Enchanted Cottage, continued

Once upon a time, there was a lady fox who was always grooming her bushy tail which she considered to be her best feature. She always sat out of reach of the boys and blinked her eyelashes at a certain shy male who stood, as still as a statue, watching from a distance.

 

A dimple appeared in Anna’s cheeks when she smiled at the children. She listened to Great Uncle Henry’s story and wished she had brought her tape recorder. Mother and Anna recorded his stories each time they visited and transcribed them later. Anna and her mother made a book for Great Uncle Henry that included Anna’s sketches for each story. Anna had copies for the local library as well. As he talked, Anna took down the story in shorthand after she sketched and took pictures of the foxes.

An hour later they headed down the hill towards the cottage with the children scampering ahead as surefooted as goats. They would all disperse towards home for lunch and to do chores.

After lunch, Anna went up to the loft to put her things away and to make the room tidy once more. Anna looked at the clothes scattered on the bed and wooden rocking chair. Anna hummed as she opened drawers and the wardrobe to put everything away. Then she spied her Grandmother’s small trunk beside the bed with an old fashioned key poking out. Great Uncle Henry always kept the trunk locked. Whenever Anna asked her mother she had simply smiled and told her all would be revealed when the time was right. Anna would gain access to its contents and everything inside was hers to keep someday. Anna took the colorful afghan off to reveal a hand carved lid. Who had carved all the animals? A memory came crowding back. Her mother had said once that she had gone to Africa with her parents a few times. The last time she had stayed behind with her Uncle Henry. Her parents, Anna’s grandparents, had died in a flood ravaged land. Anna knew Mother had grown up on this mountain and loved it dearly. It was the mountain and Great Uncle Henry that she always remembered.

The lid creaked when Anna opened it. Laying on top were scrapbooks and notebooks with the name Angelina, who was her mother, written on the covers. The scrapbooks contained dried flowers. scrapes of fabric and newspaper clippings with dainty handwritten notes. A couple of scrapbooks were marked in Africa and full of colorful drawings, fabrics, photos, and dried flowers. The name Maryanne was on the cover of both. That would have been her grandmother’s work. On the first page, there was a collage of photos centred around wedding photos. Anna found names written in gold. Two of the names that caught her attention were Maryanne and Samuel. Her grandmother was Great Uncle Henri’s twin sister. They had both grown up in the village. What a treasure. Anna sat cross legged on the braided rug in the middle of the floor looking through the scrapbooks. The afternoon went quickly and before she knew it Great Uncle Henry was calling her for supper. Anna put the scrapbooks back into the trunk and set the journals aside to read later.

Before going down the ladder Anna picked up the books, with Great Uncle Henry’s stories to take down with her.

“You should have called sooner. Would have helped make supper,” Anna said as she entered the kitchen. ” Have something to show you. It is a surprise Mother had prepared. She taped all your stories. Each story has a sketch. The books have been published, and there are copies for the library and you.” Anna set the books on the corner of the table. “Think you’ll enjoy them and the children in the future will still have your delightful stories.”

“What a surprise. Did you open your Mother’s little trunk?” Great Uncle Henry put the pitcher of cold goat’s milk on the table.

“Yes. Who carved all the animals?” Anna buttered a crusty roll and filled her bowl with homemade soup.

“Your grandfather carved those before he married Maryanne. It was his wedding present to her. She always left it here when they were off on their trips. She filled it gradually over the years. She kept accurate records of their travels. They had several trips to Africa, India and other countries in the middle east. Maryanne had always been interested in faraway lands. After your mother was born, Maryanne stayed home for the first couple of years but after that Maryanne left her baby here with Mrs. Sullivan and me. They died young, but they were happy. Your mother never wanted to travel that much but did see a few places before she became a mom. Then she said that you would come first, and she would do a bit more traveling later.”

“She never got the chance,” Anna pushed her bowl away.

“No, she didn’t but those were her choices, and she never regretted her decision. Your mother was always happy,” Great Uncle Henry lit his pipe.

“Yes. She was always happy right up to the end,” Anna cleared the table. “Will do the dishes.”

“I want to take a look at those books you brought down. It will be nice to see my stories printed for everyone to read. Thank you for doing it,” Great Uncle Henry opened a book. The room was silent other than the clink of dishes and rustling of paper as Great Uncle Henry read his printed stories. A grin crossed his face as he looked at the numerous illustrations.

