Cottages

Chapter 3

Bree followed her father out to the SUV and climbed into the back seat. Brian buckled her into her booster seat.

“Bye, sweetheart,” Justin said leaning in the window to give his daughter a kiss.

“You come too, Daddy?” she asked.

“Nope, this is a trip for you and Dada. I’ll see you when you get back.”

“’Kay, Daddy.”

“Drive carefully,” Justin said giving Brian a kiss.

“I have precious cargo,” Brian replied. “Of course I’ll drive carefully.”

“I have total faith in you,” Justin chuckled and Brian put the car in gear.

“Bye, Daddy,” Bree called as they pulled away.

Justin watched the car head down the lane wondering if Bree would be able to help her Dada with the gardens at the cottage. He hoped she would.

“Dada, where is this place?”

“Not very far, Squirt.”

“But I don’t know what you want me to do. You make beautiful gardens,” Bree said with a frown.

Brian wrinkled his brow too. He had tried to talk Bree into coming with him without telling her exactly what he wanted her to do. He still didn’t want to reveal to her what he was hoping she would do. He knew that would color her view of the place when they arrived at Lindsay’s cottage. “Can you wait till we get there?” he asked her.

“I guess so,” Bree sighed as Brian slowed down and pushed the button to open the gate at the end of the lane. “Auntie Molly’s gardens are still beautiful,” she added as they passed Molly’s cottage.

“Yeah, they look really good.”

They drove along the road until they passed the general store.

“Ice cream,” Bree said wistfully.

Brian smiled as he looked at his daughter in the rearview mirror. If this went well, maybe they’d stop for ice cream on the way back. He turned into the road that would lead to the cottage. After a couple of minutes he pulled the SUV to a stop in front of Melanie and Lindsay’s future getaway cottage. He got out and unbuckled Bree.

“What do you think?” Brian asked as they stood staring at the rather forlorn and rundown looking cottage.

“It looks sad,” Bree said.

“Sad?”

“Yeah, like nobody loves it.”

“Melanie and Lindsay are going to fix it all up. They will love it,” Brian replied.

“That’s good.”

“What do you think they need to do with the gardens?”

“Hm,” Bree said thoughtfully. “Will there be a swing for JR?” she asked.

“I think that could be arranged.”

“Good, JR really likes to swing.”

“Want to come around to the back of the cottage with me?”

“Okay.”

Bree placed her little hand in her father’s and they walked around the cottage.

“I want to clear away all this brush along the stream,” Brian explained.

“And there should be a big rock,” Bree declared.

Brian laughed. “My sentiments exactly.”

“JR’s swing should be over there,” Bree said pointing to a tree on one side of the yard.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. It just should be.”

“Okay,” Brian chuckled. “Let’s go back out front. That’s really where I have to decide what to do.”

“Okay.”

They made their way back to the front. Bree hopped along beside her father. When they got to the front, she let go of Brian’s hand and started walking in a long curving track up to the front door of the cottage.

Brian frowned as he watched her. An idea was forming. “Why did you walk like that?” he asked Bree.

“Why?” she replied. “I don’t know. It just felt like I should.”

Brian looked at the old cement walkway that led directly in a straight line from the road to the front door. Bree had chosen not to use it at all. He and John had walked along it when they were there before. It had felt wrong. The cement was too modern and too straight. The pathway needed flagstones and a curve, yes, definitely a curve. Straight just wasn’t working. There could be one curving walkway to the door and a branch to the driveway, and maybe a flagstone path to the back of the house. Brian smiled.

“What do you think about lupines?” he asked.

“I like lupines,” Bree replied. “Gus likes them too. And maybe some of those big bunches of flowers, high-ranges.”

“Hydrangeas?”

“Yeah, those.”

Brian chuckled and looked at the front of the cottage. Yes, he could picture the winding flagstone walkway and the bunches of hydrangeas and lupines and other flowers. He had a vision of what he wanted to do.

He picked up Bree and swung her around. She giggled and held onto his neck.

“I love you, Dada.”

“I love you too, Squirt.” He kissed Bree’s cheek. “How about some ice cream?”

