“Oh that house has great history. It was built in 1899 by an old ferryman named Oliver Parker for his wife Helen. He sold it in 1930 and they moved to Colorado.” She gave Kassie a card to sign. “Then it was bought by Harriet Clarkson, she lived there until 1970 then moved to Florida, sweet woman but dumb as a rock. The last owners, the Bakers, lived there until 2012. With all their kids grown and married the house was too big for the two of them, so they moved into a condo the next town over.” She said.
“So no one died in the house?” Kassie asked for good measure. She hadn’t had heard any bumps in the night, but she wanted to be on the safe side. She was definitely a believer.
“Goodness no.” She laughed. “My mother was in school with the Parker children all happy and healthy. I was in school with one Harriet Clarkson’s children. I played with them, my house is down the street from yours, and they were brats, spoiled beyond words. See Harriet was married to a very wealthy man but he passed in a freak accident out in Oregon. I went to school with her youngest Maisy. She was a sweet girl, ran off with a beatnik in ’57.” She said. “Don’t blame her, the boy was beautiful. Tall, brown hair, blue eyes, and a smile that literally made your heart skip a beat.”
“Bad choices, I know I’ve made more than a few.”
“Haven’t we all.” She said with a warm smile.
“Yes ma’am.” Kassie said. “Thanks for the info.”
“You’re welcome. Welcome to town by the way.”
“Thank you.” Kassie said and the librarian smiled at her.
“I’m Katherine Marshall.”
“You can call me Kassie but you’re the only one so far who can call me Kassie,” She told her as she gathered her books and they shared the chuckle before Kassie left.
Kassie left the library, happy that she made the choice to buy the house. This was the perfect place to get lost.
*****
Timothy smiled as his daughter Natalie ran past him giggling; Griffin was right on her heels.
“We have to leave at six to get you home to your Mom.” He said.
“Ok.” She called they ran out the door and into the yard.
*****
Kassie pulled into her driveway in her navy blue BMW convertible. She’d had three, a black one, a red one, and a navy blue one. The black and red convertibles were her and Monroe’s, an anniversary gift he’d bought for them when he’d hit it big. Kassie won them in the divorce along with ten million of his wealth. The navy convertible was a celebration of the end of their relationship though she had to admit she wasn’t very happy at the time.
The other two convertibles she had parked in the newly constructed garage. It had pained her to tear down the original, but it just wasn’t safe. So she’d had one built to look the same way the old one had. She planned to sell the other two convertibles and keep the navy blue one. Kassie felt that the red one and the black one were just a reminder of her failed marriage.
Kassie got out of her car and started into her house. A part of her was sad to be here alone, but she would be fine. She had been alone before. It was no biggie.
A small yellow ball landed in her grass, startling her just a bit.
“I’m sorry.” A young girl called as she ran over to the fence that divided her property from Timothy’s yard.
The girl had long brown hair and clear blue eyes hidden under thick eyelashes. There was no doubting that she was the child of her neighbor, she looked just like him, only miniature. There was a thin swatch of freckles across the bridge of her nose. She was wearing a pink tank top and green shorts with pink sneakers. She was a very pretty child; her smile was so warm and sweet that it made Kassie think of herself when she was a little girl.
“I think I threw it too hard.” The girl said breathlessly smiling at Kassie over the fence. Kassie glanced at the girl, then at the ball. She picked it up walking across her grass slowly to the fence.
“Thank you, Miss.” The little girl said as Kassie stood in front of her with the ball.
“How old are you?” Kassie asked softly.
“Nine.” Natalie said.
Kassie smiled unexpectedly and Natalie beamed back. She missed being nine and carefree, that was before things went downhill in her life.
Kassie’s smile slowly faded and she gave Natalie her ball before backing away. “Enjoy your happiness kid.” Kassie’s eyes filled with tears. “It doesn’t last forever. She walked up her stairs and into her house. Natalie stared at her sadly until her door closed.