Later that evening, they sat in the living room in front of the crackling fire. Even though it was summer, the cottage became chilly in the evening. The sun never reached the living room built in the hollowed out hillside, but in the middle of an extremely hot day, it was cool. The fire started to die down and was just the emblers of red coals when Great Uncle Henry excused himself to go to bed. Anna stared at the fire until the last sparks disappeared leaving the room in total darkness. Anna’s mind wandered over the things her great uncle had said about her grandparents and their life in the village as they were growing up. It sounded like they had a happy childhood, but her grandmother and grandfather always wanted to see other parts of the world. Now with modern technology, it was possible to learn about other cultures without traveling. Anna shivered as the air became chilly. She tiptoed across the hallway towards the ladder. When Anna rached the loft, she opened the shutters and gazed at the dark star filled sky. Anna curled up on the bed and took out her grandmother’s journals and began to read.

 

 

 

 

Enchanted Cottage (Continued)

“How’s your mother?” Anna asked as they continued up the rocky hill.

“She’s fine. Just tired out in the evenings from looking after the little ones.” Gloria said as she looked up.

Anna slipped her camera in her jeans pocket and grinned. “Say hello to your Mother. Will come for a visit in a few days.”

They had walked halfway up the hill when Gloria said. “Uncle we should go back before you get too tired.”

“Well now. How about a little further? Just to the rocks over yonder. Then sit a spell and enjoy the scenery,” Great Uncle Henry gripped his ornate cane.

Sounds like a deal,” Anna answered. Anna took a sketch pad out of her backpack and sat cross-legged on the hillside in front of a cluster of pink wild roses. “You two go ahead. Will catch up.”

Great Uncle Henry chuckled as he continued up the path calling to the children who had scampered ahead as sure on their feet as mountain goats. “Meet at the big rocks. Don’t go any further.”

“Will you tell us one of your stories?” Gloria asked as she skipped along side the great uncle.

“You bet,” Great Uncle Henry said. “There was a den of foxes up there that you might want to take a picture of.”

“Be right there,” Anna did a loose sketch of the roses that scattered along the hillside before taking a photo. “Be right with you.”

Great Uncle Henry was sitting on the smallest of rocks when his niece caught up. “Sit still, and the little foxes will come out. They are boisterous little ones, especially when Mama is out hunting.”

They didn’t have long to wait for the little foxes to poke their noses out of their den under a neighboring pile of rocks. Before long Anna snapped several photos.

“When can I see your pictures?” Gloria asked.

“Come look. You can see miniatures of them on the camera,” Anna answered.

“Oh, it’s like magic,” Gloria looked at the small pictures. “Who’s that pretty lady?”

“That’s Mother and was taken before she became ill,” Anna answered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Oh,”  Gloria looked at the sad look that appeared in Anna’s eyes for a brief second.

The air was filled with lively chatter as the rest of the children came running down the hillside towards them. “Tell us a story,” they said as they sat cross-legged in front of Great Uncle Henry.

He stroked his white beard as he gazed at the Fox kits who had come out to play in the sunlight. Great Uncle Henry appeared to be deep in thought while he looked at the children gathered around him. Then he began his story.

Enchanted Cottage, continues

Anna looked at the double bed tucked against the back wall and realized she was tired. It had been a long week and the two day bus trip had been tiring because her sleep had been interrupted with all the stops and starts at little towns and villages. The fluffy feather tick looked inviting and after Anna got her last suitcase and said goodnight she undressed and climbed into bed.

It was late when Anna woke with the sun streaming in the side window that  looked like a porthole. She had fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and slept soundly. The sounds of a barking dog, baaing sheep and clip clop of many hoofs on the cobbled courtyard blended into her dream. Why were the animals in the yard? Then Anna remembered that this was when Patrick would be taking the sheep and goats up to the high pasture and would only leave a few goats and babies behind to graze the grass on the nearby hillside. Great Uncle Patrick always kept a few females nearby. He put the milk in the freezer so he could make soap. Anna lay there listening to the commotion until the bantam rooster crowed lustily. She slipped out of bed when she heard voices. Anna realized that Great Uncle must have company. Anna dressed and looked out the window before closing the shutters she had thrown open last night. Then Anna saw Great Uncle Patrick surrounded by a group of children. He leaned on a girl’s shoulder and was heading towards the mountain. Of course, he was going for his walk. The village school was out now. and the children always flocked around Great Uncle Henry to hear his stories. If she hurried, Anna could catch up because he wouldn’t walk that fast.