“Yay!” she squealed as he swung her around once more.

Brian carried Bree to the car and set her on her booster seat. “Thanks, Squirt,” he said.

“You’re welcome, Dada.”

Brian smiled. “Let’s get you your reward at the general store.”

“And some for Patrick,” Bree suggested.

“And some for everybody else.”

“Yay!” she repeated as they pulled away.

 

*****
 

“Hello?”

“Johnny, me boy! What’s all this I hear about you being holed up in that office of yours? Since when don’t you get down and dirty with us grunts?”

“I don’t know, Gordon. Just something I need to do,” John said into the phone.

“’Splain it to me, Lucy, cause I haven’t a clue about what it is you’re doing.”

“I’m not so sure I can ‘splain it. It’s just something about these damned cottages. The more we build them or renovate them, the more I want to learn about them. Why in this modern, mechanized, sterile world, are some of us drawn to their simple design? I need to know. And what became of the great houses that may have been associated with them?”

“The Kinney mansion burned down decades ago. The land became farmland. Any relics would have been tilled up years ago. And we were very careful when we moved your cottage, John, just in case we might unearth anything.”

“I remember. What about Leda’s cottage?”

“I managed to get my hands on the original plans. The house isn’t so much a cookhouse rather than it’s a cook’s house. The original mansion stood just about where the Village garden and Danny’s Bookstore is. And as you recall, we didn’t find anything noteworthy as we were digging the foundations.”

“Too bad. Does the cottage have a root cellar?”

“Yes it does, and right where you’d expect it to be. I checked and double checked. No outside access. It must have been sealed up over a century ago. Although I can see where the outside access may have been. I asked Leda if she wants me to open it up and make it a proper basement. It wouldn't take much to finish it all off and turn it into a utility room. The furnace is down there. It would add another room on the main floor. That room is currently the laundry room. I can make it into another bathroom, since it has the connections already.

“What did she say?”

“Go for it. So we’re working on it now.”

“Good,” John said solemnly.

“You almost sound sad.”

“I guess I was searching for a more romantic beginning for that cottage. It sounds so ordinary.”

“John, buildings aren’t romantic. It’s how we live in them that makes them romantic. You know that. Your mother rented out your cottage for years as you were growing up. There was nothing romantic about that. Then all of a sudden you found a brother or he found you. He started visiting regularly and staying there. He and his partner turned it into something romantic, and then so did you when you and Bobby made it your home. It’s all a matter of perspective.”

“That’s what I love about you, Gordo. You’re always the voice of reason.”

“Well, someone has to be. Now what about the girls' new place?”

“No illustrious beginnings either. The land that the cottage sits on was once a crossroads in this area. It originally was set up to be a tollhouse. It has a large kitchen and extra bedrooms for obvious reasons. When the modern highway finally cut through over a mile away, the tollhouse just became a house. And now a rundown, unhappy one at that.”

“Then the girls picked the right man to turn it into a happy house. Is Brian cooperating?” Gordon asked with mirth in his voice.

“Yes, he got with the program with some consultation from the princess.”

“Are you sure that child is only six?”

John laughed. “Yes, I can swear to it. But she has her Daddy’s imagination and color sense and her Dada’s eye for logic and order. She instinctively knows what will go with what and where to put it.”

“See? She’s six going on twenty-six.” John laughed even louder. It felt good to laugh. “Has he drawn up plans?”

“He spoke to the landscaper and is personally supervising. I think we should make him a part of our crew.”

“Um, that would be a big N-O. One of you is more than enough. Besides, he’s too busy being a mogul. I hear Lacy’s plans to buy the diner were largely made possible by your brother. She’s hired us to spruce up the place, and she’s using local talent and Hunter’s kids to do it. She’s also employing several of Hunter’s kids as waiters and busboys much like Debbie did. She’s a good kid.”

“Yes, she is.” There was a pause in the conversation.

“John, don’t spend all of your time in the attic. It’s an office, not a dungeon. You’re not chained to it. Get out and do stuff with your family while the weather is still good. Once winter hits you won’t have the opportunity.”

“I will. Can I have a copy of the plans for Leda’s cottage?”

