Gran's Birthday

Prompt: A Celebration | Word Count: 2500 words | Genre: Fantasy
(This one was posted early and not included in the 12-in-12 collection)

“Tommy! Hurry up! You’re going to make us late for Gran’s birthday party.”

Tommy rolled over in his bed and tightened the blankets around him. Mom didn’t understand that he wasn’t excited about going to the party. He loved his great-grandmother to death, she was the only one who really seemed to get him, but lately, she was showing the signs of her age and he didn’t like to see her that way. It was better when Gee-Pa was around. She had a light in her eyes in those days that shone with the intensity of her love for the old adventurer. She would ruffle Tommy’s little head at his latest insouciance and utter her usual words, “How like your great-grandfather, you are!”

“Tommy! Let’s go!”

“Alright! I’m coming!” He flipped the covers off his body and stumbled into the bathroom. Brushing his teeth, he thought about Gran’s house and the up-coming party. The house was an old Victorian that had seen better days. Gee-Pa, when he wasn’t dodging around on assignment with National Geographic, had always managed to keep it up, but since his passing, the grounds have begun to fall to overgrowth and the house to disrepair. Until recently, Gran had managed to keep the place clean, warm and inviting. All but Gee-Pa’s second floor study, of course. That room, she’s kept locked these last ten years since his passing and no one has ever been allowed to enter. Tommy often wondered what secrets lay within that room. What adventures Gee-Pa had experienced and documented in his notes. What wonders he might discover.

“Tommy! For Cripe’s sake! What’s taking you so long?”

“I’ll be right down.” He threw on a pair of dress jeans, his sneakers and the polo shirt his Gran had gotten him for Christmas. He thought she might appreciate that. Grabbing his wallet and the little present he had bought for her with money from his part-time job over at Petersen’s downtown, he went downstairs to find his mother already at the door and ready to go. She handed him a breakfast sandwich and a glass of milk and ushered him outside.

“Gonna have to eat on the run since you took so long to get ready.”

He mumbled a “Thank you” through two big bites of the sandwich and hurried out to the car. By the time his seatbelt was on, the sandwich and the milk were gone. Mom just shook her head at him as whispered, “Teenagers!” to herself.

On the ride to Gran’s house, he thought back on his favorite memories of the old place. When he was four, Gee-Pa had taken him fishing in the lake on the back-side of the property. He told him all about his trip to Tanzania to photograph the lions of Ruaha. Gee-Pa and his crew had run afoul of men who were poaching lions in the area and had to call in the Conservation officers for help. When he turned five, Gee-Pa had just returned from filming jaguars in Brazil. He had spoken of the local tribes he’d met along the journey and of travelling down the Amazon basin. At six, when he learned that his great-grandfather’s ship had gone down in the Bering Sea with all hands lost, he stayed in his room all day. His mother had to put fresh sheets down as he had soaked his through. They never recovered the old man’s body. At his memorial, Gran, who had only just turned ninety sat in black veil and sobbed quietly the whole day.

“Where are you?”

His mother’s question broke his reverie. “Oh, just thinking.”

“Think about what?”

“Gee-Pa.”

“Oh.” She didn’t really have to say anymore. She knew how much his great-grandfather had meant to him. What an impression he had left on young Tommy. Absentmindedly, he turned the present over in his hands. It was a traveler’s kit. He thought Gran would like it as it would remind her of the best things about Gee-Pa. His thirst for adventure. His love of the great outdoors and wild world on which we live and the wildlife with which we share it. He would often quote Masefield’s “Sea Fever”,

“All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by”.

Gran would break into that warm smile every time. And of course, so would he. Gee-Pa was whirlwind with an adventurous spirit and Tommy had caught the fever. However, Gee-Pa was gone now these past ten years and today was about Gran. But perhaps a little reminder in the form of a sextant and a compass would put that smile back on her warm and wonderful face.

