The End

Part 1 of Day 20: Truth

Today I just got back to New York but I wanted to make sure of something so I told mom that I was going to be away for a few hours alone. I went to Mr. Oswald and asked him how long have you had the keys. He tells me since my dad died and that there is no Harold. The police and guard was all an act. The mailman, Larry, your mom, they all played part in this just for you and Lizzy. The mailman made sure your mom is not home the deliver it, Larry didn't retire till you were 13,and your mom was trying the hardest. Then he told me he put the playing card in the box when I left it in the limo. And he met my dad and me in a Flea Market, he and my father had a lot in common and put this plan together. He also said my dad did this to give me an adventure. But he also said that he actually is moving, not part of the story. :( Then he gave my an envelope which contained the stamp my dad was looking for. Lastly I took the subway home.

Part 2 of Day 19: The Box

After we rowed over to the rocks we sat down and opened the box. Inside the box it contained a letter and the rest of the stuff covered in wrapping paper. In the letter it talked about how he felt about the palm reader, and the meaning of life. The meaning of life is hidden right instead the question. Life gives meaning to life. Dad said he use to believe it was death that gave meaning to life but he changed and believes that life gives meaning to life. Life is all about a journey. After I finished reading Lizzy was crying. Then I ripped open the wrapping paper and it was a pile of rocks. There was like about 20 rocks each symbolizing an event in my dad's life. This was his string of life. Then there was a playing card it was for Lizzy, it was one of the last card Lizzy needed. This freaked me and Lizzy out, how did he know...

Part 1 of Day 19: Happy Birthday and Surprise

Today was my birthday. I just turned 13 and I didn't find the keys to the box.... For my birthday we went to  lake where dad fished with mom. At the lake it was smelly. At the lake I received my presents. My mom gave me a telescope and my Grandma gave me a one year membership for The Sky and Telescope Foundation. Lizzy gave me 4 of my favorite comic, the newest Betty and Veronica double issue, and candy of all sorts. Then I thank all 3 of them. Then Lizzy pulls out another gift and it was the fourth and final key to opening the box. I was happy, relief, and angry at the same time, and Lizzy said she found it while I was at the bathroom. Then we took a rowboat and rowed out the the big rocked where we opened the box.

Part 1 of Day 18:The Talent Show

Today is the day of the show. *sighh* We watched a couple people perform and then it was our turn. Lizzy was suppose to hula hoop but she got.. umm... cramps and so then I did the hula hooping and she threw the items to me. So for our show I was wearing a skirt hula hooping and eating bananas. We did a skit we never tired and won second place and $35. We beat the girls who made fun of Lizzy. :)

Part 1 of Day 16: Turnip

Today we went to the fair since it is the first day and Grandma needs to do something there. In return for going, I got a food, fried twinkle and fried snicker. As we were walking these girls were laughing at Lizzy tattoo. They said it means turnip and kept laughing. Then we just walked away to Grandma. For the rest of the day we practiced our routine and the next day.

Part 1 of Day 15: Grandma

Today me, Lizzy, and my mom went to Grandma's place. We took the train there. In Grandma's house there are a cat per room. My favorite cat is Tootsie Roll because I named her. When we got to the house I unpacked and played with the cat. Then I was bored and saw the hula hoop and tried playing with it and I was pretty good. Except when Grandma, mom, and Lizzy gangs up on me to tease me. So I run away.

Part 1 of Day 14: The Keys

Today Lizzy barely comes in the afternoon. So then we start trying all the keys. At four pm we find one key and it was long and silver, so we tried all the keys that were long and silver but none of them fit. So we tried other keys then we found 2 more and they were nothing like the first key. Then we were down to the last 8 keys and none of them were the fourth one....