Anna opened one of her suitcases and took out her camera before heading into the kitchen. Anna decided to explore and put her things away later. There were still biscuits, rolls, and fruit in the basket. When Anna opened the small green fridge, she took out the pitcher of cold goats’s milk and poured a glass. She hadn’t any for a long time and missed it. As soon as Anna ate an apple and a biscuit with jam, she set out to join the others on the mountain. Anna knew the trails like the back of her hand.

It wasn’t long before Anna caught up to her uncle and his companions. “Oh look who’s up,” Great Uncle Henry said with a grin that made his white walrus mustache bob up and down. “Did you find something to eat?”

“Yes.” Anna took a picture of the distant hills that looked like a sea of blue with the wildflowers growing in the meadow.

“Do you remember Gloria Peterson?” Great Uncle Henry asked as he paused and leaned on his cane.

“Little Gloria?” Anna looked at the little girl with golden pigtails hanging down her back.

“Not so little now,” Gloria answered. ” I come up to help your uncle every day now that the babies are bigger and can help Mother.”

“How is your mother?” Anna asked as they continued up the rocky hill.

 

Enchanted Cottage (continued)

“Yes,” Anna’s eyes widened when she looked at the short stubby man standing in the doorway looking her way. Who was that?

“Patrick has been delayed, but my pony cart is outside. Can give you a ride to your uncles.” He took his corncob pipe out of his mouth and tapped it in an ashtray. “My name is Mr. Smyth.”

“Thank you. I would appreciate the lift,” Anna shifted her heavy suitcase to the other hand before she followed Mr. Smyth towards the front door.

“Mrs. Sullivan sent baking, so she doesn’t have to go hike up the mountain side in the morning. So come along.”

The front door creaked behind Anna as she followed him out. A stocky black pony stood patiently waiting with the reins loose on the cart. There were a few old trucks and cars parked along the narrow empty street. They passed white cottages with window boxes containing Geraniums, Ivy and Baby’s breath that trailed over the sides. There were white picket fences in front of each cottage with neat veggie gardens close to the front doors. A few faces peered out windows as they drove past. They rode along in silence listening to the creaking wheels and the tap-tap of the pony’s hoofs on the cobbled road. In a few minutes, they started to climb the narrow winding road past velvety green pastures dotted with goats and sheep. The sky was a mixture of blue, mauve and pink as they climbed higher. Even though Anna had been a child the last time, she came here,  nothing had changed. Everything was as Anna remembered. Anna’s thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Smyth’s voice. “There is a sharp turn in the road ahead so best hang on.”

Anna gripped the side of the cart as the pony abruptly pranced around a sharp turn past a thick row of willows. There in front of them was her  great Uncles’s cottage half submerged in the hillside. The thatched roof almost disappeared into the green hillside. Mr. Smyth guided the pony through the archway covered in red roses, filling the air with fragrance. The sturdy little cottage built out of hay bales covered with thick layers of plaster blended into the hillside. Anna’s thoughts wandered back to the last time she had been here helping prune the roses which were Great Uncle Henry’s pride and joy. They formed a dense hedge covered with red blossoms filling the air with a sweet fragrance. The sound of a dog barking brought Anna out of her daydream. Great Uncle Henry sat on the step with a black and white border collie by his side. It hadn’t changed since she last saw it and felt like like time stood still. What a contrast between the modern bustling city Anna left two days ago, and this quaint little cottage tucked into the side of the hillside. It was what a lot of people called living off the grid. As they turned the last corner, Anna noticed the solar panels on the roof surrounded by wildflowers and grass. So he had gone modern after all.

“Well, Lass here you are at long last.” Great Uncle Henry stood up leaning heavily on his cane. “You must be hungry. I made mutton stew.”

“There is a large basket of bread and pastries from Mrs. Sullivan,” Anna leaped down from the cart and retrieved her luggage and basket.

“Good, good. Bring your things inside.” Great Uncle Henry motioned towards the open doorway. “Set everything inside and sort it later. I was waiting for your arrival and haven’t eaten yet.”

