Greenbriar Manor

Tea Time

The last day that Mack was at his cousin's house he found a mismatched tea set hidden under clothes in the linen closet. He recognized the same design as the one Brooklyn's sister Mari played with in the treehouse. When he arrived, the saucer he added to it made almost a full set except for a sugar bowl. She had mentioned tea with her friend Brittney's grandma. Mabel had told him not to call attention to her age or call her grandma. Although, she did not know Vee's  real  name she believed that the old woman was an important figure and she liked visiting her. All children need a friend that is like an aunt or grandma and Mabel did not have one of those until she had met Vee. It was important that she share her tea set with her cousin since he showed her how to play piano.  Their mothers thought it was sweet that the little cousins had become fast friends. In fact, Fran was sad that there was not anyone at the Manor but Ingrim for him to talk too. Mari and Fern were too old or disinterested in his musical pursuits. Maybe she could persuade Ruth to let her come back with them for a week or so. 

 Mack tried on his suit and did his finger stretches using the sonata that he had been given at the Manor the night of the storm. He was told that the woman had a piano he could play. As Mabel said she often talked to her about playing as a child in a contest. He was very excited to show his talent to this woman that his cousin befriended. It would be a fitting end to this vacation. He thought back to the girl from his dream. Her emerald eyes and long curling black hair and green silk dress reminded him of a doll. Mari's doll. Maybe he did not long so much for a song in his heart as he did a connection to a cousin like Mabel. Maybe playing this lost girl's song could be his gift to the world or at least to this old woman who missed her home. 

The old woman cleaned off the piano bench. It was nothing like the sleek baby grand at Welting Heights. But it would do. The tiny boy had talent. She hoped that it would be enough to work. Brittney had been born in the guest house on the first spring day nine years ago at her house. Her mother and father drifters. She had helped raise the little girl at first in her own way. Helping keep kettles warm or lights low and humming to her as she slept.  The parents grew used to the changes in the house. Until Bridgette played that mournful piano sonata right before every storm. Like a knell. She had tried to get rid of the noise but she knew it was no use. Growing up there had been hard. She continued to offer sweets and dolls for her to play with until one day she too found herself under that tree. Even her presence was not welcome for Brigette. She wanted to go home.  One day Brittney crawled into the tree and scared her mother so she went in after her. From that day forward she could leave and go wherever Brittney went. Until last summer. Her mother's mother came to get her and take her away. The parents had been missing for two  weeks and the family felt sure they had gone home. So, they left. She found that oceans were too far to follow. So, she stayed in this tiny apartment and happened upon little Mabel. Today she would send Bridgette home. 

Meanwhile, Bridgette  wandered the dilapidated farmland and played piano. Waiting for the family to return to the farm. Someone. Anyone. They were going to take her home. Vera promised. As she sat under the tree she heard a car drive into the gravel driveway. Unlock the rusted gate. It was two women. One looked familiar but older. The same narrow jaw and dark eyes. Greene features. She wandered to the edge of the house where it had sunken in. She overheard them talking about plastic covered furniture and tea cakes. All part of Vera's strange memorial ritual to her over the years. As the women walked toward the tree. Fran stopped and turned around. She was scanning the property. Her eyes wide like a cat's. She was afraid. Bridgette remembered writing her name on that parlor mirror and how she hurled her teacup from the moving car. She grew sad and angry thinking about it but waited. If they had returned it must be for something important. Was the woman going to come here to live? Would she finally have family again?