Auntie May and Rachel

Chapter 1
The warmth of the sun spread across the room, sparkling fragments dashing from one to another as Rachel sat there quietly, looking down on the soft face of her Auntie May. Even though her skin was wrinkled from time and hard work, it had the glow of softness and soft to her touch as she gently pushed the silver threads of her hair away from her brow. Her eyes closed, were still a brilliant blue as a sky on a clear day, much like a pool drawing one into them, laying one bare before her, as she had often drawn Rachel out to reveal her secret thoughts.
Auntie May, had been her Mother, Grandmother, sister, best friend for all of her life, she never knew another and it often seemed her world was incomplete, but Auntie May would always find a way to pull her back to the present and make her realize that she was blessed and a very lucky young girl. Rachel had learned slowly over time that her parents had been killed in a car wreck shortly after she was born. Auntie May was her only flesh and blood remaining and gladly took her in. She looked like her Mom, Auntie May would say to her. Often telling her, she had the fire and spirit of her Father. Rachel could recall the many times, they would disagree and how with her gentle way Auntie May would soothe the fire from her. Her Father, Robert was Auntie May’s brother who was a few years younger; he was just twenty-seven when he was killed. Her Mother, Elizabeth had been Auntie May’s dearest friend, a soft gentle spirit that loved life and enjoyed being a young wife and Mother, she was just twenty-five when the accident happened, living only long enough to ask Auntie May to care for her child, then she had silently closed her eyes.
Rachel sat there a smile slowly encompassing her face as she looked about the room. It was a big room, walls were painted in a soft golden color and the moldings a lighter gold, with drapes of sheer lace adorning the large paned window where the sun would enter and dance around the room, depending on the time of the day the room was a wonderful place to escape from the hectic pace of life in Charleston. An oil painting hung there of Auntie May, the artist capturing her gentle way and softness, Rachel loved looking at the painting and would often imagine having her own portrait beside it. A small stool sat beside the huge four-poster bed of Victorian design, she could remember trying to climb upon it when she was very young, she loved being in the bed with Auntie May, the dressing table was filled with perfumes, powders and a lavish hand mirror. Rachel getting up went to the dressing table and picked the old mirror up, looking into it she could see the reflection of herself and smiling, once again she carefully laid it down, it had been the one thing of her Mothers that Auntie May treasured. Turning she quietly lifted the door of the desk, she had loved sitting there while Auntie May wrote in the small book, it seemed to make her happy, she picked it up to open when Auntie May stirred, laying the book down she went to her side.
Chapter 2
Auntie May had gone to school in Charleston, then on to college where she had met a wonderful young man. Barron, he swept her off her feet from the moment they met, they made plans of marriage and then put them on hold as Barron had been called to serve his country. The summer of forty-three filled her with happiness and sorrow as Barron left for the war. His letters were slow in getting to her but she wrote him everyday, telling him of things at home and how she couldn’t wait for him to return home. The letters became less and less as time passed; now it was the year of forty-five and Barron’s last letter came. It was filled with a message of love and hope for their future, but none would ever be as his family called her to let her know Barron had been killed in action and they would see her soon. They had a memorial service and said their good-byes, she wept for days, cherishing her letters and vowed to never love again. If love had ever come again no one knew, Auntie May kept Barron’s picture by her bed. His letters tied in blue ribbons lay in her desk. Her letters had been returned unread and lay beside his with pink ribbon.
Auntie May kept busy, Robert her brother would be marrying her best friend Elizabeth. She was delighted and helped make the arrangements for the big day. They had a terrific wedding and honeymooned in Niagara Falls. A few months later they told her of the coming child. Auntie may was thrilled when Rachel had been born. Her beautiful little face was like an angel and her hair was like a raven, with eyes of the same blue of Auntie May’s. Rachel had just turned six-months when the police had come to get Auntie May. Taking her quickly to the hospital she held Elizabeth’s hand and listened as she asked her to care for Rachel. It was too late to say good-bye to Robert he had been killed instantly; sobbing the police took her to Rachel. Elizabeth’s family came for the funeral and helped her pack up the house; closing the door to their home she took Rachel to the big Victorian she lived in. Elizabeth’s family never answered the letters she sent and finally the letters came back with “return to sender” marked in red. She never tried to get in touch with them again; the pain of losing their only daughter must have been too great for them. Rachel and her became a family and she vowed to always watch and care for her beloved Rachel.