Part 1 of Day 13: Last Day

Today was a sad day, it was the last day with Mr. Oswald, James and Mary. I'm going to miss them all and the limo. Today started with me and Lizzy riding in the limo and talking about Mabel. Lizzy called Mabel and asked her what the meaning of life is and she said friendship even though she lost her best friend. Then Lizzy said we should find her best friend and I tell her that she had died already and Mabel probably knows. When we get to Mr. Oswald's house, Lizzy runs up to him and hugs him. Then we take out our notebooks and he signs them and gives it back, without reading. Then he says its our last day together, he is moving sooner to Florida. :( Then Mr. Oswald decides to give us each something from his shelf. Lizzy chooses the doll and I just stand there looking at things. The dictionary was tempting but... Then Mr. Oswald suggested the suitcase to put things in and there were keys in there, too. After we picked our items we left the house and went on the limo for the last ride. During the ride we pressed every button there was for fun and we didn't want to get out of the limo. But we had to and did, and then James left. We decided to take out all the things inside the suitcase and carry it upstairs separately. After doing that there was like 200 keys. When we were going to start trying the keys Lizzy gets sick, but it was actually cramps. Lizzy just became a women..

Part 1 of Day 10: Sick

Today when I woke up there was a call from James saying that Mr. Oswald isn't feeling well so we don't have to go to work. So then me and Lizzy spends today and the next 2 days practicing the hula hoop skit.

Part 1 of Day 9: Atlantic City

Today I went to Atlantic City to see the art exhibit my aunt was having but we couldn't go in since we had to walk though the casino. So me and Lizzy had the time to walk around the city. First we went to church because Lizzy wanted to. During church, there was lot of singing and in one part there was a healing thing going on and Lizzy went up. After Lizzy came back down she ran out the church with me and she wouldn't talk about what had happen. Then she decides to get a tattoo, the chinese character fir life. As Lizzy got her tattoo I asked the lady if she know a palm reader who has a strong accent and she told me. So then me and Lizzy went to the place where the tattoo lady said. We found out that the palm reader that reader my dad's palm was just making stuff up. It made me so mad. After finding that out we left the place and went to the beach. At the beach we just talked. Then we left and met up with my mom and rode back home.

Part 1 of Day 8: Dr. Grady

Today we had community service and Mr. Oswald reads our notebook and signs it. Then we talk about why we are here but me, Lizzy, or Mr. Oswald does not know why we are here on Earth. Next he told us to deliver a telescope to Amos Grady and he might be able to answer our question. So we went to the museum where Dr. Amos works. When we went there we got to go into a real science lab, I was so excited, after all I love science. In the envelope it said Dr. Grady pawned the telescope for 45 dollars because he needed a track uniform to be in track, so that he can get a scholarship to MIT. Then Dr. Grady comes and when he sees the telescope he cries and wants to know how they got the telescope. Lizzy says we will tell you if you first tell us what is the purpose of life, how we got here. Dr. Grady explains that we got here by luck, because over billions of years, countless variables fell into place making humans. Then he also told us that we were made of bacteria which caused Lizzy to go nuts. After talking we went to met up with James. When we found James he was staring at fossils because his father collects fossils. When we got home I told Lizzy we are going to Atlantic City and we happen to have a ride to go there. And then we practiced for the talent show.

Part 1 of Day 7: Existential Crisis

*sighh*  Today I wondered about why was I here on Earth. Then Lizzy wakes me up and wouldn't let me sleep and think about it. After I woke up she tells me that we are going over to the twins to talk to the spirit of my dad. After a while we decided it didn't work, and then all of a sudden I said I wanted to be invisible and then Rick takes me to his room. He tells me he knows how to be invisible but it was just a joke, he was playing with me. So then he tells me to do this and that and I listen to him, then I figured out that it was a joke, so I left.

Part 2 of Day 6: The Lamp

After we got the lamp Mr. Oswald said he will be out of town for the next 2 days so no need to come and the next we see bring the notebook. Then we took a ride on the limo. When we got there James opened the envelope to see what was the story of this person. This person, Simon, was pawning a multicolored lamp because he wanted a watch. After reading the paper they walked to the house and knocked. Then Simon answers the door and lets us in. In his apartment their was barely anything and there was only one of each thing. When we enter his home we gave him the lamp and he was shocked to see it. Then we told him that we help Ozzy's grandson. When we sit down Lizzy ask many questions. The first question was wears your watch? The answer were that he was a stock trader and made 1 million dollars so he gave away the watch that he had exchange for the lamp. Then she ask if he gets bored looking at the same thing everyday? He said no. Then he gives the lamp to Lizzy because he already has no and has no need for another one. Then I ask what's the meaning of life? and he tells me there is no answer. Everyone has their own interpretation. Lastly Simon gives me an apple.

