At that same moment…in the world called Mundo Gaia (also known as Earth)

A loud ringing sound caused Benny to wake up with a jolt. He grabbed his pillow and covered his ears trying to muffle the sound.

“Five more minutes…” He mumbled.

But the alarm kept on going, much to his annoyance. Benny sat up and slammed a hand over the alarm.

“Why is this thing setting off? It’s already summer…Huh? What’s this?”

He noticed the sticky note attached to the clock face. He put on his glasses to see what was written on it.

The words ‘Anna’s Party, don’t forget!’ was written in his own handwriting.

“Damn! I’m gonna be late!”

Benny quickly jumped out of the bed. Within five minutes, he took a shower, changed his clothes and was heading down the kitchen with his backpack in tow.

He found the rest of his family all enjoying breakfast.

Dad was in his suit and tie as usual, reading the morning newspaper with his narrow reading glasses perched on his nose. Emmett was wearing a bathrobe over his flannel pajamas (a habit he must’ve picked up in America), sipping coffee as he was marking something off in his day planner. Cathy was busy talking in her cell phone again but was wearing her lawn tennis outfit. Clearly she was fresh from the court as her hair was sticking to her forehead with sweat. Lily had brought her stuff bear Andy with her to the table, pretending he was having breakfast as well.

Abuela wasn’t there but since she always wakes up very early she probably ate.

“Morning, Kuya Benny!”

Tom greeted him as he took a bite out of French toast. He was wearing his favorite Pokémon pajamas.

“Good morning, Kuya!” Lily waved at him.

“Morning!” says Cathy before turning to her phone. “No, I was talking to my little brother…”

“Morning Benjamin!” says Emmett in between sips of coffee, giving a warm smile.

Benny didn’t return the smile and avoided meeting his gaze.

“Hey? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, Kuya… Just a little tired.”

“Good morning, Benjamin.” Dad didn’t even glance at him but simply nodded before turning a page of his paper.

“Good Morning, Dad…” Benny murmurs as headed to the counter where Mom was busy laying out some bacon and eggs into a plate. From behind her, Benny could see that there were still some piles plates left over from last night’s dinner party.

“Good morning, dear! Here’s your breakfast.” she said offering him the plate.

“Thanks Mom…”

Benny took the plate and grabbed some toast and quickly made an egg and bacon sandwich, which he began to eat.

“And you know last night was such…” Cathy was still talking to her phone.

Mom approached Cathy with her hand held out, “Cathy, there’s a time for calls and there’s time for breakfast. Now hand it over.”

“Mom…” Cathy rolled her eyes.

“Now, young lady,” Mom said with her eyes narrowed with a glint.

Cathy quickly backed down and whispered to the phone, “I’ll call you later…” she flipped the phone closed and gave it to her mother’s opened hand.

“Good! Now finish the rest of your toast before it gets soggy.”

Mom placed the phone on the counter.

Benny glanced at his watch. It read 8:15!

Panicking, Benny quickly wolfed down another toast and slice of bacon in panic.

“Easy on the toast, little brother!” says Emmett with a chuckle, “You’re going to choke on it if you don’t chew properly.”

Sure enough Benny felt something stuck in his chest and began to cough loudly.

“See? I told you,” Emmett shakes his head, before handing him a glass of orange juice. “Here, drink this, it will clear up.”

Reluctantly Benny took the glass of orange juice and drank it down to clear his throat.

“Thanks…” he managed to say, feeling slightly abashed.

“Good thing we have a Medical student here. You should’ve listened to him, Benjamin.” Dad chuckles as he turns a page.

Benny felt his cheeks turning red.

“Why are you such in a hurry? I thought your school ended yesterday.” asks Cathy.

“I…just…have something important to go today,” Benny mumbles.

“Oh? Is it a date?” she peers at him with sly smile.

“Don’t be ridiculous! It’s just something important-” grumbles Benny.

“Oh, come on! Tell me!” Cathy crows, with familiar gossiper’s glint in her eye. “I can give you some advice if you want. I know how a woman thinks.”