“Come on Griff.” Natalie whispered. She walked away from the fence and continued to play with the dog half heartedly, her mind haunted by the sadness in the lady’s eyes.
*****
Timothy noticed the un-Natalie like silence from the backseat and looked back at her through the rearview mirror for a moment. Natalie looked so sad that it made him a little worried.
“What’s up baby cakes?” He asked.
She sighed and looked at him.
“Daddy, who’s the lady who lives next to you?” She asked.
Tim sighed softly and turned onto Adams Street, honking at Max who was crossing at the corner. He was walking his German shepherd, Goldie. Max chuckled and waved.
“That’s my new neighbor . . . why?”
“Griffin’s ball went into her yard.”
“Was she mean to you?” He asked stopping for the red light.
Timothy looked back at Natalie. She shook her head.
“She looks so sad daddy. She started to cry.”
“What do you mean?” He asked. Someone behind him honked their horn and Tim turned back, pulling off.
“She said enjoy your happiness kid, started to cry, and then said it doesn’t last forever.” Natalie told him. “She looked so sad. Like gramma Gracie did when grampa died.”
Tim nearly swerved off the road. She cried, cried! He couldn’t believe it. She didn’t even seem like she could produce emotions. But maybe there was more to her than meets the eye.
“Sometimes Nat, people aren’t very happy.” Timothy said softly.
“Yeah, I guess.” Natalie said. She looked out the window but he could see that his neighbor’s sadness had struck a sympathetic chord in his sensitive daughter.
*****
Kassie stepped on the box that had held her pots and pans and tossed it on the pile of boxes to be put be tied up and put out for recycling. Last night she cleaned and scrubbed down every inch of the kitchen despite the fact that everything in it was brand new and top of the line. She’d spent the afternoon putting away pots, pans, small appliances, and dishes.
The kitchen was done so she started into the dining room. She saw something rust colored running around her backyard and walked to the door, it streaked back. She stepped out onto her porch. The neighbor’s dog was in her backyard and it was a cute little creature. Every time it ran into a spot of sun, its fur gleamed like copper. In its mouth was a banana toy that looked old and tattered. Kassie smiled when it ran up to her and sat beside her feet, seeming to be smiling at her back.
“Hello.” Kassie rubbed its head. “You’re a sweet boy aren’t you?” She lowered herself down to the dog, looking at the tag. “Griffin.” She said gently and it quickly licked her hand. She giggled and a little bubble of happiness seemed to creak into the darkest spots of her spirit making her feel a little brighter.
“Come on boy,” She took his banana and stood, opening the door. Griffin trotted inside as if he were an old friend come to visit and Kassie followed.
*****
Timothy pulled up in front of the house, parked and unbuckled his seat belt, humming slightly off key to the radio. He got out of his car and realized immediately that his fence was open.
“Oh no! Oh no, no, no, no!” He mumbled to himself, practically running into his yard. He didn’t see Griffin anywhere.
Tim’s heart went into a panic. Griffin was a gift from Natalie and his ex-wife Nora, last year.
He whistled loudly and called
out the dog’s name.
Kassie watched Griffin look up from the bowl of leftovers she’d given him, head cocked to the side, listening. She laughed softly when the dog bent his head to take down the last of the bacon barbeque burger and the salad she’d had for dinner last night. He ate with obvious relish, not allowing any distractions.
“Griffin!” She too now heard her neighbor’s worried voice calling and the dog ran to the living room door, staring out leisurely. She said nothing, just looked on with amusement as the silly dog watched his frantic owner search up and down the block for him.
Timothy felt eyes on his back and turned around. He saw her and Griffin standing at the door watching him. He could have sworn that dog was laughing at him! He stood there tongue hanging out and tail waving back and forth behind him in silent greeting. Tim walked to her door, wondering darkly if a man could go to jail for strangling his dog. The last thing he wanted to do was spar verbally with the ice maiden.
