An Inheritance

Chapter 6

Lauren left the greenhouse and debated going back to the cottage.  But the names in the bible seemed to be calling to her and decided she had to visit the cemetery.  Abigail had followed her as she walked around the greenhouse, but now she just sat.  “Keep right with me, or I’ll carry you.  I don’t want you wandering off, no telling what you’ll find out here.”

Abigail just looked up at her, so Lauren picked her up and continued to follow the path.  The trail became narrower but was cleared of any weeds or encroachment.  It took only a few minutes before another clearing appeared where Lauren stopped and stared.  Before her were numerous crypts, some obviously much older than others and while most were rather plain, a few were very elaborate; at one time there must have been money in the family.  There was a gentle symmetry to the beautiful stone vaults.  Although they weren’t the same size or even the same shape, they all fit together on the well-tended plot of land; like some large jigsaw puzzle. 

The sun shone down between the trees and onto the stones.  Lauren felt a strange calm and acceptance; these were her relatives.   Abby jumped down from her arms and headed towards one of the older looking crypts and Lauren followed.  She wished she had taken the Bible so that she could identify and trace each name that she found here.    

The names and dates on the old crypt were barely legible.  Lauren just knew that those interred in these had to be the first ones who settled on the land.  As she walked amongst the graves, Lauren took note of some of the names and the relationships between them.  Married couples, more often than not, were interred with some of their children who had died way too young.  One plaque identified several children who had died within weeks of each other.  Probably some epidemic, Lauren thought.

There are many plaques with the name ‘Alma’.  “And look Abby, here are several Abigails, too.  You definitely fit into this family.” 

Lauren headed toward the newest looking tomb.  From the plaques above the door, she saw that this held her grandmother, her two husbands, and her eldest child, Armand.  Fresh flowers and wreaths had been placed at the foot of the crypt.  Since her grandmother had been dead for well over a month, Lauren wondered who had been taking care of the gravesite.  Who came back here to take out the wilted flowers and replace them with fresh ones? 

Lauren realized there was probably a lot more to learn about her background and family history from this cemetery.  She decided that the next time she came back here, she would bring a copy of the family tree from the Bible.  Maybe she’d even sketch out where all of her ancestors were placed.  Lauren then turned and headed back to the cottage.

Standing just within the threshold of the living room, Lauren put her hands on her hips and scolded herself.  I’ve got to start going through all of these things.  I keep finding distractions that keep me from doing what I came here to do.  Staring at the desk, Lauren decided that it would be the next thing on her agenda.  Sitting herself on the straight backed caned chair, Lauren felt a strange familiarity.  She knew she would find the current bills in the top left drawer, stamps, envelopes, paperclips and stapler in the cubby holes in front; the large right-hand drawer would contain recently paid bills and correspondence to any businesses, and the top left-hand drawer would contain paper, manila envelopes and other office supplies.  This was exactly how both she and her mother kept their desks.  It was both soothing and disturbing at the same time.

Starting with the drawer that contained bills, Lauren saw that everything was neatly arranged and all in order.  All payments for utilities were not only up-to-date, but several months ahead.  There was also a bill for telephone and a cellular phone.  Lauren looked around and saw an old-time phone that she had thought was just for show; she went over and picked up the receiver.  The outer casing was just a façade, since the handle contained all of the buttons of a modern wireless phone.  Lauren could hear a dial tone and several beeps indicating voice-mails.