Here we are, missy. Pretty place, isn ’ t it? Those trees are a hundred years old, but the house is near about fifty. They had a nasty fire back in the forties and didn ’ t rebuild for almost ten years. Those oaks made it through the fire beautifully, though; didn ’ t they? ”
Aggie sat, hands wrapped around the steering wheel, and stared in silence. Before her, in all its decrepit glory, was the house of her dreams. Built like a cross between an old farmhouse and a Victorian mausoleum, it had a “ turret ” on one side and a lovely bay window on the other. A railed porch curved around the front of the turret, wrapping it gently like a blanket. Broken lattice ran along the front of the house, below the porch, and left the effect of broken teeth in a much-neglected mouth. The picture tugged at Aggie ’ s heart and reminded her of her English classes where they ’ d dissected Edgar Allen Poe and his poems. She wanted to restore the home ’ s dignity and beauty and hear her children ’ s laughter ring from its windows.
The oaks Zeke spoke of were huge sprawling trees that almost completely hid the house from the road. On one side, an orchard of fruit trees, covered in buds, almost entirely blocked the view of the highway. With a tall fence running along the road, the children would be safe from passing cars. The back of the property showed both the most neglect and the most promise. There was room for a huge garden, a massive play area, and beyond that, a meadow for horses.
Dilapidated stalls and an abandoned barn stood in the far corner of the property, waiting to house new equine friends.
The back door was unlocked, much to their delight, and it took very little time for Zeke and Aggie to explore the basement, the attic, full of exciting treasures, and all the bedrooms. Skepticism filled her heart at the dank odor that permeated every room. Although Zeke assured her that the plumbing was sound, the wiring, although inadequate, was safe, and the foundation secure, she wondered if paint could kill the scents of age and decay. He admitted that he hadn ’ t inspected the roof but said he remembered his nephew saying that it wouldn ’ t need replacing for a few years.
Aggie, having kept a mental tally running as she examined the property, was certain she could not afford both the house and the repairs it would require. Prepared to admit it was beyond her budget, she asked for the amount in back taxes. Zeke ’ s reply astounded her. For one-third the cost of comparable houses near the current Stuart home, Aggie could purchase this one. The sale of their house could finance the repairs and furnishing of the new home. She could do this!
Aggie returned home and phoned Mr. Moss with the details. “ Can you take care of the purchase of that house and submit a reasonable offer to sell this house to the Stuarts? ”
* * *
Cari and Lorna dashed through the room, decorating it with toilet paper. Aggie took up the chase, trying to prevent the TP ’ ing of the house. Exasperated, Aggie called “ Stop, ” and both little girls paused -- stunned at Aggie ’ s tone. Desperate for a little order, Aggie called all the children into the house and explained that for safety and sanity, she was instituting her first hard and fast rule. Anytime they heard the Aggie say the word “ stop, ” they were to freeze as if they were playing freeze tag.
Following the incident with the toilet paper, Aggie decided to have one of the twins ’ hair styled in a nice pixie, so she could tell the difference between the girls. After weeks of trying daily, and years of visits, she still hadn ’ t been able to differentiate between the two, very identical, twins. It was time to change all that.
With Vannie ’ s help, Aggie figured out which girl was Lorna and drove them all to Allie ’ s favorite hair salon. Lorna was getting a pretty pixie cut, and Aggie was going to regain at least a small fraction of her former sanity. Cari
Aggie sat, hands wrapped around the steering wheel, and stared in silence. Before her, in all its decrepit glory, was the house of her dreams. Built like a cross between an old farmhouse and a Victorian mausoleum, it had a “ turret ” on one side and a lovely bay window on the other. A railed porch curved around the front of the turret, wrapping it gently like a blanket. Broken lattice ran along the front of the house, below the porch, and left the effect of broken teeth in a much-neglected mouth. The picture tugged at Aggie ’ s heart and reminded her of her English classes where they ’ d dissected Edgar Allen Poe and his poems. She wanted to restore the home ’ s dignity and beauty and hear her children ’ s laughter ring from its windows.
The oaks Zeke spoke of were huge sprawling trees that almost completely hid the house from the road. On one side, an orchard of fruit trees, covered in buds, almost entirely blocked the view of the highway. With a tall fence running along the road, the children would be safe from passing cars. The back of the property showed both the most neglect and the most promise. There was room for a huge garden, a massive play area, and beyond that, a meadow for horses.
Dilapidated stalls and an abandoned barn stood in the far corner of the property, waiting to house new equine friends.
The back door was unlocked, much to their delight, and it took very little time for Zeke and Aggie to explore the basement, the attic, full of exciting treasures, and all the bedrooms. Skepticism filled her heart at the dank odor that permeated every room. Although Zeke assured her that the plumbing was sound, the wiring, although inadequate, was safe, and the foundation secure, she wondered if paint could kill the scents of age and decay. He admitted that he hadn ’ t inspected the roof but said he remembered his nephew saying that it wouldn ’ t need replacing for a few years.
Aggie, having kept a mental tally running as she examined the property, was certain she could not afford both the house and the repairs it would require. Prepared to admit it was beyond her budget, she asked for the amount in back taxes. Zeke ’ s reply astounded her. For one-third the cost of comparable houses near the current Stuart home, Aggie could purchase this one. The sale of their house could finance the repairs and furnishing of the new home. She could do this!
Aggie returned home and phoned Mr. Moss with the details. “ Can you take care of the purchase of that house and submit a reasonable offer to sell this house to the Stuarts? ”
* * *
Cari and Lorna dashed through the room, decorating it with toilet paper. Aggie took up the chase, trying to prevent the TP ’ ing of the house. Exasperated, Aggie called “ Stop, ” and both little girls paused -- stunned at Aggie ’ s tone. Desperate for a little order, Aggie called all the children into the house and explained that for safety and sanity, she was instituting her first hard and fast rule. Anytime they heard the Aggie say the word “ stop, ” they were to freeze as if they were playing freeze tag.
Following the incident with the toilet paper, Aggie decided to have one of the twins ’ hair styled in a nice pixie, so she could tell the difference between the girls. After weeks of trying daily, and years of visits, she still hadn ’ t been able to differentiate between the two, very identical, twins. It was time to change all that.
With Vannie ’ s help, Aggie figured out which girl was Lorna and drove them all to Allie ’ s favorite hair salon. Lorna was getting a pretty pixie cut, and Aggie was going to regain at least a small fraction of her former sanity. Cari
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