The big Victorian set back on a sprawling landscape, filled with Magnolia’s and Maples, Oaks higher than any seemed centuries old, lining the outer edges of the home hidden from view. Inside the grounds, hibiscus, oleanders, with sprawling azalea’s, climbing vines of honeysuckle and jasmine lined the walls of the old Victorian, Auntie May loved this house; it had belonged to her family and was left in trust for her and Robert after the passing of their family. It was filled with fabulous furniture and offered her a nice life for the two of them now. She leased out the surrounding land to the cotton growers and her profits kept them quite nicely for years.
Auntie May had kept a few acres to grow fresh vegetables and a place for fruit trees, the fresh peaches each year seemed to always be her favorite. A pond stocked with trout and big mouth bass, which would always give her a good fight in catching one, making for a delicious dinner. Rachel had loved to go there with her and romp around while she cast her pole. They had spent hours in the vegetable gardens, gathering the fruit of their labor. Rachel would eat her fill of tomatoes while helping her gather fresh vegetables and greens for the dinner each day. Rachel even as a child loved cooking and helping Auntie May, wanting to do more than she was capable of most times, but Auntie May always gave in letting her try, but always having her to clean up the messes she made from her attempts. Rachel never seemed to mind as each day she would be ready to try all over again.
Chapter 3
Auntie May enrolled Rachel in school, letting her walk each day. She would meet her down by the road, which was just a short way from the school. Rachel would come bouncing and singing to greet her and share with her all the things she had learned that day. Rachel loved English and Writing, Math challenged her and Auntie May had to work a little harder with her for that. History became a quick favorite of both as Auntie May liked collecting Antiques and through them she would teach Rachel of the history with each item. On the day of her report card, Rachel would come running, beaming with pride and saying thank you to her for the help in getting good grades. Auntie May would share her joy and both would go into town for a big ice cream at the local soda shop, Rachel would always pick strawberry while Auntie May chose chocolate. They would stroll the street and lick away at their cones while giggling like two small children. Auntie May’s world was complete and Rachel blossomed into a young and beautiful girl as the years passed much to fast for Auntie May. Rachel would graduate soon and be off to college and Auntie May spent time getting things ready for the big day. She had gotten her gown for the big prom dance, a beautiful pale pink, with lace and ribbon falling down the slim skirt. She had given Rachel her Grandmothers pearls and her Mom’s wristwatch of diamonds. Rachel glowed the night of the dance as she came down the spiraling staircase, Auntie May had the camera rolling as her date rang the doorbell. Auntie May waited up for her, so she could hear all about the night. Rachel came home around two in the morning and jumping on the stool by her bed sprawled upon the bed next to Auntie May. They spent the rest of the night laughing and giggling at what a great time she had. Early morning Rachel kissed Auntie May goodnight and thanking her went off to her room so they both could sleep late that day. Later they would talk of college and things to come. Smiling and content Auntie May slept like a baby.
Rachel graduated in the top ten of her class and with Auntie May’s help decided to go to Yale. Rachel wanted a degree in Arts and Business. Her plans called for her to open a shop with Auntie May and become a dealer in art and antiques. This would take her away from home but she would come home every chance she could and especially all the holidays. Those years passed fast for both of them, soon Rachel would graduate from Yale and they would start scouting out a place near Charleston for a shop, both were filled with excitement as the days moved forward. Soon they would enter the shop, Rachel had asked Auntie May if she could surprise her with the name for the shop and she agreed to let her choose it. Friends had gathered and a reporter from the local paper came to give them press for their opening. Rachel drove her aunt to the front of the store blindfolded and helped her from the car. Holding her hand, she removed the blindfold and Auntie Mays eyes filled with tears as she saw her name hanging in golden letters of Victorian Style, hugging Rachel and both crying they entered the shop.
They would take turns going on buying trips, selecting only the best, the little shop was soon turning a profit, after just a few short years, Auntie Mays was known the country over for her collectables and art. Now they could hire skilled people to help and maybe start another store, the future just kept getting brighter for both of them Auntie May worried that Rachel had not met anyone to share her life with and Rachel would let her know she just wasn’t ready to settle down and raise a family, but promised someday to give her a great-niece or nephew.
Chapter 4
Rachel had given to her all that she could have ever hoped for a life filled with joy, excitement and a bond that time could not break, she knew now her life was complete with meaning and love. She was nearing sixty-three and Rachel just barely thirty, had to be told now of her illness. Fearing how to tell her she let the days go by with no word of it. Rachel must have sensed because she now took on more of the shop and would tell her to just take it easy, with all the help they had she would say “it’s time you rested a bit, take the day off.” Auntie May would smile and let her have her way and while she was at home resting she walked the grounds, remembering all the wonderful times they both shared. She was content to let Rachel completely handle the shop and soon approached her about taking over and her retiring. Rachel agreed and never questioned Auntie May, she loved her work and wanted only the best for the aunt she loved dearly.