No, I don’t think you do… Benny thought.

“Cathy, cut it out! Benjamin isn’t old enough to go out on dates yet. He’s only fourteen, for God’s sake!” says Emmett with a stern look.

Technically speaking, a lot of people in Benny’s age group already proclaimed to be madly in love with their boyfriends and girlfriends. But he didn’t dare to say this out loud at the table, (not that he has any girlfriend to boast because he obviously doesn’t.)

“Don’t you have something important to tick off from that day planner?”

“As a matter of fact I already did. And speaking of something important…” Emmett stood up, “I have to get ready or I’ll be late for the seminar.”

Emmett had mentioned last night that he was invited to a seminar on their medical specialty. Something that was announced a little too proudly by sycophantic Uncle Rene who said this was expected of him to pursue his studies even in vacation.

“You don’t mind if you give me a ride to the mall today, eh Kuya Em?” Cathy says sipping her tea. “My old Bakarda and I are going to meet there today for a little R&R…”

Emmett gives her a suspicious look, “Why? I thought you already got your driver’s license?”

“But I don’t have a car!” Cathy moans, as she glances at Dad, who catches her eye.

“Nice try, Princess, but not until you finish college,” says Dad.

Cathy opened her mouth to say something else but Dad was quick for her. “And I need to take the car for work so no, you cannot borrow it.”

Cathy then turns her attention to Emmett, “So you see even if I want to, I can’t. At least you have rental!”

She begs him looking all puppy dog eyes.

Emmett rolls his eyes. “Sure…”

“Yay, I love you, Kuya!” Cathy cheers.

“She’s changes her mood fast, huh?” whispers Benny to Tom.

“I wonder how she’ll find an honest boyfriend if she keeps manipulating guys like that…” Tom snickers back.

Quick as a flash, Cathy smacks them both in the heads.

“OW!” The two brothers yelped, rubbing the tops of heads. Even for an athletic girl, Cathy was quite unnaturally strong.

“Care to repeat that boys?” she said, cracking her knuckles.

“Now, now, not at the table” Mom’s steps in to the rescue, “Catherine, you should finish your breakfast and take a shower. And that goes for you too, Emmett. You don’t want to be late.”

“Can’t let the girls see me looking all sweaty from my tournament practice.” Cathy snatches her phone from counter and heads for the doorway.

“She has tournament practice? I thought she was in vacation?” ” repeats Benny, confused.

“Didn’t she tell you? Ate Cathy is practicing for the lawn tennis tournament that’s going to be held here town next month. She says she wants to keep in tip-top shape as she is the home team.” explains Tom as he takes another toast.

“That’s your sister! She’s always the winner!” chimes Mom happily. “You kids should look up to your older brother and sister. They’re the perfect role models for you!”

Tom and Lily nodded agreement.

Benny didn’t say anything and drank his juice quietly.

“I wouldn’t say that though Mom,” says Emmett.

“Why’s that dear?”

“We all have our quirks…and the boys were right about her though.” He winks at Tom and Benny and head out.

Benny looked away again.

“Kuya Benny? Why are you looking so down?” whispered Tom, noticing Benny’s subdued look.

Benny sits upright, “Oh, um, nothing, so I heard that you got an award for your painting in that art competition?”

Tom beamed at him, “Yeah! I did! There’s an award ceremony soon… but I’m not sure if I’m going…”

Benny knew his little brother was extremely shy in front of other people, so it’s not surprising he said this. Benny opened his mouth to give him some words of encouragement but Tom had decided to change the subject to something else.

“Oh! It’s Ate Anna’s birthday today, right? Is she having a party?”

Benny nodded, “Yeah, at their beach house.”

“A party?” says Lily, “I want to go! Mom, can I? Please? Can I?”

Mom shook her head, “No sweetie, only your brother was invited. And besides you have ballet class today.”

Lily pouted, “Oh phooey!”

