Mute

Kassie's Bed and Breakfast

      She had gotten in my car with a paper, which I soon realized was a map. And I wasn't very shocked that her map looked more realistic than the one I bought quite a few towns back. "Just follow the road and the map will lead you to my home." She went to leave and I placed my hand on her shoulder to stop her. "Wait, Kassie, right? I was rude in there. My name is Katie Bells." She smiled, "It is very nice to meet you, Katie. I will be at the house soon. It's unlocked, just go right in." I nodded and she got out of the car before walking behind the gas station. Strange to leave your door unlocked and invite unknown people right inside. I shrugged it off and drive onto the road, looking to the map every few moments. It didn't take very long for me to pull up to a large, red house on a corner of a street. I felt my heart melt just looking at the home. The lights were on inside, the yawn near perfection, a small gated fence. The house seemed to be three stories, and as I looked to the side as I got out of the car, I realized just how dream-like this house really was.                                                                                                                                                                                                    The windows were clear and cleaned, the drapes inside barely peeking from their ties from inside, the side of the house decorated with a garden and clothesline. I was at awe from just the outside of the house, I couldn't wait to see inside. I saw Kassie pull up, her white pickup truck parking up beside my car at the edge of the sidewalk. She walked to the porch, her smile still plastered on her face like a permanent fixture. "You can go inside. Nobody here bites." It took a second for her sentence to sink in. "Nobody here? Others live in the house?" She nodded, "Of course. You think a woman of my age with a job such as gas station attendant could afford a beauty like this?" I mean, she had a good point. Way too good of a point. Made me feel kind of stupid, but this thought quickly left my mind as she opened the door and walked inside. The inside of the house was even more breath-taking. I walked inside of a palace or something.                The door led into the living room, the white walls and blue furniture complimenting one another quite well. A large flat screen television, a white or cream colored couch, a set of end tables, a set of matching chairs. It was like a hotel lobby combined with a palace-like feeling.  I walked into the area and looked around, the stairs at the other side of the room catching my eye. They seemed wider than regular stairs. Almost as if many people were to go up there all at once. "The others are probably sleeping. I'll grab your bag and you can get up to your room." Before I could decline, she walked out the door, disappearing into the dark night. I shook my head and continued looking around, still in shock at the fact that this place wasn't a palace fit for a prince and princess. She came back in with one of my suitcases and began walking upstairs. "Come, Katie. Your room is right up here." I followed her, feeling more and more like royalty as I ascended each step. When we made it to the second floor hall, I was ultimately feeling I needed to pay Kassie for every night I stayed. The home was absolutely beautiful, the hall, I realized, smelled like vanilla, the lights warm and inviting. She opened the door on the right at the very end of the corridor. As we walked in, I found that the bedroom was a blank canvas. No paintings or posters on the wall, no certain type of bedspread. Only a blue comforter and pillows with the same shade of blue pillowcases. "What do I need to pay for the room, Kassie?" She sighed and placed my bag on the bed. "Nothing at all, dear. Just relax and sleep. Breakfast will be in the morning at 8. Sleep well. And if you need anything, my room is right across the hall, very first door at the left of the stairs." I smiled, and she nodded and closed the door as she walked out.                                                                                                                                                  I unzipped by bag and got out my pajamas, a tank top and a pair of pajama pants, and changed quickly. I climbed into the bed, the cold sheets grazing my arms and my heart beginning to warm up to the thought of living in this house. Kassie must feel like a queen. I waited for the comforter and sheets to warm up, and as soon as they did I felt myself drift off to sleep. I woke up to the faint smell of coffee and the sounds of birds chirping outside my room window, the sunlight breaking out from the clouds. I got up and changed into whatever I could find, which ended up being a T-shirt and some jeans, but it was a casual Monday morning. I peeked into the hall to find that nobody was around, but the aroma of coffee and breakfast getting stronger. I walked downstairs and through the living room, following the