“What are you doing in there?” He said and the goof ball placed its paw on the glass. For all the world, looking like he was having the time of his life. Kassie stood beside Griffin holding the banana. She opened the door and he ran out and down the stairs. She threw the toy; Griffin caught it in the air like an athlete and raced across her lawn. Kassie watched the cute dog with a slight smile.
“That’s warning one.” She leveled an icy glare on Tim and closed the door in his face, walking away.
Timothy looked at his dog as it ran around the yard like a mad thing.
“Griffin.” He called and the dog ran to him.
Timothy lowered looking into his dogs eyes, checking for any signs of poisoning and Griffin licked his face, his breath smelled like . . . barbeque sauce?
“What is that?” He sniffed Griffin’s breath again. The dog ran off, guarding his secret. Timothy stood and walked down the porch, looking back suspiciously. Griffin trotted behind him with his banana in his mouth as they left her yard.
*****
Kassie watched from her bedroom window as they went back next door. She lowered her head and sighed softly, even that short time having Griffin with her had made her feel better. Now the deep emptiness was back and it seemed to fill every millimeter of her soul again.
Kassie hugged herself and walked across the room, quickly realizing that she was crying. She sat on her bed covered her face and sobbed quietly into her hands. She felt so utterly alone and wondered if she would stay that way for the rest of her life.
*****
The rest of the day Tim kept an eye on Griffin. The dog seemed fine as he played with his toys and pranced around the living room. Tim was taking his violin from the case when the energetic animal suddenly roll onto his back and stopped, dropping the banana from his mouth. He lay there with his paws curled down against his body.
“Oh shit.” Timothy whispered, standing up quickly. She had really done it. She poisoned his dog! As if on cue, Griffin rolled onto his side and simultaneously let out a loud fart and even louder snore.
“Crazy damn dog!” He said loudly, sitting down hard. Griffin didn’t even flinch, simply snored louder. Tim continued to polish his violin all the while wondering what that barbeque sauce was doing on Griffin’s breath. What did she feed him?
*~*~*~*
Chapter 4
Kassie was finally unpacked by the end of her second week in the new place and she went about setup the den which she decided would be her studio. The den was large with an old glass fronted cabinet running from the floor to the ceiling on one side of the room and two large windows that looked into Timothy's den on the other side.
The current color of her den was something she could only describe as a cross between mud and cement with a crappy dark brown trim. In other words, she hated it and bought a new color for the room in a cheery tone called razzleberry with a warm white color for the trim.
Kassie wanted to paint first before moving her things in to the room. She was going to hang some of her favorite sketches on the walls that she had framed years ago. Being an illustrator was awesome and challenging. She did some of her best and worst work depending on the mood and tone of her work environment. Kassie needed this room to be upbeat and bright since she’d be spending a lot of her time in it.
She had taped every trim with painter’s tape and opened her windows. As she worked, Kassie hummed along to the music coming from her IPod. Her thoughts went back to her neighbor’s dog and she had to smile. Kassie had truly enjoyed having Griffin around. That crazy little dog actually made her feel better when she thought of it and she was now thinking of getting a pet of her own.
*****
“Good God and all things that are Holy!” Brick said staring out Timothy’s window, watching Kassie in her den. Tim looked up at the tall lanky African-American man. Tim and Brick played in the same philharmonic. Timothy played the violin, piano and sang with such a beautiful voice that his ex wife would swoon when he sang to her. His choral teacher in college said he could be up there with the greats of jazz if he ever decided to record. But Timothy was too shy to ever perform for an audience.
Brick played the flute, bassoon, piano, alto sax, trumpet, slide trombone, and the cello, though not always for the orchestra. He was in a jazz band that was actually excellent, when he wasn’t performing with the philharmonic.
“What in the hell are you doing over here with me when you could be enjoying something soft, warm over there?”
Tim smiled and shook his head, “Trust me. What’s on the outside sure as hell ain’t on the inside.”
He watched her as she rolled some kind of pink colored paint on the wall. Today she was wearing black leggings and a gray tee shirt that was now pulled tight over an exquisite backside. Her curves were sick. Everything fell in all the right places as far as he was concerned. In short, she was stacked. Tim had a weakness for voluptuous women.
