"Who would think such a small house could hold so much stuff?" Ivy muttered, "Storage, plenty of storage. All storage is good for is putting things away and forgetting them." " She had so many cool things, all these wonderful old Halloween decorations!" Gretta said cheerfully. "No, dear girl" those are the greetings cards, your great great aunt made every year, for almost every holiday. "Haven't you ever seen them before?" "Actually, no! she was very talented." Greta replied.
"Very talented, very talented, and crazy, but in a sweet way. She was a very hard working woman. did everything. Once she made hats for everyone in the Marlowe Women's club so they would stand out at at the ...ohhhhhhwaddayacallthem???? ...Ivy paused. "You mean the Rummage Sale at Saint Gemma's? Greta beamed. All of that stuff. all over the parking lot, in the grass, just everywhere, that was so much fun. I wish they still had them." Ivy settled into a chair and said "Me Too" "How did we ever get tasked with this job, it's Herculean!" Gretta muttered . "Oh Look a picture of Steve Reeves!" "Of who?" Gretta returned. The room grew silent except for the sound of old records and books being put into boxes. the sun was going down, when Gretta switched on a lamp. The only sounds were the crinkling of paper, and the ticking clock.
"Didn't she give you "Mr. Chips" ? "Greta asked as she gently placed a bird cage into a large box with pine trees printed on it. "she did love cats, especially black cats, I remember that. She was a little scary until you got to know Her, Mom always said she was a witch." "She thought Aunt Clara was a witch? Really? Did she?" Greta said as he pushed aside still another box. "look at this painting!"
"That would look good in your apartment! After all you do like cats." was Ivy's reply. "put it over by the door. Take it home tonight." Greta smiled, "I love it." "Aunt Clara would be pleased to hear that." said Ivy.
Ivy lowered her gaze and studied her hands. The room fell silent, the ticking of an old clock, the only sound. The old clock's hands were always at 12 O'clock, never moved even though the clock was still ticking. Working in silence save for a few sniffles and whispered homages to Aunt Clara. Boxes were packed and stacked.
The ticking of that old clock was comforting to both women as they worked their way thru the treasure and trash of several decades. Stacks and stacks of old boxes, that were in themselves a history lesson. Campbell Soup boxes held yards and yards of unused silk fabric, brought back from one of Clara's journey's. One box that once held Sam Thompson Rye whiskey, contained a selection of hand made kitchen knives and sturdy coffee mugs. Aunt Clara was the sort of aunt who every adventurous and spirited young woman would like to become. They paused for a cup of tea, and to watch the sunset, then when back to sorting.
You know we could have this all packed up tonight." Greta remarked, "well may-be." Ivy replied. They sat quietly, sorting. Listening to the classical station, in the background, they worked until well into the night. "I didn't know you like classical music." "Really?" Gretta said questioningly. " we are almost done." Ivy said"how about another cup of tea and we can leave in the morning?"
As they walked toward the kitchen the aroma of Earl Grey hung in the air. Gretta flip the switch, there on the table were 3 steaming teacups.