delicious smell towards a corridor to the left of the front door. I eventually found myself in a large kitchen with three other people. There was an older gentleman, gray hair, the lines in his face barely noticable. He was standing at the counter pouring himself a cup of coffee, Kassie standing at his side with her usual smile. I looked to the table to find a younger man sitting in a chair staring down at his plate, his features hidden with a baseball cap. I could see his black hair poking out from under his hat, but he didn't seem to care about his surroundings. Kassie looked to me and seemed to light up the rest of the room. "Good morning, Miss Bells. Sit. We'll eat breakfast as soon as Miss Harper arrives."                                                                                                                                                 I sat across from the younger male and looked at him a few moments longer. Based off my observations, I found he only did two things besides sit unmoving in his chair. Exist and breathe. Something seemed to bother me, besides the fact that he didn't address me directly, even though I was clearly staring at this man. He didn't seem to acknowledge me as I entered he room either. He didn't really give me a good vibe, whether it be his silence or the fact he wasn't looking at anything. Or anyone. I finally looked away from him and let the blue walls and white furniture and appliances wow me with how organized and how perfect everything seemed. Kassie must really like the color blue. A few moments later, a younger girl, who I supposed was Miss Harper at the time, walked in. She seemed younger, her hair long and dark, her blue eyes could be seen across the room, bright and shining. I found her features to be quite distinct, no wrinkles or sign of aging, small nose, full lips, basic barbie classic. But the eyes seemed to be so full of life. No drawing could ever capture the life she held in those bright blue oceans. She walked closer, waving to Kassie and the older gentleman. The man spoke, his deep voice tone and words seeming to calmingly enter the atmosphere, like a warm and embracing breeze. "Good morning, Amelia. Must be a nice day out today?" She nods.                                                                      Kassie sets a plate of pancakes on the table. "Sit, Amy, sit. I have someone to introduce you to. Katie, this young gal is Amelia Harper. She helps me around the house while her school is out for the summer." Amelia sits beside me and faintly smiles. She still hasn't said a word. Maybe she just was uncomfortable with new people. The older gentleman sits down beside the other male, getting a few pancakes with his fork and dragging them onto his plate. He gets the syrup and looks to me, beginning the conversation with, "So, Katie. Katie, right? What brings you to Cardensdale?" I shrug, getting a pancake off of the plate and placing it on mine. "I was just passing through last night and stopped at the gas station. Kassie allowed me to stay the night." He nods, "And where were you planning on going?" I didn't exactly know how to tell him that I was just driving anywhere that would accept me without sounding stupid, so I just replied with, "I was planning on a road trip for awhile. I finally gained the courage this year." He begins to cut his food, his eyes leaving his plate to look to me. "Well, it's nice to have a new face around here. You can call me David. This young man at my right is my son, Jackson." I turn to Jackson. It seems this is the time he decides to do something other than just exist, for he faces me for a few seconds before looking back down. Guess that's about all the kind of interaction I will get from him today. Kassie eventually sits down at the table, and soon everyone, except Jackson, was focused on their breakfast instead of conversation. After breakfast was over, David and Amelia put their plates on the counter, Kassie taking mine and placing it with the others. "Thank you for the room. And the food." She pats my shoulder, "Don't mention it, Katie. I hope you plan on staying longer than just today."                                                                                                                                            I shook my head. "I don't think I should. This place is really nice and all, but I don't want to overstay my welcome." She sighed. "I have enough room here, you know. I have rooms for the other guests. Just give it a week. I assure you, you won't be disappointed." She and Amelia began washing dishes, and I began debating whether I should stay or not. These people do seem nice. And this house was seeming more and more like a hotel rather than a house. David and Jackson seemed to be nearly picture perfect, besides the fact that Jackson didn't like being social. And Amelia seems to be nice too. Kassie was definitely never less than generous from the way she's treated me thus far. A week wouldn't be so bad after all. It was just a week. Nothing more. Right?