The Ring. The Beginning

Lucy parked her car in front of her old childhood home. .The front porch was almost obscured by an over grown shrub. Lucy stood on the walk and stared.

“Excuse me, may I help you?” Lucy turned to see a woman, in her 70’s with salt and pepper hair pulled back.

“Are you thinking of buying it?” Mrs Gentry asked.

“Buying?”

“Yes, it seems a shame to tear it down”

What do you mean tear it down?

“The previous owners just abandoned it Almost two years ago. It has been listed twice but no takers.”

A look of recognition came over Lucy’s face, “Mrs Gentry?”

“Yes?”

“ It's me, Lucy, I use to come over to your back door and ask if you were baking cookies and you would give me some with a glass of milk.”

, Mrs. Gentry smiled . opening hr arms to hug Lucy. “Lucy, little Lucy Jenkins.! My goodness! How long has it been?”

“Almost ten years. You said it was probably going to be torn down?” Mrs. Gentry nodded.

“Ok who do I talk to?”

Mrs. Gentry’s face lit up. “Are you seriously thinking of buying your old home? How exciting!”

“Slow down, I want to find out more first.” Lucy shook her head. “There is a lot of work to be done.”

“Harold,”. Mrs. Gentry yelled to her husband coming around corner of their house. “Look who is here! Lucy Jenkins!”

“My, my little Lucy!”

“Lucy may be buying her old home.”

“Really?”

“Hold on,” Lucy said. “I said I would think about it.”

“Yes, dear,” Mrs. Gentry said. “So good to see you again.”

Lucy had talked to several people about the house. It was daunting. The bottom line was the REO held the title,. The house was put on the market a yer ago and then the price lowered and listed again six months ago, but no offers.

The REO has decided ninety more days and if no one offers to buy the house, it would be demolished.

“Ninety days?” Lucy asked the REO agent. “How many days are left?”

“About seventy,” the agent answered.

“And this s the selling price?” Lucy asked, pointing to a number on the paper. The agent nodded.

“Ok.” Lucy said, shaking the bank agent’s hand.

Lucy sat across from the loan officer. His face was hard to read. He looked over the credit report on his computer and then looked at the REO’s numbers.

“Ok, Ms. Jenkins, you want to purchase this house from Midwest Bank for $110K?”

Lucy nodded, “Yes sir.”

“There is a lot of work to be done on the house, according to reports,” the officer said. “And we are just looking at purchase price, not any remodeling costs at this point.”

“I understand.”Lucy said, “but I think it is worth the investment and even my own sweat equity.”

“I see, and why is that,Ms. Jenkins.?”

“Because it is the house I grew up in,” Lucy replied.

Lucy took another bag of branches and shrub trimmings to the dumpster.

“Hello Lucy!”

“Hi Mr. Gentry! How are you?”

“Good,. Thank you. You have been working hard the last few weeks in this yard.”

“Yeah, lots done”, Lucy glanced over to the large shrub by the corner of the front porch, “and at least one big project left.”

“Would you like some help with that?” Mr. Gentry nodded toward the large shrub.

Lucy nodded, “but I don’t want you over dong it.”

Mr. Gentry brought over some trimmers and chain saw, showed Lucy where to cut the branches. Then Mr. Gentry cut most of the shrub own with the chain saw, he asked Lucy to see if she could loosen the soil around the base, he was going to get a chain.

Lucy was on her hands and knees loosing the soil around what was left of the shrub. A reflection of light caught her eye, She looked around and then she saw it, something gold, half buried in the underbrush. Lucy dug with her fingers until the object was free.

“A ring, it looks like a wedding band.” Lucy said quietly. Lucy looked inside the ring, MB <3 AB 5/27/66. Lucy tucked the ring in her pocket and continued to loosen the soil.

Mr. Gentry wrapped one end of the chain around the shrub and secured the other to his truck, And like that the shrub was out. “Thank you so much Mr Gentry, I think that is enough for now,” Lucy said.

