A Diamond in the Rough

by Marilyn Land

  Before retiring for the night, wrapped in his arms with a light blanket covering them, they sat on the sofa watching BBC news. Lexi reached for the remote and turned off the TV. “Jake, we should make some plans. Zoe and David will be here in a few days and aside from telling the children I’m sick, we haven’t really discussed anything else.

  “I think we should offer them the house in Pembridge Square. They’re planning to stay there while house hunting anyway. In recent years, except for occasional gatherings, it has stood empty, empty of laughter, of family, of life; all the things we purchased the house for in the first place. Our home represented everything we stood for and believed in, and it all came down to family. With Zoe and David living there, the gatherings will continue long after we’re gone, and I think Harry and Adam would like that too.

  “In fact, I think it would be a good idea, to have dinner at the house when we tell the children. We can arrange to have help brought in to prepare and serve the meal, and afterwards, when we speak with them, we can tell them our plans.

  “Although I seem to be holding my own, we both know that can change without warning. Once that happens, we will no longer be in control. I don’t want whatever time I have left to be sad; I’m not sad. I’ve had an awesome life with you by my side. None of us lives forever, and being eighty-eight is an achievement many never attain.

  Jake held her close; she was amazing his Lexi. Never thinking of herself, she only wanted to make things easier for their children when she told them. “You have thought of everything. I absolutely agree that Zoe and David should make the house their home. I also agree that dinner at the house would be much easier than having everyone come to the cottage. From there, we can go forward and take each day at a time; we can Skype the kids and grandkids wherever they are and keep in touch on a weekly basis.”

  “I feel better now that’s settled, but I do have one further request—this one is for you. After I’m gone, I want you to take Zoe into your confidence and make a decision about the diamonds. We tried, but somehow we never connected the dots, never found all the pieces to the puzzle. I don’t want to pass the onus on to the children.

  “I don’t believe there is anyone alive today that knows the truth about how they were acquired, where they came from, and who they rightfully belonged to. We tried our best, but we were never able to reach a conclusion. Perhaps Zoe will be able to decipher your notes and see our findings in a new light.

  “Actually the diamonds are only part of my request. Part two consists of writing the Lyons story for the family. They should know their roots, and unless we tell them, there is no one who will be able to once we are both gone. The diamonds have made that quite clear. I’m sure Zoe will be more than willing to help you put it all together.”

  How does one accept the news their beloved Mother is dying? They were all stunned; she simply didn’t look sick. Her mind was as sharp as ever, and she was definitely in control of her destiny; she accepted her fate with no regrets. She wouldn’t change one minute of her life, except maybe leaving England when she was pregnant with Zoe and travelling to Palestine with her father. But, she truly believed that things happen for a reason, and it all worked out for the best.

  Her proudest achievement was the family she and Jake had created.

  For as long as she was able, life went on as usual. In April, she began experiencing pain in her back and abdomen, and she grew tired early in the day. There were no more outings, not even a walk to the Village. As her organs began failing, the pain increased, and she was confined to bed. Jake refused to move her to hospice; she remained at the cottage.

  They had nurses round the clock to keep her comfortable and minister doses of morphine as needed. Jake sat at her bedside during the day, and when she was awake, they revisited happier times and laughed about Zoe’s prediction of finding her Daddy in London; the first time he took her and Zoe flying; and the times, more than once, when he couldn’t tell their newborn twins apart.

  Each night, he got into bed beside her, and she slept in his arms. Her last night, as he approached the bed, he was surprised to find her awake. “I Love You Jake Lyons; don’t ever forget it.” She died in her sleep, encircled in his arms in the love that had consumed them both for seventy-six years.

  It was her wish to be buried in the garden at the cottage. From near and far, young and old, the Lyons family came.

  For one month, Jake mourned his loss. The children respected his wishes and kept their distance for the most part. They couldn’t resist checking on him, but he assured them, he was eating regularly and doing okay. Each day he said Kaddish at her grave. As the weather grew warmer, he found himself spending time in the garden making plans to fulfill Lexi’s last request that he put the diamond cache to rest.

  They were all gone: Marcus and Elena, Mark and Rosalie, Sam and Ellen, Joe Hanks, Tommy and Betsy Butler, Lulu, Lila, and Bill Walsh, Mandy Hastings.

  The realization hit Jake hard.

  He agreed with Lexi’s reasoning that no one was still alive that could shed any light on the mystery of the diamonds.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  As a young man, Franz Schiller found the diamonds on the bank of the Orange River at the edge of the farmland owned by Simon Abel; the year was 1883 during the diamond rush that attracted people from all over the world seeking to get rich. Unwilling to draw attention to his find, he never filed a claim, and, therefore, he never truly felt they belonged to him.

  Shiloh—the one to whom it belongs. Shiloh was his mutti’s Hebrew name. When he learned she had died before he could offer her a new life, a better life in South Africa, the diamonds held little value for him, yet for twenty years he continued to collect them each time he visited the Abel Farm. When he decided to have his good friends Ben and Sidney Lyons cut and polish the rough stones, he set up an account with the Annex, and the name Shiloh came immediately to mind—he had left home in search of a better life for his mutti—they belonged to her.

