by Kate Kasch
“Hey look who’s here! I knew you’d make the right decision.”
“Jason, hi. How are you?”
“That’s not a very warm greeting. Why is it you don’t seem happy to see me?”
“I’m sorry. It’s not you – of course I’m happy to see you. I just have a lot on my mind.
“Please tell me you’re not still thinking about this house – I assumed since you were here today you sold the place.” Then: “I was thinking we could go out to the martini bar on Fifth after work to celebrate.”
“No, I didn’t sell my childhood home – nor do I plan to. And no I can’t go out partying after work today, because I need to get back to Chestnut Ridge as soon as possible. There is so much going on there, all these people . . . and I need to help. I can’t believe I’m not there helping right now. And then a tree fell on the garage last night and destroyed the roof.”
“What? A tree fell on your house last night? Why didn’t you tell me that when I called you?”
“I don’t know . . . honestly, I didn’t think you would care. You don’t seem to want to know anything about the house.”
“Oh, so now it’s my fault.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. It’s just that you have made it clear you don’t agree with my decision to try and keep the house – so I haven’t told you about the contest we’re entering to try and win $25,000 or all the work we’re doing to fix up the house.”
Jason stared at Adrienne like she had three heads. She wasn’t even sure he understood anything she was saying – she was talking a mile a minute.
“And all the people. The people who knew my father, they just keep coming over to help without me even having to ask. Gretchen has been taking photos of everyone helping, we’re going to try and . . ..”
“Wait, so who is Gretchen again?” Jason asked.
Adrienne was completely flabbergasted by the man standing in front of her. She looked around the office and it was as if the walls were closing in on her. Suddenly desperate for air, she grabbed her coat and handbag and walked briskly to the elevators.
“The sister. That’s right, I got it. Gretchen is the sister,” Jason called after her. “Adrienne, where are you going? Don’t be mad. You were just talking so fast . . ..”
The elevator doors closed, and Adrienne savored the peace and quiet. Once out on the street, the fresh air felt like it was breathing life back into her. Taking a deep breath, Adrienne closed her eyes and tried to organize her thoughts. She was thinking of something up there in the office while she was talking to Jason, but now she was having trouble recalling it. Walking down Fifth Avenue, the smell of coffee stopped her in her tracks. Coffee always helped – and Adrienne needed as much help as she could get. She hadn’t felt this lost . . . ever. Stepping into the cozy café, Adrienne inhaled that wonderful aroma. Coffee felt like the only constant in her life at the moment, and if she ever spoke those words out loud, someone would think she was certifiably crazy. Heck, maybe she was crazy.
In line, she noticed the woman in front of her was wearing a long white coat.
“Angela?”
The woman spun around, and sure enough, there was Angela shining with that otherworldly glow. In a white faux fur snowball hat and matching fluffy scarf - looking at Angela was like staring into a bright light. She was so beautiful, it was blinding.
“Adrienne! How wonderful to bump into you again!”
“Yes, it is! I must admit it’s a little strange how you seem to keep appearing out of nowhere, everywhere I go. New York, Chestnut Ridge . . ..”
“I was just going to say the same thing,” Angela laughed. “How is it you keep popping up wherever I am – I guess the universe wants us to see each other.”
“Huh, I guess so. What brings you to the city today?”
“Today I am not here for work – today I am here to shop! Christmas is only a few days away you know. And I have not yet finished all the shopping on my list!”
“That sounds fun. I’m glad you’re enjoying a day off.”
“Oh yes, it has been wonderful. New York is a magical place.”
“What’s that book you’re reading?” Adrienne pointed toward the book tucked under Angela’s arm. Tilting her head sideways as to read it better, Adrienne said, “Mark Batterson? Who is he?”
“Oh, he’s a preacher and an author. I find him inspiring. One of my favorite quotes of his is, ‘You’re always one decision away from a totally different life.’ I find those words very powerful, don’t you?”