“Ok. How about coming over to the house and we will have some ie tea, I think Mrs. Gentry has some fresh cookies .”

“ Sounds perfect. I will be over in a few minutes.”

“Would you like some more tea?” Mrs. Gentry asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

Lucy pulled out the ring from her pocket, “I found this, half buried under the shrub.”

“ A ring?” Mrs. Gentry asked.

“I think it is a wedding band,” Lucy said. “See this inscription.”

Mrs. Gentry looked at it more closely.

“MB AB?” Mr. Gentry said as he looked at the ring.

“Matthew Brady and Abigail Brady,” Mrs Gentry said, “I remember Mrs. Brady being upset when she lost her ring. ”

“Do you know where to find her?”

“The last I heard they were living in The Villages, Florida.”

“Is there a way to get n touch with them?”

“Not sure. Wait, they have a grandson that came and visited during the summer time.”

“Who is he? Where is he?” Lucy asked.

“I bet Maggie Jones would know,” Mrs. Gentry said. “She seems to keep up on everything.”

Maggie? Lucy thought, I had not seen her since high school.

Lucy sat in the coffee shop sipping her latte.

“Hello Lucy.” Maggie said smiling as she sat down. “It has been a long time. Lucy. Is it true? Did you buy and are restoring your childhood home?’

“Guilty.”

“How’s it going?” ‘

“Slow and interesting,” Lucy replied.

“Interesting?”

“Yes, I found this ring half buried in under a shrub.” Lucy held the ring out for Maggie to look at.

“Oh my goodness!” Exclaimed Maggie as she looked at the ring . I bet this is Matt Brady’s grandmother’s wedding ring!”

“Do you know how to get in touch with his grandmother or even him?”

“Yeah, Matt is an attorney with Johnson, Johnson and Brady law firm. I could give him a call for you.”

“No, I will contact him.”

Couple days after talking with Maggie, Lucy was busy working on her house. She had tried calling the law firm where Mr. Brady supposedly worked. Mr.Brady was in litigation that day. His assistant asked if she wanted to leave a message. Lucy said no, she would call later.

Maybe I should have left some message, but what exactly would I have said?

Lucy’s thoughts were interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Lucy went to see who it was.

Lucy did not recognize the nice looking, casually dressed man.

“Yes, may I help you?” Lucy asked, with one hand on the inside door, ready to slam it shut if needed.

“Yes, I am sorry to bother you, but someone named Maggie told me that you had found my grandmother’s wedding band. And that you had bought their old house.”

Lucy thought, It figures. Maggie always having to be in the middle of tings. I remember senior prom, I had a date. Maggie said she’d rather go alone that way she was not committed to just one date, Yeah, right, she was committed to flirting with my date. What is she up to now?

“Your grandmother’s wedding ring?”

“Yes, my grandmother is Abigail Brady. I am Matthew Brady, Matt,” the man said, reaching out to shake her hand.

“Oh, Mr. Brady? Is it?”

“Yes”

“ I did find a ring, presumably a wedding ring with the initialsM.B. and A.B.and a date, but, how do I know that you are who you say you are?”

“You need proof.I can appreciate that.” The man glanced toward the neighbor, Mrs. Gentry’s house as he pulled out his wallet.“Does Mrs. Gentry still bake those delicious chocolate chip cookies?” he asked, handing couple cards to Lucy.

Lucy looked t the cards, a driver’s license with Matthew Brady III on it, and a business card with “Johnson, Johnson, and Brady, attorneys at law” and on the bottom of the card, Lucy noticed the name of Matthew Brady III .

“Ok, Mr. Brady, I guess you are who you say,” Lucy haded the cards back to him

“Matt.”

“Excuse me?’

“Please call me Matt, Mr. Brady is what I hear all the time in court.”

“Matt it is.” Lucy smiled, “Excuse me. Where are my manners? Would you like some iced lemonade here on the porch?”

