by Patricia Fry
“Do you enjoy fishing?” Savannah asked her, smiling.
The woman’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Yes, I love fishing. I live here, though, so I go fishing when the tourists leave.” She winked. “I have my special fishing places.” She chuckled at Adam’s enthusiasm for the fish being displayed along the dock. “He sure reminds me of my grandson. Adrian’s his name—kinda frilly for a boy, especially in these times, but I’m getting used to it and golly gee, does he like to go fishing with his grandma-ma.”
“Does he live close by?” Savannah asked.
The woman shook her head. “Colorado. Now, there’s some great fishing in that state!” she exclaimed. “Where are you folks from?”
“Some of us live in Hammond, south of here,” Savannah said. “We just came up for a few days.”
“We live in Colorado,” Cassie announced.
That caught the woman’s attention. “Oh, where?”
“Not too far from Denver,” Holly explained. “Where does your grandson live?”
“Aurora.”
“Close,” Holly said. “We have several friends over that way. How long have you lived up here?”
The woman became reminiscent when saying, “Twenty years. My husband used to come up here fishing so much, especially after he retired, that I decided if I wanted to spend time with him, I’d better become a nature lover. I suggested we move up here, and it was the right decision. At least we had a good eighteen years before he left me—you know, to be with God’s angels.”
“And you stayed,” Holly said. “Is that because you’ve grown to enjoy the fishing?”
“Oh Lord no, dear. I can fish anyplace on this earth.” She motioned toward the cane she was using. “But I don’t get around like I used to, since my legs are leaving me. No, I stay because I’m sort of a prisoner of the mountain.”
“How’s that?” Savannah asked, shifting Teddy’s weight in her arms.
When Michael saw the baby squirming, he laid down his poles and took him from Savannah.
“Thanks,” she said, smiling. “He’s getting heavy.” She faced the woman again. “So why do you feel like a prisoner?”
“It isn’t how I feel, it’s how it is,” the woman said. “Property here has gone down in value, not up, and if I sell my place at this time—maybe at any time—I won’t have nearly enough money to start over in Colorado or probably anywhere else, except maybe Mexico.” She shook her head. “I don’t know a soul in Mexico.”
Savannah glanced around. “It appears to me that the economy is picking up in this area. I see a lot of growth and change since I was here a few years ago.”
“Yeah, but it isn’t affecting property values, leastwise not yet.” She grimaced. “I might not live long enough to make it out of here, the way things are going.” She held out her hand and said more exuberantly, “I’m Jennie, by the way. Jennie Staples.”
Savannah shook her hand. “Hi, I’m Savannah. This is my sister-in-law, Holly,” she nodded toward her mother, “and my mom, Gladys.”
“Oh!” Jennie exclaimed. “I would have pegged you girls as sisters instead of sisters-in-law. You sure look alike; tall, blond, pretty.” She pointed at the men, who were ogling the fish displayed on the dock. “Are they your husbands?”
“Yes,” Holly said. “Mine’s the fisherman on the left. Savannah’s married to the one on the right.”
Jennie nodded and glanced toward the men. She then did a double take, tilted her head, and announced, “They’re twins! They’re twins, by golly. How in the world do you tell them apart? Do you tie a piece of string on the finger of one of them each morning so you don’t mix them up?”
Savannah and Holly laughed.
“No,” Holly said. “There are differences.”
Jennie studied the brothers. “Well, I sure can’t see any, except one is dressed in blue today and the other in brown.”
When Savannah noticed that Teddy was getting fussy in Michael’s arms, she took the baby from him and tried to comfort him.
“What’s wrong with little brother?” Jennie asked the children. “Whose brother is this little guy?”
Cassie and Bethany pointed at Lily and Adam.
“And you two are sisters?” she asked.
Cassie nodded.
“I’ll bet he wants to nurse,” Jennie said. “You’re nursing him, aren’t you, Savannah? I worked in obstetrics at a hospital south of here for years. I know a nursing baby when I see one.”
