I sit in my hotel room, just waking after passing out when I arrived. I looked at the number on the scrap of paper in front of me. My heart raced every time I considered calling. I just couldn't do it. Not tonight. I grabbed my wallet and my room key and shoved them into their respective pockets before heading out of the room and out the back door, walking down the road. I followed the directions from the GPS on my cell to the diner that I now owned. It needed a LOT of work. I was up for it though. While I was sitting on the steps out front, I dialed the number I'd been so nervous to call. I know it was late, but I could leave a voicemail. As I heard Cindy's voice on the outgoing message, I hesitated. Then my words were kinda rushed and mumbled.
"Cindy, you probably don't know who I am. I am Clint and Grace's daughter. I found your info from my lawyer. I'm your cousin. Call me back when you have the time."
I ended the call and let out a sigh. I picked up a stray stick and started drawing absently in the dirt in front of the step. When I finally stopped and looked down at the designs I'd drawn without thought, I knew them. Smiling, I knew this place would bring good fortune, happiness and luck. Wealth would come down the road even. I'd drawn protection sigils and runes. Ma would be so proud. I leaned back and closed my eyes. I didn't realize I'd gone into a meditative trance until a cop shook me. I jumped.
"Ma'am, can I help you? This is private property."
I laughed and looked up at him. "Yeah, I'm the owner. I inherited it from my parents when they died last month."
He lowered his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't know. So, you're Grace and Clint's daughter?"
I just nodded. He offered me a ride back and I took him up on it. Tears threatened to fall again. I held them back until I was in the safety of my hotel room. Then I broke down. I cried myself to sleep, remembering that conversation with the officers that turned my world upside down.
"Cindy, you probably don't know who I am. I am Clint and Grace's daughter. I found your info from my lawyer. I'm your cousin. Call me back when you have the time."
I ended the call and let out a sigh. I picked up a stray stick and started drawing absently in the dirt in front of the step. When I finally stopped and looked down at the designs I'd drawn without thought, I knew them. Smiling, I knew this place would bring good fortune, happiness and luck. Wealth would come down the road even. I'd drawn protection sigils and runes. Ma would be so proud. I leaned back and closed my eyes. I didn't realize I'd gone into a meditative trance until a cop shook me. I jumped.
"Ma'am, can I help you? This is private property."
I laughed and looked up at him. "Yeah, I'm the owner. I inherited it from my parents when they died last month."
He lowered his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't know. So, you're Grace and Clint's daughter?"
I just nodded. He offered me a ride back and I took him up on it. Tears threatened to fall again. I held them back until I was in the safety of my hotel room. Then I broke down. I cried myself to sleep, remembering that conversation with the officers that turned my world upside down.