“That would be nice. Thank you.”

Lucy returned with lemonade and some lemon lavender cookies, She handed Matt a glass of cold lemonade and offered him a couple cookies, “They’re not Mrs. Gentry’s chocolate chip cookies but.”

Matt smiled as he took the cookies and lemonade.

“I am sure they are delicious.” Matt leaned back in his chair, “it was always so peaceful here.”

“Did you visit here much?” Lucy asked.

“Every summer from as far back as I could remember to when I was ten when they sold the house and decided to move to TheVillages. Boy was I disappointed. I did not want them to move.

“Anyway,” Matt continued, “My best child hood memories were here, visiting Papa and Nana.”

“ I rememberNana being so upset about losing her ring. My parents told me how Papa was going to buy a new ring for her and that the ring and the move to a new place was a new start.

“I bet that first ring is special to your grandmother, it would be to me.”

Matt continued, “ I remember Nana showing my parents her new ring when we had visited them in Florida and telling them it was very nice but the old ring held such memories.

“That was the last I heard about the ring, Until a couple days ago when I got this phone call from someone named Maggie telling me that some one named Lucy lived in my grandparents old home, had found wedding band. She also said that you hinted about a possible reward.”

Mr. Brady got up and pulled out his wallet, “How much do I owe you?”

Lucy was infuriated at Maggie for contacting Mr. Brady and insinuating she wanted a reward.

“Mr. Brady I never said anything about a financial reward. In fact the only reason I spoke with Maggie in the first place was because Mrs. Gregory knew Mrs. Brady had a grandson and she thought Maggie would know where or how to contact you.”

“In fact, I tried calling your office the next day but your assistant said you were in litigation all day. So I decided to wait a couple more days. Guess Maggie beat me to you.”

Lucy got up from her chair, “Now if you will excuse me Mr. Brady I have a lot of work to do, just leave your glass on the table.”

Matt got up and tried to apologize, I really blew this, he thought. Before he could speak, Lucy spoke.

“Mr. Brady I don’t think we have much more to discuss. I would appreciate it if you left your grandmother’s number with your assistant. I will contact her for the information. You can even call and tell your grandmother the news of her ring being found and a woman, Lucy will be contacting her. And you and I can go about our lives.”

Lucy turned to go back inside the house. Matt stood for a moment on the porch, looking at the closed door.

Well,Ms. Lucy, you may think we have nothing more to discuss but I think we do.

Lucy heard a car engine start and looked out the window as Matt was pulling away. Maybe I should give him a chance.

Couple days later, Lucy called Matt’s assistant and asked if Mr. Brady had left information for her. “ No he hasn’t would you like me to have Mr. Brady contact you, Miss?”

“No thank you.”

The next morning, Lucy’s phone was buzzing, unknown number, she thought about letting it go to voice mail, then she decided to answer it, hoping it would be Mr. Brady, but how? I did not give him my number. Maybe Maggie did.

“Hello?”

“Luce, it’s Maggie. Did Matt, I mean Mr. Brady come over to see you?”

“Mr Brady?” Lucy asked, trying to play dumb. He was not available when I called the office and I have been busy here.”

“Oh, well I was under the impression that he was going to stop by.”

“And what would give you that impression?”Lucy asked.

“I, I”, Maggie stammered.

“You called him.”

“It’s a free country.”

“Yes it is Maggie, but you knew I had personal business to discus with Mr. Brady and that it was none of your concern.”

“I was just trying to help,” Maggie insisted.

“Maggie I don’t need help with my adult life.”

“Mr. Brady asked me how much money I wanted for finding his grandmother’s ring. He said you had made an implication that I would want a reward. Maggie I never said anything of the kind.”

“But Luce, most people are wiling to give a reward to those who find lost jewelry especially sentimental pieces”

“Maybe so,” Lucy said, “but that is their choice not yours.”

“I’m sorry Lucy.”

