by Jaime Maddox
That settled, she focused on the rental section of the paper and quickly found several prospects. Her lifestyle made an apartment a better choice than a house, and she circled the numbers with a pen and began making phone calls. Just as she was finishing her first inquiry, she looked up to the comical sight of a small black dog running in her direction, pulling a young woman. Her face displayed the telltale features of Down syndrome, and she was followed by another woman, this one much older and struggling to keep up.
The pooch didn’t stop until he was at Ella’s feet, and then he stood on his hind legs and put his front paws on the picnic bench. Huge brown eyes caught her gaze, and he turned his head, studying her. Ella allowed him to sniff her fingers before she began scratching behind his ears.
“Bijou!” the younger woman yelled.
“Cass,” the older woman called.
“Hi,” the younger woman said as she sat across from Ella. “I’m Cass.” Her smile seemed to jump off her face.
“Hi, Cass. I’m Ella. And this guy must be Bijou.”
Ella smiled as the dog jumped up to the bench seat and wedged his way onto her lap, provoking a laugh from Cass. He settled in as if he belonged there, and instantly Ella realized how much she missed having a dog. When she’d split with her ex, Cindy had been the logical choice to take custody of their dog, Hudson. Her job didn’t require travel, and she worked close enough from home that she could stop by the house at lunch to let him out. A year later, he’d been hit by a car and Cindy had to put him down. The thought still brought a tear to her eye, and Ella focused instead on the little ball of black fur in her lap.
“He likes you,” Cass said just as the older woman joined them.
“Hi,” she said as she reached for the dog and pulled him from Ella’s lap. “Sorry about Bijou. He likes to explore.”
“No worries. That’s what parks are for, right?”
“Do you live here? I’ve never seen you before,” Cass said. “I live over there, in the blue house,” she said as she turned and pointed.
Ella was concerned about the personal details Cass so readily revealed, but she didn’t have time to ponder her thoughts.
“Cass, what did I tell you about talking to strangers? You can’t tell people where you live.”
“She’s not a stranger, Mom. She’s a lady.”
Ella couldn’t help smiling. “Why, thank you, Cass. And to answer your question, no. I don’t live here. But I just got a new job, and I’ll be moving here soon.” Pointing to the newspapers, she said, “I’m looking for an apartment.”
“Would you mind if I sit?” Cass’s mom asked.
Ella shook her head. “No, of course not. Maybe you can give me some tips about the local neighborhoods.”
“Thank you. I’m Sharon Ryan, by the way.”
“Ella Townes.”
“What kind of apartment are you looking for? Something modern in a complex or older and more sophisticated? Something in a converted house perhaps?”
Sitting side by side, Ella couldn’t help noticing the similarities between the women. Cass was shorter but had the same brown eyes as her mom, and her black hair, while short, was full and wavy. Sharon’s was much the same, although silver had replaced much of the black.
“One that doesn’t require me to do anything. Other than that, I’m not particular.”
“Where are you looking?”
“Well, that’s the thing I’m not sure about. I was just hired at Pocono Mountains University, so I can go more toward the mountains or stay here in Scranton. I’d like to be within a half hour of school if I can.”
“Congratulations on the new job. My elder daughter graduated from PMU. It’s a great school. There isn’t much housing out by the campus. Not that I know of, anyway. You might have to check the listings. If you don’t mind Scranton, though, you’ll find plenty of places for rent.”
“Yes. I can see that from the ads. I guess it won’t be a problem. I’d like to check the places out today and make a decision if I can. I’m supposed to start in two weeks.”
“Well, you have your work cut out for you, then. Where do you live now?”
“Philadelphia.”
“I love Philadelphia,” Cass said. “The Phillies are the best baseball team, next to the Yankees.”
“Well, if you root for the Yankees, you’re usually happy at the end of the season.”
“She became a Yankees fan when they took over the AAA franchise,” Sharon said.
