Weeping Willows

Things You Never Knew

Chapter 24

Before Elizabeth could reach the nurse, Ryan stopped her. Leaning in slightly so he could talk low enough no one else could hear.

"There was an emergency with another resident that the nurses got pulled away to attend to. Margaret came in after she knew the coast was clear. It's not the first time she's taken advantage like that."

Elizabeth mulled his words over but was only passively mollified. She nodded her head to let him know she would let it go. He smiled lightly at her but was still on guard just in case. Relenting Elizabeth turned her attention back to the class.

"So, you and Ryan have antiques to look at?" Millie inquired lightly.

"Grandma." Ryan sighed in exasperation thinking she was going to try and match-make again. She waved her hand at him in slight agitation.

"This has nothing to do with what you're thinking young man, so you hush. I was just curious at what Elizabeth was talking about." There were quiet grumbles of agreement from the rest of them and Ryan threw his hands up knowing he was no match for the curious minds of the seniors.

"I was going through the attic of the house and it was loaded with stuff that was left behind. I've barely gone through anything yet but I'm really excited to get started."

"What have you found so far?" Mabel asked her eyes on the project in front of her but clearly the old woman's attention had been captured. The way she had asked it though made Elizabeth wonder what she was getting at.

"So far I've found some art supplies, some old boxes of clothing that I think belonged to said artist, and William Bennett's old military trunk."

"I don't recall the family having any artists in it." Millie stated stopping her painting to give it some thought. Her brow wrinkled in concentration as confusion colored her eyes.

"Could someone else have lived in the house after the Bennett's that it could be from?" Ryan inquired trying to help jog his grandmother's memory. The old woman shook her head, but it was Mabel that answered.

"No one has lived in that house since the family lived there. As far as I know it was still owned by the descendants and they hadn't ever wanted to sell it before even though none of them wanted to live in it either."

"I wonder what changed that made them sell now." Fanny pondered. "And selling it while the family heirlooms were still there too." Elizabeth and Ryan looked at each other their curiosity now just as peaked as the elderly students'.

"Who sold you the house Lizzy?" Ryan asked.

"It wasn't a private seller; I went through a reality company. The only person I had any contact with was the agent in charge of the property."

"Curiouser and curiouser." Mabel uttered looking at Elizabeth with a sly sideways glance before going back to her project. Her words making everyone pause and look at her funny even Eddie. Elizabeth could have sworn she was hiding something, but she doubted Mabel was going to tell them anymore. She was now humming happily, painting away on her piece with bright colors as if the conversation had never happened at all.

"Mabel?" Eddie quietly called to her across the table causing the old woman to look up at him and smile serenely.

"Was there something you needed Eddie." Blowing out a large sigh he shook his head in response. He glanced around at everyone and shrugged his shoulders as Mabel went back to working away. At this everyone moved their attention else where all looking a bit morose.