I’m not quite sure how to interpret the meaning of the gift I received recently.
It came from a neighbor here on our dock. I’ll call her Andrea. It wasn’t handed to me directly. Andrea stopped our Managing Editor, Brian Whiddon, when he was on his way to work one morning, and quietly said, “This is for Angie.”
Being an NRA-certified firearms instructor, he knew exactly what it was. He said, “Okaaaaay.”
For those of you who don’t know, this is a 1974 quarter that had an untimely run-in with a bullet. In “average” condition, it is worth…25 cents. A mint condition 1974 quarter is worth $6.00. I’m not sure how much a 1974 quarter is worth when it has a bullet hole in it. I wish I knew the story behind it…or maybe I don’t.
Andrea is a quiet but seemingly nice lady, probably in her 70s. I have only shared brief exchanges with her in passing, usually at dock parties. I’ve heard her offering unsolicited advice on our neighbors’ lifestyles. “George, put out that cigarette! You’re gonna kill yourself!” “Nancy, how many beers have you had tonight?” But, I’ve never heard her utter an unkind word. She also has a nice husband and a cute dog.
I don’t recall Andrea ever giving me personal advice. Our conversations have always been mundane – weather, pets, etc. I admit I’ve been avoiding Andrea since receiving this gift. I’m not sure whether I should make it into a necklace…or turn it into the cops.
If you guys have any ideas about this odd gift, please share them in the comments box below. In the meantime, I’ll be hiding below deck. 😉
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Angela Hoy lives on a mountain in North Georgia. She is the publisher of WritersWeekly.com, the President and CEO of BookLocker.com and AbuzzPress, and the author of 24 books.
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It’s always the “quiet ones.” I think this would be a great theme for your short story contest. Also, I would ask her, “Why.”
Hang a sign on you boat, Angela.
‘DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF AMMO THERE WILL BE NO WARNING SHOT. Sorry for the inconvenience’.
PERFECT!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!!
Angela
I think it’s clear she’s implying an assassination attempt. However, thankfully, that armored nut in Texas, armed, was spotted in the crowd before he could carry out the witch’s black magic.
Elementary, my dear Angela
Either way, this gift is extreme. On the one hand, maybe she was shot at and lived because it hit the quarter and bounced off? On the other hand, maybe she is Annie Oakly and a very good shot so beware she is giving you a warning?
Maybe we are all looking at it the wrong way maybe we should ask what kind of neighbor you are rather than identifying her as a quiet neighbor. This is one you definitely need to keep us all updated on because if we don’t hear from you…
Plugged nickel? Oh, wait…it’s a quarter. Hmmm? Maybe she thought it was a nickel. Still, what could Angela have done to receive such a cliche? If it were a nickel, that is.
What a gift. I actually think it looks pretty rad. Maybe it’s an awkward attempt at a cute gift since there’s a NRA instructor is on board?
Definitely worth asking if it bugs. It’s an easy conversation starter, if nothing else.
I think it’s a good luck charm. I’d ask her about it.
Might be a good luck charm but…it clearly didn’t save the person who had it in their pocket previously. Ha ha ha. Seriously, though, I think somebody was target shooting quarters…and they’re a darned good shot! 😉
Angela
Ask Angela, but wear a Kevlar vest under your coat. Keep pepper spray in one pocket. Or, you could take her some homemade brownies with OxyIncontinent baked inside.
HA HA HA! Will do!!! 😉
Angela
I would just ask, “What’s the story behind this coin?”
I think Andrea was giving you a story prompt!
Hi Angela,
Just ask her what it is and why would she give you such a valuable item (tell her that). She might think it means something good about you! You could stop a bullet. So you are powerful. Who knows but you never will if you don’t ask. Ask Brian to do it. Brian knows.
And then let us know!
Okee dokee. I’ll ask her when I see her next week. She’s out and about quite a bit.
Prayers appreciated!!! 😉
Angela
In re: your neighbor. I think you should just ask her. It can be posed as a general question. “I got this via Brian and I’m confused. Have we talked about collectibles? What’s the story behind it? You may know I’m a writer, and the various ideas that come to my mind are diverse and interesting.”
Maybe she’s anti-guns? Or maybe pro-guns? Could be either
All I can say is ask.
She might know you are a writer and it might have an interesting back story. Or maybe she just thought it would be a good conversation starter.
Then again when the interview the neighbors of homicidal maniacs they always seem to say “They were quiet neighbors ,,,,,,,,,”
Yeah, that “quiet neighbor” thing makes me nervous!! 😉
Angela