“Don’t be like that!” smiled Mom. “Besides your teacher told me your class is about to showcased in live T.V. so you have to practice well!”

Benny drank the last remainder of his juice and stood up, “Well, I’m off!”

“What time will you be coming back home?” asks Emmett, looking up from his paper.

“Maybe before dinner time…” Benny says as he slung his bag over his shoulder,

“Just be back before six.” says Dad, turning a page, “Your brother is taking us to the Chez Lamont tonight for dinner.”

Whoa! Seriously, he got Chez Lamont? Benny thought.

He knew that fancy restaurant has gourmet meal prices to pay a whole semester in school!

“Isn’t that an expensive restaurant, Mom?” asks Tom.

“Your brother’s been working part-time all this time in America, that little rascal! He works so hard for his future!” Mom chimes fondly as she pours maple syrup on the pancakes. “I guess it really is a day for celebrations! I mean I just good deal with Rosa Gutierrez the other day to plan the decorations for her big party!”

Benny nearly dropped his bag. “Rosa Gutierrez?”

“Rosa Gutierrez?!” says Cathy popping back in the kitchen, “Did I hear, right? The Rosa Gutierrez, mom?” asked Cathy in excitement, “The actress who co-starred in the movie ‘Don’t You Break My Heart?’”

“Same one…” Mom winked.

Cathy shrieked in excitement, “Mom! How come you never told me?! Can you introduce me to her?! I hear she has the best dresses!”

“Princess, she is your mother’s client not a social contact. Anyhow, that’s wonderful news Rachel!” Dad kissed Mom in cheek as she poured him more coffee.

“That’s great, Mom!” says Emmett.

“Congrats, Mom!” says Benny.

“Oh, now stop!” she giggled. “By the way Jacob, how are things with your client?”

“Fine… Actually it’s more than fine!” says Dad, looking a tad proud of himself. “We just won this client over! He’s just about to sign the contract!” Benny knew this client was a big international bank that Dad has been trying to gain as a client for his firm. Everyone was voicing out their congratulations to Dad as well.

Although Benny was giving a cheery façade he did feel left out, especially seeing all of them looking mighty pleased with themselves for having achieved something.

While he did not…

Benny stared at Emmett, who was now discussing the plans for tonight’s dinner to Dad.

So now Emmett can pay a fancy restaurant, huh? Isn’t there something else he can pay? Like a trip back to the U.S. for example? Benny thought, feeling resentful.

“Is there something wrong, Benjamin?” asks Dad.

Benny jumped in surprise. He took a nervous glance to find Dad surveying him with a piercing gaze. Sometimes Benny has the feeling that his Dad seemed to be able to read minds. A lot of his clients kept on saying that he has the tendency to guess what they were thinking correctly. He already proved that with Cathy loads of times.

“N-nothing Dad!” says Benny quickly.

With a nod, Dad turned his attention back to his paper, “Well, you better get going then or you’ll be late. Ector should be waiting outside.”

Ector Unos was Ace’s dad and the Head of Security at the Perlasreyna Group Headquarters.

“Take care, Sweetie!” says Mom, took away the discarded plates.

Benny made his way to the hallway and was about to change into his shoes when he heard a sound of light footsteps and a clonking of a cane. Looking up, he saw Abuela, slowly climbing down the steps.

“Let me help you down!”

Abandoning his shoes, he quickly climbed up to the steps and escorts her down the stairs.

“Thank you, Benny-Iho. But you know I’m fully capable climbing a few steps!” she gives him a warm smile.

Glinda Estrella, fondly known as Abuela, is the family matriarch.

One might mistake her for Benny’s mother.

But in reality, she is their great-grandmother. Despite being over eighty, she doesn’t look nor acts like one. She looks more middle-aged than in her eighties. Not as wrinkled and sunken. She always keeps her hair in an elegant crown braid and bun, which is too formal in Benny’s opinion. Since before he could remember, she carried a peculiar cane that was intricately carved and had a a clear orb for the knob.

