Adventures

The others had a laugh, shaking their heads, and then Michael handed the albums to Tonya. "I can't believe you want these," he snorted. "Uncle Albert, the failed romance writer." She shrugged; there was no use getting into it. Back at home, Tonya removed the albums carefully from the box and dusted them off with care. She opened the first and used archival tape to secure the old pictures where they were coming loose, painstakingly putting the loose notebook papers in low-acid sheet protectors. Pouring herself a glass of wine, Tonya began to read, occasionally pausing to dab her eyes with a tissue. "What do you do with them - the old photos from the thrift stores and antique shops?" she had asked him. "I put them in here and give them a story," Uncle Albert had replied. "I let them have a life and adventures worth noting, even if I'm not very good at it and it's all made up." Tonya had stared, transfixed. "I give them a history and a family. Everyone deserves to be loved and remembered," he had added softly. "And so they are ... and so shall you be," she whispered, raising her glass.