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Mom’s Top-Secret Stash

Peggy Gerber

    It was the week after the funeral, much too soon, Jenna thought, to begin cleaning out their mom’s house, yet here she was, sitting on her mother’s sofa waiting for her know-it-all brother to arrive. With a heavy heart, Jenna got up and began drifting from room to room, absently touching her mother’s knickknacks.
    When she spotted the Mickey Mouse snow globe on her mother’s dresser she picked it up and gave it a shake, gazing intently as the fake white snow gently floated around Mickey’s head. She closed her eyes and was transported back to that magical Disney world vacation where everyone was happy and she and Jake were best friends. How she had loved riding Splash Mountain with Jake, just the two of them, holding hands, laughing their heads off as they became drenched. She was eight, Jake was ten and she worshipped him.
    Tears stung Jenna’s eyes as she wondered if she and Jake would see each other after they settled the estate. They hadn’t been close since that stupid fight at their dad’s funeral and hardly ever spoke. Their mother pleaded with them to make up, but they were both too stubborn. Mom was the glue that held the family together.
    When Jake arrived, he grunted hello and looked around the house. He wrinkled his nose and said, “Jenna, let’s just rent a dumpster, throw everything out and put the house on the market. Except for Mom’s leather trunk, there is nothing of value in the house.”
    Jenna clenched her teeth, “What are you talking about, Jake? The house is filled with Mom’s treasures.” She clutched one of her mother’s porcelain dolls to her chest and said, “How could you think of getting rid of things she loved?”
    He replied, “Jenna, everything in the house is old and smells bad. Nobody wants it. Not my kids, not your kids, not even the thrift store down the block.” He took a breath and murmured, “Jenna, I’m tired of fighting.” He pulled out a hefty bag and began picking up garbage when suddenly a grin began to spread across his face. He said, “Hey, why don’t we search for the key to mom’s trunk. I’m dying to know what’s inside. It was her deepest, darkest secret.”
    Jenna hissed, “Really Jake? The trunk is the only thing you care about?”
    Jenna’s remark wiped the smile off his face and he exclaimed, “Jenna, stop. I loved mom too.” He spun around and skulked out of the room in search of the key.
    After he left, Jenna plopped down on her mother’s bed and began hugging her pillow, taking comfort in the familiar scent of her fruity shampoo. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a envelope peeping out from under the blanket. She picked it up and pulled out a note.
    Dear Children,
    It’s time for you to learn what I’ve been hiding in my trunk. It is my fervent wish the two of you will always enjoy it together. The key is in the pocket of my green dress in the back of my closet. I love you both so much.
    Mom.
    Jenna’s heart began to pound as she screamed out, “Jake,” and raced to the closet to find the key.
    The two siblings held their breath as Jenna attempted to insert the key in the lock. Her hands were shaking so badly Jake had to grab hold to steady them. As they opened the trunk their hands flew over their mouths, mirror images of each other, and they gasped. Inside were hundreds of packages of Jing’s Things, the tasty little cakes they loved as children. Fingerdings, Jingalings and Jojobings; all their favorites. Jake reached into the trunk, pulled out a Fingerding and began to unwrap it. The aroma of chocolaty goodness filled the air and Jake’s mouth began to water.
    As he brought the cake to his mouth Jenna bellowed, “Are you crazy? Jing’s went out of business years ago. They are probably spoiled.” She pulled out her phone to google expiration dates and discovered these treats had enough preservatives to last a lifetime. When she read they would be perfect for bomb shelters, she gave him the go ahead to eat it.
    Jake looked at the cake in his hand and said, “Hold on, I’ll be right back.” He rushed out of the house before Jenna could say a word and returned ten minutes later with a container of milk. He poured two glasses and invited Jenna to join him at the table.
    Together, they unwrapped their packages of tiny cakes and automatically began singing the jingle just like they had millions of times as kids.
    They crooned, “Jing’s things are full of zing, they taste so good they’re fit for kings, for every shape of human bing, just one bite will make you sing.”
    As they harmonized, the siblings began roaring with laughter, tears streaming down their faces. Suddenly Jenna sat upright and blurted, “Jake, Mom was a genius.”
    Jake asked, “For what? For hoarding round little cakes with vanilla cream?”
    “No Jake, for knowing how to bring us together. For guiding us to remember all those wonderful times, you and me and Mom and Dad and glasses of milk and Jing’s Things. Mom remembered all the ones we loved. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for you, chocolate cake with vanilla cream for me and dad, and chocolate cake without frosting for mom because she was always on a diet.”
    Jake began to laugh, “Mom and her crazy diets. I’m going to really miss her.”
    “Me too,” said Jenna.” The siblings sat in silence, finishing their last bits of cake when Jenna looked up and said, “Hey, Jake. You saw the note. It was Mom’s fervent wish to keep the family together. I am not going to go against her wishes. Are you?”
    “No Jenna. Not in a million years.” He smiled mischievously, “I think I should keep the trunk in my house. I have more room.”
    Jenna smirked, “Oh no you don’t. We didn’t call them Jake’s cakes for nothing. I can just picture you sneaking a treat every night. Besides, Mom said we had to enjoy them together.”
    “How about this?” Jake said. Let’s try to have dinner together once a month and we’ll alternate where we keep the trunk. Let’s do it for Mom.”
    Jenna gave him two thumbs up, sighed and asked, “ Jake, why didn’t you visit Mom more often in the hospital? It broke my heart when I had to make excuses for you.”
    “I wanted to Jenna, but I had to work extra shifts to help pay Mom’s medical bills. You know how I’ve been handling all her financials, right? Well, she ran out of money a few months ago and I didn’t have the heart to tell her. How come you didn’t let me know how sick she was?”
    Jenna froze like a mannequin, ashamed at how badly she had misjudged her brother. She began to cry, “I’m so sorry Jake. I thought you didn’t care.” She looked down at the floor and mumbled, “You can go home now if you want. I’m going to stick around and pack up a few things. If you don’t mind, I’m taking Mom’s dishes and her spoon collection.”
    “I’d like to stick around too and help. Is that okay?”
    “Yeah, Jake, that’s okay. I think I’d like that.”

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