Chapter 8

Chapter 8

They ate lunch and chatted excitedly about the possibilities of the contents of the trunk lid. Meredith didn't know where the key might be. She knew there were some older keys in the master lock box but it didn't seem wise for Camilla to leave such a key where someone else might find it easily. Meredith worried that they wouldn't be able to find the key. It was then that Amelia remembered something from long ago.

“I know where it is!” she exclaimed. She abandoned her lunch and hurried toward her old room in the lodge. Meredith followed her quickly, confused by her actions but she was too curious not to follow. When Amelia came to the door of her old room she waited for Meredith to unlock it. The room had been converted to an office but the floors were still original. Amelia looked around for a moment, trying to picture the old layout and suddenly she saw what she was searching for. Amelia moved the desk over and tried to pull up a floor board. Meredith looked flummoxed that she was tearing apart her floor. She cried out in protest as Amelia laughed, “It's in here! Will you help me?”

Meredith shrugged and got down on her knees to help.

“I hope it's still here! It was in Camilla's things after she died. You told me I could have it because I thought it was so cool! It was brass with the filigree handle just like the design in the top of the trunk. I didn't see it before because Camilla always kept that lace shawl on the top of the trunk. Why didn't I see that before? I loved the design, remember? I tried every lock in the camp and could never find it's lock. It must be it.” Amelia exclaimed. She couldn't fit her fingers in the space between the two floorboards anymore now that they had been refinished. “I need something thin and flat to get in there.”

Meredith grinned at her as she jumped up to dig a letter opener from the desk. Finding it in the top drawer she handed it to Amelia with a smile. Amelia jimmied the letter opener into the thin space and pried up the floorboard. Amelia squealed with delight, a sound that she had never remembered making in all of her years on earth. “It is there!” Meredith exclaimed.

“C'mon! Let's see if it fits!” Amelia said, pulling Meredith's hand and leading her to the boathouse. Meredith followed willingly and in a few moments they were in front of the trunk. They helped each other lift the lid of the old trunk again. Amelia pried back the clever lining and inserted the key. It fit the lock perfectly. She glanced at Meredith to grin and turned the lock. Meredith gasped in surprise as they saw the contents. There were six compartments in the curved top of the trunk. Four rectangular drawers ran down the center of the trunk each with a shiny brass pull. There were two matching open compartments on either side of the drawers. One side was filled solidly with black leather volumes inlaid with numbers. The other side held a wooden box that fitted in the space exactly. Meredith pulled the larger box free and opened it. The contents glittered in the sunlit room. The look of pleasure on her face was infectious. Amelia smiled back at her.

“It's my mother's wedding band and engagement ring! And her diamond necklace and pearls! I haven't seen them since she died! I thought they were lost. Camilla told me she was keeping them for me but I could never find them! I hoped they would be here.” Tears were in her eyes as she clasped the trinkets around her neck one by one and displayed them for Amelia. “Thank you, Milla.” she whispered tenderly toward the sky.

Amelia smiled and pulled out the first of the middle boxes. While Meredith looked through the second one. The boxes were long and shallow and only contained a few items. There was another ring with a small diamond in it and a box. There were a few envelopes addressed to Milla. The box was engraved with an insignia. There were two other boxes of similar shape and size as well. They moved on through the other three larger boxes. They contained more common things. A lock of hair inside a glass heart. Little pearls in a tie string bag that had fallen off their string. The bottom box was empty and they carefully replaced the items in there resting places.

Meredith paused as she took up the first book. There was an almost reverent atmosphere as they pulled the first book marked 1940. Meredith smiled as she opened the cover. She moved to sit on the sofa and Amelia sidled up to her to get a closer look as well. “It's Milla's handwriting. This must be her journal.”

Amelia grinned, “Oh this is exciting! I wonder what she has to say! Read it out loud.”





