“I see you’re prepared,” Tina smiled, taking the tube from the old man.

“Well, even I used to be a boy scout,” he chuckled, “Well, ladies, unfortunately I have to go back to my earthly duties but I will walk you out.”

They went back out the same door when Tina turned around to ask for his name but suddenly the old man disappeared. Bette tried the door that led inside of the building but it was locked now.

“Maybe he really was an angel?” she said pensively, holding the tube with the paintings tight in her arms.

“I began to wonder…” Tina looked at her girlfriend and smiled. She took Bette’s hand and they went back to their car.

When they left the old man came out from behind the garbage container where he was hiding and said amusingly to himself, “Well, grandmother, you were absolutely right…she did come to get them after all.”

Place: Elkin, NC – quest for Bette’s diary

Year: March 10, 2006 – Friday

The ride to Elkin was smooth and uneventful. Tina navigated with the help of a map while Bette drove all the way to their final destination. Throughout the drive she had a slightly shocked but happy grin on her face. Once in a while they would look at each other, smiling and enjoying a comfortable silence.

When they were entering Elkin city limits Bette nervously grasped Tina’s hand, knowing that with the finding of her diary their journey would be complete and satisfying.

Mrs. Parkins’s granddaughter was waiting for them outside. She was a nice lady, in her late 30’s, wearing a gold-rimmed glasses and a friendly smile. She welcomed Bette and Tina into her home and offered some refreshments.

“Jennifer went to the movies with some of her friends right after school but she will be home shortly. My grandmother told me that you’re looking for a small red leather-bound book she gave Jennifer last year,” she looked at her guests and waited for a response.

“Yes,” Tina began reciting the same story about the attic, forgotten chest and grandma Kennard’s last wish.

“Well, I sincerely hope you’ll find that book…I remember seeing it once when my grandmother gave it to her. Frankly, I don’t think Jennifer cared for the book that much because I’ve never seen it after that. I hope she still has it.”