“We’re almost there, Abuela. What where you doing up there in the first place?”

“Oh, I was just looking for something the attic.” she pats a small wrapped parcel in her free arm.

“The attic again,” Benny says in consternation, “Abuela, that place is thick with dust! What if you get allergies or asthma?”

Abuela laughed, “Don’t worry, Iho. I’m still healthy as a Pegasus-horse!”

“Huh?”

“Oh, it was nothing! Just a slip of tongue…” Abuela chuckles as they finally reach the last step.

Benny looked at her in concern. “Maybe you should go back to your room and lie down.”

“As a matter of fact, I am heading there, right now. But could you accompany me to my room, dear. I have something to show you…”

She clutches the wrapped package again.

Benny looked at his watch, “Actually, Abuela I really have to get going. Ace and Mr. Unos are waiting for me.”

“Well, they can wait a little more, now come! This is something important!”

Abuela took his hand. And wow, she has a grip! It’s obvious who Cathy inherited her strength from.

Benny had no choice but to follow her down the hall to her room.

Abuela’s room is on the first floor of the house. Every time Benny enters that room, it smells like homemade perfumes and flowers. The room was filled floral-themed decorations, including a flower painted teapot and tea cozy. The room had a nice view of the garden which just so happens to be filled with flowers Abuela herself grew.

“Come here, Benny-Iho.” She says as she sits on her bed. “I want to give you something. So sit down.”

“But…”

“I’m not getting younger, Iho…”

Benny obediently sits beside her.

“Benny-Iho, I believe it’s time to give you this.” she took a small gold chain around her neck and pulled out something hanging from it.

“Abuela…Isn’t this?” Benny stared at the object she was holding.

It was his great-grandmother’s most prized possession: a golden pocket watch.

Benny knew that pocket watch very well.

Apparently, it’s made mostly out of gold, the whole gears and all. But what really catches the eye is the huge oval gemstone set on its cover, surrounded by intricate designs was a large, oval-shaped gemstone. It was deep blue that had speckles and streaks of gold and silver, like the night sky had been painted on it. But its slight transparency revealed that encased within the gem was a small blooming rose that seemed to have been frozen in time.

It was a special and rare type of gemstone called blue amber.

Benny had heard many people who have seen it to say it was unlike any other. The whole family, even his Mom and Cathy had set their eyes on this watch. Not just because it was so pretty to look at but because it was obviously worth a lot of money! But that was not the only thing that made this antique item so precious. Abuela had this item on her since she was very young. Abuela always wears this pocket watch like a medallion underneath her shawl. And she never lets it out of her sight. A lot of his relatives have apparently been claiming dibs on it in case something happens to her.

But Abuela always said (and quite firmly) that only she will decide who will inherit it.

“I want you to have this.” she places the chain around his neck.

Benny felt the cold chain touch his neck. He couldn’t help but get mixed feelings about this. He was thrilled that he was getting the precious family heirloom but…

“Um, Abuela, I really honored.” says Benny trying to break it down gently, “…but I can’t accept this.”

He tries taking off the chain, but Abuela takes his hand.

“And why don’t you?” She didn’t even sound surprised as though she was expecting his reaction.

“Why didn’t you give this Ate Cathy or Mom? Or…oh, I know! What about Aunt Josephine? She’s a jewelry collector and I know she’s been begging you to sell it to her.”

Abuela shook her head.

“They’d only see it as a flashy jewelry or an investment or some collector’s item. But there’s a sentimental value about this that I can’t just hand it over to anybody else. For instance, take a look what’s inside.”

Benny looked at her puzzled, “Why? Is there something in it?”

Abuela smiled, “Open the latch and see.”

Benny did just that and clicked the latch on the pocket watch. At once, Benny could see what she meant. The dial on the watch was clearly unique. Instead of numbers, strange symbols circled around the dial. The hands of the watch were clearly made of gold and intricately designed.

“Take a look over here…There’s a little secret.”