The Diary of Camilla Anne Morgan Clay

September 25^th, 1940

Dear future readers of this record of my life,


It might be presumptuous to believe that anyone would be interested in the musings of a 20-year-old girl such as myself but my mother always taught me that diaries had nothing to do with posterity. She always said she wrote to understand herself better. I have attempted writing before but those writings seem silly to me now. So I start this new record on my 20^th birthday with a renewed conviction to record my life. My hope is that there will be interest in the goings on of my time and particularly about me. I think more about my future than any girl I know and I want to remember myself as I was when I am old and gray.


Today is my birthday and the best thing about my life at this moment is my Charlie. Charlie fills my days and will soon fill my nights as well. He asked me to marry him again today after the birthday cake Mother made for me. I finally have his ring as well and told him yes as we sat on the porch swing on my parent's front porch. Charlie finally asked Father for my hand. His work at the power plant has not gone unnoticed by my father and he has finally consented to our marriage in two years time.


My father is a difficult man to please and wants only the best for me but he doesn't seem to realize that Charlie is my future. Mother tries to smooth it over. She loves Charlie, too, I think almost as much as I do. But I can tell Father might never approve of him. Two years seems a long time for a woman in love but I can bear it if Charlie can. He speaks of our future like it is already here. Like it is happening now. I like to think it will happen, that I can be with him as his wife and have his children. But for now I will be happy in knowing that someday will come and I can be with him again and never have to leave him.


Other than Charlie, my life is dull. I work every day at the bank in town. My father works at the sawmill and takes me there every morning and brings me home every night. Charlie can't come by every day but sometimes on his lunch break he will come and stand where I can see him in the front window and smile his Charlie smile. That's the smile I like best.


I don't have to tell you that things in the world are tense. I'm so glad to be far from the war in Europe but worry that our men will be called up to fight. I can't imagine a time like that. Full of death and destruction. I've read about our boys in the first world war and can't imagine our boys dying like that. I hope we stay far away from it all.


Right now our favorite times together are dances every Friday night and socials every Saturday. Charlie and his mother sit in front of us at church and he always turns around to smile at us when he thinks Father isn't looking. Father is always looking and scolds me to be more ladylike and not respond to such advances. Mother smiles at Charlie as much as I do and Father looks on disapprovingly. Father is a dear but I wish he would let Charlie smile. Everyone should see it, for it is the dearest smile in the world. He is smiling whenever I think about him.


It is a good day and although many would think I'm silly to say it. I am in love with Charlie Clay and someday I will be Camilla Anne Clay and my father can't do anything to stop me.


Also someday I'm going to fly an airplane and swim in the Nile. You just see if I don't.


Signed your illustrious owner,


Camilla Anne Morgan

Meredith's eyes were wide and she and Amelia laughed at the sweet story. Meredith paused only momentarily before continuing on to the next entry.

April 27, 1941

I love Charlie, that hasn't changed. But I do miss him something awful. His letters September 30, 1941

I meant to write so many times before this. I've been so busy with things and don't take the time to sit Charlie came home tonight after a long stay in Washington. He found a little town there close to his latest work site. He wants to move there after we are married to work. My father wants us to push back the date one more year until Charlie saves enough. I don't want to wait and told him so. He sent me to my room! Can you imagine? A woman of 21 being sent to her room without supper?

We sat on the porch for a long time tonight and he held my hand and talked of times to come. He asked me if I would take a walk with him. It is hot out and I guess I must have walked a little too long with him in the moonlight because I could not cool down all night, thinking of those moments with him. He kissed me for the first time tonight. We walked down to the lake and stood on the dock for a time. He held my face real close and kissed me with a little peck on my mouth. His mouth was so warm and nice. It was the first time for us both and it surprised me how much I wanted to do it again and again. Momma wouldn't like that I kissed him and my father would kill me if he knew but I really think kissing is fun. I kissed him twice more on our walk home. I think I surprised him but they were just little ones and I couldn't wipe the smile from my face if I tried.

I wanted to stay with him tonight more than I ever have before. He leaves again tomorrow and I can hope for a time when we can be together again and I won't have to leave him any more.