“I know you are Maggie. Now, I need to get back to work on my house. Bye Maggie.”

“Bye.”

Lucy went back to painting the walls in the living room. I am sure she is sorry, just not sure if she is sorry for what se does or that she has been called out. I will need to watch what I say to her.

It had been a few days since Lucy had spoke with Mr. Brady’s assistant. She decided to contact her again

“Hello, Ms. Bingman, this is Lucy Jenkins, I’m calling about the information.Mr.Brady was to leave me.”

“One moment please.”

“Lucy?’

Lucy recognized Matt’s voice.

“Matt, I mean Mr.Brady?”

“Matt, please.”

“Ok, Matt,” Lucy said. “Do you have the information I requested?”

“ I do. Are you busy this evening?”

“No, but why can’t you just give me your grandmother’s number over the phone?”

“ It is a little more involved and I would prefer to meet in person.”

“I see. And where do you want to meet?”

“Why don’t we make it around six at the Fire and Grill?”

“The Fire and Grill?”

“Sure. We can discuss that information you requested over dinner, my treat.”

“Ok.”

Did he just ask for a date? Ok, Lucy don’t start making assumptions but why aren’t we discussing this in his office.? What is Mr. Brady up to?

Lucy arrived at the restaurant about 15 minutes early, She decided to wait in the lounge.

Lucy felt the small box in her purse. She wasn’t for sure why she brought it or even why she had the ring cleaned polished and placed in a new box.

“Lucy?’

Lucy looked up to see Matt standing in front of her.

“Matt.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No, not long.”

Matt stepped aside, slightly behind him was an older woman, smartly dressed.

“Lucy, I would like you to meet Abigail Brady, my grandmother. Nana, please meet Lucy Jenkins, she is the woman I told you about.”

Lucy stood up to shake the woman’s hand. “Pleased to meet you ma’am.”

Mrs. Brady shook Lucy’s hand. “Nice to meet you. So Matty here tells me you bought our old home.”

“Yes, it held lot of memories for me.”

“Memories?” Mrs. Brady asked as they were seated at their table.

“Yes,” Lucy said. “My parents bought the house from you.”

“Jenkins ,of course!, I am glad you are bringing the house back to life. Tell me. How and where did you find my ring?”

“Let’s order first Nana,” Matt said. “Then Lucy can continue with her story.”

As they were dining, Lucy told Mrs. Brady how she did an impromptu drive and ended up outside the house. She told about the steps she took to buy the house and how she was planning to fix it up.

She shared how Mr. Gentry helped her remove an overgrown shrub from the corner of the porch and it was there she found the ring.

“The rest is history, as they say.” Lucy said smiling.

“It has been so long since I had won that ring,” Mrs. Brady said, rubbing her band on her manicured hand with her thumb.”

“Well the wait is over,” Lucy said reaching into her bag. She pulled out a small black velvet box, handing it to Mrs. Brady.

Mrs. Brady’s hand shook as she took the ring out. She looked at the inscription on the inside. “ Oh thank you, thank you,” Mrs Brady said, as tears filled her eyes. “You will never know how much this means to me.”

“Aren’t you going to put it on?” Matt asked.

“No.”

“You’re not?” Matt asked, “but why?”

Lucy smiled, cupped Mrs. Brady’s hands in her own.

“ L know why,” Lucy started, “this ring was placed on her hand by Mr. Brady the day their journey started and I am sure your grandmother would want your grandfather to place it on her hand again.”

“Oh my dear” Mrs. Brady said.

Mrs. Brady turned to Matt, “Hold on to this treasure Matty,” she said, patting Lucy’s hand. “I have a feeling she is more precious than any gold ring.”

Matt reached across the table taking Lucy’s hand and looking into Lucy’s eyes, “I intend to hold on to this treasure Nana.” Mat squeezed Lucy’s hand. Lucy smiled at Matt, tears were starting to flow from her eyes. Lucy realized tis was the beginning of their forever.