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They turned to leave and Donja’s knee hit something hard. “Ouch!” she screeched as Makayla turned the light to reveal an ornately crafted bronze jewelry box. Donja lifted the lid while Makayla held the light. “Wow,” Donja breathed rummaging through antique jewelry, arrowheads, old coins and a gold wedding band with the initials Z.M. on the inside.
“Bring it with,” Makayla said, shaking her head, fingers swatting her locks. “Damn,” she hissed, “I think I have a spider in my hair. Let’s get the heck out of here.”
~~~
After Donja and Makayla changed their clothes, covered in thick dust and spider webs, they once more set upon the task of exploring their finds. Donja took out the jewelry, some of which appeared to be made of pewter, or brass, some woven leather with polished rock ornaments. She discovered a tarnished locket and inside a faded picture that appeared to be a baby, or perhaps a doll. She turned it over and over in her hand, captured by something she couldn’t put her finger on. “I want this,” she mumbled, “I’ll have to get a new chain, but I love it.”
Makayla took it in her hand. “It’s really old, but you’re right, it’s beautiful. I think it’s silver but it’s hard to tell.
A knock on the door forced them both to jump. The door creaked open and Lisa stuck her head inside. “Dinner’s ready.”
“Mom, come look what we found,” Donja said as Makayla began to explain about the hidden attic found by the workers.
Lisa examined the jewelry. “This is authentic Indian jewelry as best I can tell and the other looks French, perhaps German.” She looked at the wedding album. “Hmm, these dresses are old. Notice the high collars. Back then women weren’t allowed to show their necks.” Suddenly she closed it and wiped at her hands as if she were contaminated. “Come on, girls, let’s have dinner.”
“But, Mom, we found candelabras up there and we think they’re solid gold.”
“Solid gold? Lisa smirked sarcastically. “That’s a pipe dream if I ever heard one. Now come on, both of you, dinner’s getting cold.”
~~~
After a fine roast beef dinner with asparagus, corn and homemade yeast rolls, Lisa brought in the cake. Donja blew out her candles with a little help from Frankie, and then as a rosy blush warmed her cheeks, she covered her face laughing while they sang happy birthday. After cake and ice cream, Donja and Makayla washed the dishes while the rest of the family went to investigate the hidden attic.
Donja stacked the dishes in the sink with the water running.
“Dad said the dishwasher will be installed tomorrow,” Makayla smiled.
“Good,” Donja scowled.
“You know, I was thinking, we should take pictures of the women in the wedding album with our phone and put them online. Perhaps we could find who they belonged to.”
“That’s a good idea,” Donja said. “Did your dad get the computer set up in the study?”
“Yeah, finally and we have Direct TV as well.”
“Good to know, I don’t want to miss ‘The Walking Dead.’”
“Oh my God, you watch that garbage!” Makayla screeched.
“Yep, I love it, I got a thing for Darryl.”
“He looks like a well-worn party animal.”
“Shut up!” Donja smirked, splashing her with soapy water.
Makayla squealed, backing away.
“I bet you watch that ‘Kings and Queens’ thing, don’t you?” Donja simpered.
“Yes, and I’ve got a crush on Jon,” Makayla laughed then popped Donja like a whip with the twisted dishrag.
Donja screeched. She flipped her hand into the sink, cupping water. She flung it with a squeal. Makayla dodged then dashed in a for swipe with the dishrag. Within no time, they were both soaking wet, slipping and sliding, the kitchen floor a mess.
“We better clean this up before your mom comes back,” Makayla laughed, wiping her wet face with the back of her hand.
“That was fun,” Donja giggled. “I haven’t acted like a kid in,” her words faded…“not since my dad died.”
They just stared at each other.