“I work at the stadium. I’m an usher. Do you want to go to the game tonight? I get free tickets.”
Ella nodded. “I love baseball, especially the Phillies, and I’d love to go to a game, but not tonight. After I find an apartment, I have to drive back to Philadelphia and start packing.”
“I can help you pack. My sister moves all the time, and I always help her pack.”
“Cass, she doesn’t move all the time. You make her sound like a vagrant.”
Cass furrowed her brows. “She’s not a vagrant, mom. She’s a doctor.”
“My other child is an ER doctor, and she’s had quite a few moves for school and residency and all that.”
“She doesn’t sound like a vagrant at all,” Ella said.
Sharon laughed.
“PMU has quite a few doctors on the alumni rolls. The pre-med program is well respected, and every year dozens of our students are admitted to medical school,” Ella said as she pushed a lock of hair back behind her ear. The blond strand reached just past her shoulders, not quite long enough for the scrunchie to hold it in place. That was another thing she’d have to worry about after the move. Finding someone to color and cut her hair. The salon in Philly wouldn’t be convenient from here.
“Oh, yes,” Sharon said. “It’s a great school. I know half the doctors and lawyers and accountants in town, just from the parties my daughter used to host.”
“That sounds like a big bonus.”
“They’re all good kids. Most of them went to Pocono Mountains Prep, too, so I know them from way back.” Sharon shook her head. “Time flies. They have their twenty-fifth high school reunion in a couple of years.”
Ella would also have hers soon. “I must be the same age as your daughter. Mine’s coming up as well.”
“When you get settled in, I’ll introduce you to Reese. She’s lived here her entire life and knows everyone.”
Ella nodded. “That would be very nice. It’s great to have local people to give you the scoop.” Bijou stretched his front legs as far as he could toward Ella and began batting them at her from across the picnic table. She reached over and took his paws in her hands, and he continued the game.
Sharon stared at her for a moment. “This dog really likes you. You wouldn’t be interested in a different sort of living arrangement, would you?”
Ella studied Sharon for a moment, curious. “What sort of arrangement?”
“Bijou’s mom, my neighbor, is going to California for a few months. She wants to study film.” Sharon shrugged as if she’d never heard of anything so ridiculous. “Of course, my husband and I will look after the house and the dog while we can, but we’ve started wintering in Florida, so we’ll be leaving right after Christmas. Ideally, Pip would love to find someone to live in the house while she’s gone. She’s even willing to pay a small stipend.”
“Is the house furnished?”
Sharon nodded.
That was an interesting concept. No lease, just a fully furnished house for a few months until she got to know the area well enough to decide on something more permanent. And a small stipend as well! Money wasn’t an issue, but free rent would be nice, particularly until she found a tenant for her house in Philly.
“I’m not too handy around the house,” Ella said. “I can barely change a lightbulb, and I’ve never taken care of a lawn in my life.”
Sharon waved her hand dismissively. “Pip has Frankie. He takes care of the house and the lawn. She just wants someone to stay so the place isn’t
abandoned. You know, what if something leaks while she’s gone, and no one discovers it for two months?”
“Can’t Frankie do that?” Ella asked as she mulled over the prospect of house-sitting.
“I suppose, but it’s not the same.”
“Yes! Stay at Pip’s house,” Cass said.
“Do you live alone?” Sharon asked before Ella could reply. “Any pets?”
“I guess that would be the problem. I’m alone, but I travel about half the time, so I wouldn’t be the ideal dog sitter.”
“He’s not a problem. Cass can usually help with him.”
“Are you getting a commission on this rental, Sharon?” Ella asked.
Shaking her head, she laughed. “No, but I like you, so I wouldn’t mind you as my neighbor. What if she finds some young kid who blasts rock-n-roll all night long?”
“What makes you think I don’t blast rock-n-roll all night long?”
Sharon winked. “Something tells me you’re a little more refined than that.”