“Already in the mail to you. Are you compiling a book?”

“Not sure. But it feel’s like they should be with the plans for Edna’s Treasures and the other cottages on this lane. I have a copy of the girls’ place too.”

“Of course you do. John, pack it in for the night.”

“I will Gordo, I promise.”

The friends and business partners bid each other a good night then hung up.

 

*****
 

“What’s this?” Justin asked as he looked as the rudimentary sketch of the gardens Brian planned out for the new Muncherville.

“Plans for the girls’ garden,” Brian said as he lightly blushed.

Justin did a double take. “Why are you embarrassed?”

“I’m not embarrassed.”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“I don’t do blushing,” Brian protested. Justin giggled as he gave Brian a hug.

“I think it’s beautiful,” Justin whispered into Brian’s chest. Brian sighed as Justin tucked himself under Brian’s chin. “I can see the garden in full bloom with all its colors. And I like the big rock at the stream. They need a place where they can sit and reflect on nature around them and focus on what’s really important. Not all the stupid stuff they seem to get caught up in.”

“I hope it helps. A place doesn’t make a home.”

“You’re right; it’s the people that make a home. Loving people, and sometimes they forget that. Maybe their new place will be a good reminder. Now, why are you blushing over this drawing?”

“Because I can’t draw, not really.”

Justin tightened his grip around Brian’s waist so that he couldn't pull away. “But I knew what you drew and I could see what you’re trying to do and that’s all that matters.” Brian looked down his nose at Justin. Justin didn’t have to look at Brian’s face to know the expression that was on it. “Why don’t you practice more,” Justin gently suggested.

“I’m an adman, not an artist,” Brian whispered back as he kissed the top of Justin’s head.

“True, but you know more about art than most and no one knows more about color than you.”

“You do, Mr. Orange is the New Blue. That’s what makes you so good. And why are we having this conversation up here when we could be in bed. We’re wasting precious fuck time.”

Justin nodded, he knew not to push. There would be plenty of time to get Brian to explore his other talents.

The lovers went to bed.

 

*****
 

“Hey, Justin,” Molly called as she came in the front door of Edna’s Treasures the next day.

“Out here,” Justin called. He was sitting on the chaise in the sun porch sketching. He sort of had an idea for a new painting, but it wasn’t quite coming together yet. He set down his sketchpad and stood up.

He walked across the porch and gave Molly a hug. He tickled Taylor’s feet as the baby looked up at him with intense blue eyes. Justin drew in a sharp breath.

“What is it?” Molly asked.

“Taylor … his eyes just looked so much like the way Bree used to look at me. It was uncanny.”

“Maybe he’s going to be as smart as your daughter,” Molly laughed, relaxing once she knew nothing was wrong.

“I have no doubt he will be, but you’ll need to prepare yourself. Bree can be quite the handful.”

“No shit!”

“No shit,” Justin grinned. “Can you stay for coffee? I made a pot not long ago.”

“Are you sure?” Molly asked.

“Sure?” Justin frowned. “About what? What do you mean?”

“You said you were sketching. When you’re doing that, you could have made that pot of coffee six hours ago and you’d think it was two minutes ago,” Molly informed him.

“Point taken,” Justin said sheepishly. He looked at his watch. “I made it fifteen minutes ago if the space time continuum is still functioning in its normal fashion.”

“Then I’ll have a cup. I need to change Taylor though.”

“Use Bree’s room, and I’ll pour the coffee.”

When Molly returned she found Justin back on the chaise staring at his sketchpad which was propped against his knees.

“What are you doing?” she asked as she sat down in the chaise beside him and picked up her coffee. “This is just what I needed.”

“Good,” Justin said with a smile. “What did you do with Taylor?” He set his sketchpad down on the floor. He didn’t really want to talk about his work at the moment.

“He’s sleeping on Bree’s bed. I made a little nest for him.”

“He’s a great baby.”

“He sure is,” Molly agreed with a big smile. “That’s part of the reason I came here today.”

“Oh?”

“Are we alone? Everyone’s out?”

Justin nodded. “Is something wrong?”

“No, not wrong, but confusing.”

“What’s going on, Moll?”

