So in a recent re-read Kristy and the Missing Fortune turned into one of my favorite mystery books. It wasn't because of the mystery but because I liked we got a glimpse of Kristy's *potential* extended family. I was always curious to know about the BSC's families so that was a real treat. Here I decided to have Kristy realize that she is related to Christina and how.
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
It was a quiet day at the Brewer/Thomas family house. Well as quiet as it could be, Karen and Andrew were with their mom. Emily Michelle was down for a nap and Watson was helping Nannie make dinner. The Wizard of Oz playing on the TV as Elizabeth sat down in a free chair. Charlie and Sam trailing behind her.
"I have some very sad news," said Elizabeth, taking a seat in front of her kids watching a movie as Kristy paused it. "Your uncle Ray called this morning when you were at school, you know your dad's brother. He called to say that your grandmother passed away last night."
"Grandma died?" asked David Michael with a small voice.
Kristy, Sam, and Charlie froze in their spots. They didn't have a lot of memories with her but Kristy did remember getting this chest full of antique toys and clothes from her. Sam got his first baseball glove from her. Charlie would play with her in the treehouse at the edge of her property when they'd visit.
"Your aunt and uncle are offering us a place to stay. Robin's excited to have you stay with her, Ray says it's the only thing that keeps her from crying. The thought of you guys coming has been helping her cope other than cleaning the house up and down. I know that you're not a big fan of your father but what do you say?"
"I mean we can't miss it," said Charlie looking at his siblings.
"Sure," said Sam.
"Definitely," said Kristy holding David Michael in her arms.
With that they were off packing for a week in western Connecticut or more specifically New Milford. Dawn was president of the BSC meetings and other arrangements made for the family. The funeral had come and went within a day of them getting there. Kristy even wore her old fashioned black dress instead of slacks.
Now Kristy stood waist deep in an attic full of things sorting things out. They were going to have to sell her house.
"I found this chest of letters and stuff from someone named Mary," said Robin yelling up the steps. "Mark that as accounted for!"
She looked at her clipboard and paused. So her father did have a great aunt Mary. Why did that… her thoughts trailed and snapped her fingers.
"Ray," said Kristy turning to her uncle helping carry down old Christmas decorations with Charlie. "This might sound weird but what is our great great grandfather's name?"
"Scott."
"And he had sisters named Ellen and Mary?"
"Yep! Hey you did pay more attention to the family tree more than I thought," teased Ray pulling at her ponytail.
"Oh my lord!" she said practically screaming racing for the chest of letters.
Bewildered Ray watched his niece leave, Charlie looked at her like she was crazy. Kristy felt her heart hammer as she rifled through the chest. Why hadn't she asked before?! Ray, her grandmother, she could have had her answers rather then checking around the library (however it was kind of fun being a detective in hindsight). Being as gentle as she could, she found letters at the bottom of the chest.
"Kristy, is everything okay?" asked Charlie when he sat down a box of old ornaments.
"I'm related to Cokie Mason," she said faintly disgusted but didn't let that ruin her mood. "And we almost found Christina, that's worth it! Charlie remember the arboretum?"
Realization dawned on his face while David Michael, Robin, Ray, and her aunt Rosalyn looked puzzled. Sam seemed to figure out what was going on simply because he was home that day when the story came out.
Kristy had quickly relayed the story of what happened when the BSC found the papers to save the local arboretum. From Christina's story down to even the party that helped save the it.
"Well when people left home they didn't go really far," said uncle Ray trying to not get too excited. "Why don't you read that first letter? Maybe you'll find where Christina really went. Color me curious."
Turns out Edward was the last to see his sister in Stoneybrook but it wasn't the last he'd heard from her. Bound letters in the bottom of the trunk proved otherwise as Kristy untied the ribbon holding them together. Sucking in her breath she examined the handwriting, that was definitely Christina's. Robin encouraged her to open the first letter and she read the letter aloud.
My dearest brother,
I have fled Connecticut and am heading north. I must thank you for encouraging the rumors of me heading to Pennsylvania, they will not think of me in Augusta or Quebec! Blending in with the Canadians might not be so simple, so perhaps I'll settle in New Hampshire or Massachusetts. Boston sounds wonderful doesn't it? Always bustling with things to do.
Where I settle my name will be Kirstin Thompson (I simply must choose a name similar to my own otherwise I'll never remember it!). If Devon should ask, just say I'm a friend's sibling or if you wish to be risqué a former lover.
Wish me well brother,
Christina.
He was keeping the letters secret from his brother Devon, thought Kristy her mind was spinning. So she was right - Christina did settle and make a new life for herself. Probably in Boston, maybe there was more to her family then she thought!
"Wow, she even has an even closer name to yours," said Robin reading over her shoulder. "I wonder if we could find her in the census with that name and find where she went."
"I guess this mystery isn't entirely over," said Kristy. "I wonder why Mildred, Ellen's granddaughter, never had these letters?"
"We'll this was passed on to his eldest son who left Stoneybrook for New Milford of all places. Maybe he meant to send them but never did. Looks like we have some unfinished business because I am totally helping you solve this," said Robin.
"I'd love to help too," said aunt Rosalyn, "I happen to have a friend that's a genealogist. Would you boys mind if we play Nancy Drew for a few days and you finish up here?"
"We'll all that's left is the attic," said Ray amused. "Charlie, Sam what do you think?"
"Just keep us posted," said Charlie.
"I can't wait to tell people at school- wait nobody would be interested. But I don't mind it could be guys week here."
Now it was Kristy's turn to roll her eyes, that was Sam being Sam alright. He had a goofy grin on his face telling her that he was only joking. Mostly anyway. She excused herself to make a phone call. She couldn't wait to tell the BSC what she had discovered!