Savannah nodded. “Yes, I’m still nursing—once or twice a day is all.”
“Good for you. It’s important.” She rubbed Teddy’s back and cooed to him, then glanced around. “Say, follow me over to my place and you can nurse him in private.”
Savannah was taken aback. She considered the invitation, then said, “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to impose.”
“What do you mean, impose? I love showing off my place.” She motioned with one hand, holding her cane steady in the other. “Come on, Holly and Gladys. Bring the children; there’s room for everyone. We don’t want the little guy to be deprived.”
“Well, okay,” Savannah said. “Thank you very much.” She took Lily’s hand and started to walk with the woman. Gladys followed. When she noticed Holly hanging back, she looked at her.
“Go ahead,” Holly said. “I’ll wait here with the guys.”
However, Jennie would have none of it. “Come on, Holly. The men are going to be there for a while lusting over those fish they didn’t catch.”
“Can I stay here?” Cassie asked.
Holly thought for a moment, then said, “Okay.” She called out, “Keith, Cassie’s staying with you. I’ll be back in a little bit.” She took Bethany’s hand and followed along behind the others.
“This is wonderful,” Gladys said, stepping into a large room with an open-beam ceiling.
“So rustic,” Savannah said. “Perfect for this area.”
Holly swooned. “It’s like a museum in here.”
“Yes,” Jennie said, “and I’m attached to every last one of these things. You see, my husband and I collected all of this during our traveling years. We were blessed to be able to travel to many exotic and not-so-exotic countries. The history we saw and the people we met in small villages…” She sighed deeply. “Each memory and each trinket and piece of art has special meaning to us.” Jennie faced the others. “I’d love to create a museum, but I’m not sure others would treasure these things as much as we did—as I do.” She insisted, “But not here. It would have to be in a larger metropolitan area.” She shivered with excitement. “My vision is to build a museum around these artifacts and provide a story to go with each of them. Every piece in this house has a story and I’m itching to tell the stories.”
She made a sweeping motion with her arms and said more quietly, “Many of the stories have significant lessons to teach and important values to understand and, hopefully, adopt. This could be a highly worthwhile project for the very survival of humanity.” She faced the other women. “I mean at the core level—spiritually. I aim to teach fundamental truths like they’ve never been taught before.” She let out a sigh. “Well, that’s my dream, anyway. Whether I’ll ever realize it is questionable. What I probably need is a mentee.”
“A mentee?” Gladys asked.
“A student,” Jennie explained. “A young person who shares my passion and has the time and know-how to create a working model from my vision. I haven’t met such a person yet, and I may never have the opportunity, as long as I’m a prisoner of this place.”
The women were unable to comment right away. They were too caught up in the wonder of the artifacts and the poignancy of Jennie’s dream. Finally Gladys said, “What a grand idea. Just grand.”
“I think that would be a fascinating and worthwhile project,” Holly agreed. “If you bring it to Colorado I’d love to be a part of it.”
Jennie’s face lit up. “Really? Do you have experience in
this sort of thing?”
Holly shrugged. “I volunteer at a local museum and at the library. I really am into historic preservation. I would be delighted to be involved in a project like yours. Yes, count me in.” Holly removed a card from her backpack and handed it to Jennie. “Here’s my contact information. Call me if you ever get to the point where you can use my help.”
Jennie studied the card. “Pettit,” she read. “Are you related to a Dr. Pettit, a veterinarian in Colorado?”
Holly smiled. “He’s my husband. He’s one of the fishermen out there ogling the fish they didn’t catch.”
“Oh!” Jennie remarked. “My daughter, Veronica, and her hubby have a ranch.” She chuckled. “Believe it or not, she married a man named McDonald whose family has been ranching in that area for many decades. They have horses, pigs, goats, and I don’t know what all, besides cats and dogs, of course, and they swear by Dr. Pettit. They have a vet who’s closer, but for tough cases they always call on dear Dr. Pettit. Veronica talks about him all the time.” She glanced toward the dock. “Wait until I tell her I met her famous doctor and his family.” She became more serious. “So Holly, you’d be interested in my project?”