Ella swallowed a smile. Coming from Sharon, the compliment almost sounded like an insult. What would she say if she saw the fifty women in her backyard during her annual breast-cancer fund-raiser? Drinking beer, dancing, playing volleyball and horseshoes until the beer ran out? Or caught her sunbathing in almost nothing? No, she didn’t tend to play her music loudly, except while housecleaning on Saturday mornings, but she wasn’t that refined.
“Would you like to see the house?” Sharon asked. “Pip is home. I’m sure she’d be happy to show it to you.”
Her hesitation was brief. What did she have to lose? “Sure.”
“Yeah!” Cass said, clapping her hands, causing Bijou to start barking.
“See. Everyone thinks it’s a good idea,” Sharon said.
After gathering the newspapers, Ella stood, and they walked together the short distance to Arthur Avenue, then crossed the street in front of a stone home in the style of a French country manor, with a sloping roof and stone wall surrounding the grounds.
“What a lovely place,” Ella commented.
Bijou jumped from Sharon’s arms as they approached an arched gateway, immediately running in circles and then squatting to do his business.
“He has an entire park at his disposal, and he comes home to do that.”
Ella looked up to see a woman reclining on a chaise positioned to get her a face full of sunshine, if a large-brimmed hat and glasses hadn’t hidden her features.
“There’s no place like home,” Sharon said.
“Who’s your friend?”
“Pip, this young lady is Ella Townes. She’s starting a new job at PMU, and we found her in the park studying the newspaper. She needs an apartment. I thought I’d introduce you. Perhaps you can help each other out.”
Ella walked forward and offered her hand. Pip responded with her own and shook it gently. “Ella Townes.”
“Penny Perkins. Everyone calls me Pip.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“So where do you come from, Ella?” she asked.
Ella told her she’d traveled as a child, because of her father’s job, but that she’d spent her summers at Lake Winola.
“Wait a minute. Are you related to Carl and Elizabeth Townes? They lived at the lake when I was young, about a mile from my parents’ place. Their daughter, Nance, was my sitter.”
Ella laughed. “You’re kidding me! Their son, Ron, is my father. I stayed with them every summer until they passed away.”
Pip shook her head. “That was awful, Ella. One fall we said good-bye to them, thinking we’d see them the next spring, and the next thing we knew, the house was for sale.”
“Listen, we’ll leave you two in peace,” Sharon said, handing Ella a piece of paper. “This is my phone number. If I can do anything else for you, call. And even if you don’t need anything, call anyway, so I can hook you up with Reese. I enjoyed talking to you. Good luck with the apartment hunting.”
“Hey, what about my dollar for walking Bijou?” Cass chimed in.
Pip reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded bill, then handed it to Cass. Cass proceeded to unfold it and studied it, as if making sure Pip hadn’t tried to pass her counterfeit money.
“How much money do you have now?” Pip asked.
“Forty-two dollars.”
Pip looked at Ella. “Tell Ella what you’re saving for.”
Ella looked at Cass, who looked from Pip to Sharon and finally to Ella.
“Go ahead,” Sharon said. “You can tell her.”
Ella turned her full attention to Cass, who began flapping her hands excitedly. “When I have enough money, I’m going on a cooking cruise with Chef Vito.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Ella said.
“If you stay here, you’ll meet Vito. He walks his dog in the park.”
“Best soup in town, and wonderful sandwiches.”
“And he runs a cruise?”
“Yes. It’s very popular,” Sharon said.
“I’m an excellent chef,” Cass added.
“Well, I hope you have fun on your cruise, then.”
“We should get going so you can talk.”
Ella felt so comfortable with Sharon that she opened her arms. “It was so nice to meet you.” Sharon stepped in, gave her a gentle hug, and when she stepped back, Cass attacked, clasping her ferociously. “I hope you move here with Pip.”
“Nice people,” Ella said when they’d disappeared through the gate.
