Birthday - Chapter 1

It was the morning of her twenty-fifth birthday, Keegan awoke with a sigh. Slowly, she managed to fumble around on her bedside table long enough to silence her alarm. Turning and brushing her long, dark auburn-red hair slightly to the side, she makes her way out of the bed and into the kitchen. As she sits down at her small vintage table she notices a large envelope sitting just inside her doorway. Curiously, she examines it, before deciding to step over to it. Picking it up, she notices its weight; too heavy to be a mere letter.

Hesitantly, she opens the envelope with her small, gentle hands. Inside she finds a pendent, polished gold with a large green emerald nestled in the center of a Celtic knot. Curious, she reaches further inside the envelope and brings forth a letter on the most magnificent stationary she has ever laid eyes on, aged, yet pristine at the same time, complete with what looked like a waxed royal seal.

Strange, she thinks to herself as she proceeds to untie the bright green thread holding everything together.

The letter reads:

My Dearest Keegan,

On this day, of the year two thousand and twenty two, you have awoken to begin your twenty-fifth year. Please accept this pendant, as it is rightfully yours as it was your mother's before you, her mother's as well, tracing back for generations. As I am sure, no words may expresses your dismay, please continue reading. For years you have searched, answers unyielding, as to who you are, where you come from, and for a family you must have out there searching for you as you just the same. It brings me great sorrow to inform you that, no, you are the last remaining heir to your family's estate. With that said, also encompassed in this envelope, you will find all necessary funds for your impending departure, an airway ticket, and an address to where you may find the remaining answers you have been seeking. You are the heiress to the Murphy estate just outside of County Tipperary in Ireland. Please do make haste, there is much to unveil and no time to waste!

Sincerely Yours,

K

An abundance of thoughts and emotions sweep through her mind as Keegan stands in silence - one hand holding the letter, the other the pendant.

As a single stray tear slips from her delicate eyelashes she begins to wonder to herself.

Is this a sick joke?! Who would do this? Could it be real?

Unsure how to process her thoughts she decides to push them away and proceeds to get ready for the day and heads out the door to work - bringing the letter and its contents along.

Unable to focus on her daily tasks, her mind begins to drift to Ireland and the possibility of the letter's authenticity. What could be there awaiting her arrival? She daydreams.

After some thought she decides to speak with her best friend - who also happened to be her employer - and shares the details of her outlandish morning message.

"So it was full of money and a necklace, but slipped under your door? How?" questioned Aleeah.

"Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe someone bribed the apartment maintenance man to open the door while I was asleep? Can they even do that? I don't even know if the money is real. There's over two thousand American dollars and who knows how much - ah, what do they call money in Ireland?" Keegan shares in dismay.

"Euro Keegan, they use Euros. Anyway, I've known you a long time and this could be the opportunity you've been searching for. I think you should go for it!"

Following a lengthy conversation the pair decided it was worth the trip. What is there to lose anyway - a studio apartment and mediocre social existence?

It may seem like a rash decision, but this is the closest Keegan had ever been to finding the answers to her past. Plus, she had never been anchored anywhere for long. It was getting close to time for her to set sail on her next adventure.

You see, Keegan was found near the fiery wreckage of a large fishing vessel when she was only a babe. She was wearing a gown with the name "Keegan" and there was a piece of the ship with the word "Murphy" that washed up next to her. A kind older couple found her, took her in, and raised her as their own. Unfortunately, they passed a few years ago and she had been without any family since.

She had a good life, was well taken care of, however, there was always a yearning to know where she came from, and who else was on that boat with her. This may be her chance to find out.

Taking one last look at her tiny apartment, she placed the pendant around her neck and started for the door. Instantaneously, she felt a spark and for a brief moment believed that the pendant was glowing. Shaking her head, she walked out the door to begin her journey anew.

As she walked down the sidewalk to her Uber she notices a strange energy surrounding her and could almost feel the wind from the trees moving through her? She brushes it off as excitement or nerves, climbs into the car and heads off to the airport.

While sitting on the plane, she begins to sort through the contents of the mysterious envelope that has quite possibly changed the course of her life. There she finds a note card with an address and directions to an inn where she will have a room waiting for her for as long as necessary, already prepared, no reservation needed. She flips through the money; it appears to be enough to allow her to stay in Ireland for several months without having to even consider finding employment.

With a long flight ahead of her, Keegan decides to close the shutter on her window and take a nap. Before it completely closes, she notices a glimmer of red-orange out of the corner of her eye.

A bird at this altitude? I must be tired, thinks Keegan.

With that, she closes the shutter and drifts off.