  When his month of mourning ended, Jake embarked on his mission—Shiloh. More than sixty years had passed since he opened the crate from South Africa revealing the intricately carved chest of diamonds. For the majority of those years, the diamonds remained secure in the safe at the cottage, low on his list of priorities. In fact, the rare occasions that brought them back into his thoughts were short-lived and unenlightening in his quest to find their owner.

  He rang up Zoe and invited her and David to dinner at the cottage. Then, he was off to the Village to pick up groceries for dinner. He recalled his very first visit to the small town to get dinner for his first guests, Marcus and Elena. He was thankful that he had acquired a little more expertise in food preparation since then. He planned to make the entire meal from scratch including dessert, after which he would ask for Zoe’s help to accomplish his mission. Lexi was right. He had put off the responsibility that had been given to him far too long.

  Zoe marveled at the dinner her Daddy set before them. He had prepared a big salad, followed by roast chicken and vegetables, and whipped up a batch of brownies that he knew were Zoe’s favorite. They finished the bottle of wine that he had placed on the table, and he opened another when they opted to have tea or coffee later. He hadn’t realized how much he missed having her live close by.

  “I am so impressed, aren’t you David? The meal was excellent, but more important is seeing the Daddy I’ve known my whole life so ready to move forward as Mama would have wanted you to do and expected you to do. So tell us about the project you have in mind, and how we can help.”

  After great thought, Jake decided to approach his mission as a dual project. He wanted to document a biography of his life for their family, and in doing so lead up to the diamonds and the promise he had made Lexi. At that point, he would reveal the cache together with the notes he had gathered, and hopefully Zoe could help him unravel the mystery and/or determine what to do with it.

 
“Before your mother died, she suggested that I write a history of the Lyons family so that future generations could learn where their roots began. Our meeting was fate, but falling in love was our choice. I became who I am because of your mother; she was my every reason for living, every hope, every dream I ever had. Everyday we shared was the greatest day of my life. Nothing is more precious, more rare, or more beautiful than a love that is equally shared.

  “My family perished in the Good Friday Air Raid, and my uncles lived and died in South Africa; I only met them once. On your mother’s side, you got to know your aunts, uncles, and cousins and even though you probably don’t remember him, your grandfather.

  “I’d like to begin by starting at the beginning when my parents came to London from Russia and lead up to the present relating my story in person, but recording my every word so that any notes you may wish to make or questions you would like to jot down will be kept to a minimum. I’m asking for your help to actually put it all down on paper when I am finished.

  “What do you think? Is it too big a job? Am I expecting too much? Please tell me exactly how you feel.”

  Zoe glanced at David. “Daddy, what a wonderful and beautiful thing to do. You and Mama never fail to amaze me. You always put family first and your devotion to all of us has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. We knew we were loved and that’s all that mattered; we were lucky to have you as parents.

  “I would like nothing better than to hear your story from beginning to end, and learn about what I’ve missed while living in America. I think it would be a good idea to get out Mama’s box of pictures; they tell a story in themselves.

  “The first thing we will do is purchase and set up a computer here at the cottage. All you have to do is speak into it, and it will record whatever you say as though you were entering the information by hand. That will allow us to print it out when we edit it. The computer at the house is a little outdated to move. I’ll take care of it tomorrow, but it will be a few days before we’re up and running. Do you want to come with me? Why don’t you? Pack a bag, and you can go back with us tonight.”

  David couldn’t help thinking that their decision to move to England couldn’t have been better timed. “Dad, in space talk I would say your mission is a go!

  “If it would make things easier, I can return to the States, pack up our things, and make arrangements to have everything shipped here. In the meantime, the two of you can get started, and Zoe can stay here at the cottage. Well, what do you think? Do you agree?”

  Zoe leaned over and kissed David. “Thank you. That sounds like a plan.

  “Daddy, I agree, but one more thing. As part of the bargain, are you offering dinner every night, and if you are, can I expect it to be on a par with the one we just had?”

  They laughed. Jake stood, “Shall I put some coffee on? There are more brownies, and I have ice cream in the freezer. You’re well aware that your mother and I were ice cream junkies, and I have to warn you, you won’t find vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry here. Our tastes grew more exotic when we sampled Baskin-Robbins’ 31 flavors on a trip to the States. When they opened a store on Baker Street not far from Selfridge’s, she was in heaven. In fact, earlier this year, they opened a store in Middlesex.”

  Days later David left for the States and Zoe packed a bag and returned to the Cotswolds. Throughout the years, she had often heard bits and pieces of her parents’ life, but to hear it from her Daddy’s own lips from beginning to end was something she eagerly looked forward to.

  Knowing him as she did, she had the feeling he was holding something back; she fervently hoped he wasn’t ill. Actually he looked wonderful for someone who was approaching ninety, and she believed the promise he had made her mother was a good thing. She was glad he had embraced it. Life goes on, and he was too.

