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“We should all try and get up and see Dana,” Dad says in a low voice. “Have to say I miss her bossing me around in the mornings.”
Samuel’s phone dings with a message. He reads it and pops it back into his shorts pocket. “Excuse me. I’m meeting a friend.” He stands and shakes Will’s hand. “Have a good flight. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Melbourne and at a possible football game.”
“Thanks, man. Look after my sis. And I’ll deck you out in the right colors for the game.” Will winks at him.
“Right colors are debatable,” I quip. “Will and I don’t root for the same team.”
“Maybe I need to choose my own team,” he jeers. I walk him to the door. “I’ll see you at home. Say hello to Michael for me.” I kiss him on the cheek and close the door behind him.
“I’ve mentioned to Dad about Gran’s journal,” I begin after I sit. “I know Will doesn’t remember much about Gran.” Will was only around eight years old when she died. “I’ve finished both journals and think you all should read them.”
The air around the table changes with the silence except for squeaky kids’ voices echoing from the television.
“It’s important you all understand what she went through, as I don’t believe Pop understood her trauma. If he’d read the journals, they may have experienced a better relationship. I’ll let you be the judge.” I stare at Mum and then Dad. “I have this heavy feeling in my heart that she suffered alone, and no one understood her except Brenda.”
Dad nods his head slowly. “Frankly, I didn’t want to relive any bad childhood memories or think of my father in a bad light. He did a great job caring for me.”
“No one is arguing that, Dad. The point is Gran wasn’t crazy.”
Dad lowers his gaze to the table. There’s anguish in his expression as though he’s remembering his past. “If you believe it’s something we need to understand, then I’ll read them.”
I let out a sigh. “I do. For everyone. We can chat about it after.”
“I’m keen to read both journals.” Faith smiles at me. “And I volunteer to go first.”
“You should read them too,” I say to Will. “I want you to know about our grandparents and how amazing they were.”
“Honey, maybe you should find the box Gran left for you. It’s been years since you opened it.”
We’re all staring at Mum. “What box?”
“Gran, gifted you all something.” She smiles at Faith and Will. “You both received photographs and a few of her trinkets.” I have stored them in my cupboard for when you’re ready. You didn’t want yours yet,” she reminded Faith.
“How did I forget this?” Faith shakes her head. “Can I take it home today?”
“Of course.” She smiles at Will. “I assumed you didn’t want yours until you came home.”
“What about Dad’s box? What’s in it?”
Mum glances at Dad, and she waits for him to answer my question.
Dad’s thumb rubs at a spot on his opposite hand. He stares at his hands for a moment before looking at Mum. “I don’t know,” he admits. “The first time I opened it, some things brought back memories of my childhood. Mum rarely discussed my childhood because we all got on with life after I had you kids.”
Mum gives him a nod to continue.
“After she passed, I received everything I needed, only the boxes included contents I’d never seen. She kept them hidden until after her death.” His shoulders rise and fall as he takes some deep breaths. “It was like opening Pandora’s box, and sad memories poured in. I stuck it in a cupboard until the right time.”
“Dad,” I murmur. “The time is right.”
Dad gazes at Mum, his eyes begging for support. I’ve never witnessed this side of him. “It’s okay, Winston. We can go through it when you’re ready. Then you can share what you need to with everyone.”
I swallow hard. Should I offer to go through it first and screen things for him? I need to know what’s in the box and what he doesn’t want to share with us.
“Please,” I say gently. “No more secrets.
54
SAMUEL