Holly nodded. She turned to Savannah and Gladys, “Don’t you just love the premise?” She said to Jennie, “I’m especially intrigued by the idea of using your artifacts and the stories around each one to teach values. But finding a way to share the stories…now that would be a challenge.”
“Not if you use technology,” Savannah said. “You could tell a short version of each story on electronic display screens and maybe run a film in another room that elaborates, and even publish an amazing coffee-table book with photos of each piece, where you tell the complete story.” Savannah was on a roll. “You could travel and share your message with groups at conventions and in schools and even create a conference of sorts at your museum, where you attract hundreds of people to hear you speak.”
Jennie quivered with delight. “Oh, it’s wonderful to talk to folks who can recognize the value in my vision.” She turned to Holly. “Can you see the museum being appreciated in the greater Denver area?”
“Certainly,” Holly said. “I think I would build it in a surrounding city, though—one that’s growing and thriving. Denver proper might be too dense, or stifling for something like you propose.”
Jennie nodded. “Now that’s an example of the value of feedback, especially from someone in the know.”
Holly grinned. “I don’t know if I’m in the know, but I am somewhat familiar with my area and the culture there.”
Jennie asked, “How does someone like me get started? I have absolutely no background in this sort of thing.”
“Well, you have a wonderful collection,” Holly started. “You also have a vision and a passion and you know your pieces intimately. I think that’s an important and sound beginning.”
Jennie stared at her. “I guess you’re right. Then there’s the money issue and all of the lawyer stuff I don’t understand, and frankly, don’t want to understand. I’d have to get someone to help me with that. Add it all up and it’s outside my meager budget. No, I doubt it will ever happen, but I do enjoy the dream. I’m holding onto the dream.” As if suddenly emerging from a trance, Jennie shook herself and said, “Oh, Savannah, please sit wherever you’d like. Do you want a towel to cover yourself?”
Savannah blushed. “I have one with me. Thanks.”
Once the women were seated, Holly lifted Bethany onto the sofa next to her and Gladys put Lily on her lap.
When Jennie noticed this, she said, “Oh, let them be children.” She picked up a small doll and held it close. “This was mine when I was a little girl.” She asked Bethany, “Would you like to hold her?”
The child looked at her mom.
“It’s okay,” Holly said, easing her from the sofa.
Jennie crooned to Lily enticingly, “Want to come see my dollie?”
Lily nodded and Gladys helped her to the floor.
After taking turns holding the doll, Lily walked to a large basket filled with antique toys.
“Aren’t those interesting?” Jennie said. “Some of them are just replicas, but I enjoy collecting those too.” She pointed with her cane and told the girls, “That’s Mr. Jack. Want to watch Mr. Jack pop out of the box?”
Lily nodded shyly.
“Well, take it out of the basket,” Jennie instructed. When Lily hesitated she said, “It’s okay; just pick it up.”
Lily still stood staring down at the toy, so Bethany walked forward and took it from the basket. She placed it on the floor and sat down in front of it. “Sit,” she told Lily, and she started turning the handle.
When Lily heard the music, she smiled and sat down with Bethany.
“Pop! Goes the weasel,” Jennie recited when the puppet popped out of the box.
Lily looked startled at first. When she saw Savannah, Holly, and her grandmother all smiling at her, she began to laugh. “Again,” she said to Bethany. “Again.”
After the girls wound the toy a couple more times, Jennie noticed that Teddy was no longer nursing, she said, “Oh, I’m sorry; did that distract him?”
“It’s okay,” Savannah said, smoothing his hair as he sat on her lap staring at the girls and the colorful toy. He scrambled to get down and Savannah released him. She laughed when he approached the toy and slapped it a couple of times. “He wants to watch it pop again. Can you girls close the lid and make Jack pop again?”
“I do it,” Lily begged. “My turn.”
“Let your cousin have a turn, Beth-Beth,” Holly said.
