The Plane and the Box

The Plane and the Box

As I looked around the room of the plane, with the box in my hand, everyone stared at me in fear. They all looked at me like I had just killed their family or something. I look down at the box and saw a bright red light beaming through the cardboard. Then in that moment I had become scared to. But I'm getting ahead of the story, it all started on a hot summer day in June.

3 hours earlier

I was just heading to the airport to get on plane and fly far away from my home state of North Carolina to Brazil for a months long summer vacation. I was so excited to get away from work, people, and not have any worries. I got into the airport, went through security, and got my bags checked then sat down waiting to be allowed to get on the plane. I started to read a magazine sitting on a table next to me when suddenly a young man came and sat right by me.

The young man looked to be in his late 20’s, and had a long brown shaggy looking hair. His eyes were a dark forest green with blue outlinings. He had nice clothes on and was clean shaved, looked like just an average guy to me.

“Can you bring this package on the plane for me?” said the young man.

“Why?” I asked.

“Just do it, please. It is nothing illegal and plus it has already been through security.” stated the young man.

He was right. It had already been through security, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to be in the part of the airport he was in. I was suspicious about the whole thing though. What if it was something illegal, I could get in serious trouble.

“I’ll pay you $500.” said the young man.

I was starting to wonder if I should just do it to get him of my back. Plus I could use that extra money to upgrade to a better room in my hotel.

I sat there thinking about what could go good and what could go bad. What if I got caught and it was something illegal? But I could also use that extra money. The young man just sat there staring at me waiting for me to decide. I had finally made my decision.

“Yes.” I finally answered.

“Okay good.” He said in response.

He handed me the box and told me no matter what not to open it, and he didn’t care where the box ended up as long as it wasn’t here. I heard the signal to aboard the plane and started walking. I walked towards my seat and sat down.

“Hello! Is there anything I can do for you?” said one of the flight attendants in a peppy voice.

“No, but thank you ma’am.” I answered very politely.

I noticed she was glancing at the box the young man gave me in my lap.

“Um sir.” said the flight attendant in a very cautious voice.

I knew that she noticed the box and I was very scared she was going to say something. My mind started wandering at things I could say incase she did. I had to think of lie.

“Yes ma’am” I answered back trying to sound as normal as possible.

“What is in that box?” She replied back trying to sound as nice as possible.

I knew I was done then. I was going to get kicked off the flight, or worse I was going to jail. I was so scared and I didn't know what to do at that point. My hand started shaking, I was sweating, and I started mumbling my words. It was obvious I was hiding something. I could see her face grow more worrisome the more I stalled. I had to come up with a good lie and quick. Just as soon as I thought of a halfway believable lie I looked up at the rest of the passengers.

As I looked around the room of the plane, with the box in my hand, everyone stared at me in fear. They all looked at me like I had just killed their family or something. I look down at the box and saw a bright red light beaming through the cardboard. Then in that moment, I had become scared to.

TO BE CONTINUED…...

The Locked Door

The Locked Door

Im finally heading out into the real world on my own. I'm moving into a small quaint apartment not far from where I grew up. My parents and I drive to my new home with all of my belongings to get me settled in. As we pull up on the street next to the apartment I feel my heart drop. Im I really ready for this? What if I forget to pay my bills? What if something bad happens to my parents since I'm not there to care for them anymore? All these thoughts flooded my head and made me doubt my decision, but I got out of my car and headed towards the apartment door.

It felt like only within seconds I had gotten all of my stuff and my parents were gone. I sat for a little while alone in my apartment and just thought to myself. I soon snapped back to reality and started to unpack the boxes. It felt there were millions of them, and it felt like they took weeks to unpack. Finally, all of my belongings were on shelves, all of my furniture was arranged, and all my thoughts were in order. Just when I thought everything was going well, the unexpected happened.

I had only lived in the cozy apartment a few weeks, when I got a phone call from the police. My heart stopped when she told me the news. My parents had gotten in a car accident and had both passed away. My heart stopped in the middle of her sentence and I didn't want the officer to finish because I knew what he was going to say would change my life forever.  I didn't know what to say, or think, or do. I just sat there for the next three days. Not even thinking, just sitting. Then I realized I need to get myself in order. I had no more family all of my relatives of passed away. The funeral was only in a day or two and I  have done nothing to help plan.