Abuela pointed at the lid of the watch. There was another kind of latch holding what looked like a pair of tiny doors.

Benny clicked the little latch and to his surprise, two swinging windows quickly popped open from the lid. There was a picture held on each window: one of which was a photo of him and Abuela. He was probably six years old at that time. He was wearing her sunhat while the both of them sat on a park bench. Benny was looking up to her with a wide, mischievous grin on his face while she looked at him with the same fond smile she was giving him right now. Strange enough Benny couldn’t remember ever having that photo taken. Despite that, he was touched that she kept a photo of them always with her.

“I always kept that photo. It was the last time we went to the park before that…well, never mind. Look at the other picture.”

Benny turned his attention to the other window. The other picture was an old, faded, black-and-white photograph of a couple: a young man wearing pince-nez glasses, and a young woman in a very flowery dress. The woman looked very familiar.

“Is that…you?”

“Yes, that’s me before I came to this country. I used to live in a faraway place with my friends and family.”

Benny has heard that before.

Abuela came to the Philippines by herself when she was only eighteen and was pregnant at that time with Benny’s grandfather (which she discovered only later). She never did gone into details of why she came here or even where she came from that matter, even when her grandchildren offered to cover the expenses for her to visit her homeland.

But she always said it is place that one cannot just travel into. Whatever that means…

“It is long story, right?” says Benny tactfully.

“Yes. You know your great-grandfather was quite the charmer. That’s him in the photo.”

Benny looked at the photo with sudden interest. So the guy in the photo was his great-grandfather. Now that Benny looked closely he did share some similar features. There was that bit of hair that stuck up at the back like a cowlick. They shared the same shape of nose. They even had the same shape of eyes except his great-grandfather had a determined look in them as though he were a soldier looking forward to battle.

“We were so happy together. And when I was eighteen we were supposed to get married. But then that terrible accident happened and it was never meant to be.”

Benny stared at her, completely stunned. She never mentioned that before! There was no word of an “accident.” In fact, everyone in the family thought that she had a fling and got knocked up (not that they dare to mention this to her outright.) It was clear that they were very wrong.

“Did he die?”

“No, dear…we were just separated…”

That must be her way of saying it.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

She looked at him fondly “You know you are so much like him, Benny-Iho, almost completely the spitting image. You’re just as handsome as he was when he was your age.”

Benny felt his face growing hot upon hearing that.

“Um…thanks, Abuela.” says Benny, slightly embarrassed.

“And in attitude, you both have that sweet, patient and gentle personality. But of course, you both do have that tendency to become strong, fierce and violent when needed be.” She added that bit with a slight smirk.

Okay, that for sure, Benny thought was a little bit of an exaggeration. Sure he got strict with Ace once when Ace pulled a prank on him involving a fake boa constrictor that landed both of them in the E.R.

But that was only one time.

“What was his name? My great-grandfather’s…”

She gave him another sad smile. “His name was Abraham, I always called him Steeple.”

Benny blinked, “Steeple?”

“Because when he was a little boy he got his foot caught on a rope that was supposed hoist the church’s new bell in the steeple and instead he got hoisted up instead. So from then on, I always called him ‘Steeple’”

Benny didn’t know whether she was telling the truth or not. But he did give a loud snort of laughter.

“Yes, that nickname always riled him up.” says Abuela, also chuckling merrily.

Okay, now that was something Benny and his Abuelo had both had in common: they both hated their nicknames.

“But it didn’t bother him if he was the one calling us with nicknames.”

“And what did he call you?” asks Benny, who couldn’t resist.

“He called me ‘Glinda’”

“Glinda?” repeats Benny in confusion. “But isn’t that your name?”

“I’ll tell you a little secret, Iho. When I arrive here in this country everyone came to know me as Glinda. But my true name is Sarah.”

“Sarah?” Benny’s brain was clicking furiously.

The name his family had been calling their great-grandmother wasn’t her real name at all?

“Does anybody in the family know about this?”