The journal chronicled the whole of 1940 and 1941. The next entry that had them both riveted was in the one just preceding December 7^th 1941. It read,


(To be added later...)

After a long night of reading Milla's journals, Amelia sat in front of a roaring fire, pleasantly rested and content. Meredith had George bring dinner to the boathouse and they passed the time eating and talking about the contents of the journals. They learned that Milla had been engaged to another man named Charlie Clay and that Charlie had left for war in the summer of 1942. Meredith was thrilled to find out these details of her dear Milla. She noted that there was so much that she had never known about her aunt's life and she was anxious to read more the next day. Meredith and George had retired to their rooms and Amelia sat gazing into the flames. The anxiety of the last few days had dissipated and she was content to relax in a moment of silence. She had always loved to sit in front of the fire. When she had first come to her home here she would have long spells of longing for her family. Not really the parents that had abandoned her but the idea of a home and family that loved each other. It took many hours of spending time with Meredith and George to realize that she had found a home with them. They would spend long hours with her, playing games and talking with her. She was happy to find a home with them but she always longed for more.

That feeling of contentment had not come fully to fruition until her first year of marriage with Jack. He was her home and she missed him greatly. She walked over to the phone to dial his cell phone. It went straight to voice-mail once again. She tried the house phone once again with no answer and the pit formed once again in her stomach. She curled up in front of the fire and bowed her head to pray. She said a simple prayer to God, asking him for help. She wanted to know where Jack was what he was doing. She repeated words of love out loud and felt them come back to herself as she ended her prayer. She felt a little better but still didn't know what she should do. She climbed the stairs to the loft above and changed into her pajamas.

Before laying down she opened the sliding glass door to the balcony that overlooked the lake. She could see the water moving in the dim light of the moon. The planners of the property had made a point of no visible power lines so that the view would be unobstructed. It made for a magical effect, almost as if it were She looked out to the island and sighed seeing the twinkling lights on the water. There were lights on the dock to greet the passengers of boats in the dark. It was a silent bulwark in the night, protecting any that might come to its shores. She resolved to finally row out to the island the next day. She wanted to see it for herself again and revisit her time with Jack there. She was ready to face this newest development though she didn't know what Jack would say.

She watched the water for a while longer taking in the view fully. She turned to return to her bed but caught a glimpse of an odd shape on the dock of the island. She turned to look closer at the shape and could see that one of the lights looked different. The light wasn't completely blocked but it twinkled differently than it had before and looked as if someone was standing there in the night. Probably just the light playing tricks on the water, she thought. It was too far away to know for sure and she squinted in the dark but could not see anything. The light flickered again and she was convinced it must have been a surge in the electricity. She shook her head at herself and turned again to lay down in the bed. She switched off the side table lamp and pulled the luxurious covers over her head and fell asleep in the pitch blackness with only the dim moonlight as her friend.

Morning came early the next day and Amelia woke to the wind blowing in her face. She smiled as the morning sun beat through the slightly drawn wood shades. She quickly dressed and washed her face and ventured in to find breakfast waiting for her. The food was delicious and she sat in the library to wait for Meredith and George to come downstairs. She picked up a book and sat down by the fire. It was a little chilly in the morning air and the fire felt good on her face.

It was Saturday morning and she knew that this was Meredith's day for errands. She wanted to go into town with her to listen to her message from Jack. She regretted being so impulsive now that she wanted to hear his voice. One of the only things she didn't like about being so far from civilization was that she did not get calls on her cell phone. Maybe he didn't recognize the number when it came up on his phone and that is why he didn't answer. She felt hopeful as Meredith walked into the room with a smile.

She asked Meredith if she could accompany her on her errands to town and Meredith readily agreed. After a quick breakfast of toast and fruit they were driving toward the exit of the camp. When they passed the view of the island Amelia watched closely. The dock was in full view of the road and she was disappointed to see that there was nothing there.

