paradise | n.h

two

Searching through the unbacked boxes in the basement, I came across Anne of Green Gables. When I was younger, my oldest brother, Reed, read the story before tucking me into bed. Remembering the pleas from me and groans from him to recite it again, I grinned at the memory. I think I loved it so much because it was centered around a little girl named Anne, my nickname. Turning the cover open, I re-read the summary and placed it to the side for when I was to visit Meryl. In our encounter earlier, she was reading Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Seeing it in her hands, my mind flashed to the dozens of old novels my mother used to have in our sunroom. The minute I arrived home, I asked her where she put them and ended up here in the basement. I figured Meryl and I could read tomorrow over our tea and I needed a classic. Bookstores were never my thing, even though the local one in Carolina was dainty and comforting with the sunlight pouring in, I chose to pick from the collection the family owned.  

Checking my phone, the time declared 2:13. I still had the rest of the day ahead of me but didn't have a clue what to do. Books in hand, I clambered up the wood steps, admiring pictures hung up on the wall. I did this often. Walked up and down the basement entrance to re-live memories. My brothers called me a freak because all I had to do was call my old friends if I missed them, but I preferred this. Just like I would rather get lost in a classic book than a new one.  In some way, it made me seem closer to home, seeing the smiles and worn outfits of the past. I felt like I was there once again if I closed my eyes and ran my fingers down the outlines of the frame. Shaking my head, I shut the cream door and proceeded to make myself a late lunch.  

The next morning was the same. Get up, get ready to face the day, and take Bruster for a walk- only this time, I brought a sack full of books to show Meryl. By the time I reached the large grey house, she and Wilco were busy playing in the light snow.  

"Savanna, you came!" The woman's hair blew around her shoulders as she rushed towards me. 

 I chuckled softly and nodded. It seemed like Meryl didn't have a care in the world the way she moved so freely in  the cold weather.       

"Well, let's go have that cup of tea, shall we? The dogs can get some water inside too," She clicked her tongue for Wilco to follow her up the porch steps. My feet sauntered behind them, but my peripherals caught something. The same curtain on the top floor from yesterday was moved aside and a dark figure stared down. As the person noticed my watch on them, they rolled it back into place making my eyebrows frown.  

"You coming in?"  

"Oh," I grinned at her.  "'course I am." 

The entrance way was very traditional but beautiful at the same time. Right when you walk in the house, you're greeted with a dark wood foyer.  There was a little side table painted to look rustic towards the side where a set of keys lay. When you moved your eyes upwards, you saw a simple antique chandelier spray painted a dark grey. Resting straight below that, a light blue patterned rug meant for wiping dirty shoes on. There were random pictures hanging on the wall adjacent to the stairs which were painted white on the bottom and the same dark wood that matched the flooring on the top where you step. I examined every detail. 

"Would you like cream, Savanna?" I hadn't even noticed Meryl leave the room until her velvet vocal chords sounded through the walls. Following the noise of water running, I ventured into the kitchen. 

"You have a lovely house, Meryl." 

Her eyes twinkled at the compliment. "This ol' thing?" Meryl shook her head. "My son remodeled most of it a few years back. Before it was as dated as it came." 

"He did a good job," I watched her take the kettle off the burner as it whistled and pour the water in it into two mugs. "I almost forgot. No cream, please." A nod was sent my direction. We made our way to the sitting area against the corner window, dogs following. I completely forgot my hold on Bruster's leash so quickly unhooked him.