He rubbed his chin and smiled. "An inn, you say?"
"That's right. I'm starting out small, just a few rooms, but I plan to grow it over time."
"And here I was getting all worked up that you were out there turning your place back into a store again. I thought for sure I was going to lose some business."
She laughed as she tucked the receipt in her purse. "No. I have no desire to run a store. But I would like to see how I can manage running an inn."
He nodded. "That's not a bad idea. If I hear of anyone looking for a room on the river, I'll be sure to send 'em your way."
She and Hazel each carried a grocery bag out to the pickup." Goodness,"Anna said when she saw the fully loaded blue truck. "I hope Clark won't mind that we put his vehicle to such use."
"I'd appreciate that."
Hazel laughed as she placed her bag on the seat between them. "I'm sure he'll appreciate your industry, Anna. He puts this truck to good use himself."
"I hope everything's going well at home." Anna felt worried again. What if everything was torn up now? What if they'd trampled her garden, or placed power poles where they'd obstruct the view? Or ran helter-skelter? What if her lovely property had suddenly turned into an unattractive, unappealing place to live? Then who would want to visit there or pay to stay in a room? She could just see it in her mind's eye—a picture of chaos and destruction where peace and tranquillity once reigned.
She glanced back at the pickup bed, filled with all she'd purchased. What a fool she'd been to spend her money like that. She'd heard the saying "counting your chickens before they hatch"And now she realized that was exactly what she'd done. How foolish. As Hazel drove the truck down the highway, Anna felt like her dreams of a sweet little river inn were going up in a puff of electrical smoke and telephone wires. Oh, why had she allowed modernization to come?
"I can tell you're quite worried about something, dear." Hazel glanced over at her as she stopped to turn off the highway.
"Is it that obvious?"
"I noticed you clutching your purse handle as if holding on for dear life." Hazel turned onto the side road now. "Either my driving is worse than I imagined or you are fretting over something. Which is it, dear? I can slow down if you like, although we're almost to the back road where I'll have to go slow anyway."
"No, no . . . your driving is just fine, Hazel." Now Anna confessed the horrible picture she'd just imagined, with dozens of power poles and lines and wires and piles of dirt and destruction. "Sort of like the scene of a bloody battlefield after everyone's been slaughtered," she said sadly.
"Oh, my. I don't think it will be as bad as all that."
Now, probably to distract Anna's overactive imagination, Hazel offered to tell her another one of Anna's grandmother's stories. "You might relate to this one just now," she began. "I'm sure you've heard it before, but it's good practice for me to tell it. It helps me to translate what your father wrote down."
"I sure hope not."
"Which story is it?"Anna asked with vague interest.
"It's about the cave monster."
"The cave monster?"Anna frowned. "I don't remember a story like that."
Hazel chuckled. "Perhaps they felt it was too scary for your young ears."
"Well, my ears aren't young now," she declared. "I'd like to hear it."
"Good." Hazel cleared her throat, looking straight ahead as she held onto the steering wheel with both hands, turning onto the graveled road. "Long, long ago in the cave by the beach there lived a fearsome cave monster. He was big and hairy with long sharp teeth and claws. Every living thing within miles feared this cave monster, and naturally, the horrible cave monster only came out at night."
"Naturally." Anna smiled at how Hazel always put her own little touches on these stories. Perhaps that was what Grandma had done too. Maybe everyone did that in their own way.
"But when the monster came out at night, he always killed and destroyed and devoured anything in his path, wiping out seals and sea lions and beaver and otters—he'd tear them to pieces then eat them whole, flesh and hair and bone, nothing left. No living creature was safe when the cave monster roamed at night."
"No wonder Grandma didn't tell me this story. I probably would've had terrible nightmares."
"So one day the chief of the sea lions decided he'd had enough of the cave monster. He wanted to get rid of him once and for all. But he wasn't sure how to do it. So the chief of the sea lions went to see Old Otter, because everyone knew Old Otter was very wise. The chief of the sea lions asked Old Otter how they could get rid of the cave monster."
"And?"Anna waited.
"Old Otter told the sea lion chief to gather up all the seaweed in the sea and to have his sea lions braid it together to make a long, long rope. Then he said to tie this rope to the biggest spear they had and to throw it at the sun. Then, when it hit the sun, they were to all pull together to haul down the sun and hide it so that daytime looked like night."
"Was the chief sea lion able to do this?"
"Yes. He did as Old Otter said and pulled down the sun and hid it. Naturally, the cave monster thought it was nighttime, so he emerged from his cave and was about to start slaughtering everything he could find—but just then the sea lions released their hold on the sun and it shot back into the sky so it was light and bright and daytime again."
"And?"Anna was actually curious now.