“Hmmm, ‘You’re always one decision away from a totally different life,’ Adrienne repeated quietly to herself. “That is powerful. It invokes the feeling that everyone has control over their life and their situation. I really wish that were true.”
“Oh, but it is true, honey! You and only you can make decisions to create the life that you want to live.”
“I’m not so sure. Sometimes you have responsibilities and bills to pay and people depending on you. Life is not that simple. At least not for me anyway.”
“Well, think about that quote some more. Maybe it will help you one day.”
Adrienne nodded her head respectfully.
“You know, I’m so glad to run into you. Maybe you could help me?” Angela interrupted Adrienne’s thoughts. “There is one gift on my list that is causing me some concern. You don’t happen to know anything about photography, do you?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. My sister, you met Gretchen, she is the photographer in the family.”
“Oh, well – my niece wants some fancy camera, and I don’t know anything about them. But, don’t worry about me, sweetie - I’ll figure it out.”
Adrienne’s heart skipped a beat and her breath caught in her throat. Gretchen’s camera.
“Excuse me, Angela, I have to leave.”
“Is everything okay? I hope I haven’t upset you in some way?”
“Not at all - quite the opposite actually. I have to get back to Chestnut Ridge.”
“Okay, dear. You take care of yourself, okay?
“Thanks Angela. And I guess I’ll see you on Christmas Eve? Will you be a part of the Christmas Home Decorating Contest?”
“I sure am part of the contest! I will see you Christmas Eve!”
Adrienne raced out of the café and ran as fast as she could down the overcrowded sidewalk. Once at the Morgan Lynch building, she rushed up to Nico, flashing her badge on the fly. And just because she was in a hurry, the elevator stopped on every floor on its way up to the 42nd.
When the elevator doors finally eased open, Adrienne pushed on each door with her two hands trying to get them to open faster. She dashed through office, straight to Elaina’s door.
“Elaina?”
“Harkins. Hi. How is the research going?”
“Fine. Fine. But I need to leave. I have a family emergency.”
“Another family emergency? Geez Harkins, maybe you should find yourself a new family, one that’s not so needy.”
“I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work that way.”
Elaina rolls her eyes. “You are seriously leaving already?”
Adrienne nodded once, afraid if she spoke, she’d lose her nerve.
“Then bring some work home with you, and I better see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”
“But tomorrow is Christmas Eve eve.”
“Is that even a thing?”
“Right. Well, I emailed you the research I started on the cell phone location technology. I will try and do some more tonight from home. And can I just say quickly – I found some interesting information during my research regarding ‘Just-In-Time Marketing’ and I was thinking it might be a good alternative to the cell phone location technology – less invasive. You see, if someone cashes a check from a different company - they got a new job, well, we could then send them information on rolling over their 401K. Then it’s not like we’re watching their every move because they sent us a deposit and we just paid attention to it. A
nd it’s helpful . . ..”
“Harkins – what did I ask you to research?” Elaina balled her hands into tight fists on her desk.
“Cell phone location technology.”
“Correct. So tonight, after your fun family Christmas sugarplums with sparkly tinsel on them – what are you going to research and then send me?”
Adrienne had no idea why someone would eat sugarplums with tinsel on them, but she knew better than to make that point. She said what Elaina wanted to hear, “Information on cell phone location technology.”
“You got it.”
“Okay then. I guess I will see you tomorrow.”
Making one quick stop at her desk to gather up her work to take home, Adrienne then hustled back to the elevator bank.
On the way to the elevator, Adrienne spotted Jason walking toward her. She gave a quick wave and hopped into an elevator before he had a chance to ask her any questions.
It seemed to take three years for the valet to retrieve her car from the garage. As she waited, Adrienne continually tried to reach Gretchen on her cell phone, but for some reason Gretchen wasn’t answering. Adrienne’s car arrived and relief rushed over her. Finally, she could go home. However, it was the middle of the day in New York City three days before Christmas, and the whole world seemed to be driving through Midtown at that very moment. Inching her way through traffic, Adrienne’s thoughts bounced between her conversations with Angela and Gretchen. She was praying that she could reach Gretchen before she did something impulsive, and well . . .dumb.