“Why do you say that?”
“She threatened to poison my dog if he went in her yard.” Tim said watching her distractedly.
“Really?” Brick cocked a brow in disbelief.
“Yup.”
“Damn.” Brick shook his head watching Kassie cover the wall in a sweeping motion. Her body flowed as if she were dancing to some phantom tune as she moved up and down slowly and to his surprise Tim was getting seriously turned on. She annoyed him so much, how he could be attracted to her was a mystery.
“I’m sayin’ though, I’d still have to take a chance.” Brick said scratching the back of his head and bringing Tim back to reality.
“Don’t get your berries crushed.” Timothy warned.
At that moment, Kassie put down the paint roller and walked out of the room, Brick waited to see if she would come back but heard her backdoor slam shut. With a wink at Tim, he stood and rushed out of the room. Timothy followed, running into his pantry to watch from the safety of the window.
*****
Kassie walked out of the garage, five minutes later, with two more gallons of the paint she’d bought. Brick was waiting at Timothy’s fence, watching her as she walked from the garage. Kassie saw the handsome man standing there and groaned inside. There was a look of interest in his eyes and she immediately bristled. Looking past him, she caught a glimpse of Tim’s hair, eyes and a bit of his nose visible at a back window. He quickly ducked down and she felt a muscle tick in her jaw. What were they up to?
“Hello.” Brick said cheerfully.
Kassie gave him a look that would have frozen water.
“Oh.” He groaned slowly, shrinking back into himself and she walked by him, flipping her hair over her shoulder disdainfully.
Timothy laughed hysterically, holding his stomach and leaning against a shelf for support. He had warned Brick!
Brick walked through the backdoor and into the kitchen as Timothy came out of the pantry wiping his eyes.
“What the fuck was that?” Brick asked looking a little blindsided.
“That was my new neighbor.” Timothy smiled
, patting his friend on the shoulder.
“She looked at me like she wanted to kill me.” Brick said and Timothy laughed out loud.
“I think my balls shriveled up in fear man.” Brick whispered, giving his leg a bit of a “come-free” shake and Tim roared.
“What’s good looking on the outside ain’t always good on the inside.” Tim repeated.
“Ya got that shit right.” Brick said. “I’m gonna cut my losses, put my tail between my legs, grab my flute and go home.”
“Sounds like the best option.” Timothy said as he followed Brick back to the study.
*****
Kassie had finished the den by eleven that night, but still wanted to do a second coat which she decided to knock it out in the morning. For that, she would pull out the sprayer. Her arms felt like lead weights, but she didn’t mind the work out, she had been stress eating lately and was worried about putting on some weight. She slowly walked through her house admiring it with a pleased sigh. It really was very nice with enough rooms to decorate and keep her occupied when she had a break from work, like now.
Kassie loved interior decorating but Monroe had always wanted decorators, one of which she later found out he had been sleeping with. Kassie loved ordering them around and making their lives hell; wanting them to know that Monroe may have the money, but she was the one in charge. Thinking about it now, she realized that a large part of her wanted them to be as miserable as she was in her shattered marriage. Now she simply felt ashamed of the person she was back then.
Her life back in Chicago was over; this town was her life now. She never thought she would move to some place like this, but Elgin had proven to be a great place to start over. She stuck to herself anyway and most of her neighbors; save for the idiot next door, didn’t bother her. Kassie was coming to really love her peaceful home.
She turned on the kettle and slathered two mini bagels with cream cheese and strawberry jam. She realized that she was starving after so many hours of work. As she waited for the kettle to whistle she looked out her back window. She had landscapers come and cut the grass down, and clear out all the extra undergrowth and bushes. Her backyard was a blank slate. The lawn was pretty good, but the yard was in definite need of some plants and flowers. Surprisingly, Kassie was actually looking forward to picking out what would go in the ground next spring.
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