Finding Libbie Read Free

cars, tractors, motorcycles, and just about anything else with a motor. In fact, Emily knew he worked even more than he had before her mother died. He rarely left the garage. He was using work to deal with his grief, and Emily found his loneliness heartbreaking.
    They separated out which toys to keep and which to give away. As the closet began to empty, Emily stepped inside it and, using a flashlight, searched the top shelf to make sure they’d taken out everything. To her surprise, there was a round box at the very back of the shelf. Using the little stepladder, she climbed up and reached for the box. As she brought it out into the lighted room, she blew on it and a cloud of dust flew in every direction. She took a rag from her pocket and dusted it off, then marveled at how lovely it was. It was a very old hatbox, covered in a creamy-white fabric with soft-pink cabbage roses and green leaves on it. The top of the box was trimmed in eggshell-colored crochet edging. A faded pink ribbon was tied around it to keep the lid secure. The box had also faded over time, but it was still beautiful.
    “Grandma? What is this? I’ve never seen this box before.”
    Bev turned from where she’d been packing puzzles into a box. She gasped when she saw what was in Emily’s hands. “Oh my!”
    Emily set the box on the dresser and stared at her grandmother curiously. “What is it, Grandma?”
    Bev walked over to where the box sat and gingerly laid a hand on it. “I’d forgotten all about this,” she said softly. “I haven’t seen this box in nearly forty years.”
    Emily watched as a sad expression crossed over her grandmother’s face. “Maybe we should just put it away,” she suggested.
    Bev shook her head slowly. “No, it’s been hidden away long enough. Go ahead and open it, dear. The past can’t hide forever.”
    Emily stared down at the box a moment, wondering what memories such a beautiful old box could hold that would cause her grandmother to act so strangely. Carefully, she pulled on the end of the ribbon and the bow came loose, falling away. She put both hands on the lid and lifted it up slowly, so as not to ruin the aging box. Peering inside, she saw the very young face of her father in a black-and-white photo staring back at her.
    “It’s old photos!” Emily exclaimed, setting the lid aside and reaching inside the box. She lifted the first photo of her father. He was wearing his high school cap and gown and held a diploma in his hand. Underneath was another one of him in swim trunks by a lake, smiling crookedly at the camera. “He’s so young,” Emily said, smiling widely. “No wonder I’ve never seen many photos of him at this age. They were all in this box.”
    She lifted up a pile of photos and began looking through them. “Look, Grandma. This one must be his high school prom. He’s wearing a suit and there’s a flower in his lapel.”
    Bev drew closer and glanced over Emily’s shoulder. “Yes, that was his senior prom.”
    The next picture was in color and was of Jack with a beautiful girl by his side. She was much shorter than Jack and very petite, with light-blond hair that fell below her shoulders and large blue eyes. Her skin was creamy white, and she wore a lovely pink satin dress with a lace overlay that was long and skimmed the floor. Emily thought she was the most beautiful girl she’d ever seen. Jack stood behind her, his hands circling her tiny waist as they both smiled brightly.
    “Who is she, Grandma?” Emily asked. “She’s so beautiful.”
    “That’s Libbie,” Bev said softly. “Short for Elizabeth.”
    Emily glanced over at her grandmother. “Was she Dad’s high school sweetheart? Is that why these pictures were put away?”
    “Yes, she was,” Bev said, looking into Emily’s eyes. “She was also your father’s first wife.”
    Emily’s mouth dropped open as she stared at her grandmother. “First wife?”
    Bev reached out and patted Emily’s arm. “I know this is a bit