The Beads

The Beads

Julie arrived early at the auction. To her surprise the hall was packed. She wasn't fond of auctions, but this was a church benefit so she made an effort to attend.

She felt a tap on her shoulder as she jostled through the crowd and turned to find Sarah at her side.

"Hi, I was hoping you'd make it," Sarah said.

"I haven't found a seat yet, but I want to be up front so I can hear. You want to join me?

"Sure," Sarah said. I'll find a place for us. Have you seen anythihng you'd like to bid on?"

"Are you kidding?" Julie asked. "I'm doing well to get through this mob. I did spot the beads I donated though."

"I saw a hat I think you'd like. You might want to take a look at it. It's sort of like that decorative Christmas hat you hang up every year except that it has a spring motif. It's about halfway along that wall over there."

Sarah went to find seats while Julie elbowed her way through the crowd. Sarah was right. The hat was adorable with its fruits, flowers and big yellow bow. It would be a nice change when spring arrived and it was a great match with the decor in her sun room. She decided that if she made a bid on anything that evening it would be the hat.

Julie and Sarah visually followed the hat throughout the evening as it was skipped from table to table to make room for other items about to be put on the auction block.

"I wonder why they aren't putting the hat up for bid," Julie said.

"I don't know," said Sarah. It's been on just aboutg every table. Oh, look, that guy over there is modeling it. Maybe it'll come up now."

But, no, he laid it down on still another table.

The auction had gone on for two hours. Julie had to punch Sarah's shoulder to get her attention because of the deafening racket. "I'm bidding on that hat as soon as it comes up, then I'm headed for home. I'm tired and can't take much more of this. The reason I came at all was to make sure those old beads were out of my life for good."

Apparently the workers were tired as well. The crowd had thinned out and many items remained to be sold. Items began to be coupled together and sold in lots in order to save time. Finally, the hat was next.

"Can you believe it, Sarah? They've paired the hat up with those old beads I donated. I'll bid if you'll promise to take the beads. There's no way I want them back."

"I'm sorry, Julie, but I don't need the beads either. What is it anyway about you and those beads?"

Julie hesitated a moment before answering. "They hold too many bad memories for me, Sarah. I had to have somethning to occupy my time just before Joe passed away and was sick in bed so I took up bead stringing. I just can't..." A lone tear slipped down her cheek.

It was then the auctioneer hollered "sold." At last, the beads were gone. Julie went home empty handed, but ready to make new memories.