“I didn’t bother to correct them. When I registered as a citizen here, I used the name Glinda instead of Sarah.”

“Why’s that? Were you being chased by someone?”

Abuela jolted for a second. Did he say something on the mark?

“I-I had my own reasons. I wanted to start over. And in a way that name was like a memento from your Abuelo.” She sighed sadly.

“So why did Abuelo call you Glinda in the first place? Was it like the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz?”

“Actually we never heard of that story when we were kids. But there was a woman with a rather large set of lips and had hair worn like that wife of that monster made of dead bodies?”

“You mean the ‘bride’ of Frankenstein?”

Abuela chuckled, “I don’t know, but she was named ‘Glinda’, so he thought it would annoy me if he called me ‘Glinda’ as well. But in truth I found that name really nice. In the end, he kept calling me Glinda and I called him Steeple, much to his shame.” She looked a little smug but then a look of sadness passed her face. “I still miss him every day though…”

“Didn’t you try to contact him at all?”

“I never heard from him ever again…” she said vaguely but again failed to elaborate.

It was clearly hard for her to explain. She explained so much already.

Benny snaps the photo frames back in place and closes the pocket watch. His eyes fell on the parcel on her lap and knew it was time to change the subject, “Umm, Abuela? Is this what you were looking up in the attic?”

“You were always so sharp, Iho… Yes, this is what I have been looking for some time. I could’ve sworn I hid it behind that old chest of your grandpa’s belongings, but it turns out that it was hidden behind that awful picture of your Uncle Eddy in that Einstein outfit when he was younger.”

Benny struggled to keep himself from laughing. He had seen that picture a couple of times. Uncle Eddy tried to dress up like Einstein but his puffy white wig gave him a look similar to a giant dandelion flower instead.

“Your Uncle Eddy has always liked to associate himself with good standing peers and basking in the same spotlight as them. I think he takes after your other great-grandmother in that aspect. She was always starry-eyed and was such a social climber. Come to think of it, Catherine-iha might have inherited that blabbing mouth from her as well.” She continues on, as she unwrap the small package in front of them.

Benny had to smile a bit.

He and Abuela had that special relationship in the family.

Despite his siblings’ accomplishments she dotes on him more and appreciative of even the littlest things he does. And although nobody admits it, it is pretty clear that Benny is her favorite in the family. After all he had the coveted pocket watch to prove it.

“Benny-Iho…do you remember what this is?” She pats the item that had been underneath all those wrappings.

It was just an ordinary old book.

“A book?” answers Benny innocently. Thank you, Captain Obvious!

“Yes, it is a book.” Abuela says patiently, “But do you remember it?”

“Um, no…”

Abuela sighs, “I suppose. You were still so young then and of course there’s that… Well, if you must now this is no ordinary book. See for yourself!”

Benny took the book and held it in his hands. It was strangely light in spite of its apparent thickness. A twelve-pointed diamond star, a dodecagram, emblazoned in gold on its cover. The cover bore the distinct signs of ageing but still looked in good shape.

He looked at his great-grandmother who was looking back at him with anticipation.

“Go on!” she urged him, “Open it!”

Benny did what she asked and opened the book. The pages were a little yellowed and old but the texts were still clear.

“Do you see what is written?”

Benny stared at the texts as he traced a finger over them.

ðə kɔːl tuː rɪˈtɜːn həʊm

To a normal reader, the book was written in a strange ancient and foreign language. But to Benny, he knew its strange texts very well. Abuela had been teaching him how to read and write in this language! It was one of the languages she drilled into him.

Strange enough, he was the only one she taught this language and nobody else. Benny always wondered why she didn’t do the same for the others and she always replied that it was something special only for the two of them and he would need this one day.

Benny wasn’t so sure about the latter part.

He tried to consult his history teacher what these languages were and the teacher thought he was playing a joke on him. So Benny assumed this must be some made up language. But it did come in handy several times. In fact, he has been writing this way on his journal and it has been proved to be very successful in keeping snooping people (take Ace and Cathy for example) from reading his private secrets.

