Maria and Carla stood beside Grandmother Abela’s grave, the autumn leaves rustling softly around them.
“Remember how wonderful it was to spend time at Grandma’s house when we were kids?” Maria whispered. “It’s been so long since we last saw her.”
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“Yeah,” Carla replied softly. “I can’t believe how much time has passed.”
Though their faces were sad, it was clear that they were more focused on outshining each other than mourning their loss.
“Did you see my new car?” Maria whispered to Carla, her voice filled with pride. “Fully electric, top of the line.”
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Carla rolled her eyes slightly but managed a polite smile.
“That’s nice, Maria. I just got back from a month-long trip to Europe. Visited Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. It was incredible.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the lawyer, a tall man with a briefcase, who approached them solemnly.
He motioned for them to gather around, including their childhood friend, Gabriela, who had been standing quietly at a distance.
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“Thank you all for being here today,” the lawyer began. “I have the will of your grandmother, Abela, to read. In it, she has bequeathed her house to Gabriela, who has cared for her in her final years.”
Maria and Carla exchanged surprised glances, clearly not expecting this turn of events.
“As for you, Maria and Carla,” the lawyer continued, “your grandmother has left you an old chest, which is at her home. She wanted you to have it as a final gift.”
Maria’s eyebrows shot up. “A chest? What’s in it?”
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The lawyer shrugged. “I don’t know. But it’s yours to discover.”
Maria and Carla looked at each other. Meanwhile, Gabriela stood quietly, a small, knowing smile on her face.
“Can you believe she got the house?” Maria muttered under her breath as they walked towards her car after the reading.
Carla smirked. “It’s probably falling apart anyway. We got the chest, and it’s bound to be filled with cash or something valuable.”
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They reached the car and set off towards Grandmother’s house. The conversation about their achievements and plans for the inheritance continued.
“I bet there’s enough in there for me to upgrade my car even further,” Maria said, her eyes gleaming.
“And maybe I’ll fund my next trip to Asia,” Carla replied with a smirk.
They were so wrapped up in their conversation that they hardly noticed anything or anyone around them, including the silent, thoughtful gaze of Gabriela, who also sat in the car, holding the key from her new house.
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***
The recent reading of the will hung heavily in the air, but Gabriela’s thoughts were elsewhere.
She couldn’t help but reflect on how little had changed. Maria and Carla were still so absorbed in their worlds, much like when they were children.
The memories came flooding back, vivid and bittersweet.
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AUGUST, 1998 / GABRIELA’S FLASHBACK
Summers at Grandma’s house were a blend of laughter and rivalry.
Maria brought her drawings, hoping to see Grandma’s eyes light up with pride. Carla presented flowers she’d picked from the garden, seeking the same reaction.
“Look, Grandma! I drew this for you!”
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“That’s lovely, Maria,” Grandmother Abela would reply, giving her a warm smile.
Not to be outdone, Carla would quickly add, “And I picked these flowers just for you, Grandma!”
“Oh, Carla, these are beautiful. Thank you,” Grandmother would respond, making sure each girl felt equally appreciated.
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Gabriela was always around but never participated in their competitions. Instead, she helped Grandmother with household chores, silently supporting her in every way.
She swept the floors, washed the dishes, and even helped in the garden. Gabriela’s presence was a quiet constant, a comforting background to the lively interactions of Maria and Carla.
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One day, Maria and Carla found an old chest in Grandmother’s house. It was tucked away in a corner, its wood darkened with age.
“Grandma, what’s in this chest?” Maria asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Grandmother Abela smiled gently. “That chest contains money I put away for you two. Every time you visit, I add a little something. When you grow up, it will be yours.”
The girls’ eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of their future treasure.
***
Gabriela reflected on those memories. The car finally stopped near granny Abela’s house. Maria and Carla gasped when they saw it.
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OCTOBER 2023 / OPENING THE CHEST
The house was impeccably maintained, with a garden full of blooming flowers and a perfectly kept exterior.
“Wow, I can’t believe how beautiful this place is,” Maria said, looking around. “I thought it would be falling apart.”
“Yeah,” Carla agreed, a hint of bitterness in her voice. “Gabriela, how did you manage to keep it like this?”
Gabriela sighed, sensing the underlying resentment.
“I took care of the house while I was looking after Grandma. She was very particular about her garden and the upkeep of the home.”
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Maria frowned, turning to Gabriela.
“But why did Grandma leave the house to you? We’re her real granddaughters, not some neighbor’s kid who envied us growing up.”
Gabriela’s expression remained calm.
“Grandma appreciated my help and presence when you both were too busy with your lives. But let’s go inside. The chest is in the living room.”
