B Finds An Unexplained Picture And A Silver Dollar

 Grandma B was worried about her old friend. When she had gone over to her home the other day she had actually fallen asleep at the table while she and Marlee had been discussing how the story Grandma Lu was writing should go. "She's just doing too much. I told her I would help her clean to give her a break. I'll call over there to see if this is a good time. Marlee is anxious to get started." Grandma Lu's husband answered the phone. He told her that he was getting better, but would be leaving for physical therapy soon. She was welcome to organize his wife's office/closet. "Now it's a real mess in there; just warning you!" She laughed and said, "Oh, I know. I was in there the other day. I'll come over in a few minutes if that's okay with you." He assured her that it was. Grandma B and Marlee gathered up their cleaning supplies and walked down the street to help their friend. When they walked into the small cluttered room they both just shook their heads and wondered just where to start.

"Grandma B I know there is a window in here, but I can barely see. Do you know where the light switch is?" Her grandma flipped the switch that was by the door. "There now we can see. Okay, this is going to take some time to organize. She has clothes, her hats, Christmas, Halloween, and spring all mixed together. Here is her computer. Oh look, she has your picture and some other pictures on her little desk. She sure does love children, doesn't she?" Marlee grinned, and said, "Yes, she does, but it doesn't look like she likes to clean." B said, "She has had a busy holiday season. Her husband hurt his hip plus she's been caring for an ill friend. Let's get this done and then we can go to my house and bake her some cookies. She has a sweet tooth and loves the cookies that we make her."

While Grandma B was putting all the Christmas things in totes and putting Grandma Lu's hats all in one tote she heard Marlee laughing. "What did you find, Marlee?" Marlee said, "I found a picture of Grandma Lu's husband. It's all yukky and standing by a horse. They don't have a horse do they? Looks like there is writing on the back. Here, can you see what it says?"

B turned the picture over and read the old scrawling on the back. "No, this couldn't be. Grandma Lu's husband could not be related to the character in the Double D Ranch series. He was a rascal and ended up in jail. Surely not."  She looked over at Marlee and said, "Where did you find this, Marlee?" Marlee said, "Well, when I was moving things to make room for this old pot that had a Christmas tree in it the tree fell out and so did that old picture. Who is that? It's hard to see. This was in the bottom of it too. Looks like a silver coin of some kind. It's not a quarter. What is it, B"

B looked over where Marlee was pointing. The pot was an antique spittoon that had been subbing for a Christmas tree stand. B grinned and said, "I think Grandma Lu has a secret. Let's put the picture back in the pot as you call it and then we will find a box for this little Christmas tree. Put that coin in the bottom of it too. It's probably a souvenir. If we hurry we can get this all done and still have time for baking. If Grandma Lu comes home early enough this afternoon maybe she won't be so tired and we can have cookies with her. How does that sound?" Marlee agreed and soon they had Grandma Lu's closet all organized and looking great.

Later that afternoon Grandma Lu came home and found her husband snoozing in his chair. "Wake up my dear, and tell me all about your day. How did Physical Therapy go? It's helping, but making you sore. Well, just keep doing your exercises and soon we can go on our walks again. They were? Marlee came with B? They what? You have got to be kidding. She quickly walked into her office and couldn't believe her eyes. Her office/closet was clean as a whistle. "Oh my! What a good friend that girl is." Then she saw the old copper spittoon sitting by the window. Bonnie had polished it and it just gleamed. It no longer had her little Christmas tree in it. "Oh no. Oh no no no. Oh dear. She quickly ran over and tipped the spittoon over. There in the bottom was the old picture and the silver dollar. "Thank goodness they didn't see this. I believe I'll put a stocking cap in this and cover you up. There is no need for the skeleton in my closet to show up. I probably should just throw this old picture away, but it gave me inspiration for last year's stories. Sorry, dear brother, but I will keep your secret, you jail bird you." She shook her head; blew a kiss towards the old picture and went to answer the phone. It was B...