Tales of Gloomsdale #1: The Hidden Attic

Chapter Fourteen

"I love it!"

Mrs. Wilson observed the pillow with a wide smile on her face, pressing her hands against the top that was sticking out of the case.

"It's not that great," Matt admitted. "We made it really quickly."

"Probably because of me," Willow added. "I'm not nearly as good at stitching as Matt. He did most of the work."

"You're the one who gave us the pillowcase to use," Matt retorted.

"I'm the one who gave them the thread and the pillow," Mr. Davis added. "It's a little too big for the case, though."

"It's wonderful," Mrs. Wilson assured, smiling. "It's better than any pillow you could've bought from the store. Though I would've been grateful to receive that as well, of course. But I like this more, since you all worked together to make it."

"You're just supposed to say that," Matt quipped.

Willow nudged him. "Uh... didn't you turn it over?" Her and Matt had agreed to write on one side.

Mrs. Wilson turned the pillow over, surprised to see the words embroidered in the fabric. "Happy birthday, Mom?"

"I know it's a little childish," Matt admitted. "Well, mostly just Willow's part. She's way worse at stitching than me."

"Hey!" Willow nudged him.

Mrs. Wilson raised her head to Willow. "You wrote Mom?"

"Uh... yeah," Willow admitted. "Mostly since it's a short word and I couldn't mess it up that badly. But also because... well, I used the needle that you taught me with." Willow took the needle out of her pocket. "Matt did as well, but you were much more patient."

"Can you blame me?" Matt quipped.

"My mom never taught me," Willow added. "And probably for a good reason. I'm pretty terrible at things like cooking and sewing, and she was as well. But it's still nice to try."

"Thanks, honey. I love it," Mrs. Wilson assured. "Where did you get that needle, anyway? You never told me."

"I, uh... found it lying around," Willow said, not untruthfully.

"Do you mind if I keep it?" Mrs. Wilson asked, taking it from Willow. "I was going to go into town to buy more needles, but this one is just as good."

"You should've told me. I could've bought you sewing equipment," Mr. Davis pointed out.

"Uh... sure," Willow agreed reluctantly. "Consider it your second birthday gift."

"It's almost as good as the teapot Gary gave me," Mrs. Wilson joked. "Actually, probably better. The teapot was a little small."

"Because it was a wood carving," Willow quipped.

"You can use it for tea parties," Mr. Davis suggested. Willow lowered her head, probably remembering the one Hazel used to own..

"I have something to give you too, Mom," Matt said. He took the box that he was standing in front of off the coffee table.

"Is it cake?" Mrs. Wilson asked excitedly.

"No. It's something even better," Matt assured, slowly opening the lid.

His mother's eyes widened as she caught sight of the bronze necklace. Both her and Mr. Davis stared in disbelief. Willow exchanged glances with Matt. "Is that...?"

"A necklace," Matt agreed. Mrs. Wilson carefully reached out and touched the jewel in the center, as if afraid of damaging it.

"Go on, try it," Willow suggested, staring at the antique with slight wistfulness. Even though she didn't like wearing jewellery, it probably reminded her of her mother. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"