The funeral was the saddest moment of my life. The entire time my head just filled with memories, good and bad. I thought about all the stupid fights we had, and how I argued about everything because i'm stubborn and ornery. I couldn't keep myself from thinking if I would have spent more time with them and told them how much I loved them more things would have been different then they were. My parents and I didn't have the greatest relationship. We fought about everything, and it got the point where we didn't even talk to each other anymore we just screamed and yelled. I was nothing like either of them, complete opposites. But there were times when we would all just sit down and talk and we would all be happy. There was no yelling, or arguing. Just cheerfulness and happiness. Oh how I wish there were more times like that.

My parents left almost everything they owned to me; after all I was an only child. It was a little overwhelming getting all this new stuff and having no use for it, but I didn't have the heart to throw it away. As I was looking at the list of my parents belongings I realized the house I had grown up in was on the list. I was astonished. Why would they leave the house to me, I have no use for it. As I read further down I saw a note. It quoted, “Please don't sell the house- mom and dad”.

I was dumbfounded that my parents would do this. They knew I had my own home and now my own life. What was I to do with the old house? My mind wandered as I thought about what to do. After about an hour of thinking, I decided to sell my apartment and move into the old run-down house. I was not all that happy with decision but all I could think about was my parents and how they would feel if I sold it. The house has been in the family for over a hundred years so they told me. And I knew that even if I had decided to sell it, once the time came, I would never be able to let it go.

After about a month I sold my apartment and moved into my parents house. It was weird being there without anyone. The house was a huge victorian with large rooms, crown molding, fireplaces, and a big grand staircase. I loved the old house, it has always reminded me of something like you would see in a movie. It's been about two months since anyone has been in the home and it was a disaster. Dust covered the entire house and there was clutter everywhere. I decided to clean everything before I started to move in my furniture.

As I was cleaning the upstairs I noticed something. covered by the wallpaper was something that looked like a door handle. I slowly moved towards it curiously. I have always been curious, when I was a little girl I would search every inch of the house. Opening boxes and rooms I knew I didn't belong in but I couldn't help myself. It was like those doors and boxes were calling my name just telling me to see what mysterious things hid in them. I guess that's why I was so surprised to see what looked like to be a door handle because after all those of years exploring I had never seen it before.

I put my hand on the door handle and slowly started moving the dob but it's locked. I was scared yet intrigued. Why would this door be locked and why was it covered up like it was meant to be hinden? My old childish ways were playing tricks on me again, telling me I must find out what hiding behind the closed door. I searched the whole house looking for where the key might be. When finally it dinged on me, the one place dad always hid my presents and I never found them, under the floorboards. I hurried to my parents old bedroom with a screwdriver I found and pried the old wood floor up. I was right, staring me in the eyes was the key. I sprinted to the mystery room and put the key in hoping for good luck. To my surprise it worked, the door opened and what I saw I couldn't believe.-

As I slowly cracked the door opened my eyes widened at what I saw. The room looked like it hasn't been touched for years. It was covered in dust, spider webs, and looked like something from a horror movie. There were photographs of what looked like to be me as child. I never really saw photos of me as a child. Whenever I would ask my mother would get angry or just completely ignore me. The room was filled with old toys, books, and photos. As I'm looking around the room there was one thing that really caught my eye. In the center of the wall was a white vanity. It was beautiful and elegant. I slowly walked towards it in awe. there was a little drawer below the mirror. I opened it and what I saw changed my life forever.

In the drawer were papers written by my parents. What I read couldn't be true. I was reading plans on how they would off my real parents, and take me as their child. I was only two years old when they came through with their devilish plan. Then at the very back of the drawer was a newspaper which stated “family killed in car wreck, no survivors”. I then noticed my real name was not Jenna, but Kate. The people who I thought to be my parents faked a car accident with my real family. I am really from Indiana, not North Carolina. The people who took me moved so no one knew me.   

I was crying, and so many thoughts flooded my head. Who have I been living with all these years? Is this why I never saw any family photos from me as a child? Is this room the reason they didn't want me to sell the house? But then I realized I shouldn't be asking all these questions but should be answering the ones I have always asked. And maybe, just maybe, this is why we never got along.

To be continued...

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly was born on November 12, 1929, in Philadelphia. Grace’s dad, Jack Kelly, won three olympic gold medals in sculling. Her mother, Margaret Kelly, taught physical education at the University of Philadelphia and was the first female coach for women's athletics at the University of Philadelphia. Her mother was also a beauty queen and model. Grace had two older siblings, Margaret Kelly, John Jr. Kelly, and one younger sister Elizabeth Kelly. Her older brother, John Jr. won the James E. Sullivan Award for the countrys top amature athlete. Her family was very wealthy and well known.

