The Trunk

(part 7 of 13

The next day Anna called Linda and asked her if she would go with her to see Amelia and she agreed. When Linda got there she and Anna each took a box of the rocks and placed in their backpacks and road off to see Amelia at the food cart.

When they got there Amelia was not there so they took off towards the apartment house and Jackie was there to let them pass through the gate.

"Howdy ladies sure nice to see you I was about to go in for lunch come join us for chicken soup."

"That sounds like a nice idea ...I'm hungry" said Linda.”

"Yes and we also came looking for Amelia" replied Anna.

“Amelia's here she made a giant pot of chicken soup for her sisters head cold and there's enough to feed an army. She's upstairs with Carrie fussing over her like a mother hen... let me help you with the packs. Those are heavy packs ladies heavy as rocks." said Jackie as he grunted.

Linda and Anna just giggled.

Once inside the ladies were greeted with wonderful aromas permeating from the kitchen area. They smelled chicken soup, fresh baked bread and Grannies Apple Turnovers. The mixed aromas smelled heavenly.

Amelia came in and they said they would like to see Carrie

so Amelia took them upstairs after lunch. Amelia introduced them then said

"What brings you two here?"

Anna told here about the "rocks" and the book with the map of Arkansas that fell out.

"Better show everything to Carrie she's the expert rock hound in this family."

Anna replied " I'll go downstairs and fetch the backpacks." but when she opened the door she almost fell over the packs but out of the corner of her eye she saw a shadow of a man near the steps and she heard light footsteps going down the stairs.

Funny she thought that didn't look big and burly like Jackie. She hauled the packs inside and opened them up to show to Carrie.

Carrie told them Anna had a small fortune in gold and diamonds.

"Diamonds! " said Anna and Linda together.

"I thought the one box was was gold but never did I think diamonds were in the other box" exclaimed Anna.

"Here's the book and the map for you to look at Carrie." said Anna.

Carrie told Anna this was her Grandpa Moon's map because she could see the secret marks he made and the book was his because she had seen him reading it many times over and over.

"Carrie how do you know this?" asked Anna.

Amelia and Carried both giggles and told her that Grandpa Moon and Carrie were equal partners in the mining operation and now Anna was partners with Carrie.

Anna asked Amelia why Grannie had an apartment here when she had her own home. Amelia told her that when Grandpa Moon and Carrie were off mining Grandma Moon would come to the apartment and she and Amelia would do things together and go on trips. Anna wanted to hear more but a tap on the door was heard and Carrie asked Anna to see who was there.

It was a delivery boy with flowers.

Anna said " Carrie someone has sent you a beautiful pot of purple violets.”

Carrie asked Anna to open the card enclosed and read it aloud. Anna read

'A purple pot of violets given to you Anna as my symbol of for love for you "

All eyes were on Annas perplexed face but no one said a word. After a pleasant visit the ladies returned home to their respective apartments. Anna was looking in the book that had the map of Arkansas and out slipped two Christmas Cards. One was from :

Mable Mines Inc a gold mine and the other Bf 109 Diamond Mines

She decided to phone Carrie and ask her about these two mines. Carrie said they belonged to her Grandfather Moon and herself as they were equal partners but now she and Anna shared ownership.

She asked Anna over for tea at four and she would have all the legal papers ready for her and the information needed for them to plan a trip to the mines.

Anna asked Linda to come with her and taking the book and the two cards they leisurely biked off to the apartments. They dropped by Amelia's cart to tell her where they were going but she was not there.

The ladies the biked on to the apartment and was met by Jack Trader and he opened the gate saying

"Amelia and Carrie are inside waiting for you in the kitchen."

"Thank you, Jackie." replied Anna.