“I’ve been thinking about going back to work.”

“You have?” Justin said carefully.

“Yeah, my maternity leave is going to run out, and I have to decide.”

“Decide what?”

Molly heaved a sigh and then took a sip of her coffee before she answered. “I want to be a good mother,” she began.

“You are a good mother.”

Molly smiled at her brother. She liked to be told that, especially after the rocky start she had got off to with Taylor. “I’m supposed to want to be a stay-at-home mom, aren’t I?” she asked. “If I’m a good mother that’s what I’m supposed to want, isn’t it?”

Justin studied his sister for a moment before he answered. “You are a good mother and you’re supposed to do what feels right for you and the baby.”

Tears started to roll down Molly’s cheeks. “I know I love Taylor but I hate being alone with him in the condo day after day after day. We go out and I get coffee and sometimes I see a friend and sometimes I visit Mom, but mostly it’s just him and me, and I get so tired of the same stuff day after day. I want to go back to work or I feel like my brain is going to shrivel up and die. And that’s why I’m a bad mom.”

Justin set down his coffee mug and moved over to the chaise. He pulled Molly into a hug. “You’re not a bad mom, so don’t ever say that again.”

Molly nodded and managed a muffled, “’Kay,” as she buried her face against Justin’s shoulder.

“I had no idea you were feeling like this. I thought everything was fine.”

Molly pulled away and Justin handed her a tissue. “It was great … for a while,” she said with a hitched breath. “But lately I’ve been so restless. I like it out here at Edna’s Treasures, because there’s usually another adult around. In the condo, it’s just me and Taylor. Sometimes I feel like I want to scream. It’s so quiet when he’s asleep, and I’ve read about a million books since he was born. I’ve got to the point where I don’t care if I ever read another one.”

Justin chuckled. “I know.”

“What do you mean, you know?” she demanded.

“I spent a lot of time alone with Bree when she was a baby, and I read a lot of books and did a lot of puzzles and spent hours on the internet.”

Molly looked skeptical. “In porn rooms.”

“No, not in porn rooms,” Justin said indignantly. “I just meant that I know the feeling of isolation and loneliness that can come with having a baby.”

“So what did you do about it?”

“I told Brian.”

“And what did that accomplish?”

“You know the story of him wearing Bree strapped to his chest for presentations to clients. That was the result.”

“Oh,” Molly said with a frown.

“Have you told Owen you feel this way?”

“Sort of.”

“In other words, you haven’t.”

Molly shook her head. “I didn’t want him to think I’m not happy.”

“But you’re not happy.”

“No, I’m not, but I should be.”

“There are no rules about what has to make you happy. You should talk to Owen.” Molly nodded her head slightly. “Do you need to go back to work … financially, I mean?”

“No, we’re fine financially. Owen would rather that I didn’t work. He doesn’t want Taylor in daycare.”

“I’d look after Taylor,” Justin volunteered.

“You are the sweetest brother,” Molly gushed as she hugged him again. “But that’s not the answer.”

“Then what is?”

“I … I don’t know. I just feel like I have to have some adult stimulation or I’ll go nuts.”

“What about working at home?”

“W…working at home?” The idea had never occurred to Molly.

“Could you talk to your boss? You might be able to work around Taylor’s naps and feedings. You know what I mean.”

“That could work, if I had someone to take Taylor when I have to go in for meetings or other stuff.” She batted her eyelashes at Justin.

He laughed. “I already said I would. And Brian loves looking after the little guy.”

“Sure, the guy’s worth a bazillion bucks and you’re a world famous artist and you’re going to spend your days looking after Taylor?”

“We will.”

Molly shook her head. “Yeah, you will, and Brian probably will too. Justin, thanks a million! I really mean it. I’ve had these worries for weeks and I didn’t know what to do about it. Now I at least have a grain of hope.”

“Talk to Owen and then talk to your boss. I’ll be here if and when you need me. Brian too.”

Taylor let out a wail and Molly smiled. “His lord and master calls.”

“I’ll get him,” Justin said. “Finish your coffee.”

Molly picked up her mug and sipped her coffee. She had a lot to think about.

 

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