When Adrienne pulled up to the house, she was once again shocked by the amount of people and trucks and equipment flooding her front lawn. The crew from Wallace Tree Company had arrived at some point, and Adrienne was extra grateful to see them cutting down the tree that fell on the garage. There were chain saws and a chipper both on at the same time, and the sound was deafening. Covering her ears, Adrienne ran up to the first familiar face. Unfortunately, that was Gabe’s face.
“Hi!” Adrienne yelled over the noise, waving her hand so he knew what she was saying.
Gabe yelled something back, but Adrienne couldn’t understand him.
“What?!” Adrienne asked.
“I said, you are back early,” Gabe all but screamed.
“Yeah, I am. Do you know where Gretchen is?”
Gabe shrugged his shoulders and gave her a look that told her he had no idea what she just said, so she just yelled, “GRETCHEN?”
Gabe pointed inside.
Phew, Adrienne thought, she hadn’t done anything yet.
Compared to outside, inside, the house felt peaceful. Adrienne followed the sound of voices into the kitchen. She saw Nick talking to a few other men – but no Gretchen.
“Excuse me, Nick?”
Nick turned toward her, “Adrienne! You’re back early – I’m so glad!”
“Thanks Nick. Have you seen Gretchen? She hasn’t been answering her phone.”
“Oh yeah, she took my truck to run some errand. I’m not really sure exactly what she’s doing, but she said she wouldn’t be long.”
Panic set in, and it was written all over Adrienne’s face.
“What’s wrong, Adrienne? Are you okay?” Nick asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to find Gretchen – now. If she calls you, will you tell her I’m looking for her and to please call me?”
“Of course. But there’s one problem . . ..”
Adrienne looked at Nick, confused.
“Gretchen won’t be calling either of us. Her phone was dead, so she left it here to charge.”
Ugh.
Adrienne immediately pulled out her phone and started researching local pawnshops. There were three within ten miles of Chestnut Ridge. Which one would Gretchen try first?
Adrienne decided to try the closest one first, although it was only closer by one mile. She had to start somewhere though, right?
Racing back out through the noisy, busy front lawn, Adrienne hopped back into her car. On her GPS, she typed in the address to Perfect Pawn, which was in the next town over. The traffic was heavy everywhere she went, throngs of people were out and about running those last-minute Christmas errands. Adrienne gripped the steering wheel tightly hoping against hope that she could catch Gretchen in time. Adrienne parked her car in front of Perfect Pawn but was immediately disappointed. Nick’s truck was nowhere to be seen. Adrienne either already missed her, or Gretchen never came to this shop. Either way, it wasn’t great news.
Perfect Pawn was dark and dank inside. The only natural light seeped in through two tiny windows which were high up close to the ceiling. Old matted down green carpet covered the floor. Adrienne walked up to the counter where a short, paunchy bald man was reading the newspaper.
“Hi there,” Adrienne forced a calm smile as she approached the man. “I was hoping you could help me.”
“What can I do for ya dahlin’?”
“I was wondering if you sold any cameras today – like within the last hour?”
“I did get a camera a little earlier. Why, are you interested in purchasing?”
Adrienne’s heart sank.
“Could I see it?”
“Of course,” the little man hobbled over to a glass counter down a bit from the register, unlocked it from behind and held up a camera.
Adrienne let out a big sigh of relief. It wasn’t Gretchen’s camera.
“This is a really nice camera, and I can give you a great deal,” the man started his sales pitch.
“That’s not the kind of camera I’m looking for but thank you for your time.”
“How about some jewelry? You look like you deserve a nice piece of jewelry to put under the tree this year. Or for that special man in your life? I have some very high-end watches, if you would like to see some of those?”
