Early one morning Bill McCutcheon stepped through the entrance to his mothers home.

No
longer a home, it was just a house now. She had passed away. Bill, now a middle-aged man,
breathed heavily as he closed the front door behind him, shutting out the cold winter day. He
hung up his coat and looked through the hallway into the living room beyond. Everything was
exactly as he had left it. Boxes with tags and labels lined the walls and furniture stood together as
if on display, waiting to be sold. At the end of the room was a dark, empty fireplace.
The estate sale would be beginning in a few hours. There was still time to straighten
some things up. Bill sat down at the desk in the corner of the living room where he had left his
mother Maude McCutcheons bank statements and other financial records. As he sorted them
into piles he smiled from time to time when he found a receipt for a book he remembered her
talking about. His mother had been an English teacher in Odyssey for almost fifty years and had
always loved reading.
He found a bill for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and recognized it as one of The
Chronicles of Narnia books his mother had given him two or three Christmases ago to read to his
kids. He hadnt yet cracked any of them open. His younger sister had read the books as a child
but he had never found the time. If he was honest with himself, he could admit that he was not
much of an avid reader. He had always pursued other things. Now that his mother was gone he
promised himself he would get around to reading those books. Eventually.
Among the older financial statements were bills for sports equipment such as basketball
sneakers and volleyball pads. In school he had played basketball while his sister was drawn to
volleyball. His mother had been happy to support both of them in their athletic endeavors, or
really anything they were passionate about. She had attended most of their games unless she was
swamped in marking school homework. Even then she had done above and beyond what anyone
would have expected of her.
But Bill still had regrets. He had always felt somehow distant from his mother. She was
totally invested in him, but he couldnt say the same about himself. When they were together
they had usually focused on him and his life. He felt like he couldnt really talk with his mother
about the things that interested her, like American, English or Russian literature, because he
didnt know enough about them. And now he felt as though he didnt know enough about his
mother.
He had hoped in searching through his mothers things that he would find something for
him, something that would tell him more about the mother he hadnt gotten to know. All he
found were books penned by authors he hadnt heard of and school assignments students would
have lost since forgotten about. There was nothing she had written about herself. He knew she
had once kept a diary but that had been decades ago. Apart from that there was one book he
knew was very special to her that she had written notes in. It was a childrens book that had been
in the family for some time. Bill remembered that yesterday it had been taken home by his sister.
He now wished he could look through the pages again.
He rested his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. He knew he would have
to let his feelings go. His grief and regret still plagued him. He didnt know his mother the way
her students did. He never took the time and it was too late now. Bill sighed. There was no use
thinking about it anymore. He knew he would need to move on.
Bill was startled by the chime of the doorbell. He checked the time. It was still too early
for people to be arriving for the estate sale. He put down his work and made his way to the door.
Anticipating the cold air, he slowly opened it. His sister, Galina, was on the other side.
Bill, she said and gave him a hug.
Galina, youre here. Come inside, Bill shut the door and took her coat. I thought youd
be on your way back to Detroit by now.
I had a few things to finish up here. And I didnt want you to be alone for the estate sale
today.
I would have been fine. But thanks for coming back.
Galina looked through into the living room at the empty fireplace and shivered. On
second thought I think Ill keep my coat on for now. Its a bit chilly in here.
Sorry about, Bill said, I can get a fire going.
The two of them entered the living room and were met once again with the familiar scene
of boxes, furniture and other odds and ends that had belonged to Maude, their mother. Almost
everything there had been sorted and approved for sale. Bill bent down in front of the hearth and
began carefully stacking wood in the fireplace. Galina stood back and took in the sight of the
crowded living room.
Im going to miss this place, she said.
Bill didnt respond.
Galina watched him reach for a box of matches, light one, and then cradle the small
flame, protecting it from being extinguished. Well, I better head into Mothers study. There are
some more boxes there that I need to look over. I might have to check the attic again too.
Bill turned his head slightly. Galina, before you get to work, I was wondering about one
of Mothers books. You know the one, the one from her grandma that she wrote so many notes
in.
Oh, that one. Its called The Courage of Nikolai by Mary E. Ropes. It takes place in pre-
revolutionary Russia, she said thoughtfully. Right now its sitting in my hotel room. Did you
have a question about it?
No, I was just wondering if I could look it over again after the auction.
Sure. Why dont I just drop it off at your house? Ill be in a bit of a rush to check out of
my hotel and get on the road before the bad weather hits. I could pick up the book from you the
next time Im in Odyssey.