Anna stacked her suitcases and overnight bag in the small entryway that lead into the kitchen and a small sitting room. She followed Great Uncle Henry into the cozy sparsely furnished kitchen.

The white wood-burning stove stood against one wall with open shelves above for dishes, and a variety of pots and pans hung from the exposed wooden beams above the stove within arms reach. Clusters of herbs, garlic and onion hung nearby. Anna hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she smelled the stew that made her mouth water. The small oak table in the middle of the room was set for two. The white bowls were placed on green plates with wooden salad bowls in front. A pitcher of lemonade was in the middle of the table alongside  a cream pitcher, sugar bowl, salt and pepper shakers and cutlery in a glass jar. A bowl of salad was in the middle of the table beside a basket of sliced homemade bread. Anna’s mind drifted as she glanced around the room for a few minutes. Anna glanced at the loft ladder in the little alcove. Floor to ceiling bookcases were crammed with books. She had loved cuddling in the overstuffed burgundy chair, on rainy days, in front of the bookcases. The sound of Great Uncle Henry’s voice disrupted Anna’s daydream.

“What happened to Patrick?” Great Uncle Henry asked.

“He had to help his father. By the looks of that pile of luggage, it was my cart that was needed after all. The lad didn’t forget. He fetched me, though,” Mr. Smyth turned towards the door as he prepared to leave. “The Mrs. will have supper on the table, so best be going. See you all later.”

“Come, come, my dear. Supper will get cold,” Great Uncle Henry took the white soup taurine, full of stew, off the warming shelf above the stove.

“It smells delicious,” Anna pulled off her blue jean jacket before slipping onto the bench behind the table.

“So, young girls wear pants these days, do they?” Great Uncle Henry ladled stew into the white bowls.

“Not at work but for traveling and every day,” Anna buttered a piece of bread.

They ate in silence the only sound was the clicking of silverware on bowls. Great Uncle Henry’s dog wagged his tail creating a slight breeze.

They were nearly finished their meal when Great Uncle Henry commented. “Well, guess I can agree to that.” He mopped up the gravy with a piece of bread before he lit his pipe. “Hope you don’t mind. It’s one of my few pleasures. Doc doesn’t agree though and thinks I should quit. At my age, I figure I might as well enjoy what I can.”

He puffed on his pipe for a few minutes while they visited. He knocked his pipe on the ashtray as the conversation continued while they cleared the table. They did dishes in silence the only noise was the clattering of dishes and cutlery. When they were finished it was impossible to see anything outside because it was a black as tar out there. When the dishes were put away Great Uncle Henry settled down in the living room with his paper. Anna started to take her luggage into the loft. After several trips, Anna stacked everything near the built in dresser under the eaves. She looked around the cozy room that had a window looking out over the yard and mountain beyond. The back of the cottage was like a cave with thick plaster covering hay bales. The room was cool in summer and warm in winter.

 

 

Enchanted Cottage, continued

Anna folded the letter and put it in her purse and listened to the buzz of voices coming from the back of the bus. She kept the picture of Great Uncle Henry’s charming little cottage on her bedside table and never considered him cranky. The times Anna visited with her Mother he told interesting stories of his youth and made her teddy bear bounce on his hand. Anna never figured out how he did it and he wouldn’t disclose the secret.

Anna gazed out the window at the rolling hills as the bus rumbled along the narrow winding road that twisted and turned through the green hills. People paused in their work and waved when the bus passed. It was scenic with little white cottages with neat flower beds and vegetable gardens. The thatched roofs glowed in the afternoon sunlight. The green hillsides were covered with scrubby trees. Sheep and goats grazed peacefully almost disappearing behind the trees at times. Little children ran and played on the many paths that wound around the trees.

The sun was low in the sky when the driver announced Paradise was the next stop. It was a suitable name because it was a scenic place with all the trees and little white cottages. The sky was a mixture of blue and pink. The little white cottages glowed in the late afternoon sunlight. The creeks water sparkled as it snaked its way through the village. It was the main water source and villagers caught fresh fish daily. It was quiet now, but during the day it was bustling with activity. The sun set early in the evening when it disappeared behind the mountains. Would there be time to make it to her great uncles before sunset? As they pulled into the station, Anna gathered up her things brushed her unruly shoulder length hair and pulled it into a ponytail. She pulled out the photo of Patrick who was supposed to meet her. The face of an impish young man grinned at her. Well, at least she would be able to recognize him because it was a recent photo.