Nobody else in the family knew how to read this but him and his great-grandmother, since she says she never bothered to teach them.

“Isn’t this our secret language?”

“It is…”

Benny stared at the book again.

“But this book is old…”

“Indeed it is. Can you guess how old it is?”

Benny frowned at the book, trying to guess, judging from the aged look he had a rough estimate of forty to fifty years. Benny told her his guess.

Abuela smiled in amusement, “No, Abuela. That figure is too small.”

Too small she says? Benny thought, “So how old is it?”

Her smiled widened, “Believe it or not this book is over a thousand years old.”

Oh, right a thousand. Wait. What?

“Come again?”

“This book is over a thousand years old.” She repeated as though she was saying something out a fact book.

Benny felt his jaw drop as he stared at his great-grandmother. It must be a joke, he was expecting her to laugh and say it was a joke.

She didn’t.

She was looking at him with a very serious look in her face. Abuela never looks like that.

He had seen books in the library that were over fifty and there weren’t as good shape as this one! A book can’t stay in this state for a millennium!

“But Abuela, this doesn’t look a thousand…” says Benny.

“Let’s just say it has been well cared for…”

Benny has seen documentaries about papers and precious documents from 10th century, but even then, those documents were so worn and almost unreadable except to scholars and their high-tech machines.

“It has been in the family for centuries. Though our name changed over the centuries we still carried on with our family’s legacy…”

“Legacy?” repeats Benny in bewilderment.

“Yes, our Family Legacy…”

Abuela patted the old book’s cover.

“You see, Iho. It was given to me by my father when I was your age. And it was passed to him by my grandmother. And so on and so forth.”

For a moment, Benny though this sounded a little cliché. Abuela might still be joking and was putting quite a good act on it. But still he couldn’t help but feel completely rapt by Abuela’s words.

“And now…the time has come for me to pass this on to you.”

“W-what?” stammered Benny, “Why me?”

“That is because you are the only one in the family who is worthy to possess this.” says Abuela

“Worthy? But I’m not-” Benny took a deep breath, “Look, Abuela maybe you should give this Emmett. I mean he likes books.”

Abuela laughed a bit, “You want to give Emmett a book that he can’t even read from?”

“Um…”

“Emmett-Iho wouldn’t appreciate this book even if he could read it.”

“Why? Isn’t it a thousand year old family heirloom book, right?”

Benny still wasn’t sure about that fact.

“I’m sure he’ll-”

“No, you misunderstood. What I meant is that the contents of this book, is something Emmett-Iho nor your father can never understand even if they could learn how to read this language. No one else in our family can…except for you and me.”

That didn’t really make sense, “What do you mean? What kind of book is it?”

“Benny-Iho, this book is a special,” Abuela gave him a tender smile, “Just as you’re special. In all our family, you are truly unique.”

Benny bowed his head shamefully.

“I don’t know about the ‘special’ part but I am definitely unique…” Yeah right, I’m unique because I’m NOT special, Benny thought.

“You’re unique because you’re not special? Is that what you’re thinking?” says Abuela raising an eyebrow.

Benny jolted as he stared at his great-grandmother in disbelief! That’s exactly what he thought! How did she know?

“Um, no I wasn’t thinking like that!” says Benny, a little too defensively.

Abuela shook her head, “Benny-Iho, I know that you’ve been always feeling overshadowed by your siblings.”

“N-no, I’m not!” says Benny defiantly.

But he couldn’t help but feel she was on the mark.

“So are you telling me that you aren’t bothered Emmett’s academic achievements, Catherine’s athletic wins or even Thomas’s artistic skills?”

Benny could only open his mouth but no words could stream out. He always thought he masked his feels of being inferior quite well. But apparently Abuela was actually more observant than she looked.

“If this is any consolation, you are truly special.”

“But…Abuela, what is it that makes me special?” Benny asked, truth be told his mind was really getting dizzy now.

“One day, soon, you will realize what I mean.”

