The Hidden Legacy

about our legacy, you were an infant, and I had pretty much the same reaction.”
“That’s got to be worth a fortune!”
“I did some internet sleuthing,” Mom said.
“You did?”
“You’re not the only one with a nose for investigations.” My mother grinned. “I’ve paid attention when you talk about your job.”
“So what did you discover?”
“The emerald is an oval cabochon, at least five carats.” My mother rattled off the amount she estimated the stone to be worth, and had my eyes popping.
“By the goddess.” I shook my head. “This should be locked up in a vault somewhere.”
“Family history states that the jewel is much older than the ring,” Mom said. “That the emerald came from the jungles of South America and was stolen from the Incas by the Spaniards. Next the jewel ended up in the treasure chest of...a pirate.” She seemed to savor the last word.
I met my mother’s eyes. “Really, a pirate?”
She pressed a hand to her throat, as if offended. “Do I look like I’m joking?” Her expression was as serious as I’d ever witnessed.
“No, I can see that you’re not,” I said, pulling the box a little closer. “From a pirate’s treasure, eh?” I shook my head. “Figures.”
“Did it ever occur to you that perhaps Eli’s fascination with pirates goes deeper than you imagined?”
“Meaning what?” I asked, feeling a chill roll down my spine.
“Felicity married a sea captain named Christopher Timmons.” My mother stared at me. “Captain Timmons. Captain Time? Does that sound familiar?”
“You think Eli’s imaginary friend is what...a ghost?”
“Not necessarily. Perhaps Eli is simply having past life memories.” My mother shrugged.
“Well, ghost or memory, that would help explain the vocabulary.” I pulled my fingers away from the carved box, because this was all making me a little anxious. “So I inherited a haunted ring?”
“Hannah, it’s more than that. It’s a part of our legacy. There’s a charm, a spell that was laid upon it over two hundred years ago.” She reached inside of her voluminous purse and pulled out an old piece of yellowish paper that was protected in a clear plastic cover. “Your grandmother gave me this too,” she said. “You need to see it for yourself.”
I took the page and studied it. The writing was still easy to make out. “It doesn’t seem very old. Not as old as the ring, anyway.”
“Read it,” my mother invited. “Out loud.”
I cleared my throat, and the sun went behind the clouds. The little beam of sunlight that had illuminated the table disappeared. “The poesy ring, for the true of heart is but a boon, for all others, the emerald surely spells their doom. If your lover is untrue, the stone turns to a cloudy green, should the jewel stay bright and clear, then many blessings will it bring. To a steadfast soul the legacy passes, heavy though it may be, to become bewitched and beloved, blessed by the moon, stars, and sea.”
“What do you think?” my mother asked.
“Grandma Oz told me most of this, the day she died,” I said, setting the page down on the table. “I’m not sure how much of this I buy into.”
“Hannah, you were raised understanding magick. Its joys and its burdens.” My mother covered my hand with hers. “I am a little surprised, sweetheart, that you find this so hard to accept.”
“So now that it’s mine what am I supposed to do with it? I obviously can’t wear it in public.”
“Our practical Hannah.” My mother rolled her eyes. “Clearly, you can’t wear it in public. However it must stay within your possession.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning close by you.”
“You want me to stash that in my sock drawer?’ I gaped at her. “What if someone broke in? What if it was stolen? What if Eli found it and—”
“What if purple elephants fall from the sky?”
Her snarky comeback made me laugh. “Good point.”
“Sweetheart, I know you’ve always yearned for adventure and a great love of your own.”
I studied my mother from across the table. “Is it that obvious?”
“To me and to your father, yes it is.” She sighed. “You’ve always been so smart, brave and sensible. Maybe it’s time my girl, to let your Irish out and go a little wild.”
I laughed. “I can’t believe you said that to me.”
“Why?” her eyebrows disappeared under her bangs. “You deserve love, happiness and fun as much as anyone else.”
Unable to sit, I went to the window. “I need some air,” I said, raising the sash. The screen was missing on the kitchen window and I’d not gotten around to having it replaced. Fresh air rushed in and the blue gingham curtains danced in the breeze. I ran my finger along the edge of one fabric panel, reminiscing. Grandma Oz had been with me when I’d found the fabric for the kitchen curtains, and she’d also been the one who’d taught me to sew. “What do I do now?” I wondered.
“For now, keep it close.” My mother sat back in her chair. “The ring will reveal its magick to you in time. At least that’s what Grandma told me to tell you.”
“So this was a blessing to Grandma and Grandpa.” I considered that. “I guess the stone must have stayed clear while they were together.”
“I’d say so.”
“And if you screw up or are unworthy the emerald will curse you instead of bless you?” I ran a hand through my hair. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m single.”
“According to your grandmother, the ring has a knack for showing you who your future love will be. So if you ever meet someone special, the ring…”
“Would let me know if he’s the one.” I blew out a long breath. “Do you think that’s true, Mom?”
“Yes, I believe that it is. All in all, I think you are taking things marvelously well,” she said. “If it had been your sister the ring was handed down to—she’d have been positively swooning over the idea of guarding such a family artifact.”
“Yeah, and if it had gone to Nathan he’d have gone total