Grace went to a very prestigious catholic girls school. She modeled in many fashion events with her mother and sisters. She was the lead role in the play “Don’t Feed the Animals” . Grace was in many school and local plays starting at the age of twelve. Before Kelly graduated she decided she wanted to pursue her dream of acting. Even though her parents disapproved, she applied to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. When she had applied, the school had already met it’s semester. She was lucky enough to have scored an interview with the administrator. While she was in school she worked part time as a model to help pay for bills. Then finally in 1950, all of her hard work had payed off.

Director John Ford noticed Grace on a screenplay and automatically knew she would be a star. She soon flew to Los Angeles to audition for many productions. In 1952 she was signed a contract for her first big role in the film Mogambo. After succeeding in Magambo, directors from all over the country was noticing her. She starred in T.V shows, movies, and musicals. She was the leading role for five films and starred in many others. Grace became very involved with the world around her.

In 1955 she met Prince Rainier third, the prince of Monaco. After only three days of meeting Grace and her family he proposed. She said yes and the family started planning. It was being recognized as the “wedding of the century”. Sadly, the marriage meant the end of Kelly’s acting career . The wedding was very religious. It costed an estimated 2 million and over 20,000 people lined the streets of Monaco to witness it. A few years later, they had three children. Their names are, Caroline Princess of Hanover, Albert 2nd Prince of Monaco, and Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

Grace soon became involved in charities and social events. She put her money to good use and volunteered and donated money to third world countries. She traveled all around the world. Grace was awarded for her good deeds and was a spokeswoman for many social events.

Even though she was now the princess of Monaco, her acting career was not fully over. She performed in many small stage productions and movies. In 1962 she played the lead role in the movie Marine. Then in 1977, she played a role in the movie The Turning Point. Grace then decided it would be best to retire from her acting career. When she had free time, she volunteered and read poetry at the Children of Theater street.

Grace Kelly passed away on September 13, 1982. While driving back to her home in Monaco, she had a stroke. In result, she lost control of the car and drove into a steep valley. She suffered from brain damage, fractured ribs, and collarbone. Her husband decided to take her off of life support, and she soon passed after. Grace lived an exciting life.

The maid

   July 4, 1985:

I just moved from the United States to London. I have wanted to live here ever since I was a little girl. I always thought I would just hop on plane and go live in some fancy place, eat fancy food, and wear fancy clothes. I would just throw away all my problems and not have a care in the world. Turns out it was more complicated than that. I’ve worked two jobs and saved up on money. Two years later and I'm living my childhood dream and living in the city I have always loved. I can't wait to explore my new surroundings!

July 5, 1985:

I have lived here for a day and I already love it! I have found an amazing job as a lady in waiting for the queen. I have always wanted to meet the queen, and now is my chance! I'm going to go see if I can get the job. Wish me the best of luck!

July 20, 1985:

I haven't written in a while because I was worried. It was days before I heard back from the queen, but today I got a letter. I have the job! I start tomorrow,  and I'm so excited that I can barely sleep. This is one of the greatest days of my life! I will write again tomorrow to tell you how it went.

July 21, 1985:

I started as a lady in waiting today and I love it! I got to meet the queen and she is very nice. There is something going on with staff though; they all seem like they have something to hide. I bet I'm just paranoid though because I'm worried I might mess up. My favourite person I met today was the youngest maid. She is 22; like myself, and has a great sense of humor. My least favourite is the cook. I don't think he liked me, which is peculiar considering I have never even met him before. The palace is beautiful, with gold on the walls and rooms the size of my apartment! The library is my favourite room; it's so peaceful and comforting. I have a feeling I'm going to like this job and can't wait to get started!

July 22,1985:

I met the rest of the staff today and something is up. I feel like I have met the other maid before. I’m sure of it; I know her from somewhere! That brown hair and those green eyes are starting to trigger a memory. I must find out more; I will write back tonight after I do some research.

July 22,1985:

Not much luck finding out more about the mysterious maid. All I could find was a name and a birthdate. I know she is only a year older than I am. I’m sure I have met her somewhere! I don't know when or where, but I have. I'm going to do more research and will write back soon.

July 24, 1985:

I do know the maid! I met her in summer camp when I was only a freshman in high school. The maid and I have an interesting past, which explains why she looked so surprised to see me. I don't know how I didn't recognize her though, she has barely changed. I'm on the verge of finding out something huge, and I must find out more! I will write back as soon as I can.