They pulled into Gran’s drive and found that others had already arrived. Uncle Pete and Aunt Louise were there with their kids Roc, Betty and Zoe. Gran’s younger sister has arrived as well with her daughter Nell and her third husband Frank. Old man Petersen and his wife were chatting with the town butcher John Roberts and his girlfriend Cammy or Cassy or whatever. Several other cars were unloading with people Gran knew from church or the Garden Club. It was shaping up to be a real shindig. Just as they were getting out of the car, Dad’s truck pulled into the lane. Even though he and Mom had divorced, he had remained a very big part of the family and he and Tommy had managed to maintain a great relationship.

“I’m glad you could make it, Tom.” Mom nodded in his direction.

“I wouldn’t miss it, Dawn. You know how much I thought of your grandmother.”

“Of course. She is after all a mainstay of our little town.”

“How are you doing today, bud?”

“Okay. Looks like quite a party for Gran.”

“Looks like. Let’s go in, shall we?”

Inside, Grampa Carl was serving drinks, while cousin Deb was handing out hors d’oeuvres. People were milling about remarking on how well one looked or how much weight one had lost—or gained, or who was seeing whom down at the local market. It was all the usual town gossip one hears in a gathering. It all became white noise to Tommy as he made his way into the living room with Dad and Mom in tow to find Gran, no doubt in her favorite chair. Gramma Carol called out from the kitchen.

“Dawn, lend me a hand, will you?”

“Of course. Just give me a minute to say hello to Gran.”

Pastor Bloome was dominating the conversation over by the fireplace while his wife looked on, disapproval written all over her face. Guess the Pastor’s in the doghouse again, Tommy thought as he looked around for the Pastor’s daughter. There. Over in the corner by herself sat Cassidy Bloome. Her sandy hair, grey eyes and quiet nature were a magnet for Tommy. Her soft voice hushed his nervous yammer and held his attention like a drink in the desert. He started to turn in her direction, but Mom had other ideas. She yanked on his arm and drug him toward the living room and Gran.

“Dawn! Tommy! Come here my darlings.”

“Gran! Happy birthday! How are you feeling today?” Mom reached out and gave her grandmother a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m just fine, dear. Your mother takes good care of me even though you know, I can always manage myself.” Gran snapped a wink at Tommy. “And how is my favorite great-grandson?”

“Gran!” Mom never liked it when Gran said such things in public. She didn’t want any of the others to be offended. But everyone knew. As the youngest, Tommy was always her favorite. Not to mention that of all the great and grand-children, he was the most like Gee-Pa, in looks, build and spirit.

“It’s true, and you know it.” Gran reached out to meet Tommy’s embrace. “What’s this?” She pointed at the package in Tommy’s hands.

“It’s your present, Gran.”

“Well let’s see it.”

“Gran, please. You should wait until all of the others’ presents are put together.” His mother’s hushed remonstration bounced right off the old gal.

“Nonsense. I will open this one now.”

Tommy handed over the gift and watched intently as Gran torn open the package. Her eyes glistened at the sight of the sextant. She looked at him with that knowing gaze that told him he had done well. She reached out and put her trembling hands on his cheeks and kissed him full on the lips. “Oh, how I miss him too!” Then, she tousled his hair and uttered, “How like your great-grandfather, you are!” His cheeks warmed, and he found himself in danger of breaking down when she pulled him closer and whispered into his ear, “Come see me after dinner when we can be alone. I have something I’ve been keeping for you.” His questioning look gave her a little chuckle. “Later. Now run along. I see that young Cassidy Bloome is sitting all by herself and that seems quite the shame.” She knows! With a squeeze of his hand and a wink, she sent him on his way while she had a word with his mother.

