by Lesley Crewe
“But what about Robert?”
Juliet finally let go of her sister’s hands. “That weasel didn’t want me to tell you. He wants to take all the treasure for ourselves.”
“That creep. So does this mean…”
“Yes. If you and I find this treasure, I’m gone for good. He’s so stupid, he let someone walk off with our money, and he’d probably do it again given half the chance.”
“But what if there is no treasure?”
“I find that very unlikely,” Juliet assured her. “Aunt Hildy’s just sneaky enough to do something like this.”
Faith nodded.
She looked around the room and beckoned her sister closer. “And if there’s no treasure, there’s still treasure.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, sister dear, she has a fortune in her room alone. All those art pieces and jewellery and tapestries. That stuff would fetch a bundle on eBay. Not that we can use it, but you know what I mean. We’d sell to private dealers.”
“But how do we…you know? She’s always in her room.”
“Not always. You told me she’s in the garden every morning. That’s the perfect opportunity to go in there and maybe take a few things.”
“Okay, I understand. But what about when we look for the real treasure? Robert will be here if he’s so desperate to find it.”
“That’s okay. We’ll use his muscle, but it should be easy enough to keep him away from anything interesting. We may have to sacrifice a few pieces, to keep him off the scent.”
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
She gave Faith a thumbs-up and congratulated herself on covering all her bases. If Robert found the treasure first, she’d leave with him. If Faith found it first, she’d leave with her. And if she found it first, God willing, she’d wave farewell to the whole damn lot of them.
While Robert ran around town chasing down business associates who didn’t return his phone calls, his brother-in-law lay on Bunny’s bed with his arms behind his head. It was the first time Graham had stayed overnight. He knew Bunny was thrilled and was taking it as a sign of his blossoming affection for her.
She hopped out of the shower and bounced on the bed, then threw off her towel and crawled over to him. “Sugar bear. Isn’t this nice? How about a little morning delight?”
Graham was amused by the fact that while his body was agreeable to the suggestion, his mind yawned. This was a woman who was incredibly easy to please. It never occurred to him before how boring that was.
“Sorry, I can’t stay.”
Bunny pouted as she straddled him and rubbed his shoulders. “That’s all you ever say.”
“I stayed last night, didn’t I?”
“It’s probably because you had too much beer.”
He didn’t deny it.
“I have to go because I promised Lily I’d take her to lunch.”
Bunny sighed and got off him. She sulked, “Your stupid family ruins everything. Why don’t you move?”
Graham shrugged. “I haven’t had time to look for another place. Besides, even if I did, I’d still see my girls. That won’t change.”
She got off the bed and put on a slip. “How come we never go anywhere?”
He laughed. “Because you only ever want to…”
“Well, so do you. How about tonight we go somewhere expensive? I want champagne and caviar.”
“I’m not made of money, believe it or not.”
“All you do is mouth off about that old biddy’s treasure. Why don’t you find it and we can go on a nice Caribbean holiday.” She gave him a smouldering look and flicked a strap off her shoulder. “You’d like that wouldn’t you?”
He got up and put on his jeans, then reached for his shirt on the floor. “Sure. Who wouldn’t? But if you want me to find this elusive treasure, I have to stay in the house, don’t I?”
“That’s true. Maybe I can help you look?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
He went over and gave her a kiss. “I’ll see you later.” He left before she could say anything else.
Elsie and Crystal were in the hospital cafeteria sizing up the new batch of residents. Crystal jerked her head toward the one who stood in front of the cash register. “Look at that yummy specimen.”
Elsie sipped her java. “He’s too young.”
Her friend gave her a queer look. “What’s that got to do with the price of eggs? I can look, can’t I?”
“Well, if that’s the case. Hello there!”
“Oh, no you don’t. You’ve already got a guy. Don’t hog them all.”
Elsie put down her cup. “Would you like to have him?”
Crystal gaped at her. “You need your head examined. You’ve got a great-looking guy who chases you all over the city and you’re still not happy.”
Elsie didn’t say anything.
“What’s wrong with him, may I ask?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s the perfect reason to dump him.”
“It’s not that. But I’m always expected to stroke his ego. He constantly asks me if he’s a ten in bed. I mean, come on.”
“And is he?”
“Sort of. He’s a cop, so he’s a ten-four.”
“Huh?”
She grinned. “He thinks he’s a ten. I think he’s a four.”
“Ouch.”
“I seriously don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Elsie sighed. “One minute the thought of Harry cheers me up and I’m happy he’s around, yet the minute he wants to be intimate, I can think of a hundred reasons not to be.”
Crystal wiped her mouth with a napkin. “That’s because you’re still in love with Graham.”
She shook her head sadly. “Graham and I are in the habit of loving each other, that’s all. He was my first and only love, so it’s a hard habit to break. But you know how unhappy I was. He always judged me, always disapproved of everything I did. Why should I live like that?”
Crystal reached over and held her hand. “There’s only one thing that keeps you two apart.”
“What’s that?”
“Everyone else.”
