Mr. Youngsten, your one o’clock is here.”
I gathered my things. I’d read the note later when I wasn’t interfering with my friend’s schedule. “Thanks for fitting me in, Wesley. We need to do dinner sometime to catch up.”
He stood and buttoned his suit jacket. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s been too damn long since we hung out.”
“I agree. Let me know when you’re free.”
“I’ll text you later.”
After hugging and exchanging good-byes, I made my way to my car. Another task down, a few more to go.
Sydney
I was filled with jittery excitement at the prospects of what was written in the letter as I drove across town. It helped push away the sadness.
An adventure I found for you…
First, I needed to meet Peggy at the house Grandpa had bought. She had the keys. When Wesley had told me the address as I drove over to his office this morning, I’d nearly run off the road. My entire life, I’d loved the house at 26 Charter Street. It was in the most historic part of Salem. On Charter Street, there was the Burying Point, the first hospital, and the Pickman House. I loved this part of town. The Salem Witch trials happened only a block away.
There was something magical about the house. I sensed it.
Many a scavenger hunt had occurred in that area when I was growing up. That was one of the ways Grandpa had taught me about the history of Salem.
I put the car into Park when I pulled up in front of the house. It was only then it sank in that the red-bricked, three-story building with white trim was mine. When I was young, Grandpa used to bring me down to this part of town at night and weave tales of history.
Peggy Murdock had lived in the house for as long as I could remember. It was the place she had been born. After exploring the downtown with Grandpa, we used to stop by her place to eat milk and cookies with her and her late husband, Wilbur. Those were special memories I would treasure always.
Peggy came out of the front door, walking with a cane. Some time ago, she’d fallen down the steps in her house and broken her hip. Afterward, she’d moved to the first floor because stairs were too difficult to manage. I had no idea she’d sold the house to Grandpa. When did they do this?
Peggy appeared to be getting around better, but I imagined steps still gave her trouble.
“Sydney! My word, you get prettier and prettier every day.”
“Thank you, Peggy. How are you doing?”
“Well, I miss our dear Virg. But I bet he and Wilbur are discussing the best way to grow tomatoes now. They always got along like peas and carrots.”
“Yes, they did.” I looked up at the house. “I can’t believe he bought this house.”
I felt her hand on mine. “He wanted to give this to you when you moved here. I told him I wanted to sell, so he bought it.”