At the same time, Teddy sat down with the girls and watched with interest as Lily wound the handle on the toy. He jumped when Jack popped out and then began laughing with the little girls. After several minutes, Teddy became restless and he started looking around the room.
“Uh-oh,” Savannah said. “Your beautiful museum art is in jeopardy. Teddy’s on the loose.” She reached for him as he started to crawl away.
“He’s fine,” Jennie insisted. “Let him explore.”
However, Savannah wasn’t comfortable giving the toddler free rein. “I’d better keep an eye on him,” she insisted. “He’s pretty quick and sneaky—even more so than our cat, who’s an enormous hazard to take anywhere.”
“Your cat?” Jennie questioned.
Holly laughed. “Oh, he’s a kick. Quite a character. And she’s right, he gets into everything. He can’t be trusted, in fact…” she started.
Before she could continue, Savannah let out a yelp.
Everyone looked in her direction and Jennie asked, “What is that? What did little Teddy find?”
“I don’t know,” Savannah said, quickly picking him up. She carried Teddy to where Jennie sat and coached him to give the small package to Jennie. “Give it to Ms. Jennie,” she repeated.
“Oh,” Jennie said, taking it from the baby. “I’ve been looking for that.” She examined it for a moment. “I found it in my mailbox a couple of days ago. I think I got a phone call that day when I was going through my mail and this somehow disappeared. Where did he find it?”
“I’m not sure. I think between those two cabinets.”
Holly chuckled. “Good grief, Savannah, he’s taking after your cat.”
Savannah shuddered.
“Well, I’m glad he found it,” Jennie said. “Like I said, I didn’t get a chance to look at what it was before it disappeared.” She leaned forward in her chair and squinted at the crevice between the two cabinets. “Is there anything else lost in that black hole?”
Gladys took a small flashlight from her purse and shined it into the space. “I don’t see anything.” She addressed Holly. “Do you?”
“No. Nothing,” Holly agreed.
Jennie patted Teddy’s hands. “Well, thank you, young man, for finding whatever the heck this is.” She sat back in her chair and began to open it.
At the same tim
e, Lily and Bethany walked up to her and stood waiting for the unveiling. Jennie laughed gently at them. Once she had opened the crudely wrapped packet, she gasped and dropped it into her lap. “Oh my,” she said.
“What?” Savannah asked, concerned.
“A key,” Bethany chirped.
Lily faced Savannah. “It’s a key, Mommy.”
“Are you okay?” Gladys asked Jennie. “You look pale. May I get you a drink of water?”
“Yes, please.” Jennie pointed. “Kitchen’s right there.” Once she’d taken a sip of water, she said, “I believe, ladies, that this is one of the keys everyone’s been so unreasonably excited about.” She slumped a little and said weakly, “No one knows whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing when a key shows up on your doorstep.” She looked up at the women. “Or in your mailbox, attached to your shovel, or who knows where.”
“Is there a note?” Holly asked.
Jennie picked up the wrapping and looked it over. “Oh dear, yes.” She took a deep breath. “It is one of those keys.” Her demeanor livened. “Or, we have a copycat key distributor.”
“What does it say?” Gladys asked. Then realizing she was being a little forward, she apologized. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. Forgive me.”
Jennie waved her hand in front of her. “Nonsense. I have very few secrets.” She opened the paper wrapping and read, “‘Roses are red, violets are blue, a new place for your treasures and for you.’” She looked puzzled and shook her head. “I sure don’t know what that means.”
“Well, I’d put it in a safe place,” Gladys said.
Holly nodded. “And don’t tell anyone you have it.”
Jennie grasped the key in her hand, held it to her chest, and said, “Good idea. Will do.” She addressed Teddy. “Thank you, little man.” She grimaced. “…or not.”
Everyone laughed.
“Jennie, thank you so much for your hospitality,” Savannah said, preparing to leave. “I really enjoyed the tour and our visit.”
“Yes,” Holly said. “So nice to meet you.” She leaned closer, adding secretively, “Now, put that key away and mum’s the word, okay?”