Ah,Tess, this photo calls to me, you outdid yourself
What a good eye, what wonderful composition
what heart strings you have played
A regular Rockwell you are
Now, to see what bubbles up
WAITING
I bought the house. The one on Peace Pipe Lane.
The one that is so narrow you can hardly pass to the back without going single file.
I just had to have this painted green brick house with the cream colored trim when I saw it.
The red brick chimney sealed the deal.
I became aware of this house while at the Bridge Coffee House and Book Store,
saw its photo in a real estate magazine. The kind that they leave out for tourist
who have had a magical weekend meandering their ancient streets.
The streets where every house is at least 100 years old.
When I told my friends that I bought this house they thought I was bewitched.
Funny they said that,I was.
In town one day I visited an herb and natural healing shop,got my palm read.
The woman said she saw a move in my future.
Really? I said.
On the last day of my vacation to this out of the way town I was truly sorry to have to leave it.
Especially the cemetery that I had visited on Mound Hill St.
So many children didn't make it more than a day back then.
Most women died decades after losing their husbands.
But one grave that I took a rubbing of really gave me a jolt.
It read....Mercurial Bead, died, not knowing.
Not knowing what? What?
I asked around town, but you know how small town are...not a word.
So I went to the library. I snooped around some old records and found that she had lived on Peace Pipe Lane. I was startled when the librarian appeared and sat down next to me. "Do you want to know what she died not knowing? "
I shuddered straight through to my shoes.
"Someone took her child. She sat by the front window of her house for over 50 years, waiting, but she never knew what happened to her. Finally one day she hung herself in the basement,couldn't take the pain anymore. They say her house is haunted...can't sell it."
Well, I bought it. I understand Mercurial. I too, am waiting, waiting for someones return, my husband's return-MIA,Vietnam.
Maybe I can freshen the old place up a bit, bring some cheer.
Maybe I will make a pot of tea, put out two cups, ask Mercurial to sit...to tell me,
What's it like, knowing?
***
Happy anniversary Magpie Tales!
