The Mystery Heart

 The ‘For Sale” sign was posted on the front lawn.  Fifteen year old Vincent sat on the curb, fighting back the feelings he had been experiencing since his parents first told him they were going to move. Life was giving him more challenges than he cared to experience.

     The past year brought a lot of changes to his world. The Covid virus had closed his school to on-site learning. Virtual learning was hard for him. The sports he enjoyed were not available. Vincent’s mom had been working from home, multi-tasking her job, the sale of their house, looking for a new home and the everyday tasks of cooking, laundry and caring for the family. His dad worked hard and the long hours were taking a toll on him.

    Feeling overwhelmed, Vincent grabbed his basketball and headed to the park. Maybe if he shot hoops for a little while... Maybe if he could just shut out all the thoughts running through his mind… Maybe if he ran into some of his friends he could forget about moving for a little while..

    As Vincent neared the park, he noticed an elderly woman sitting on a bench crying. He smiled at her and asked her if she minded if he sat down for a few minutes. Wiping her tears she smiled back and said that it was okay with her.  She was new to the neighborhood and welcomed a friendly face.

    “My name is Vincent,” he said. “What’s your name?”

    “My name is Lois,” she replied. “ I sold my house last week and I am moving to an apartment down the street. My son lives far from here and I have no one to help me. My husband passed away six months ago and I am all alone.” 

    As she spoke her hands fiddled with something in her lap. Vincent couldn’t see what it was but her hands never left the small item.  “My mom and dad told me that we are selling our house and moving. I don’t want to move. My friends are here. I play hockey at school. It’s not fair!”

    “I understand how you feel,” she said, “but life isn’t always fair. Sometimes things happen that we have no control over. I felt the same way when I realized I couldn’t stay in my house anymore. My husband and I had three children there. We watched them grow up and get married. We were always very close.” The tears started to fill her eyes and she wiped them away. “Why don’t you go play basketball like you came to do.You don’t have to sit here with me.”

    Vincent said goodbye and headed toward the basketball court. No one else was around. He shot a few hoops, but his thoughts kept returning to the woman on the bench.  She was around the same age as his grandparents. She seemed so lonely. He wondered what he could do to help.  

    After a couple more shots he decided to head back toward the bench. When he got there, the woman was gone. On the bench was a small heart-shaped wooden box. Its top was carved with “LJ and WJ 4ever”. Looking around, Vincent saw no sign of the elderly woman. He placed the box in his pocket and headed home.

    Upon arriving home, Vincent’s mom reminded him that he needed to go through his room and pack the things he didn’t need.  The realtor had shown the house while he was out and they had a potential buyer. “I know you’re not happy about moving Vincent, but I did locate a house we can afford and still be able to stay in the same school district. Would that help make the move a little easier?” she asked.

   “It sure would, Mom!” he said excitedly. “I can still see all my friends when we go back to school. I can play hockey with my team!”

    “If everything goes well, the buyer would like to close on this house at the end of the month. It’s a cash offer, so that makes it easier for us to buy the other house. You will be able to have your own bedroom and there’s a large backyard where you and your friends can hang out.”

   “This is the best news. The lady on the bench told me life isn’t always fair, but this sounds fair to me!”

   “What lady are you talking about?”

   “When I went to the park, there was an old lady sitting on the bench crying. I sat with her for a little while because I felt bad for her. She told me that her husband died and she had to sell her  house and move to an apartment down the street. I left her sitting on the bench while I went to play basketball. When I went back, she was gone. She forgot this on the bench.”  Vincent showed his mom the heart-shaped box. 

    Turning it over and over in her hands, she examined the carving on top.  “This must have meant a lot to her. It’s very old and hand-carved. Maybe it was a gift from her husband”.

   “How can I return it to her, Mom? I know her name is Lois but I don’t know where she lives.”

   “I have an idea. There’s only one apartment building near the park. It’s a building that provides housing for seniors who don’t have much money. They have an office in the apartment building that helps the people who live there. Maybe you can go and ask them if a lady named Lois is moving in. Explain to them about the box.”

   “Thanks Mom. I’ll do that!”

   The next day, Vincent grabbed the heart-shaped box, left the house and headed towards the apartment. He wanted so much to find the lady and return the box. As he neared the building, he wondered just how the lady got the box. It was unique. The workmanship showed a lot of love. It looked very old. He had never seen anything like it.

   Entering the building, Vincent followed the signs to the office. A man at a desk was speaking to a woman seated with her back toward him. “We have your apartment all ready for you. Fresh paint, new rugs. The movers arrived an hour ago and are almost finished bringing in your belongings. Is there anything else I can do for you Mrs. Jameson?”

    “You’ve been so kind. The movers have been great and I appreciate you having referred them to me. This has been a big step for me. I lived in my house with my husband for 63 years. He was such a special man. While I was packing, I came across a gift my husband gave me many years ago. When we first started dating, he gave me a heart-shaped box for Valentine’s Day. He made it himself. Whittled our initials on the top. But, I seemed to have misplaced it when I went to the park yesterday.”

   “I found it!” Vincent yelled excitedly. “You left it on the bench. I didn’t know if I would be able to find you but my mom said to try here.”

   “Thank you Vincent! When I first saw you yesterday and you offered to sit with me, I thought about how much you reminded me of my husband William. I met him at a park when he was a very young man and heading to play basketball with his friends. Much like you, he had a smile that lit up his face!”

   “Well, I am so glad I found you and could give it back to you. I thought about what you said while I was shooting hoops and I went back to talk with you. But, you were gone. On the bench I saw the box. I guess that was what was in your hands as we talked.  When I got home my mom told me that she found a house in the same school district so I don’t have to worry about making new friends! ”

   “I am so happy to hear that. I hope you will count me as one of your friends. God works in ways we don’t understand, but all I can say is, trust Him to guide your way!”