**
Uncle Harry’s Letter
Believe in the impossible.
-Harry Finkle
“The hourglasses control the rain,” Robert explained. He described all his experiences with them, and showed Jack the journal that listed each hourglass’ label and tilt setting. Robert was proud that he’d figured out the hourglass room without anybody’s help.
Jack remained skeptical, though. He’d had no experience with magic outside of fairy tales.
“Why are you suddenly asking me about them, Jack?” Robert thought it odd that Jack had previously laughed at him but now was so serious.
“Because of this,” Jack said. He showed Robert the large map, and described the lines that were there and now gone.
Robert’s eyes went wide. “Jack! The small lines over a farm must be the map showing that rain is falling on it! I just know it!”
Jack shook his head, still staring at the map. “I don’t know. That makes a kind of sense, but I’ve never of anything like it before.”
Robert was determined to convince him. “Do you remember Mr. Cornerly coming into the store? He was mad and cursed the rain, and said that if it didn’t stop he was going to be ruined.”
Jack looked at Robert. “Yes. I do remember, now that you mention it. But it all seems so...”
Robert interrupted with a smile. “Magical?”
“I suppose that would be the word. It’s just so incredible. Nobody will believe us—”
Robert slammed his hands on the desk to gain Jack’s full attention. “Nobody can know about this, Jack. Nobody!”
“Why not?” Jack asked.
“Do you remember what Father said at dinner? It could be very dangerous if a bad person controlled the weather. If this got out, then Mr. Bad Guy could try to take over our shop!”
“I suppose you’re right. I suppose you’re right,” Jack said, nodding thoughtfully in agreement.
“This is our secret, and no one must ever know. Nobody can find out, ever!”
“But what about our parents? Don’t you think we should tell them about the hourglasses and what they can do?” Jack asked.
Just then, Lizzy stepped through the doorway, smiling. “Hello there,” she said.
Jack rolled his eyes. “What do you want, Lizzy? Can’t you see we’re busy?” he demanded.
“Yeah, this is a man’s conversation and you’re a girl! No girls allowed, so just leave!” Robert spat out the words and huffed to make his point clear.
Lizzy stopped in her tracks and stared at them, eyes wide with hurt. “You shouldn’t speak like that to a lady,” she said quietly. Then her voice hardened. “And besides, you’re not a man, Robert. You’re just a boy. And a small one at that.”
Robert sneered at her. “Well, you’re no lady!”
Jack watched the two of them, thinking this could go on forever. Before either could say another word, he interrupted their little spat. “I’m sorry I was rude, Lizzy. What is it that you want?” Jack asked, then leaned back in the chair.
Lizzy stood a little taller. “I know about the hourglasses and the map.”
“You overheard us?” Robert asked in a panic.
She looked down and pretended to examine her nails. “Actually, I was eavesdropping. Huge difference, if you ask me.”
“It’s the same thing!” Robert bellowed.
“No, dear brother. Overhearing is accidental. Eavesdropping is intentional.”
“You were being nosey, like you always are!” Robert exclaimed.
Jack raised his voice. “Stop this bickering at once. You two drive me insane!”
Lizzy and Robert looked at Jack and didn’t say a word.
“Now,” Jack continued. “What exactly is it that you want, Lizzy?”
She took a deep breath. “As I was about to say before I was so rudely interrupted,” Lizzy said, frowning at Robert, “I have the answer to your question.”
“And what question might that be?” Jack asked.
“Whether or not you should tell our parents about the hourglass room and the fact they control the weather for each farmer. Which is incredibly fascinating, by the way,” Lizzy said with a huge grin.
“Don’t keep us waiting, Lizzy. Tell us.” Jack drummed his fingers on the desk impatiently.
“You see, while I was reading one of Uncle Harry’s books, I found a letter,” Lizzy said. She pretended to examine her nails again, but really she was trying to not show her brothers how excited she was.
“What sort of letter?” Robert asked.
Lizzy ignored him and started to hum a little tune. Robert’s cheeks turned red with anger.
