“I mean, maybe. But they live in England, right?”
“Planes exist, Phoebe.”
“Do youwantme to hang up, asshole? Because I will!”
“No, no, please don’t,” I say, dumping another mound of soil before going back in for more. “I’m pretty deep down now, so I’m going to change spots if I—” I’m interrupted by the sound of metal hitting metal. “Oh,wait, I think I might have got it ...”
“Hurry!”
I drop my shovel to the side and pick up my flashlight, pointing it down into the hole. “Holy crap,” I whisper, brushing dirt off the silver object with my hand. “Yeah, there’s something here.”
“Hopefully not a gas pipe.”
I glare at the phone silently, picking up the shovel again. Five minutes and a few snide comments from Phoebe later, I’ve got a metal box sitting on the ground next to me. Quickly, I fill in the hole as best as I can and book it back to my car with the box under my arm.
“I cannot believe you did that,” Phoebe says as I turn the ignition and lock my doors. I toss my hat into the back seat before gripping tightly on to the steering wheel with both hands.
“Neither can I.” I stare at the metal box sitting in my passenger seat, smiling wider than I ever have before. “What do I do now?” I laugh, shaking my head as I attempt to lift the lid to no avail. “I really found it!Oh my god.”
Phoebe laughs too, in the same disbelieving, breathy way as me. “I think there’s only one thing to do, G. Contact Martha’s family and try to get that thing open.”
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Time Capsule Belonging to Martha Bennett
Date: February 15, 2025
Hello Georgia,
What an exciting email to read on a grey, moody morning such as this.
With that being said, I’m profoundly sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
My nan, Martha Bennett, did attend the University of Toronto in the 1950s, so I believe you’ve found the right man. I’m sorry to share this, if your sleuthing efforts didn’t tell you as much, but she passed away on June 11th, 2015, at 85 years old. However, I have a feeling that if you managed to track me down despite my aversion to using the internet, you probably already knew that. How did you find me, come to think of it?
Regardless, yes, I would love to hear about what you discovered in this time capsule aswould my mother, Suzette, who is Martha’s only child and is hovering nearby as I type this.
Sincerely,
Callum
P.S. Happy belated Valentine’s Day to you, as well.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Time Capsule Belonging to Martha Bennett
Date: February 15, 2025
Hi Callum,
I’m relieved to hear you’re the right man! Although, if my “sleuthing” is correct, you live in a small village just outside of Nottingham so I can only assume your weather is typically grey and moody, no?
I did come across your grandmother’s obituary in my detective efforts, and I’m deeply sorry for your loss as well. From what I read and recently came to learn about her, she sounded like a very impressive person. You must be very proud to be her grandson.
