Eddie sat, with only his hand moving as he turned the golden key between his fingers. Lost in thought, he didn’t hear the door behind him as his roommate entered the apartment.
“Are you still obsessing about that key?” Albert asked.
Startled, Eddie whirled around. “I can’t help it, man. I searched everywhere in my grandmother’s house. I can’t figure out what it opens. It’s the only thing she left to me in her will.”
“That and some cryptic note, right?” Albert asked.
“Yeah, it said this would be the key to my success in the future.”
Albert grinned. “Maybe it’s a key to a safety deposit box filled with cash. Then you’d finally be able to pay the rent on time. That would help me have a successful future.”
Eddie jumped up. “I can’t believe I never thought of that. It must be a safety deposit box. Man, you’re a genius!” He grabbed his jacket and ran out the door. A few paces out onto the street, he realized he had no idea where he was going. He called his mom and got directions to the First National Bank downtown.
A short bus ride later, Eddie shuffled in line. Why were all these people here? Why didn’t they just use the ATM like normal people? The enormous clock in the lobby mocked him. He watched as the second hand made a few rotations, but then returned to staring at the back of the lady in front of him. Finally, it was his turn. He stepped up to the counter with his key, presented his grandmother’s name, his story, and his ID. A severe looking woman looked down at him over her wire-rimmed glasses. Would she let him open it?
After a few minutes typing on the computer, she led him back to the metal wall of boxes.
“Number 228, son.”
Eddie paused before the box. Could this finally be the answer to the mystery that had plagued him since his grandmother’s death? He had hardly been able to think of anything else the last three weeks. She knew how much he had messed up his life, yet she always believed in him. If she said this would be the key to his success, it must be important.
“Come on, I don’t have all day here. Are you going to open it or not?”
With his future was in his hands, Eddie put the little golden key into the lock of box 228. Adrenaline filled his veins as the lock turned with a satisfying click. He reached in and grabbed the cardboard box sitting inside. With a hurried thanks to the clerk, he hurried outside.
He sat on the bus, the unopened box on his lap, his mind reeling with possibilities. Not until he got back in his room with the door closed did he dare open it. What could Grandma have that would be the key to his success in life? Slowly he lifted the lid of the box and fell to his knees.
Of course. In the box was a beautiful leather-bound Bible. He read the attached note, in his grandmother’s familiar spidery scrawl.
Dear Eddie,
The answers to all of life’s questions are this book. May it guide your steps always. I’m counting on seeing you again someday.
Much love, Grandma.
Mixed emotions tumbled through Eddie’s head. He should have known it would be a Bible. That’s all Grandma every talked about. Her precious Jesus. Didn’t do her much good – cancer took her anyway.
What good was this book going to do for him? He needed direction, purpose. And what Albert said – cash.
Five months later
Eddie sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. At this rate, he’d never make anything of himself. All he wanted to do was open a photography studio. Back in school, his teachers told him he had a gift. But without the proper equipment, he’d never be able to make a living. He needed a new camera, and he needed the cash to set up a new website. After that, he’d book clients, and his business would take off.
He shook his head. It was hopeless. He couldn’t keep going from one minimum-wage job to the next. He was never able to get ahead. He had enough to pay the bills, but the money to set up his business always seemed out of reach.
He opened his closet, searching for something he could sell. He sorted through boxes until his hand stopped on one small rectangular one. The one from Grandma.
A lump formed in his throat at her memory. She loved looking at his pictures. She hung them all over her house. If only Mom hadn’t had to sell the house to pay off debts.
Eddie lifted the lid off the box and took out the Bible. He opened the book to the page marked with a purple ribbon and read the underlined words.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
He could almost hear Grandma reciting the words. Of course this was her definition of the key to success. He’d asked God to direct his life as a child, but he hadn’t given Him much thought lately. Maybe that was the problem.
Eddie bowed his head. “God, I’m sorry I haven’t asked You for help. I really want to be a photographer, but I need help. If that’s what You want me to do, please, show me the way.” He brushed a stray tear from his cheek. “I want to follow Your path, and I want to make Grandma proud.”
Eddie flipped some more pages, and an envelope slipped out. His heart pounded as he recognized Grandma’s handwriting once again.
He slipped the note from the envelope, along with a small stack of fifties.
My dear Eddie,
I know it’s not a lot of money, but I hope it’s enough to get you the camera you want. I pray God will use you as you bring your talent to the world. I love you.
Love, Grandma.
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