“Lizzy. Tell us about the letter you found,” Jack said gently. He raised his eyebrow and placed his elbows on the desk. They’d all seen their father sit like that when he was really interested in something.
“Well...it’s a letter from Uncle Harry,” Lizzy said, her eyes widening.
“From Uncle Harry?” Jack and Robert said at the same time.
“What did it say? What did it say?” Robert demanded.
Lizzy opened a small book she was carrying and pulled out a folded piece of paper so old it crackled when she unfolded it. She placed it gently on the desk, directly in front of Jack. Robert ran around to the other side of the desk so that he could read it too.
To My Dearest Jack, Elizabeth and Robert,
If you are reading this, it means there wasn’t a chance to explain everything to you in person. I have lived a very long time, but my days here on Earth are numbered.
This shop holds many secrets that are almost impossible to believe. The metaphysics of how all of it works are beyond logic and reason. But you must believe. You will find clues for these secrets if you open your eyes and trust your instincts.
The three of you are my heirs. Eventually you will take over the store and tend to the village as I have, and as my father did before me, and his father before him. These secrets have remained within our family for generations and need to stay that way. If they are ever found out, it could be devastating for Finkleton and the people who live here.
The village depends on you to keep these secrets. Throw rational thinking out the window and believe in the impossible.
Love,
Uncle Harry
After reading the letter, Jack and Robert looked at each other, then up at Lizzy. She stood with a wide grin on her face, hands on her hips and foot tapping like a small hammer on the floor.
“You see? We’re not supposed to tell Mother or Father. Uncle Harry wrote that we three are his heirs. If he wanted our parents to know, this letter would have been addressed to them, but it wasn’t. It was addressed to us,” Lizzy said, pointing to the top of the letter.
“Besides,” she said, “our parents are much too busy worrying about the shop and keeping it stocked for customers. They are tired at the end of each day. So that leaves us. We will take care of the hourglasses and keep the secret safe. Nobody will find out.”
Jack sat back in the chair and thought about the letter. “I suppose you’re right, Lizzy. The letter is addressed to just the three of us.” Jack paused, then appeared to make a decision. “All right. This is what I think. Three rooms hold Uncle Harry’s secrets: this office, the library and the hourglass room. We need to find out as much as we can about these rooms, then meet in this office after dinner each night to discuss anything that needs our attention.”
“I agree,” Lizzy said.
“All right,” Robert said.
“Robert, have you found anything else that we should know about?” Lizzy asked, grinning.
Robert wanted to wring her neck. He knew she was talking about the magic lever under the shop’s counter. But the lever is my secret, he thought. She wouldn’t even know about it if she hadn’t been so nosey.
“No, I haven’t,” Robert lied and looked away, not wanting to say anything more.
Lizzy frowned at him for a couple of moments, then shrugged. “All right, but if you find anything you’ll be sure to tell us, won’t you? After all, the only way we can be responsible caretakers for Finkleton is if we all work together.”
“Of course I will,” Robert muttered, grinding out the words. He faked a smile.
Jack showed Lizzy and Robert the deed to the 5,000 acres belonging to the Finkle family and the small journal he’d found in the desk. He also pointed to the trench on the map.
“I’m going to go outside while it’s dark and see what I can find out about this trench,” Jack said. “I’ll be near the shop if you need me.” He grabbed a small shovel from the storage room and headed out.
After they’d heard the shop bell and knew Jack had left the building, Lizzy glared at Robert. “You must tell Jack about the lever,” she said.
“No! I don’t have to tell him. Jack said the secrets were in three rooms. The lever is in the shop, not in any of those rooms,” Robert shot back at her.
“All right, Robert, but if something happens it’ll be on your head, not mine. I give my word that I won’t tell Jack, but one day you’ll have to tell him. He’s our brother, and this is important.”
“If that day ever comes, I’ll be sure to tell him. But until then it remains my secret to keep or reveal as I wish.”
“I think you’re wrong to keep it from him. But if that’s what you want, so be it,” Lizzy said, shaking her head.