Entering the man’s office, he showed her to a seat and greeted her pleasantly and asking what was on her mind today. Auntie May had trusted Ethan since they met years ago and he handle all of her affairs; today she needed to finish some unfinished business, her will. Ethan listened carefully and after an hour told her papers would be ready for her to sign next week if that would be all right with her. Agreeing she left his office and retuned home, going to her room she lay across her bed and drifted asleep.
Rachel bouncing into her room was excited like a child. “Guess what Auntie!!! Guess what?” Auntie May rubbing her eyes opened them to see her niece smiling from ear to ear,” well are you going to tell me or do we play twenty question,” she asked Rachel. Laughing, Rachel jumped on the big bed and snuggled next to her, “Oh Auntie I met him, I met him” she said. “His name is Alexander and he is gorgeous Auntie, oh I think I am in love’ she told her. Auntie May smiling now hugged her and they spent the next hour talking about Alexander, Auntie May couldn’t have been happier for her.” I’ve invited him to dinner next week if that is all right with you” Rachel asked. “Of course my dear, we will have a party if you like.” “No, no I just want it to be us Auntie, he can’t wait to meet you.” Auntie May smiling now said, “Come my dear I’m starving now.”
Auntie May went back to meet Ethan the following week, signing the papers she walked out of his office relieved now and satisfied. All would be right if something happened to her and she felt a weigh lift free from her heart. Life was good as she went to start the dinner for Alexander that evening. She had put a standing ribbed roast in while she ran errands, now all that needed fixing were the vegetables. Standing there she felt a bit faint and brushed the feeling aside as she prepared the vegetables and potatoes for the meal. Her famous peach cobbler was in the cooler and the fresh whipped cream there also. Things were coming together nicely as she went to set the dinning room for tonight. Getting out her beautiful candelabra’s, she placed them upon the lace tablecloth with the beautifully cut fresh flowers of roses and gladiola’s. Fresh baby’s breath filled the empty spaces in the flowers. Opening the china cabinet she felt a pain run down her arm, stopping her for a moment, shrugging that off she finished the table and sat down to rest a moment. Everything was now ready all she needed was Rachel and Alexander to come soon.
Chapter 5
Rachel and Alexander opened the door and Rachel calling out “Auntie May we’re here.” Maybe she didn’t hear us come in Rachel thought as she led Alexander into the Living Room, “I’ll be right back, fix yourself a drink if you want.” Going toward the kitchen the aroma’s coming from there quickened her hunger as she pushed open the door to the kitchen, “ Oh Auntie May you’ve out done yourself I can tell,” her words stopping in air as she screamed loudly and Alexander came running, there lay Auntie May on the kitchen floor, a pot holder in her hand. Alexander got the phone calling an ambulance and tried to soothe Rachel as they waited, he bent to cradle her as she lay holding Auntie May, “Oh please, please God, let her be alive,” she kept saying over and over.
The doctor spoke with Rachel and she sobbed her tears, “why didn’t she tell me?” she asked of him. “Rachel she didn’t want you worrying over her” he spoke quietly trying to comfort her. “She doesn’t have much time left, you better go to her now” he said, as she went to Auntie May’s room. Coming into the room Auntie May opened her eyes and asked Rachel to take her home, “yes Auntie May I will, I’ll be right back” she said to her and left the room to make arrangements for her to leave. The doctor advising against it finally agreed to let her leave and called the ambulance service to take her there. Telling Rachel that he would send a nurse within the hour. She thanked him and Alexander drove Rachel home ahead of the ambulance. Running upstairs she got Auntie Mays bed ready and sat down to wait for her, Alexander never leaving her side for a moment.
Auntie May looked peaceful as she lay in her bed, her eyes the brilliant blue held Rachel’s for a moment and in that moment they knew, little time was left for them. Reaching for Rachel’s hand, she held it for a moment and squeezing it gently and telling her she loved her she drifted to sleep. The nurse came in to sit with her while Rachel changed her clothes, pulling on her old jeans and shirt, she went to the kitchen and called Alexander to come and help fix them a plate, while they had a moment to reflect on the next happenings, Rachel found she was starving.
Going back to Auntie May’s room, she asked to be left alone with her; she needed that as Alexander said he would go home and come back later on, but if she needed him just to phone. Kissing him on the cheek and thanking him she went back into the room. Now sitting here, she was filled with heartache for Auntie May, losing her had never entered her mind, she wondered if she thought they would live forever. Smiling she reached for her hand and Auntie May opened her eyes, smiling back at her now she said “Rachel, I love you my child, I’ll always be with you,” pulling Rachel’s hand to her mouth she kissed it, slowly her head leaned, her eyes closing, a smile upon her face, she left Rachel.