The bus depot looked deserted when Anna got off the bus. Anna swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat when she looked around. Where was Patrick? Had he forgotten? Anna was the only one getting off the bus at this isolated little hamlet, and within seconds the bus pulled out again. She strolled across the empty wooden platform towards the brown depot and went inside the homey little place. The heels on Anna’s boots clicked on the wide planks as she crossed the room towards the ticket wicket that appeared to be deserted.

An elderly man came out of the backroom. “Are you Anna Sage?”

(to be continued)

Enchanted Cottage

Anna gazed out the window and listened to the whir of the wheels while the bus speed down the highway. She tucked the mauve afghan around her legs when she stretched across the empty seat beside her. Her brown eyes became misty when she thought about her mother’s last few days. Her mother had smiled at her daughter and held her hand while they talked about happier times. Anna kept her feelings bottled up inside during the day when she concentrated on her kindergarten class. Anna smiled when she thought about the cheerful card the children made for her near the end of the school term. Another teacher helped the children keep it a secret. Anna sighed and brushed her auburn curly hair off her face. An extended holiday was what she needed. Anna smiled thinking about her great Uncle Henry Hunter’s letter. There was the rustling of paper as she took it out one more time. She’d read it so many times that she almost memorized the contents. There were regular letters before and during her mother’s illness and something about the last letter disturbed her.

Dear Miss Anna Sage,

I have treasured the photo’s you and your Mama sent over the years. I was grieved by the news of your mama’s passing and know how you must miss her.

I am well considering my age but do have bouts of rheumatism but always walk up the mountain every day. I am relying on my cane more and more with each passing day. You possibly remember that I hired Patrick, a young lad from the village, to look after the sheep and goats. He has proven to be a valuable helper who I rely on more and more with each passing year.

I would like to see you one more time before my maker calls me home. Can you take time out of your busy life to see a cranky old man?

Yours truly,

Great Uncle Henry

P.S.

It has been a long time since you have been here so the enclosed information might be useful. No excuses because there is a bus ticket for you. I will send young Master Patrick to the bus station to meet you. He will guide you up the mountain to my humble home. It gets dark early at night and most buses come in the evening. Please let me know when you are coming. I will also let Mrs. Sullivan know when you will arrive so she can arrange with My. Smyth to bring your luggage up the mountain in his pony cart. He still clings to the old ways as do I. I am looking forward to seeing you once more and hope you can stay for awhile.

To be continued:

Dear Sixteen

How are you doing? Have you accomplished all the things you set out to do? You were so innocent and naive. Have you learned to identify the difference between your dreams and the reality out in the world you were unfamiliar with? What have you learned?

You never took life seriously but tried to imagine everything away. It’s a shame you never learned how to put that imagination to good use instead of just daydreaming the time away. All you ever wanted was to have fun.

The biggest worry you had was how to get into town to watch GI Blues. You had the usual teenage yearnings but most of your time was spent with your nose in a good book. The biggest highlight of that year was a train trip across the prairies and through the Rockies. It was great fun wasn’t it?

You weren’t prepared for what you found when you finally left home three years later. You lead a protected life up until that point. Most of the things you learned were out of books but that didn’t help you did it? You were taught the basics and right from wrong. This didn’t seem to help you when you went to the big city where people were so different than what you were used to. It was a big difference going from the farm to skyscrapers that towered above your head. Cars zipped up and down the streets making you nervous and people hurried down the street. No one stopped to smile or offer you guidance. You had such a romantic view on things.

What was your hurry to try so many different things? Do you think it was worth it? You were a country bumpkin and remained so throughout the years. My dear it might have been better to stay in school for another couple of years but you were in a hurry to escape from all the home difficulties. You found problems worse than you could have imagined.

My dear at sixteen you were unprepared for life outside the family fold. In some ways it wasn’t so bad was it? You shouldn’t have listened to things other people said because they were often said out of context and when push came to shove they didn’t really matter. It was what you felt deep inside that really mattered in the end.

 

Marjorie is the author of four childrens books and numerous short stories:  Her author name is M. E, Hembroff

Middle grade books: Bess’s Magical Garden and sequel The Mystery of the Hidden Cabin

Picture book: Gramma Mouse Tells a Story

Junior historical novel: Voices of Yesterday

All these books are available on Amazon