We followed the old lady back to her house, if you would call it that. It looked more like a large wooden shed with a porch. The house was surrounded with plants and flowers. It was actually very cute in a Hansel and Gretal way. As we walked to the door the old lady opened it without a key, but I figured as crazy as she seemed, it was doubtful anyone would try to break in. When we walked inside the first thing I noticed was the smell. Now let me try to describe it, the smell was comforting yet a bit startling as it seemed too outdoors to be in a home. The smell was that of an open field, wheatie and sweet. The bright room, just like the yard and porch was overflowing with green plants. Everything was simple and neat, that surprised me. She offered us a seat on her wicker sofa. Emily sat, I declined. I just wanting to be done with it all, and my head was killing me. She rushed off through a curtained room. I remember looking at Emily with something like disgust on my face and her just shrugging. It was only a second before the lady came back, though it felt like eternity.

She arrived carrying what looked like a metal box. Handing it to me, she told me not to open it now. ” How long I’ve guarded this treasure” she said so softly it was almost a wisper. Then she seemed to stand taller and spoke clearer. “I have kept this for you lady, kept it, rewrote it, and made sure it woud be ready for you” she annouced. I was still getting aggrivated, but Emily nudged my foot with hers, so I asked the old woman what it was. ” Why your way home of course” She replied. That was it, all I could take, I turned to leave without a word. ” No my lady, please” she begged. “You have forgotten, but now you will remember, take the book that holds your memory, take the key to open the door” She almost yelled pleadingly. “I am not some crazed old lady, Old I am, yes, older than your mind could understand, but this was my task, my burden, please take it so I may be in peace”. Emily stood up then and took the package.

I headed out the door. As I stepped onto the porch I overheard Emily telling the old lady, that she had heard how gifted she was, that she would make sure I took the package and read the book. That woman told me nothing, I thought. I would just have to face it, I was insane.

I didn’t speak to Emily again for the remainder of the day.