Harold stepped up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Ellie. Honey. Just tell them.”
She waved him away without looking at him.
Thomas looked back and forth between his mother and me, like a man trying to figure out which side of a three-ring circus to stand on.
“Mom,” he said. “You’re really not helping right now.”
“I know! I know.” She twisted her wedding ring around and around on her finger. “I just… I really didn’t expect any of this. I didn’t think anyone would find them.”
“Find them?”
“Eleanor,” I said, as calmly as I could, which was not very calmly. “I have been standing in this room for an hour. Thinking that my mother-in-law is running some kind of illegal operation out of my house. I almost called the police. My sister is at work in Schenectady having a nervous breakdown in a delivery room.”
Behind his hand, Harold made a small, strangled sound.
I spun around.
“Don’t you dare laugh, Harold.”
“I’m not laughing!”
“You are absolutely laughing!”
“I swear on my pension, Claire, I’m not!” His shoulders were shaking.
“Please,” I said. “Somebody. Anybody. Just tell me what is going on.”
Eleanor smoothed her skirt over her knees. She wouldn’t quite meet my eyes.
“I was going to take them all with me yesterday,” she said quietly. “Truly. I packed that suitcase first thing yesterday morning. But it wouldn’t zip with the last row in it. So I tucked those under the mattress, just for the night, and I thought, well, I’ll just pop back over tomorrow and slip them out. You’d never even know.”
“You were going to slip them out,” I said slowly. “Just like that.”
“Yes.”
Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Mom. I really love you. But I need you to say something right now that makes this better.”
She opened her mouth.
Then she closed it. And looked down at the floor.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.