He walked over to sit next to Cassidy and as they talked, the hours melted away. Before long, dinner was being called and everyone was gathering in the formal dining room. Tommy’s uncles and Dad had found a spare table and matched it up against Gran’s large formal so there would be plenty of room for everyone to sit. Tommy and Cassidy were seated together which suited them both just fine. Grandma Carol served baked chicken, smashed potatoes, with the skins on, of course, green bean casserole, a favorite of Gran’s and several dishes brought by some of the women who attended the party. It was a grand feast for a grand lady to mark her one-hundredth birthday. Grampa Carl uttered an old Irish toast and the meal was on in earnest.

When supper was complete, and all the dishes cleared, the cake was brought out and the presents stacked near Gran at the head of the table. She opened every gift with the excitement of a child at Christmas, but the whole time, she kept the sextant and compass kit close by her side. When one of the ladies tried to move it to clear room, she gently tapped her hand and shook her head. That one was to remain there.

Later that evening, when most everyone had gone home and while Mom was still helping Grandma Carol clean up, Gran called Tommy over to her. Cassidy had also elected to remain and help with the clean up. He knew without her uttering a word, it was so she could spend more time with him. Her house was only three doors down and she could easily walk home afterward. She had just finished cleaning up the living room with Tommy’s help, so Gran called her over as well.

“Children, I want you to listen to me very closely. I’m not trying to be funny or morose, but I must tell you that this will likely be my last birthday on this Earth.” Tommy’s heart sank at the words, but she raised a hand to stay his reaction. “I can feel the pull of my beloved and I know that he waits for me. I have lived a very long and wonderful life with absolutely no regrets. So, believe me when I tell you that I speak from the heart.”  She took them by the hands and fixed a hard gaze first at one, then the other. “I know the spark that lies between the two of you. Nurture it and it can be the greatest gift you will ever give or receive.”

She let go of their hands and cupped Tommy’s cheeks in her palms. “I loved your great-grandfather with every fiber of my being. I stood behind his adventures and his chosen profession because it lit a light in him that burned bright enough for the both of us. That light sustained me. You have his spirit.” She paused for a moment as if to reconsider her next remark. “I spoke to your mother this evening and have had a word with your grandparents as well. When I pass, the house is to become yours.”

“Gran, no! You can’t say stuff like this!”

 “Now hush, Tommy. I’ve made my decision. I need to leave my legacy and that of your great-grandfather in good hands. And I can think of none better. Besides, I think you’ll find what you are looking for in Gee-Pa’s study.”

She reached into her blouse and brought out something wrapped in one of her handkerchiefs. She took his hand and pressed the article in it. Then, she closed his fingers over it. “Run along now, darlings. Let an old lady get some rest.”

They each bent over her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Tommy lingered a moment and breathed in her scent. At that moment, he wanted to remember her like this forever. “I love you, Gran,” he whispered. “Happy birthday.”

He stood up and took Cassidy’s hand. He had already decided to walk her home. He realized Gran was right. She was the one. The only one for him. And he wasn’t about to squander his good fortune at finding such a perfect match. His thoughts bounced back and forth between Gran’s words and his feelings for the girl at his side. How could Gran talk of dying? How could she know so much about his feelings for Cassidy? Or, hers for him? How could he be so lucky to have such a girl to love him back? A block away, she turned and faced him.

“You have that far-away look again.”

“Look?”

“You know, the one you get when your mind is someplace else?”

“I was thinking about Gran and what she told us.”

“I have too.”

She leaned in close. Her perfume spun his head. The heat of her nearness drew him even closer. She reached up and took his face in her hands and kissed him. All his worries melted away in that single sweet kiss. He knew he was hers forever. She leaned back and for the first time he realized they were arm-in-arm embraced. The warmth of her body fit perfectly next to his and he decided he never wanted that to change. She giggled softly at the look of wonder on his face. Then, as if only now remembering, she asked him, “By the way, what was it she give you?”

He had nearly forgotten about the article in his other hand. Reluctantly, he let her go and held it up. He pulled back the corners of the handkerchief that was wrapped around it and looked up into those pale, gray eyes.

“The key.”

“The key to what?”

“The key to my great-grandfather’s study. The key to the secret room.”

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