Rachel got up leaned over and pulled her close, “I’ll always love you Auntie May,” and cried softly into her arms till the nurse came in and managed to pull her away. “ She is gone Rachel, you have to let go, “ she said quietly and guided her out of the room and phoned the doctor and Alexander to come quickly. She lay in her room, crying and crying as Alexander came back to find her, he knew that Auntie May was all Rachel had and this would be very hard for her to get through. He promised Rachel he would stay by her side and hold her, as she fell asleep in his arms.
Chapter 6
Ethan called Rachel, asking when he could come to see her, telling her he needed to settle her aunts affairs. She agreed to a time and he was prompt as he came that day. Rachel wearing her old jeans and shirt didn’t see the need of dressing for him as she let him in the door. It had been a month now since Auntie May’s death and her things had been packed and stored, this was the last business that needed tending.
Sitting in her favorite chair Rachel asked Ethan to begin, while she listened closely. “Well” he said, “lets get to it, your Auntie May was quite a wealthy woman you know.” Rachel looked at him her mouth hanging open, “no I didn’t know that, I never asked about her financial affairs, nor she mine.” “She came in a few weeks ago and asked me to set things up and to give you this upon her death, other than that she has left you everything that was hers,” he said. “You’re a very rich woman now,” he told her. The home is worth more than a million three, the land around it about four million, the furnishings in the home are well over two million. Rachel sat dazed and frozen, what was he saying as she asked him to repeat all of it once more. Ethan then handed her the letter and told her Auntie May wanted her to read it alone in Auntie May’s room. He told her he needed a signature and things would all be transferred to her immediately. Then excusing himself, he let himself out.
“Oh Auntie May, what have you done, why did you leave me all this, “ as she sat there crying softly, didn’t she know money would never replace her and it didn’t matter to her. Getting up she climbed the stairs and entered the room. Suddenly she just jumped up on the bed and opened the letter, seeing her writing made tears flow as she tried to read the letter.
My Darling Rachel, I have loved you since the day of your birth. My heart broke when your parents were killed, knowing you would never know them and how very much they loved you. You have the tenderness of your Father and the sweetness and softness of your Mother. Your beauty comes from both of them and a little of me is in your blue eyes. I know you have asked many questions and I’ve answered them best I could. I hope and pray that you have felt the love we all had for you. In my desk, you will find my diary darling girl, read it when you feel up to it. I tried to record everyday something about you even when you were away. It is the only history of your wonderful life and mine that we have shared through all the years together; it is my gift to you. I want you to have a good life and I hope one day you will marry and have children; you have so very much to share with them. Never be afraid to love, take a chance, I did and just look at the happiness I found in you after losing my Barron, I thought life was over till you came along. My days have been filled with the greatest gifts of love by you, know that I will be looking down on you and keeping you safe from harm. Keep our shops going, share them with the world over. You can do it my darling, as you have shown me how. When your parents died, I took their savings and insurance and set up an account for you, through the years it has grown as you have. My darling Rachel, Ethan has the files in his office for you, I asked him to call you after you read this and disclose to you the amount that has been incurred over the years. I wish you the greatest happiness ever My Darling, know that my love will always live on through you. Love, Auntie May
Rachel’s eyes were burning from the tears that flowed so freely now, she knew Auntie May was there beside her and would always be, just then the phone rang as she leaned over to answer it. “Hello” she said and Ethan answered back, “I take it that you have read your aunts letter by now.” “I have sent a courier over to you with the files for your approval, just sign and send them back soon as possible dear.” The phone clicked and the doorbell rang, running she went down the spiraling stairs to the door.
The man standing there asked her to sign and left, leaving her standing, trembling as she shut the door. Sliding down to the floor, she slid her finger down the seal to open it, “wait, wait, oh my, is this really true?” She peeled the fold back and pulled the papers out, then reading them her heart pounding as she saw the amount of five million dollars, if she wanted to check the files for accuracy or send them to an auditor of her choosing, but that she needed to get this done in a speedy time frame.
Nothing could have ever prepared her for this day, She knew Auntie May was smiling crazy right about now, she went into the kitchen pouring a drink, picking the phone up, she dialed the number, the ringing seem to take forever, suddenly a voice answered “Hello” the sound of his voice thrilled her as she said “Oh thank God Alexander, you’re home can you please come over?” “Of Course I can be right there,” he said and hung up. Rachel was waiting in the drive as his car pulled up, jumping into his arms she told him she loved him and yes she would marry him if he still wanted her. He held her back and looked into her blue eyes “are you sure my love?” “Yes Oh yes, I’m sure, Auntie May has blessed us this day my love.