Part 1 of Day 6: Ozzy Ozzy

Today was the second day of community service and Lizzy was about to be late because she poked her eyed with eyeliner?. I didn't know she wears make up until Samantha told me when I was with James. Then Lizzy came down and we into the limo and James drove us to Mr. Oswald. When we get there, Lizzy impatiently runs up to the door and when Mr. Oswald opens the door she demands answers. Then we went inside and Mr. Oswald tells us about his grandfather, Ozzy Ozzy. Before he explained he showed us a telescope. Then he starts by saying this telescope was from a young man named Amos Grady and Ozzy paid 45 dollars for it. Then he takes a lamp and talks about how kids would follow Ozzy for pickles and to tell him their worries. Then he talked about how Ozzy would buy the items they were bringing if they had a reason for it and they had to type up their reasons. Most of the kids walked away after hearing about the form but only the ones who were most resolute, stayed behind and typed up their stories. After telling us about Ozzy Ozzy, we were to bring a lamp back to its owner.

Part 4 of Day 5: The Envelope

After meeting Mabel, me and Lizzy went home. When we got home, we told my mom and Aunt Judi everything. Then I took out the letter and read it. The letter was about why she pawned the book. It was because she needed a dress for the dance and her parents can't buy her a new one. Then I ate dinner and went back to my room. During my HOJ I wrote my observations in the notebook. Then I searched for Mabel's best friend, Bitsy, and found out that she had already died.

Part 3 of Day 5: The Book

We take the book and go onto the limo, while Mr. Oswald goes to his meeting. James took us to the place where the owner of the book lives. When I got off the car James told me to leave my bag in the limo, I hesitated, then I put it in the limo. Then me and Lizzy went and met a elderly woman, Mabel Billingsly. She did not know why we came. So, then I gave her the envelope and she opened it. Instead was a book and a letter. When she saw this, she cried and asked where we got this. Lizzy tells her Mr. Oswald gave it to us to give you her. Then she asked, "Old Ozzy? He must be like a 150 by now!" We told her no, he is in like his 70's. Then we ask her if she is ok and she says yes and starts reading the book, which was Winnie The Pooh. Then she stops and tells us that this book was once half of hers. The other half belonged to her best friend, Bitsy Solomon, but they haven't spoke to each other for over 65 years. Because she sold the book that has A. A. Milne's autograph, for a dress. Then when Lizzy asked another question she gave her the letter and said it's all in the envelope. Then she tells us that her husband had died and she met him in the dress she bought with the book.

Part 2 of Day 5: The Old Man

When we got off the limo, we met Mr. Oswald. He is a tall, old man wearing a suit. When I saw him I thought he should be wearing a straw hat and overalls, for some reason. Then Mr. Oswald leads us into the house and introduces his housekeeper, Mary, and tells us that he is moving to Florida. Then he brings us to this room with 2 shelves full of random things, like lamps, sports equipment, jewelry boxes, stamps, etc. As I was walking I see a stamp collection and I asked if I can see it and he let me. After looking though the whole book, I couldn't find the Hawaii stamp, so then I went and sat down with Lizzy. Then Mr. Oswald tells us what our is and it is to deliver things to people. The first delivery was a book and then Lizzy says that I read books over the summer. So then Mr. Oswald asks me what book I'm reading and I show it while also showing my box. When he sees the box, he asks me about it. After looking he gives it back to me. Then he gives us the book we are suppose to take back to the owner.

Part 1 of Day 5: The Limo

Today was the first day of doing community service. So we waited outside the building for Mr. Oswald's driver. As we waited we met the twins and we talk for a moment and then they leave. Then the driver comes with a limo. Me and Lizzy was shocked about the limo. The driver's name is James. He shows my mom the community service papers and then we go on the limo. When we went on the limo, there was a fridge with soda and food, a T.V, a radio and soft seats. It was amazing and Lizzy, said if she knew that community service would include this she would have gotten in trouble years ago. Then James tells us that Mr. Oswald's job is selling antiques and that Mr. Oswald is good at finding antiques. He buys them at a low price and sells it at a high price. Then they arrive at the house.