Adrienne just wanted to get out of there. She declined the man’s offers politely, and then raced back out to her car. On her phone she pulled up the two remaining pawnshops that showed up in her search. Which one to choose? American Pawn Shop or EZ Pawn? She decided to go with American Pawn Shop since she liked the name better. It was all about luck at this point. She entered the address into her GPS and silently prayed that Gretchen didn’t go through with the sale.
Pulling up to American Pawn Shop Adrienne was once again disappointed. Nick’s truck wasn’t in the small parking lot. Doing her due diligence, Adrienne entered the shop. The bell dinged as the door opened, and Adrienne felt like it was déjà vu all over again. This shop was dark with dirty carpet and a tall lanky young guy behind the counter. Another glass counter lined the back of the shop.
“Hi there,” Adrienne offered a half smile.
“Hey. You lookin’ for somethin’ in particular?” The guy asked.
“Actually yes, I’m looking for a camera. Did anyone happen to bring a camera by today to sell it to you?”
“Camera? Not today. But I could show you what I’ve got – maybe you’ll take a likin’ to one of em’.”
“No. Thank you, anyway,” Adrienne turned around to walk back out into the fresh air. The heat must have been turned up to ninety degrees in the small shop. She stepped back out into the cold, sunny day and took a deep breath. Cars zipped by on the busy road the shop sat on. They were so close to the parking lot she could feel a gush of air that knocked her off balance as each vehicle whizzed by. But she was too distracted by her thoughts to be worried about being hit by a car. Should she be disappointed or relieved that Gretchen didn’t pawn her camera to either of these shops? Maybe Adrienne was wrong, maybe Gretchen didn’t plan to sell her camera after all. But she needed to find out either way. She needed to check the last shop, EZ Pawn, to be sure.
Driving to the third and final pawnshop, Adrienne spent the time on the road hoping she was wrong – that Gretchen never intended to sell the camera. But the tightening feeling deep down in her stomach was telling a different story. That part of her that was inexplicably still connected to her sister, could feel
what Gretchen was feeling. So, when Adrienne arrived at EZ Pawn, she wasn’t surprised to see Nick’s truck sitting in the parking lot. EZ Pawn was about double the size of the first two pawn shops – Gretchen must have done her research.
Adrienne parked the car and ran toward front door of the building. Not only was this place bigger than the other two, it was also much nicer. With its sleek gray exterior and flashing signs advertising “best prices around” and “we buy gold” it was in stark contrast to the dark, dated holes in the wall Adrienne unfortunately had visited.
Just as Adrienne grabbed the handle to the front door and pulled it toward her, there on the other side of the door pushing outward was Gretchen. The two sisters stared at each other for a moment until Adrienne snapped out of it, and pulled the door open, stepping to the side to let Gretchen out.
“Adrienne? What are you doing here?” Gretchen looked a combination of surprised and confused.
“I came to stop you – to stop you from selling Heidi.”
“What do you? How did you?” Baffled, Gretchen couldn’t complete a sentence.
“I just had a feeling. When you said you could come up with the money, that you could sell something, it didn’t immediately come together for me. But then I ran into Angela in the city . . ..”
“You ran into Angela in the city? Geez, she gets around.”
“I know, right? But yeah, when I ran into Angela, she mentioned something about photography or cameras, and it suddenly clicked. I knew what you were going to do – and I didn’t want you to do it.”
“Why do you care that I sold the camera?”
“Oh no. I’m too late! You sold it already? Maybe it’s not too late – maybe we can go convince them to give it back to you. It could only have been a few minutes ago.” Adrienne sounded desperate.
“It doesn’t work that way, Adrienne. Once you sell it, it’s gone. They own it, and the only way to get it back is to buy it back – for more money than they just gave you for it, of course. Honestly, I thought you would be happy about it.”
“Happy about it?” it was Adrienne’s turn to be surprised. “Why would you selling your camera make me happy?”