Secrets Kept By The Attic

A thick coat of dust covers the boxes acting like a blanket. To my left, a broken bookshelf is leaning against the wall, its contents are lying on the floor. I stand up straight, hitting my head on the ceiling. The floor creaks with every step I take. I’m being as quiet as possible, trying not to wake my family below. The clock in the corner reads midnight. I should be in bed, but this is my only shot to look in the attic without Mom finding out. She doesn’t want me up here, but my curiosity has gotten the better of me. 

I move to a pile of boxes in front of me. A box labelled Kelsey sits on top. My name is Kelsey. I decided to look in the box expecting to find baby clothes and stuffed animals. I open the box and I’m attacked by a cloud of dust. The air is grey around me, I’m coughing. Inside the box, I find a small stuffed bear and a rattle. A small scrapbook is filled with memories of my childhood all the way up to middle school. At the bottom is a red notebook with no title. I open the first page to find a name scribbled inside. It reads: “BOOK BELONGS TO ANNIE.” Annie is my grandmother.  

As I flip through the notebook, a small photograph falls out. The picture displays a little girl and two adults, I assume are her parents. I wish I knew the story behind the photo because they were laughing at something behind the scenes. I keep flipping through the pages and something shiny catches my eye. A silver necklace with a locket attached on the end rests between two pages. Inside the locket is a crumpled-up piece of paper. On the note, are the words “Forgive Him” in pink ink. I start reading the first few pages to get a flashback into history. 

Dear Diary, 

Today Bobby Milton asked me out on date. Bobby's cute and nice. My father met him today when he came to ask me. He’s such a gentleman. After Bobby left, I heard mother and father talking. Father said something about Finley’s Antiques. I’ve been there before. It smelled like dust and old people.  

Sincerely, 

Annie age 15 

Who does she need to forgive? Bobby? I decide to keep reading to see if the answer is revealed in the next few pages. 

Dear Diary, 

Father came home from work late last night. Happy. He hates his job as an accountant. Why is he happy? Mother was crying when I woke up this morning. She was sitting on the chair looking out the window. I didn’t say anything. I probably should have. I hope everything is okay. 

Sincerely, 

Annie age 15 

Dear Diary, 

The yelling is loud. It started early this morning. Mother and father woke me up with their arguing. They didn’t know I was awake; I didn’t say anything. Mother kept calling father a thief. Why? She loves him. Bobby Milton and I went to the arcade last night. He won me a stuffed giraffe. I think I love Bobby, but I don’t think he feels the same way. 

Sincerely, 

Annie age 15 

Dear Diary, 

I understand why, diary. I hate him. How could he do this to us? We’re his family. Father stole a priceless antique, a vase. Made by a famous sculptor. Mother said we need to leave. I don’t know where we are going, but it’s somewhere far away. Somewhere without father. It’s not safe here anymore. Not with him stealing stuff. I thought he loved us. I’m not sure what to think anymore. 

Sincerely, 

Annie age 15 

My Mom told me to never go into the attic. She didn’t want me finding out about our secret. My great-grandfather was a thief. A good thief too. He never got caught. He stole many things according to the diary. I should’ve listened to my Mom. What other secrets is she keeping from me?  

Morning arrived, and I needed to confront my Mom about this. I should’ve known, maybe I wouldn’t understand, but it would’ve been nice to know about my family’s past. I remember asking her about it, she said there was nothing to tell. What do I say though? She’ll be mad that I went into the attic in the first place. 

“Mom we need to talk,” I say entering the family room, the diary in my hand. Mom looks at me then at the diary. Then she eyes my little brother, Matt, who is playing on the carpet.  

“Matt, please go to your room,” She demands in an angry tone. Matt obeys, grabs his toy car, and storms out of the room. “What were you doing in the attic?” Her words come out in a hushed but harsh tone. 

“Looking, searching. Then I found this,” I slam the diary onto the coffee table. “Were you going to tell me?” 

“I wasn’t planning on it. Not anytime soon anyway.” She walks over to me. 

“Don’t,” I say putting my hands up to stop her from hugging me. I’m on the verge of tears. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“Your father and I didn’t think it would matter.” 

“You didn’t think I could handle it.” Her eyes are full of tears. 

“I’m sorry.” 

“I need to go.” I run upstairs to my room, slamming it closed behind me. I’m a mess. I picked up the diary before coming to my room. I flip to the last journal entry in the notebook. 

Dear Diary, 

I know I haven’t written in a while. Father found us, diary. I feel like we’re on the run from the past. Mother took us away again. Bouncing from town to town. Eventually, father is going to come to school, diary. I’m scared he’s going to come to school. We should turn father in. Except he’s still my father. Maybe it’s time to forgive him. Bobby Milton and I are still dating. Since we go to a boarding school, I see him all the time. He kissed me when he took me home.  

Sincerely, 

Annie age 17 

I found myself going back to the attic. Everything is different now that I know. Except it shouldn’t be. My great-grandfather is dead. Why turn him in now? My great-grandfather is a criminal that should’ve gone to jail. 

“What are you doing here?” Mom says from behind me. I turn around and she has an angry expression on her face. 

“I need answers, Mom” 

“Fine.” 

“Just leave me alone.” 

“Why? Kelsey I can help.” 

“You’ve kept this from me my whole life! Why would you help me know?” 

“Listen-” 

“No Mom, I don’t want to know. I need to process this first.” 

“I know it’s a lot to handle.” 

“Yeah, it is.” 

“Please come downstairs. I don’t want you up here.” 

“Are there anymore secrets you’re keeping from me?” It comes out with so much anger, I can’t take it back. Tears are filling my eyes. I blow past my Mom, climbing down the stairs. Then, I take off running. Down the stairs and out the door. I keep running with no shoes on. My feet hurt. The snow on the ground is freezing. It’s dark, but I can’t go back. Not now.