Part 3 of Day 4: Community Service

The policeman led us to a mini police station in the basement of the building and started questioning us. He first asked why we vandalized the office. At first Lizzy continues to lie but then she stops. Then the police asked us for our real names and we told him. Then he tells us were not getting arrested or going to juvenile detention, he is  giving us community service. The choices were cleaning up the park or helping Mr. Oswald with his deliveries. We chose to help Mr. Oswald. Then he gives us a notebook to record a log of the hours and observations. And then when we were about to leave he asks what are our parents numbers and that he needs to tell them. Then after telling him we went home. When I got home my mom yelled at me and I was grounded for 1 week while Lizzy was grounded for 2 weeks. Also my mom is now forcing me to eat more normal. For dinner I only eat macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, fish sticks, or pizza. Now everyday she's going to give me something new. :(

Part 2 of Day 4: The Office

When we get there we meet the security guard. So Lizzy starts talking and lies to the security that we came to surprise our uncle. The security then tells us to sign in and we do and put fake names. Then he took a picture of us and printed out and gave it to us. It was our name tags. We had to wear it at all times. Then we quickly went on the elevator to the 14th floor. When we got there the office door was open and we went in. Then we quickly searched the whole office. I thought found something under the carpet but it was a dead rat. Then a policeman and the security guard came into the office.

Part 1 of Day 4: Going to the Office

Today Lizzy wakes me up early and tells me to dress up nicely. Then we went and lied to my mom saying that we are going to the post office. Then we gathered the items on our list and left the apartment. As we were leaving the building and we met the twins and chat for a moment. Then we went and bought candy and headed for the bus stop. When we got there the bus arrived and we hopped on it, not knowing that it required a metro card and does not accept dollar bills. So when we were on it holding the money. Then this middle age woman uses her card and takes the four dollars from us. Then we sat down. After a couple of stops we see our stop but the bus didn't stop and Lizzy yells, "Wait!" but it kept going. Then we found out we had to push the yellow tape for the bus to stop. So then at the next stop we got off. When we got off Lizzy finds a card to collection, one of the last 3 cards she needs. Then we continued walking to the office.

Part 1 of Day 3: New Neighbors and The E-mail

Today I wake up as my new neighbors were moving in. I watched them from my window. There was 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids, they were all blond. The parents were telling the moving people where to go while the kids were talking to other children. The new kids were twins, Samantha and Rick and they were 14 years old. Then I receive a note from Lizzy saying she's not coming of her apartment today and she received a email from grandma. So I go to her apartment. When I knock on the door Lizzy's dad answers and lets me in. Lizzy wouldn't come out because of a pimple and the email was about the state fair. Last summer me and Lizzy made a bet with grandma saying if the woman can tell us our weight then we would participate in the talent show and we lost the bet. So now we have to enter the talent show this year. In the email it says we are going to do the hula hoop skit and the talent show is in a few weeks.

Part 5 of Day 2: Plan F

After we got home from the Flea Market, Lizzy tells me Plan F. It was to go break into Harold's office (the guy that sent the box and lost the keys) and search for the keys. At first I refused then I decided to go, but said we should call first before going on Monday. So then we called but they didn't pick and the machine said they have closed and will be reopening in Long Island. After the call we made a list of things we will bring when we go to the office.

Part 4 of Day 2: The Flea Market

At the Flea Market there were many stands. We went up to a couple of stands and asked if they had keys. At one stand they had like 8 keys but wouldn't let us try it unless we buy them, for TWO dollars, it is not worth it. Then Lizzy all of a sudden runs away with the keys and I just stand there facing the owner who looked like he was going to beat me up, so I cough up $2.50 and run after Lizzy. After trying the 8 keys, they did not work. Then we went to other stands who let us try the keys for free or no more than 25 cents. Then we find this stand full of keys, hundreds of them. So I excited go up and ask them if there might be keys that will fit in the box. The nice couple gives me a box full of keys and tells me to try them. Then me and Lizzy says we will return afterwards. After trying all the keys only one key even went into the keyhole, but it wouldn't turn. So we went back to the stand and told what had happen. The couple let us keep that key and took back the box of keys. Now we have 4 locks with no keys and 2 keys with no locks.