It was all Elsie could think about for the rest of the day. She wondered if it was true. When Graham came into the house after work to drop off the backpack Lily left in his truck at lunchtime, she startled them both with an invitation to dinner.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. This is ridiculous. Why can’t we eat together as a family from time to time. You like to hear about the girls’ day just as much as I do.”
“All I heard from Lily at lunch was how wonderful Eli is.”
“He’s a nice boy.”
“He’s too experienced for my liking.” Graham sat at the table while Elsie went to the fridge and got him a beer. They smiled at their old ritual. Then she continued to bread the haddock for their dinner.
“You forget, old man. You were just as ‘experienced’ when you were his age. And I should know. I was there at the time.”
“You sure were.”
They laughed together. Elsie opened her mouth to say something saucy, but before she could get it out, there was a rap at the back door and in waltzed Juliet and Robert. Elsie realized Crystal’s observation was right on the money. She and Graham were never alone. The temperature in the kitchen fell about ten degrees.
“It’s just us,” Juliet announced needlessly. “Mind if we stay for supper? We brought dessert.” She held up a box of Tim Horton doughnuts.
Elsie wanted to tell them to get lost, but it looked as if Juliet had been crying, and that never happened.
“No, I don’t mind,” she said as she turned away from Graham’s exasperated look.
Once again, the entire mob sat around the dining room table. There was always a place set for Eli and Slater now—they never seemed to go home, and she wondered if anyone missed them.
Juliet was like a flea on a hot stove. She yammered on from the m
inute they sat down and only picked at her dinner. “You would not believe how much work there is to do upstairs. Faith and I can’t possibly get it done by ourselves.”
Robert jumped in. “I’ve taken a little hiatus from work. We think we should step up our renovations in the attic. Get it done lickety-split. Since you people are good enough to let Faith live here, I feel it’s only right that Juliet and I help out in other ways.”
Graham nodded. “Well, that’s thoughtful, isn’t it Elsie? I’m sure this has nothing to do with the ‘T’ word.”
“What are you insinuating? That my wife and I are only interested in being here because of the treasure?”
Aunt Hildy took a small bite of haddock. “That’s exactly right and he’s done it very well, don’t you think?”
“I resent…”
“Keep your teeth in, Robert,” Graham interrupted. “It’s not exactly a secret we’re looking for it. Apparently no one’s found the treasure, as nothing’s been mentioned. Does anyone want to confess anything?” He looked around the table.
“I do.”
All heads swivelled in Elsie’s direction.
“I much prefer the fish done this way. Thanks for the suggestion, Aunt Hildy.”
Her aunt laughed. “You’re very welcome, Elsie.”
“Brother,” Juliet sneered. “It’s not hard to tell who your favourite niece is.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s so.”
Aunt Hildy gave Juliet a stern look. “How would you know what I think, since you never talk to me?”
“I talk to you.”
“And what do you say, other than ‘brother’ and ‘that’s so’?”
Juliet stood up. Elsie put out an arm to stop her.
“Why should I talk to you? You dare to come here and drive us bonkers with your silly game of hide-and-seek. You hear us talk about treasure and wonder about it. You trip over everyone searching for it, but you act as if you’ve no idea what we’re up to. If you were any kind of a decent human being, you’d stop this nonsense and tell us where it is. If you don’t want us to have it, then why don’t you wrap your precious treasure in a pillowcase and throw it off the MacKay Bridge and then maybe I’d want to talk to you.”
Juliet sat and cried. Elsie handed her a napkin.
“Would you like a glass of water?” Slater asked. She shook her head no.
Aunt Hildy stared at her for a few moments. “You’re quite right, Juliet. I should throw it away. It would make your lives much easier, I’m sure. But I’m not prepared to do that, because I believe each one of you has an equal chance of finding what you’re looking for. I don’t want you to miss out on that opportunity.”
Faith spoke up. “What in heaven’s name are we looking for? Jewels? Coins? Gold? What is it? And why is it here?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
Faith screeched. “You’re impossible.”
Hildy laughed and turned back to Juliet. “I’m sorry, my dear, if I appear heartless. I certainly don’t mean to be. You three girls are my beloved sister’s children and because of that you have the same place in my heart. Each of you has something of her in you. And I hope you find that something before your lives are over.”
Aunt Hildy stopped for a moment. She touched her hand to her wrinkled brow. The arm of her knitted cardigan was loose around her frail wrist. It seemed to Elsie that she was smaller with each passing day.
She took off her glasses. “I cannot tell you what you want to know. The reason this treasure is here is my secret. It doesn’t concern you. It doesn’t matter to anyone but me. What matters is what you do about it. What matters are the obstacles in your way. Your lives are easy. You have no experience with desire because things are handed to you on a platter. Is it wrong to make you work for it? I want you to get your hands dirty. Believe me, it’s the best therapy there is.” Her shoulders drooped suddenly. She tapped her hands on the table. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I’m a little weary. I shall retire early.” She stood and bid them goodnight.
When she was gone, everyone was left to stare at each other. Robert spoke first. “This is nuts. She’s a madwoman, that’s all there is to it.”