Bill and Galina separated into different areas of the house to make the final arrangements
for the estate sale. Bill was getting tired of sorting through old income statements and other
records but he pressed on. The more he thought about it the more convinced he became that it
would be useless to go over his mothers notes in that book and relive memories he wanted to
leave behind. Besides, what could that book tell him? If he ever wanted to learn about Russia it
would make more sense to pick up a book by a professional, not a childrens story. And in any
case Bill had decided that learning more about Russian history was not one of his top priorities.
All he wanted now was to get through this. After his mothers house and other possessions were
sold it would finally be over. He would be able to forget about all his lost moments and missed
opportunities.
A little while later Galina returned to the living room with a stack of books and papers
and, of all things, a golf ball. These books can be sold.
Okay, Bill looked up at Galina, Is that a golf ball?
Yup.
Mother wasnt a golfer, was she?
Not that Im aware of.
Bill thought for a moment about whether to further pursue the discovery of the
mysterious golf ball but quickly decided against it. It probably wasnt anything important
anyway.
Galina, can I ask you something?
Sure.
Did you ever feel like Mother was, I dont know, off in her own world?
Galina smiled. Of course she was. She loved her imagination. Youve heard how her
former students rave about her storytelling.
Yes, I know. I guess I wish she had shared more with me. Bill paused. Maybe she
would have if I had been more open to it.
Whether thats true or not, you cant change what happened in the past.
I know.
Galina shifted her gaze around the room uneasily. What should we do with all these
student assignments?
Get rid of them. Theyre not worth keeping, Bill said without looking up.
When the estate sale began the house opened up to receive about a dozen customers. That
number grew to around two dozen at its peak and then tapered off again. Item after item was
snatched up at a bargain price. Bill noticed one couple in particular had purchased quite a few
items. From lamps to tapestries to end tables and all manner of furniture, they had something of
everything.
Joanne Allen examined the next item. I like the look of this trunk.
Her husband Jack nodded. I agree. It has a simple yet elegant design.
Good. Shall we add it to the list?
I dont see why not.
When Jack and Joanne were satisfied with their purchases they shook hands with Bill
McCutcheon. Bill was eager to get down to business.
Im assuming youll want it all shipped to you. Whats the address?
Actually, no we brought a truck with us. Im Jack Allen by the way.
And Im Joanne. We run J and J Antiques.
Bill smiled politely. Nice to meet you both.
If its not too much trouble I was wondering if you could help us load the items into the
back, said Jack.
That shouldnt be a problem.
Jack hesitated. Your motherIve heard a lot of wonderful things about her today. Im
so sorry about your loss, Mr. McCutcheon.
Call me Bill. Or Billy. Either one works fine.
When everyone had left, Galina rushed off to check out of her hotel. Bill stayed around to
reorganize everything and to make sure all the transactions were in order. When he had double
checked them all he breathed a sigh of relief. There was nothing left to do for today. He threw on
his winter coat, locked up the house, and walked into the ice-cold rain.
Galina missed the deadline to check out of her hotel and decided to stay another night,
which ended up becoming two nights. She dropped off the Russian childrens book Bill had
requested. Bill, who was becoming increasingly interested in allowing his life to get back to
normal, set the book aside without opening it. He probably wouldnt have thought about it again
if he hadnt gotten a call from Jack Allen.
Hello, Mr. McCutcheon?
Yes, who is this?
Im Jack Allen. We met at the estate sale two days ago. My wife and I purchased some
items from your mothers collection.
Of course, of course. What can I do for you?
I was wondering if we could meet in person. Could I come by the house again today?
A few more antiques you have your eye on?
No, its not that. I wanted to ask you about something I found in a trunk I purchased.
There was a school notebook in there with some, well, interesting stories.
I dont know how much I can tell you about a school assignment. But Ill be at my
mothers house all day today. You can come over any time and Ill take a look at whatever you
found.
Bill hung up. He had no desire for this to continue. Whatever Jack was after was no
concern of his. On the other hand, he thought, maybe it would help to bring him some kind of
resolution or a sense of peace. Or maybe not. In fact, it was probably a waste of time. Either way,
Bill wasnt going to hold out hope for something miraculous.
Jack Allen brought his old blue Buick to a stop alongside the curb. He and Whit had
arrived to solve the mystery of a world called Marus.

The End