The Doors to Newhaven

Chapter 6: Away From Existence

"Paps, you in here?" The colorful red door leading into the wood shop chimed cheerfully when we stepped inside.The shop was pretty big in size so when we stepped in people were wandering around the room of the store as we weaved inside to find Gage's father. Everywhere beautiful works of hand carved furniture designs were on display. 

We stepped through another door frame, that led into another large room, this time though it displayed only one wooden item. Doors. 

"These are beautiful?" I said as we passed doors of all different colors and shapes. 

"Gage is that you?" Somewhere in the back of the room filled with doors, a man about middle forties came out from behind a set of not yet finished doors and into view. Hammer in hand and tool belt around his waist he came over to us.

"Well look who decided to visit." He grinned as he tucked away his hammer and hugged his son. When he pulled away he turned to me and shook my hand. 

"And you are?" He asked curiously.

"Anabelle, Gages next door neighbor." He looked at his son for a brief moment, before turning his bright blue eyes back on me. 

"Gage never brings girls to the store, so this is refreshing. " His voice held a bit of irritation in it, almost like he had wished this event would have happened a long time ago. 

"Ah pap's, just be glad I'm bringing her now." He said, causing his father shake his head. 

"I'm Michael by the way. Gage's father, welcome to the shop." 

"I came to show Anabelle some of Newhavens history." Gage said, and his fathers eyes brightened. 

"Well, I can definitely help you with that, follow me." Michael began his tour with the front of the store. He looked excited about his work, and he talked with great enthusiasm as he explained all the little details about what made Newhaven, and his store.

"The shop is called "The Doors to Newhaven". Newhaven was actually founded by my ancestors. I own the name Newhaven, that is why I am the only wood shop in Newhaven with it's name in my shop title." He showed us several old signs hung on the wall, with the Newhaven sign name carved into them. 

"I began with making wood doors, ever since I was a teenager I loved to make things, I found doors were the easiest so I specialized in them. I make practically all the doors in Newhaven. Later I began making wood benches, couches, and dressers, and chairs, and tables." We walked around inspecting dressers and intricate wood bed frames. The rocking chairs in the store were my favorite and I found myself staring at them, wishing I could just sit in one and read a fine literature book.

"My wife loves the rocking chairs." Michael said, finding me staring at the fine pieces of carving. 

"They are very beautiful." I agreed, and he smiled thoughtfully almost as if he were thinking back on some distant memory. 

"My wife rocked both our children in the rocking chair I made for her. She said it was the greatest rocking chair ever made because it was made with love, lots of hard work, vigilant talent, and much time and space." I smiled, finding Michaels story very romantic.

"How many children do you have?" I asked him.

"Well Gage is the oldest, then he has one younger sister, and one younger brother." I looked over at Gage and he smiled shamefully. 

"Gage never told me he had siblings." Michael scoffed knowingly. 

"It's because Gage thinks his family is crazy. He barely even comes home to visit." Gage pretended to look offended.