AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grab another box and start shuffling through it, but it’s not Christmas stuff. It’s old clothing. We have to find it—especially now that Eleanor is gone. Cherry Creek’s tree ornament tradition is all about memories of times past and loved ones who are no longer with us, and Eleanor’s belongs there now more than ever.
Sawyer has a defeated tone when he says, “We looked and looked for it—we’ve already gone through all the Christmas stuff. It’s probably lost, but I can’t bring myself to give up on it.”
“Of course you can’t.” I move to a different box.
I’m determined to find it.
* * *
After going through the entire attic with no success, we call it quits. It’s bedtime, and I’m exhausted.
I’m staying in Eleanor’s room, which is bittersweet. I walk in, my eyes taking in the glass case filled with her ballet trophies. Photos of all of us in designer frames hang neatly on the wall. And numerous Beanie Boo stuffed animals are neatly placed everywhere, left just as it was when Eleanor lived at home.
I set my suitcase on the silk shimmering off-white bedspread, fit for a queen. Eleanor had exquisite taste, even in high school. And she knew how to bargain shop, so she bought designer linens at outlets. I run my hand over it, smiling wistfully. Eleanor taught me how to be thrifty, but my decor never looked as good as hers. I guess you can’t teach someone taste.
My phone buzzes, and I check it to see a text from The Crusher. It says,
Crusher:Where is the briefing for the Bradford case?
Me:I emailed it on the tenth, sir. I also put a hard copy on your desk.
Crusher:where?!
Me:In your incoming basket, sir.
My first time in court, I tanked. I could hardly open my mouth, and I thought they’d fire me. When they didn’t, I ended up thriving on a team I loved. But then my boss quit, and Mr. Morgan, The Crusher, took her place.
When Mr. Morgan doesn’t respond to my last text, I move on, hoping his silence means he found what he needed. I’m also dreading working on this case. Mr. Bradley, a seventy-six year-old man, fell on wet slippery tile at the five-star hotel we’re representing. He broke bones and is currently in a wheelchair, and he’s seeking well-deserved compensation for pain, suffering, and medical expenses. But we’re defending the hotel, so it’s my job to prove that his fall was due to his own instability, not negligence on the part of the hotel. But from what I’ve found, it was their fault—they had unmarked wet tiles in the lobby.
It makes me sick to think about it, so I set it aside and focus on what I can do here and now. That's when an idea pops into my head on how to find the broccoli dog ornament: why don’t I put a message on NeighborhoodBuzz.com, in the Cherry Creek zip code, asking if anyone’s seen it? The town tree is taken down the day after New Years, and it’s possible the ornament was returned to the wrong person last year. I have a picture of it on my phone, somewhere, so I do a search. Eleanor is hanging it on the tree, pre-diagnosis, unaware that it would be the last time she participated in the tradition.
When I find it, I log onto the site and post my message with the picture, hoping someone will find it amongst their Christmas things.
When I’m done, I step over to Eleanor’s vanity and see a card with hand drawn hearts sitting in front of the mirror. I’m curious but feel weird about snooping. However, the “love you forever and always” scribbled on it piques my interest. Eleanor had several casual relationships but was never serious with anyone.
Not that I know of, anyway.
I decide against picking it up—it feels wrong.
After a knock at the door, Sawyer’s voice echoes from the other side. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
He opens the door and steps inside. I have this knee-jerk reaction of guilt, like we’re doing something wrong. I was never allowed to have boys in my room growing up, and somehow, being here, back in Eleanor’s room like this, is making me feel like a teenager again.
Sawyer wrings his hands. “You okay staying in here?”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. Actually, I am, which surprises me. I feel closer to Eleanor.”
“Good.” His eyes pan the room. “It’s hard not to, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Curiosity is getting the best of me, so I say, “There’s a card on her vanity that says, ‘love you forever and always.’” I point to it. “Do you know who that’s from?”
His face puzzles before he turns and looks at it. “No idea.”
“I didn’t feel comfortable reading it.” I gnaw at my lip.
“I do.” Sawyer darts over and picks it up.