Now that was a little disappointing to receive such a vague answer. Benny so much wanted to know what she meant right now.

“But for now, I think it’s time to pass the ownership of this book to you.”

She took his hand and placed it on top of the cover of the book together with hers.

“Benjamin Luke Estrella, will you promise me on your honor as a descendent of the Ambrosia Clan that you will protect this book for as long as you live?”

Descendent of the Ambrosia Clan? Honor? Protect?

Benny was finding it a little laughable. Not only was his full name said aloud but the way Abuela was talking, it sounded like he was being knighted or inducted into some Sacred Order, or something.

“Will you?” she asked him again, that already serious look in her eye getting more serious by the second that it really made Benny uncomfortable. “And you must say as you mean it!”

“I promise.” Benny felt himself whisper.

The moment he said that, Benny felt himself jolt as though a course of electricity surged from his hand to whole body! Soon a new sensation came to his hand! What was that?

Was the book growing warmer?

But no sooner Benny thought that, suddenly the book shone in bright light!

For a moment, Benny was blinded with the light and had to shut his eyes. Underneath his hand the book felt like it was burning hot? It lasted only for a few seconds then both the light and the heat from the book were gone.

“It is done. The book is now yours.”

Abuela said as she opened her eyes and finally letting go of his hand.

“Abuela, w-what just happened?” Benny stared at the book in panic. “The book shone and it grew hot!”

“Which means the ownership has passed on to you, Iho.” She nods contently.

“But, Abuela…What just happened?” Benny repeated, feeling really confused and strangely weird (not the regular weird. Weird as in something changed within you weird.)

Abuela was about to say something when, his cell phone shook in his pocket.

He took a look at the screen to find text from Ace. It read:

Hey, Crusoe! We’re gonna be late! Get your butt out here or my dad will throw a fit!

“Dang it…He’s getting ticked!” Benny muttered underneath his breath.

Abuela chuckled, “Get going! Your friend seems to be in hurry.”

“Um, okay!”

Benny got up and was about to leave.

“And take the book with you.” she called after him.

Benny stopped in his tracks, “W-what?”

“Take the book. You will need it.”

“Abuela, I’m going to a party. I don’t see why I need to-”

Suddenly another text from Ace appeared:

“Crusoe, we’re leaving! Hurry up!”

“Sorry Abuela, I have to go-“

“Take the book with you. You promised me that you would protect it.”

“But-” this was getting really awkward. Benny didn’t want to bring the book for two solid reasons.

Number one: There was something weird about this book.

And Number Two: what is there to protect it from?

But Abuela looked as if that her life depended on her request for him to bring it.

“Please, Benny-Iho. Bring it.” Abuela voice was practically beseeching him.

“Alright!” says Benny, “I’ll bring it!”

Benny didn’t want to see her that way so gingerly he took the book and stuffed it into his bag.

Abuela’s expression changed back into a normal smile. But for a moment there, did he saw a flicker of relief?

“Um, Abuela thanks but can you explain everything later?”

For a moment, Abuela gave him blank stare before her mouth broke into a smile.

“I will try…”

What did that mean?

Still feeling unsure about what her answer meant. Benny bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The next thing he knew she pulled him into a tight hug.

“A-Abuela? What-”

“Just remember, Iho… The greatest miracles come… from believing in yourself….” She peers down at him and strokes his cheek. “Trust your Sight and your heart.”

“My sight and heart? What do you mean?”

He did not understand what she meant by that either. For a few seconds, he just stood there in her embrace.

She released Benny from the hug. Benny was looking at her completely bewildered and looking very flushed. But knowing he didn’t have much time before Ace would send another angry text again.

“Um, bye Abuela and thanks for the…you know…everything.”

Benny walks out of the room feeling awkward at what just happened.

“That was weird…”

He murmurs to himself as he headed to the foyer.

He wasn’t able to catch the words Abuela whispered as he closed the door.

“Be strong, Iho. Your journey has only just begun…”