“I’ve known them my whole life, it seems. I grew up in this house, but of course, we summered at the lake. The Ryans bought the house next door when I was a teenager, and they’ve lived there ever since.”
“Are your parents still living?”
Pip shook her head. “No. My mom died years ago, and my dad just recently. It’s just me now. And Bijou, of course.”
“Of course. So, Sharon tells me you’re looking for a house sitter for a little while. That could possibly work for me. It would give me a little time to acclimate to the mountains before I decide where I’d like to live. I’m not sure about Bijou, though. My schedule is a little odd, and I travel often.”
“Oh? What do you do?”
“I’m in development. I meet with donors all over the country. I’m often gone for a week or ten days at a time.”
“Don’t worry about the dog. The Ryans are wonderful with him. Cass loves him. If you’re here, it gives them a little break. It could work. I assume you have references I could check? Your Aunt Nance, for instance.”
Ella laughed. “Don’t believe a thing she says about me! But of course, it sounds great for me if it works for you. Would you mind showing me around?”
Beginning with the ample grounds, Pip showed her the converted carriage house, which now had space for four cars. Only one, an SUV, was parked inside. Flower beds and stone pathways dominated the back of the house, and a covered porch looked over it all. Pip led her up a step and into a foyer and gave her the tour. The house was surprisingly small but very efficiently designed, and more than ample for Ella’s needs. Pip, or perhaps her father, had modernized all the important things—kitchen, baths, electrical. Since the master suite was on the first floor, Pip offered Ella exclusive rights to the second floor and use of the common areas as well.
After the tour, Pip poured them both glasses of ice water, and they settled in on the covered porch. “It’s so amazing that I should have met you, Pip. I can’t believe the way this day has gone,” Ella said, shaking her head.
“Sometimes the fates work that way.”
“It’s funny. I was just thinking about my old friends from the lake, hoping I’ll have a chance to get together with some of them once I’m settled, and I meet you, and you also have a connection to the lake. It’s like my old friends are calling me.”
“Do you keep in touch?”
Ella shook her head. “My last summer at the lake, I was only twelve years old. I never even had phone numbers for t
hem. It was a different time, you know?”
“Well, with the internet, I’m sure you’ll be able to track them down.”
“I hope so.”
“Who are you looking for? Even though my dad sold our lake house, I still know some of those people.”
“There are a few people I’d like to catch up with, but the one I’d most like to see is Stephanie Gates. Do you know her?”
Pip took a sip of her water and tilted her head. She’d removed the hat and glasses when they went into the house, but her expression was still unreadable. “Stephanie? Sophie’s daughter?”
“Yes. She lived in the house next to my grandparents. She was my very best childhood friend. Do you know her? Is she still in the area?”
Pip nodded and rested her glass on her knee. “You didn’t hear, I guess. No. How would you?” She seemed to be talking to herself, staring into the distance before she met Ella’s gaze. “Stephanie died quite a few years ago.”
Ella felt the words like a slap to the face. She was only forty-two; Steph was the same age. How could she be dead? “What?”
“She died.”
How could this information, after no news for more than thirty years, hit her so hard? Thoughts of Steph suddenly filled her—riding her bike, long before the days of helmets, a mane of brown hair blowing behind her, a hundred-watt smile on her face. Sitting together in their tree house, built high up in the tree closest to the lake. From there they’d watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July and spy on boaters and partiers. They’d caught neighbors skinny-dipping and teenagers making out in their parents’ boats, even had ringside seats for a few drunken brawls. It had been great fun, and it would have been nice to travel back to those days with Steph and find out what kind of person she’d become. Perhaps, they’d even make new memories. The sadness, she supposed, wasn’t just because of the friendship they’d shared back then, but the one Ella had hoped to rekindle now.
“What happened to her? Was it an accident?” What felled the young other than accidents? Drowning? Steph had been a strong swimmer, but she knew from her time at the lake that anyone could drown.