Dahlia folded her arms in front of her. “She always talks about the treasure, but never actually says what it is.”
“Yeah,” Slater agreed. “Everything seems to be parables and philosophical jargon. What’s up with that?”
They turned with opened mouths to stare at him in amazement. He looked embarrassed. “Well, it’s true.”
Dahlia suddenly said, “Slater, could you come to the library for a moment? Excuse us everyone.”
They got up and walked sedately out of the dining room, then took off like scalded cats for the library door. Once behind it, she jumped into his arms and kissed him passionately. “Oh, baby. You have no idea how hot that made me.”
“Awesome,” he muttered against her mouth. “I have no idea where that came from. Maybe the library’s messing with my head. I’m being invaded by words.”
She kept her lips on his. “Babe, quit while you’re ahead.”
The conversation at the dinner table continued. Juliet pointed her tear-soaked napkin in everyone’s face. “I think that bonehead’s on to something. Maybe she has no real treasure here. She talks about ‘finding your treasure,’ ‘being one with your treasure,’ ‘the treasure you find is the treasure you deserve.’ It’s all total bullshit.”
“Gosh. Sounds like something my parents used to say,” Eli volunteered.
She turned on him “Who gives a fig what your parents used to say?”
Lily gasped. “What gives you the right to talk to him like that? Haven’t you made enough of a spectacle of yourself?”
“That’s enough,” her mother warned.
Lily threw her napkin down and glared at everyone. “I think you grown-ups are pathetic. Why don’t you just kill Aunt Hildy now and be done with it. Pick over her bones and see if you can find something that’ll make you happy. Because you know what I think? None of you will ever be as happy as she’s been. If she’s left this so-called treasure for us, that means she’s never used it herself…and what does that tell you? Come on Eli, I’ve got to get out of here.”
She left the table and waited by the door. Eli stood. “Thank you for dinner Mrs. B.” They walked out hand in hand.
Elsie looked at the others. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? Do you see what you’re doing? Even our kids know something we don’t. This isn’t about treasure. It’s about us.”
Faith stood too. “Spare me the violin music. This is about an old bitch who’s got some jewellery hidden in a secret safe and she gets off watching us grovel for it. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“You’re right,” Juliet rose from the table as well. “And I for one won’t let her get away with it.”
The two women walked out.
Robert pushed his chair back. “The same goes for me. If there’s something here, I’ll find it.” With that, he left.
Graham looked at her. “I sure as hell won’t let that greedy bastard find anything.” He took off too.
Elsie was left once again with Flower and Kiwi. She leaned on her elbows and looked at them. “This really stinks.” They thumped their tails. She knocked the bread basket off the table. “Have some treasure, girls.”
By the time Elsie finished the dishes, she was in a fury, and she knew why. She and Graham had been interrupted and it was all thanks to people who wanted that stupid treasure.
She stormed up the stairs. There was a light on under her aunt’s door, so she hurried over and knocked on it.
“Enter.”
Aunt Hildy was in bed, with her inevitable book. She looked like an elf wearing flannel pyjamas. Elsie walked over and sat beside her.
“I’m so angry with you. I could spit.”
Hildy put her book down. “Oh dear.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Doin
g what?”
Elsie folded her arms and stared at her.
“Oh, you mean the treasure.”
“Tell me. Because if I don’t get an explanation…”
“What will you do? Shoot me?”
“I just might.”
“How romantic. It would be more thrilling to be shot by a jealous lover of course, but one can’t have everything.”
“I honestly think you’re crazy, Aunt Hildy.”
“Of course I am. Was there ever any doubt?”
“So this is a joke?”
She shrugged and gazed at the rings on her hand, not looking up.
“Is it a joke?”
She raised her head. “Sure, it’s a joke.”
Elsie looked at her and no words came.
“Sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Guess what? I don’t believe you are.”
She laughed. “You’re quite right.”
“I think this is despicable. Does it give you some kind of perverse pleasure to play everyone for a fool?”
Her aunt clasped her hands together in front of her. “I wanted to find out for myself who you people really were. There’s nothing like greed to bring one’s true character to the surface. Money’s a powerful motivator…almost as powerful as love.”
Elsie stood. “You have no right to come into my home and create havoc.”
“The havoc was already here, my dear. Didn’t you know that?”
Elsie’s stomach clenched. “You think you know everything. You think because you’ve lived this eccentric and crazy life, everyone else’s is lessened somehow. That we’re so inconsequential, it doesn’t matter if you use us like rats in a cage. Well, it’s not on, Aunt Hildy. I think you owe me an apology. You came back here and I didn’t even blink, because I thought it was your right or something. But it’s not. You gave away this house a long time ago. This is my home now. I don’t owe you anything. You’re here by my good grace alone. If you don’t stop this nonsense immediately, I’ll be forced to ask you to leave. You can die somewhere else and see if strangers aren’t better subjects for your cruel games. We don’t deserve to be.”
The door slammed on her way out. She went downstairs, making sure no one saw her go down to the basement. She knocked softly on Graham’s door. He opened it.