  Although they worked on the project every day, their schedule was not set in stone. They arose early, had breakfast, and sometimes began with Jake’s story; other times, if the weather permitted, they went flying with Zoe at the controls.

  It was these times that Zoe told Jake her story, and how wonderful it was to work on the space program. They spoke of the twentieth century and the milestones not only in aviation, but the Internet, automobiles, and unbelievable strides in the medical world. Harry was living proof with the numerous transplants he had successfully performed. Jake had no qualms about handing over the reins of Eagle Aerodrome to Adam; with him at the helm, the future looked mighty good.

  As they flew high above the cottage and the Village below, Jake closed his eyes. Zoe, Harry, and Adam—we did okay Lexi; we did okay.

  In June, England celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II with a four-day bank holiday weekend that included a pageant of over 1,000 boats on the River Thames and a Pop Concert outside Buckingham Palace.

  David returned from the States. Since they were living in the house at Pembridge Square and had no need for additional furniture, he had sold or given away the larger items. While awaiting the shipment to arrive, he spent time with Adam at the aerodrome and became acquainted with the many services they offered. He was particularly impressed with MedAir.

  With David back in London, Zoe returned to the house. They altered their schedule to weekdays only, and she commuted to the cottage on a daily basis. On occasion, David accompanied Zoe, and if it was a good day for flying, the three of them took to the skies.

  In August, the 2012 Summer Olympics were held in London. When all was said and done, Great Britain finished third in the medal table with 29 gold medals of the 65 medals in total.

  In December, St. James’ Palace announced that the Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant with their first child. She was hospitalized at the King Edward VII Hospital in London with acute morning sickness for a brief stay, and when she was released, everyone sighed with relief.

  By the end of November, they had been working on the project for six months. They had reached the point where Lexi and Zoe had returned to England. Jake surprised her one morning by suggesting they take a break, not just for the day, but also for a few weeks. The end of the year was approaching, and he asked Zoe to help him plan their annual get together.

  “I have to admit, although I made all the arrangements for everyone to get to our many destinations, your mother made all the other choices. I was thinking that we would have everyone come here to London. There’s plenty of room at the house for your boys and their families, Harry and Adam and their families are local, and it’s been awhile since we’ve all been together here except for the funeral. I think the kids might enjoy London, Piccadilly Circus, and we can check on theatre and cinema shows. It will be fun.”

  “Daddy, you don’t have to plan anything; I don’t think anyone expects a holiday this year. However, personally I would love it. David and I can check everything out and get back to you with what we find.”

  “Sounds good. When your mother and I thought the house at Pembridge Square would be the ideal place for you and David to live, she reasoned it would perpetuate family gatherings in our beautiful home; I agreed with her. It’s a good choice to be home this year; New Year’s Eve in London was our special time.”

  Jake, Zoe, and David were a good team; they planned the 2012 Lyons family holiday as a precursor of Jake’s announcement of their project.

  The first night of their holiday week, Zoe arranged dinner at the house. It would be overflowing, but it had been for some time. Being home would not only add ambiance to the evening, but would allow the younger children to play games or watch a film on television while Jake made his announcement to the adults.

  After making sure everyone had a filled glass, Jake began. “Every holiday gathering has been special because it has brought us all together and not one Lyons family member has ever missed being a part of it. That fact alone made each and every holiday extra special. I love you all; God Bless you all.”

  As everyone
clinked and raised their glasses, Jake continued. “Past years have been total holiday mode, a time to have fun together and to touch base and let one another know what’s going on in our lives. We never discussed business. This year is no different. We will have a week to catch up while we partake of the festivities Zoe, David, and I hope you will enjoy.

  “There is, however, something I would like to tell you, and there is no better time or way than with all of you here face-to-face. This year has been bittersweet for me; I lost the Love of My Life, My Lexi. She was your mother, grandmother, great grandmother and I know you feel her loss as much as I do.

  “When I was a young boy, my Papa told me time and again, our choices determine our destiny but our fate is sealed. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve recalled those words, and each time how profound they proved to be. My intention is not to cast sadness over our week together, it is instead to be thankful for having her in our lives. She was a part of all of us, and in all of us she lives on.

  “I made her a promise, and that is what I am about to tell you.”

  Jake refilled his glass and sipped the wine. One could hear a pin drop, so quiet was the room as he told them it was simply all about family. “Zoe has agreed to help me put it all down on paper and perhaps by next year’s holiday, we will have finished it.”

  Adam’s broad smile said it all. “Dad, I am so proud of you and Mother. That’s the best gift you could possibly pass on to all of us and any future Lyons, I might add. We all know bits and pieces, but I for one can’t wait to read about your early days of flying.

  “I knew you had something up your sleeve when Zoe moved into the cottage and the two of you showed up at the aerodrome every time the weather was good.”

  Harry nodded his head in agreement with Adam. “We were all wondering what was going on. You seemed to be in a good frame of mind, so we weren’t worried about your wellbeing, but we definitely felt something was afoot.