OCTOBER 2023 / GRANNY ABELA’S FUNERAL

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.”

“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.”

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.

“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?”

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.”

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.

***

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.

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!”

“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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

The sisters followed Gabriela inside, still marveling at how perfectly kept everything was. They couldn’t hide their jealousy and suspicion. Gabriela led them to the chest, an old wooden box sitting in the corner.

Maria, eager to find something valuable, stepped forward.

“Enough of this. Grandma must have left something much more valuable for us in that chest. Probably a treasure.”

Carla nodded. “Yeah, let’s open it.”

Maria and Carla eagerly lifted the lid, their excitement quickly turning to confusion when they found the chest … empty.

“Where’s the money?” Maria exclaimed, her voice rising in anger. “Carla, did you take it earlier?”

Carla’s eyes widened in surprise. “Me? No way! I haven’t been here in ages.”

Suddenly, they both turned to Gabriela.

“You took it, didn’t you?” Maria demanded.

Gabriela smiled quietly and shook her head.

“No, I didn’t take anything. Maybe you should think about why there’s no money left.”

“What do you mean?” Carla asked, her frustration growing.

Gabriela looked at them calmly. “Do you remember when you last visited Grandma?”

Maria and Carla exchanged uneasy glances.

“It’s been a while,” Maria admitted.

“Exactly,” Gabriela said.

“Grandma stopped putting money in the chest because you stopped visiting her. Maria, do you remember the money Grandma gave you for your education in April 2016?”

APRIL, 2016 / MARIA’S FLASHBACK

Maria remembered that day clearly. It was a sunny afternoon in April, and she had just returned from college. Grandma Abela had called her into the cozy living room, her eyes twinkling with pride.

“Maria, I have something for you,” Grandma said, handing her an envelope.

Maria opened it, her eyes widening at the sight of the money inside. “Grandma, this is a lot of money!”

“This is for your education, Maria. I want you to succeed. Use it to pay for your courses, books, whatever you need to excel.”

Maria hugged her grandmother tightly, feeling a surge of gratitude. “Thank you, Grandma. I promise I’ll make you proud.”

But as the days passed, Maria’s mind wandered. She had been eyeing a sleek new car for months. The temptation grew stronger until she finally made a decision.

She used the money to buy the car, convincing herself she deserved it for all her hard work.

She had betrayed her grandmother’s trust, using the money for her desires instead of her education.

Maria’s face turned red with shame as the memory came back.

“I used it to buy a car,” she confessed.

***

Gabriela nodded and turned to Carla.

“And you, Carla. Do you remember the money Grandma gave you for treatment in January 2017?”

JANUARY, 2017 / CARLA’S FLASHBACK

It was a cold January afternoon, and Carla had come over to visit. She sat at the kitchen table, feigning a weary expression.

“Grandma, I need to talk to you about something important,” Carla began, her voice trembling slightly for effect. “I’ve been diagnosed with a health condition and need money for my treatment.”

Grandma Abela’s face instantly filled with concern. “Oh, Carla, my poor dear! What kind of treatment do you need?”

Carla swallowed her guilt and continued the charade. “It’s quite expensive, Grandma. I don’t know how I’m going to afford it.”

Without hesitation, Grandma Abela reached into her chest and pulled out an envelope filled with money.

“Here, take this,” she said, pressing it into Carla’s hands. “Use it for your treatment. Your health is the most important thing.”

“Thank you, Grandma. I promise I’ll use it well.”

In reality, Carla had used the money to fund a lavish trip to Europe, indulging in luxury and adventure while leaving her grandmother worried and none the wiser.

***

Carla’s eyes filled with guilt. Gabriela continued:

“Grandma was disappointed that you didn’t visit her after that. She stopped putting money in the chest because she felt neglected. She was sick, and I was the one who took care of her. I used my own money for her treatment and groceries.”

Maria and Carla felt a wave of shame wash over them. They realized how selfish they had been, neglecting their grandmother for their pursuits.

Gabriela had been the one to stay by Grandmother’s side, caring for her when they weren’t there.

“Now you understand why Grandma rewarded me with the house,” Gabriela said quietly. “It wasn’t about the money. It was about love and presence.”

The sisters stood in silence, reflecting on Gabriela’s words. They had been so focused on themselves that they had missed what truly mattered.

OCTOBER, 2023 / THE KEY

Gabriela stood in the living room, holding a small, silver key in her hand.

“This is the key to Grandma’s house,” she said softly. “Grandma left it to me, but I don’t need it. I have everything I need in life.”

You don’t want the house?” Carla asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

“No. I want you both to have it. But there’s a condition. You can take the house after a year if you both live here together and manage the household. It’s what Grandma would have wanted.”

“Okay,” Maria said. “We’ll do it.”

“Yes, we will,” Carla echoed.

Gabriela smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. She knew she had made the right choice by helping Grandmother to the end and now passing on the inheritance to her granddaughters.