The catalog had lied. That all there was to it. The house was in shambles. The paint was fade and peeling, some windows were broken with the only sign of repair being the plywood sealing them off. All in all the house resembled something found in a horror movie, and I was buying this eyesore. Oh, how grand. Now I was really regretting my impulsive buy. But to back out now would be like admitting defeat. My parents would never let me live it down.
"I'm sure after some repairs and a fresh coat of paint it will look how it did back in it's prime." Mrs. Roland coaxed, her gray hair bobbing as she nodded. "You're probably right." Trying to keep the my tone nice and polite. After all it isn't her fault I lacked the intelligence to research a house before buying it. Yet, even with my polite tone it was clear that the woman's confidence was diddling the longer she stood looking at the house.
"So, are we going to go inside?" I questioned the pale woman. "Oh..of course, it would be my pleasure." the woman chirped regaining some of the color in her cheeks."So, how long have you been the caretaker of this house?" I questioned as she fiddled around for the key to the door. "Well, it been quite awhile. About twenty years, give or take. It been in the family for years, but during the years age has prevented me from keeping up with the repairs." She explained as she unlocked the door, pushing it open. Looking inside I was surprised to find that the inside was pretty decent. It looked like the place was cleaned before my arrival. "Then this house should have some emotional attachments, so why sell it to some stranger?" I asked glancing around at my surroundings.
"As I said" she spoke eyeing me, "I can't keep up with repairs." "But why not have some in your family take care of it?" I rephrased. "This is embarrassing to admitted, but I'm unable keep the place in the family due to the fact that my children all are busy with their own life." She voiced sheepishly smiling at me. "So, what are you planning to do after all our business is settled?" I softly questioned. "Well, I have a son that lives a bit further North, and I was planning on settling down and spending more time with my grandchildren." She answered placing the kettle on the burner.
"How about you, ma'am? What a young lady like you buying an old house? It's rare for the youth to want to move somewhere as isolated as this place?" She curiously asked. "Um..I guess I would say that I'm working on my art. I sort of hit a block, so I believe a change of setting is the best solution, ya know?" I answered. "If that's what you're looking for, inspiration, than you chose a pretty strange place." the woman teased.
The kettle let out a whistle as the water started to boil. Mrs. Roland started the coffee making process as she carefully pour the water over the grains. "So, dear, how do you take your coffee?" She quickly asked. " A spoonful of sugar and a dash of cream." I responded automatically. I quietly sat there watching the woman's movements, trying to think of questions I could ask about the house. After all, I had no idea when I get another chance like this. "Mrs. Roland... I am quite curious about the house. You did say that it was pretty old right? So, some interesting things most have happened here!"
The woman went oddly silent.
Her body froze in the process of handing me my cup. " Yes, well, this house is pretty old. In fact it has been around since the 1800s. Which I suppose is easy to see due to the fact we have tried to maintain the house in it's original glory." She stated, " However, nothing much happen here besides the normal. People come and go. But, there are quite a few urban legends you'll heard about from time to time. The townspeople love a good story." She sneered. " If I was you, dear, I would stay away from those people. They'll fill your head full of crazy things. Likely scare you with those stories of their." the woman bitterly complained as she sipped her coffee. " But all that aside I hope you enjoy the house." she beamed at me. I could only hope that the woman was right. That something good would come from buying this old house.
"If you don't mind me asking," I paused trying to gather my words, " could you give me a tour of the house?" I asked changing my mind at the last minute. She more than likely wouldn't be to happy if I ask about the stories. Plus I was sure that I would later hear them from these townspeople she spoke so bitterly about. " Why sure! It would be an honor to help you get settle before my leave." She happily chimed. "Thank you, Mrs. Roland." I said politely.
After this a silence settled over us. Quietly eating away at me, as I sipped away at the coffee. Waiting for something to say. "So, the house i-" I started only to be interrupted by the sound of glass hitting the floor. My body jumped. My eyes wide as I frantically looked around for the sound. Only to discover it was a teacup lying broken in front of the kitchen counter. The woman's face drained of color. " Oh Dear, It seems I did it again." she spoke nervously. "I put the cup to close to the edge. Silly me. It seems the older I get the more reckless I am." She hurriedly explained. Her voice shook slightly as she got up. " Here, let me do it." I offered putting my hand on her shoulder. "Thank you, dear." she said resting back in the chair.
After cleaning it up I came back to the table, situating myself back in my chair. " I'm sorry, Miss (Y/N), but I'm unable to stay to give you a tour. I have a long drive ahead, and it would be a good idea if I head out as soon as possible." she spoke hurriedly. "If you need anything or have any questions my cellphone number is on the counter. And remember this is an old house. It will have problems, whether it be drafts or sounds. Just remember that ,okay?" she said smiling reassuringly.