Part 3 of Day 2: Larry's Shop and the Subway

After we got permission from my mom to go to both places we set off to Larry's Lock and Clock first. When we get there we met Larry Jr. who looks at the box, then Larry comes out and takes over. Larry inspects the box and said he can't open it because there is four different keyholes and each hole needs a different key and you can not break it without breaking what's in it. Then we thanked him and left. Next stop was The Flea Market which required us to take the subway. :(  This is my first time taking the subway without my parents. When get underground Lizzy tries to put tokens into the machine but they don't work and I see a sign saying no more tokens only metro cards. I tell her and she stops. Then a Yankee fan swipes his card and tell us to use his for good luck to the Yankees match. We say thanks and then we go on the subway. As I ride the train this stranger talks to me and thinks Lizzy is my sister then my girlfriend. After the suffering 5 stops we are at the Flea Market.

Part 2 of Day 2: Lizzy's Plans

As I finish eating my muffin, Lizzy comes out and shows me the chart. Then I say, "You can cross out plans A, B, and C. I already tired them." Then came Plan D, she explains that we are going to go to Larry's Lock and Clocks to ask for help. If Plan D didn't work then Plan E is to go to the Flea Market and look for keys. Then I asked what if Plans D and E fails what's Plan F. She pauses and replies, lets hope you never need to know.

Part 1 of Day 2: Collection

Today woke up and then went to Lizzy's apartment with the box. When I go in Lizzy gives me a chocolate Vitamuffin, the only flavor I would eat. As she goes and gets the charts which contains the plans of how to open the box, I see her collection out. Lizzy collects playing cards and she will only add the card to her collection if she finds it in a public place. My collection is mutant candy. My dad inspired us to have a collection. My dad collects stamps, stamps that are from countries that don't exist anymore. The stamp he is looking for is from Hawaii 1951. Now I'm looking for that stamp in his place.

Part 2 of Day 1: Mom Comes Home

After reading the engraved words, I could tell this box was dad's. For the next few minutes we were silent, then Lizzy starts talking. We talk about the box, like what can be in it. Then Lizzy starts putting back the things the way they were. After she was done, she went back to her apartment (which was next door) and I went into my room and waited for my mom to return home. As I waited, Lizzy sends me a note (how? through a small hole in the wall that connects our rooms) with 2 jelly beans and saying good luck. After several hours my mom comes back and instead yelling at me for opening the box, I see her stare at the box with sad eyes. She forgives me and Lizzy for opening the box, but I rather her be mad than sad. Then she tells me about the box. It was a box my dad had found and it was meant for me to open it when I was 13. My mom says he probably believed the palm reader and made this box for you. The palm reader told him he was going to die when he was 40. The box requires 4 different keys or cannot be opened. Since the keys were messing I tried different things like freezing it but nothing worked. I also researched about keys and locks during my HOJ (Hour of Jeremy- from 11 to 12 when I'm on the computer learning and reading about things). Then right before I slept I searched meaning of life and I received 2,560,000 hits.

Part 1 of Day 1: The Package

Today Nick the mailman had a package for mom, but she was at work. Nick decides he was going to give it to her on Monday, but my best friend, Lizzy who was very curious about the package, tries to convince Nick to give it us to give it to mom. In the end we succeeded and took it to the apartment. ( Lizzy is my neighbor, childhood and best friend even though she is a girl) When we are back home, I promise not to open the package, but Lizzy convinces me to be her partner in crime, and we slowly open the package. Inside we find a letter, bunch of crumpled newspaper balls, and a very pretty box. The letter was to mom saying the box's keys were messing and sorry for losing them, and it was from a lawyer, (probably a friend of mom). There was a bunch of crumpled newspaper, all from 5 years ago....... the year my dad had died. Lastly there was a box, a very pretty one, engraved with the words, "THE MEANING OF LIFE: FOR JEREMY FINK TO OPEN ON HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY."