A WRITER RENTS A MAGICAL, MYSTICAL HOUSE BY THE SEA
By Atonia Walpole
Part 1: How It Began (The Guide/Andy)
“All I want to do is write,” she said aloud to no one. She was alone in her computer room except for her cat, curled up in the easy chair in the corner. Running her hand through her hair, she once again tried to get back to her story. Once again the phone rang and then the clothes dryer buzzed. Its work was finished and waiting for her to unload.
Later, sitting on her back porch with a glass of wine, she thought about getting away for awhile. What if I had a year to do nothing but write? A place to go with no interruptions, no obligations and nothing pulling me this way and that. She drummed her fingers on the arm of her wicker rocker. What’s to keep me from doing that? I could rent a place out of town where no one knows me and tell everyone here I’ve taken a sabbatical. The more she thought about it the more she liked the idea.
Later that night she sat at her computer looking for rental property. It would have to be on the coast because…well, that was important. Somewhere within driving distance since the cat would have to accompany her. She entered information as to her requirements on several sites but wasn’t enthused over the offerings. After taking her shower she sat back down to check her e-mail before going to bed.
She had a message from a real estate company up the coast from Boston. They presented a picture of a house located on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It looked perfect. However, there was a long, interesting form to fill out before any other information would be made available. She was intrigued by the house and started filling out the form. Some of the questions delved into her personal life and she left them blank. It wasn’t long before another message came through. It told her that while she was looking for a house to rent, the house was looking for the right tenant and all the questions on the form needed to be filled in. She reluctantly filled in the blank spaces marked in red and sent it back.
Soon her screen was filled with information on the house. It was within her price range and the virtual tour showed a cozy den with fireplace, a modern kitchen with top of the line appliances, plenty of storage space, and a garage. The grounds were gorgeous. It seemed a lot of house for the rent they were asking. It would be available for one year beginning November 15. The house had a name: FOUR SEASONS. She sat back in her chair and thought about it. The date was only two weeks away and she could be there. Point and click and she was committed.
More information followed. She would be met in a coffee house in Salem by a guide who would escort her to the house and provide her with the keys. The guide would make sure she was properly settled in and satisfied.
November 15 did not look like a day for travel. It was windy and raining. The sky never broke beyond gray. She loaded her Jeep Cherokee with bags, boxes, litter pans and the cat carrier, which held her cat Millie. By the appointed time of twelve noon she pulled into a parking space around the corner from the coffee bar. Pulling the hood up on her anorak, she ran around the sidewalk to the entrance. The door was opened by a young man in a dark green parka. She thanked him and passed him by, glad for the fuzzy warmth of the coffee house. The floor was wet and slippery from the foot traffic. She carefully made her way to the counter and ordered a large latte. When she turned, the young man in the green parka was standing at the end of the counter and smiled, motioning her over.
“Hi, my name is Andy and I’m your guide.”
“Andy, nice to meet you. I’m Toni Stanley. And how did you know it was me?” She extended her hand.
Andy took her hand and held it for a minute; smiling again. “From your description. Do you want to sit for a minute and have your coffee?”
She found a table by the window and removed her dripping anorak. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long. The weather is awful today and the traffic worse getting out of Boston.” Settling down she looked him in the face and focused on his amazing azure eyes. His casual wavy hair was brushed back on the sides and falling over his forehead. He was really quite cute.
“So tell me, Andy, why do I need a guide? I mean, couldn’t the real estate company just have sent me directions and left the key under the mat?”
“Directions can sometimes lead you astray. The house is a bit off the beaten path. They want to make sure you’re satisfied with the house and everything before I leave you. I’ll be staying with you for a few days.”
“Excuse me? I didn’t agree to that, Andy. There was nothing in the contract about anyone staying with me.”
“Don’t worry, Toni. I won’t be in your way. There may be things that need doing. It’s been vacant, you know. The owner never comes there himself. He leaves it up to the guide to make sure everything is right with the house and fine for the tenant.”
Toni finished her coffee, looked out the window and then back at Andy. “Well, all right. It’s probably a good idea to have someone show me how everything works since I'll be on my own. Okay, are you ready?” She finally placed his accent. He was Australian.
Toni pulled out of the parking space and set off, following Andy’s directions. She still wasn’t sure about him spending several days with her but he’d told her it was a good- sized house. He wouldn’t be in her way unless she needed him. He turned out to be good company on the road. He laughed and told her stories about taking a blind man to the movies and getting stopped by the police when he was driving. She laughed along with him, thinking he had a delicious giggle. There was something tugging at the back of her mind. He was vaguely familiar in some way.
It was getting late in the evening and the fog had rolled in. Toni slowed down while straining her eyes ahead to see the road.
“We’re almost there. You’ll take the next right.” Andy slightly shifted in the seat to see her reaction.
Toni almost missed the turn in the fog and backed up as the tall wrought iron gates opened to let them pass. “You have a remote in your pocket, Andy?”
“No, the gates know you’re expected,” he said quietly.
Toni glanced at him and then looked ahead. The fog lifted the farther along the tree lined lane she went. The gates know. What was that?
As she rounded the last bend in the drive the front porch light came on, and by the time she parked the car in the circle drive the whole house was lit up.
“What a welcoming sight on a cold wet night,” she said as she turned off the ignition. “It’s lovely, Andy. Look, there’s even a wreath on the door. It looks like it might be made of autumn leaves and there are pumpkins on the steps. Someone has decorated for the season, I see.”
“Yeah, the house likes to be decked out. Let’s go in. I'll bring your things in later.”
Toni picked up her cat carrier. “Here we are, Millie. Your new home for a year.”
She followed Andy through the door into a cozy room, lined with books and comfortable looking furniture. One wall was dominated by a large stone fireplace. The fire lent its warmth across the room. A round table in the front bay window held a large vase of seasonal flowers. The air was filled with the smell of apples and cinnamon.
“This is great, Andy. They lit a fire and everything.” She set the cat carrier down and opened the door for Millie to inspect the house. Millie walked around the room, picking a spot on the rug in front of the fire for her bath and a nap. Toni immediately felt at home. She walked over to the fireplace to warm her hands. It seems like I’ve been given a warm welcoming hug, she thought.
“Do you like it, Toni?” He watched her walk around the room touching things. She turned and smiled. “Good, I think it likes you, too.” He smiled and relaxed his shoulders. It was going to be okay.
Part 2:
“Well, come on see the rest of the house,” Andy said as he extended his hand. He led Toni down a hallway, pointing out a half bath and closets until they reached the kitchen. It was a long rectangular room painted cream with high glass-fronted white cabinets and shelves built in over the counters. A large granite-covered island stood in for a kitchen table, complete with prep sink and hot plates. He opened a door to show her the pantry.
“Everything you should need will be in here and there’s a freezer full of stuff, too.”
“It comes complete with food?” Toni’s mouth dropped opened, thinking of the box of canned soups, tuna, and peanut butter she’d brought with her. Running her eyes over the boxes, cans and packages lining the shelves, she took a step back. The bins below held fresh fruit and vegetables. “I couldn’t have done a better job if I’d shopped for all this myself. But, Andy, this is a lot of food. I mean there’s only me and you for a few days. I really don’t cook for myself. I’d sure hate to see all this go to waste.”
Andy was leaning against the door frame smiling. “It won’t be wasted. You’ll see in time. Oh, and if there’s anything missing that you want, just write it down on the note pad there by the door. He led her back through the kitchen. “The fridge is stocked, too, and remember the note pad if you need anything.”
“I don’t see how I’d need a thing but, yes, the note pad. Do house fairies come in the night and restock?” she giggled.
Andy stopped and turned around taking her hand. “Umm…something like that. Don’t be alarmed if it happens. The house takes care of your needs.”
The house takes care…"That’s rather a strange thing to say, Andy.”
“Not at all, Toni. This is a different kind of place than you’ve ever stayed in before. That’s why I’m here to guide you through the first few days until you get accustomed to its ways. There’s nothing to be afraid of, nothing at all. The house loves you. Now come upstairs and see your room.” He led her by the hand up the stairs to the landing.
At the end of the hallway he opened double doors into a suite of rooms. A sitting area with fireplace and a large ornate four poster bed. Chests, a dressing table, armoire, deep-seated chintz-covered sofas and chairs flanked the fireplace. A flat screen TV was mounted over the fireplace. The woodwork was dark and shiny. The walls were covered in a small patterned wallpaper with colors of rose, mossy green and pale gold dominating the room. It smelt of rose and lavender. The room was feminine but not too girly.
“Andy this is the room of my dreams. Everything is a mix of old and new. I love it! And there’s a balcony.”
Andy walked over, opening the double French doors out onto the balcony. “You can hear the sea from here.”
Toni followed him. She was still in awe of the room. Fresh flowers filled vases. The fire was blazing in the fireplace. A gust of wind caught her off balance when she stepped onto the balcony. It knocked her into Andy’s arms.
“It’s a bit too brisk out here tonight. Let's go back inside.” Andy turned her back through the doors and closed them behind her. “Now through here is your workroom. You write, I believe?”
“Oh, yes, I do. That’s why I’m here. Oh, my, look at this! I brought my laptop, but everything is here I could possibly want. High speed internet?” she turned and asked.
“The fastest,” he grinned.
“This is all too good to be true. Are you sure I’m not going to have a whopping bill when I get my credit card invoice?”
“You might be pleasantly surprised. Now I’ll bring your things up. Any questions?”
“Loads but they can wait. Um…where’s your room?”
“Next door. Want to see?”
His room looked like it belonged to a young man. It had stacks of CDs and books, a TV and magazines. His rumpled bed was covered in a dark quilt.
“Do you live here, Andy?” She thought his room looked very lived in.
“No, just when I’m here.” He turned back through the door and bounded down the steps to the car.
Toni shook her head. She had many questions but walked down the hall, opening doors to empty rooms. They all looked like they might be prepped for decorating. A white basecoat of paint covered the walls. The floors were covered in brown paper as were the windows. There were four bedrooms besides her suite and Andy’s room. Each had its own bath.
It took him three trips to bring in her bags and boxes. The last box he brought in the kitchen. He found Toni opening a tin of cat food.
“I’d almost forgotten about Millie. She seems to have settled in on the rug in front of the fireplace. Andy, are you hungry?”
“Yeah, I am a bit peckish. Don’t go to any bother, though. It’s late and I know you must be tired.”
“Actually I’m not tired at all. Just wound up over this house. I could make some sub sandwiches if that would suit you?”
“Anything is fine. Would you like coffee? I’ll put it on for you.” He had removed his parka and was dressed in jeans and layered cotton long sleeved tee shirts.
Toni pulled out the sandwich makings and began building the subs. There was that feeling she had seen him somewhere before still pulling strings in her mind. “Are you from around here or the Boston area?”
“Oh, no. I’m from Australia. Can’t you tell?” He grinned and turned lighting a cigarette.
“Yeah I caught the accent. It’s just that you look familiar. I’ve seen you somewhere I’m sure.”
He tilted his head while watching her slice tomatoes. His hands curled. He wanted to take over the prep, but let her continue. “Do you go to the cinema?”
“You’re an actor? I don’t go very often. Just when my favorite actor has a new one coming out. I have a stack of DVDs I watch when I have the time.”
“No, I’m not an actor. Did you ever watch a movie called ‘Proof’? I’m in that one.”
Toni stopped slicing and lay down the knife. She looked up at him and tried to understand what he was telling her…Andy the dishwasher…”I have that movie but it’s been a long time since I watched it. I remember you now, but Russell Crowe played that part.”
“I guess what I’m trying to say is...I am that part, Toni. I’m Andy.” He watched her eyes widen as she stepped back and bumped into the refrigerator. “Want me to take over for you there? You can get the rolls ready and pick out what meats you want on your sandwich.” He tried to be as calm and reassuring as he could. She'd had a shock. “Why don’t you just sit down a minute, Toni? It’s all right. A bit of a shock maybe.” He pulled out a barstool and sat her down. He then went back to his sandwich prep.
Toni regained control of her open mouth. “Mayo on mine, please. Sorry, Andy. Not that I understand any of this, but you are a character from a movie who turned up in Salem and is standing in my kitchen?”
“Sounds crazy, doesn’t it, Toni? But, yeah, it’s true. Want some onion on yours?”
He finished the subs and placed them on a plate. Andy pushed it across the table. He was aware of Toni staring at him. He blushed as he scraped the debris into sink for the disposal to take care of. “Coffee?”
“I’m sorry. I seem to have forgotten what I was doing.”
“That’s okay. Just sit and enjoy. I’ll get the coffee. You like cream and sugar don’t you?”
Toni couldn’t take her eyes off of him as he sat beside her. He set her coffee mug by the plate. She reached out and touched the side of his face as he turned his azure eyes on her. “Better eat your sandwich I made for you.”
“Oh, sorry. I am sorry, Andy. Thanks…um, I'm just trying to make sense of it. But there is no sense of it, is there?”
“Not in any sense of the real world. But you weren’t looking for that, were you? You’ll find this a magical place, Toni. Just enjoy the ride.” He took a bite of his sandwich.
Part 3:
‘Enjoy the ride’ Andy had told her and she was enjoying a bubble bath in the large soaking tub in her bathroom. After their meal Toni came upstairs to unpack her bags. She found the tub full of water and candles lit in crystal holders around the wainscoting that surrounded the tub. She gave in to the invitation and let the warm scented water do its work. Totally relaxed now, she thought of Andy. What a nice surprise he was. She decided she might watch his movie before she went to bed. She thought it was very sweet of him to draw her bath. Wait a minute…he was downstairs with me except when he brought my bags up. The water would be cold by now and the candles melted down…the house wanted me to take a bath and relax. Thank you house.
Toni only unpacked one bag, finding her oversized sleep tee shirt and toiletries. Her bed had been turned down at an inviting angle that said slide in and cover up. She popped ‘Proof’ in the DVD player and crawled in bed to watch the movie. She saw the cat in the alley. Oh, I forgot Millie! She jumped out of bed and opened her door enough for Millie to enter when she pleased.
Millie found a new friend in Andy and followed him around as he turned out the lights downstairs. He reached down and petted her a few times and she followed him up to his room, sitting on his bed while he took a shower.
When the credits began to roll Toni clicked off the DVD player and lay back on the pillows she had propped on the headboard. A soft knock brought her head around to the door to see Andy in a tee shirt and knit pajama pants holding Millie.
“Okay if I come in? I thought Millie might like to sleep with her mum.”
“Where did you find her, Andy?”
“On my bed.”
“I’m sorry. She can be a pest. Millie, have you no shame? You’ve just met the man.”
“It’s okay. I like kitties. She’s sweet.” He walked over and sat down on the side of Toni’s bed while still rubbing Millie’s head. “There you go, Millie. Have your mum.” He poured her into Toni’s lap and she promptly went back to his.
“I think she’d rather have you,” she said and watched his head come up meeting her eyes.
“Would she?”
He was asking, “Yes…she has no shame.”
The bed seemed to wrap around them drawing them closer together until they were one. The lights turned themselves off and the house settled down for a night's sleep.
Andy showed her as much of the property as he knew and helped her become acquainted with the house. His time here was drawing to a close and tomorrow he must leave. She was working in her computer room this afternoon and he’d promised not to bother her for a few hours. The three days had turned into a week. He was hesitant to leave her and would like to have stayed, but knew he could not. Finding the empty CD case in her bedroom made it easier. At least she would be in good hands. He was standing on her balcony smoking a cigarette and looked up at the sky. Shaking his head, he smiled. His replacement was already on his way.
Toni worked on her story, the words flowing through her fingers. She had been afraid Andy was going to be a big distraction, especially after the first night she’d spent with him. But he kept his word and left her alone when she was in her work room. She liked that about him. He didn’t crowd her but was there when she wanted him to be. He was good company and fun to be with. She enjoyed their meals as he prepped and she cooked. Tonight it was going to be pizza. She’d left the dough rising in a bowl on the kitchen island.
She was spreading the sauce she’d made over the pizza round while Andy chopped onions and green peppers. “I shouldn’t have worried about the amount of food here. We seem to be going through a lot. I don’t usually cook from scratch.”
“That’s the only way to cook, Toni, and you do a good job.” He sprinkled the onions and peppers over the sauce and began slicing a pepperoni.
“It’s nice to have some one to cook for. I’m glad you’re here, Andy. I never really thought how lonely I’d be on my own for a year.”
“You won’t be lonely, Toni. But I’m afraid this is our last night together.”
She stopped wiping down the mushrooms and turned to him. “You’re not leaving me?”
“I’m afraid I have to. I was only supposed to stay for three days. It’s been a week now. A very enjoyable week.”
She turned back to her mushrooms and the wet paper towel, tears welling up in her eyes. “What if I wanted you to stay?” she asked softly.
“It doesn’t work that way, luv. I’m sorry but, hey, you’ll forget all about me in a few days. A new season is about to start.” He took the mushrooms, began slicing them thin and spreading them on the pizza.
She rinsed her hands in the sink and then moved behind him to take the cheeses out of the fridge. She was trying her best not to cry but the tears were escaping down her cheeks. She handed him the blocks of cheese but couldn’t look at him. Andy turned her around and pulled her to his chest, holding her against him.
“Don’t cry, Toni. I’m just a guide, but I care about you. I’ll carry you around inside me for a long time.” He dried her tears with his thumbs. “This is our last night. Let’s make it special, okay?”
Andy did make it special in his own way. They had their pizza and finished off the cans of VB in the fridge. He found a funny movie to watch and had her laughing on the living room sofa. Later he made love to her on the same sofa.
The next morning Andy woke her with a kiss. He was dressed and carrying his green parka over his arm.
“I wanted to say good bye. This is the best time I’ve ever had here, with you. You’re very special, Toni.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “No, don’t you cry and don’t get up yet. I need to get down the road to the bus stop before it starts snowing. I’m a warm weather guy,” he smiled.
“Thank you, Andy, for everything. Where will you go?” She bit her lip.
“Home to Australia and back to my restaurant. Now I have to leave. You won’t be lonely long. Trust me.” One final kiss and he left.
After twisting around in her bed for awhile she and Millie came downstairs. The coffee pot was ready and she poured a cup, taking it into the living room by the fire. She pulled her robe around her neck and looked out the window. The sky was dark gray and looked like snow. Andy had told her it was going to snow. She missed his presence in the house. While he had explained much, he hadn’t really explained about his leaving or why he had to go.
Back upstairs she pulled on her sweat pants and a thick pair of socks. She had tried Andy’s door and found it wouldn’t open. The room across the hall got her attention, there seemed to be some kind of activity going on in there but when she tried that door it, too, wouldn’t open. Finally she sat down at her computer. She noticed through the large window in front of her snowflakes were falling. She worked for four hours before a headache reminded her she hadn’t eaten all day.
Toni pulled out the two pieces of pizza she and Andy had made last night and turned on the oven. She opened the fridge for a coke and saw two 18 packs of Coors Light had appeared on the bottom shelf. She turned back to the stove and stuck the pizza on the rack to heat. Okay, house, you know I don’t drink Coors Light. What are you up to? A noise in the pantry caught her attention and upon investigating she saw a frozen turkey had appeared on top of the freezer along with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Thanksgiving! She had forgotten. Well, house, that’s a pretty big bird for one, you know. But if you want me to cook it, I will. She carried the bird and placed it in the fridge to thaw. She had become used to the house by now. Things appeared she was looking for and a book had fallen out with references for things she was writing about. Andy said the house loved her. She felt loved but alone today, so very alone.
After she finished eating she walked back into the living room. Millie was in her spot by the fire that never seemed to want for logs. The flowers on the round table had been replaced and an arrangement of gourds and small pumpkins adorned the mantle. Spicy candles were placed on the tables giving off a warm scent. She heard the bumping and scraping upstairs again and ran up the steps. She tried the door across from her bedroom. It wouldn’t let her in. She tried peeking through the old fashioned keyhole to find it was covered from the inside.
“What’s going on in there?” she asked, but no answer came from the house.
She went back to her computer again and sat down to write. Her mind wasn’t on it. After awhile she gave up and wandered back to her bedroom. She picked up the remote and started the DVD she had placed in the slot the day before. It seemed appropriate on a cold snowy day in front of her fireplace while wrapped in a warm afghan. She barely remembered the credits starting to roll when she woke up. The lamp by her bed was on. She sat up, at first alarmed, and then felt the warm glow of the house wrap around her. It’s okay. I’m okay here.
She rose and went into her bathroom to find the tub full of warm sudsy water and gave in to the invitation again. After her soak in the tub she put on warm pajamas and her robe and went downstairs for a snack. She stopped in the living room. There was something…a leather recliner had appeared and something else…the house was excited! She hugged herself and smiled. Now what are you so excited about…snow?
She passed on into the kitchen and stopped. A wooden table had appeared with two chairs by the glass doors leading out to the patio. Opening the fridge for milk she noticed an assortment of items on the shelf and pulled out a packet of diced beef and a large soup bone. Soup? Make a pot of soup. Yeah that would be good tomorrow.
Toni made herself a cup of hot chocolate and carried it back upstairs. She put her ear to the door across the hall and found it silent tonight. She tried the knob and it opened. A bedside lamp came on and she nearly dropped her cup. The room was pine paneled with a large pine bed covered in quilts and downy pillows, the floor by a braided rug. Next to the fireplace were two leather recliners with a table between them. A large pine chest held men’s toiletries. She picked up a bottle to catch the scent. Outdoorsy, spicy, maybe like snow would smell if it had a smell. Definitely masculine. She placed the bottle back on the chest and turned to take a good look at the room She smiled. Someone was coming and she thought she knew who it might be. Quietly she closed the door and returned to her own room.
ON TO "WINTER"
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