The nearest grocery store was eleven miles from the camp but they had to go over an hour and a half to get to a city large enough for a grocery store large enough to carry specialized food from around the world. Meredith was planning for some special dinners and because they had a two week gap between patients she was going to take the time to make some of her own meals. She had learned well from the help she had over the years and always liked to try new things. She wanted to make a new Thai recipe that she had found and some of the specialized ingredients called for were not part of the local farmer's fare.

Amelia didn't mind the drive. She ran into the boathouse before they left to get Milla's journal and spent the drive reading different passages to pass the time. They learned more about how Milla came to know Sheldon and how she was introduced to the camp. The story captivated their conversation into town.

Charlie was stationed in Germany and Milla had become a nurse to help in the war effort. She left her home in Idaho and was sent to Boston to train as a Army Air Corps nurse. Meredith commented that she had known Milla was a nurse in the war but all the details of her time were interesting.

They arrived at the store and Amelia told Meredith she wanted to take a walk. There was a small park adjacent to the store and Amelia felt the need to be alone while she listened to her messages. She powered up her phone and saw immediately that there were a few messages. She pushed the voicemail button awaiting the familiar voice telling her the message.

The first two messages were from Meredith and Carrie and Amelia noted the concern in Carrie's voice and resolved to call her after she listened to the voicemail. The next message was from work asking her to call in. She ignored that one and deleted it immediately. There was no reason to return. She was tired of going to that place anyway. The last message was from Jack and the minute she heard his voice her breath caught in her throat and she held it there.

Amelia, hey. I just got home. Call me.

The next message was a few hours later, “Hey, I talked with Meredith. We need to talk. I don't know where you are but be safe. Call me when you get to where you're going. I love you.” Jack's deep voice was sad and Amelia noted a slightly desperate tone in his voice. She hurt to hear it. She played the message again then erased them both. She had been stupid not to listen to them before. She was confused by the sudden shift in her thoughts. She wanted more than anything to talk with him. She dialed Jack's number again but got the same out of area message. She dialed their home as well but it went to voice-mail. Puzzled by his absence she shook her head and saw that Meredith was coming out of the store with a grocery cart.

The store didn't have some of the specialized ingredients Meredith required so they went to another store as well. She talked on and on about the meals she was going to prepare but Amelia was preoccupied with the messages from Jack. She analyzed the words over and over but could pull no real meaning out of them. She hoped that she could get in touch with him that evening. It drove her crazy not knowing where he was. He was always quick to answer her calls and it was worrisome to know that he was not answering.

After all the ingredients were collected they loaded in the car for home. After getting on the highway and finding some relaxing music on the radio Amelia laid her head back on the headrest and swiftly fell asleep. The next thing she knew they were pulling through the entrance at Camp Camilla. She wiped her eyes, stretching her arms forward in her seat to get some life in them. Meredith smiled at her and chattered on about the dinner she had planned for the night.

Amelia helped bring in the groceries and was putting away the oranges in the wire baskets that hung near the pantry when Meredith came in carrying a box. She had an serious look on her face. She called Amelia over to the counter and slid the box toward her. Amelia saw that the box had her name written on it but was taped shut with packing tape. There were no other markings on it. Amelia looked up in confusion.

“What is this?” Amelia asked.

“It came in the mail today in a box addressed to me.” Meredith said simply. Meredith watched Amelia's face. Am

Amelia knew the box was from Jack and because it wasn't opened Meredith didn't know what was inside. Amelia's curiosity was peaked but she didn't want to rush to her room right away like a school girl with a locker note. When Amelia didn't make a move toward the box Meredith smiled at her.

“Take it back to your room.” Meredith hugged her, “I think it's time you deal with this.”

Amelia hugged back and silently picked up the box. “I think I'll go read a little more.”

Meredith nodded and Amelia retreated to the boathouse. In minutes she was sitting in her living room staring at the box. She knew that whatever it contained would change her life. She knew it was from Jack. She knew that she needed to see what was there. She wondered why the thought of opening it filled her with such dread.

She thought of the earlier messages from Jack and her heart ached that she had kept herself from him for so long. She missed him so much in that moment that she knew that it was time to open the box.