"And the brightness of the sun caused the cave monster to go completely blind and as he tried to stumble back to his cave, the sea lion chief picked up the spear he'd used on the sun and killed the cave monster so that he could never wreak havoc among them again."
Anna clapped her hands. "Good! Because that cave monster sounded like a really nasty fellow."
Hazel nodded. "Isn't it interesting how the fear of darkness translates across all cultures? It doesn't matter what part of the earth one is from, that thing that goes bump in the night scares everyone."
"Perhaps because there have always been real dangers at night,"Anna said. "There still are in some places today. Even on the river there are cougars, bears, bobcats—they all feed at night—and you don't really want to come up on one unawares."
"That's true enough. But I suppose I was wondering more about the metaphor in general. Darkness can symbolize ignorance, a lack of enlightenment, and sometimes we are most afraid of what we don't know—what we can't see or hear or understand unsettles us. In the darkest hours of our ignorance, our imaginations and fears can run amok. Whereas, we don't usually feel the same way in the clarity of daytime—or when we're fully aware of what's going on. Does that make any sense?"
"Sure. It's like how I'm rather worried about what my property will look like when we get back. Because I honestly don't know what is entailed in getting the electricity and telephones set up. It's like I'm in the dark; therefore, I'm probably imagining the worst." At least she hoped that would be the case.
"Yes, that's a good example. But also, consider something more serious like racism, which I believe is the consequence of ignorance—and for some people the differences they see in others is a lot like darkness; they don't understand it so they are frightened. Right now there are white people in the Deep South who are uninformed and ignorant. They don't understand African Americans, or Negroes as they call them, so they become fearful. They imagine the worst about their darkskinned neighbors—and it leads them to do the worst."
"Just like with white men and Indians,"Anna said sadly." Unfortunately. Fear and misunderstanding are bred in the absence of enlightenment."
"So those people, the ones who live in ignorance of their fellow man, are not unlike the cave monster,"Anna mused." If they choose to live in darkness they set themselves up to become destructive."
Hazel nodded eagerly. "You are quite right, dear. It makes me wonder if there's a hidden meaning in the cave monster story. You see, I think these stories have truths in them on various levels. They are not merely fables to entertain listeners by the campfi
re, but they might contain the wisdom of the ages—if we really listened."
The cab of the pickup grew quiet now, except for the rattling noises as the truck bumped along the rutted road. Anna looked out at the trees and thick foliage, wondering what area of her own life was in darkness—what was it that made her most fearful? Of course, it was probably her fear of poverty. Beaten into her by her mother-in-law over the past twenty years, Anna couldn't begin to count how many times Eunice had warned her that without Eunice's money and provision, Anna and Lauren would've been destitute and homeless.
Suddenly, as if a light had gone on, Anna realized that Eunice had been the cave monster in her life. Eunice had used the darkness (in this case, Anna's ignorance) to frighten and control her daughter-in-law and, in essence, devour her soul, which was far worse than destroying her flesh and bones. Eunice was Anna's cave monster! She considered telling this to Hazel, except that Hazel seemed to be in deep reflection herself. Besides, Anna realized, she needed to deal with her own cave monster. But how was she to do that? What would Old Otter tell her? Spear the sun and hide it until Eunice came out? Or perhaps she was being too literal.
Anna felt that if she continued to grow strong and independent and capable to provide for herself, she would reach the place where she never needed to depend on or be fearful of Eunice again. Perhaps Anna was already at that place but simply didn't realize it. Anyway, it was food for thought. And it made for a good story. Perhaps one day Anna would have a notebook full of her own stories to tell. Although she wasn't sure who she would tell them to . . . or who would want to listen.
15
To Anna's huge relief, her property didn't look a bit like a war zone when they got home. She could see tire tracks through the meadow and there were a few dirt piles, but all in all, not much had changed. In fact, as they got out of the pickup, she wondered if any of the improvements had actually been completed. Of course, she had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, she'd be relieved to keep everything just as it had been. On the other hand, she had been looking forward to a real telephone conversation with her daughter.
Clark, with what appeared to be a tool belt around his waist, came over to greet them. "How was the beach?" He frowned at the back of the truck now. "Don't tell me you ladies found all that on the beach?"
Hazel laughed. "Aren't we good beachcombers?"
"No,"Anna assured him. "Those are things for my inn." He nodded with a curious expression. "I see."
"And you're just in time to help unload them," Hazel told him as she removed a grocery bag from the cab.
"Were the men able to put in the electricity and telephone?"Anna asked as she reached for the other bag.
"Your phone is hooked up. The electrical work is done, but I still need to finish some things up before we actually power up the house."
"Really?"Anna looked around in surprise. "Where are the electric lines and wires and things?"
"You mean you wanted to see wires and lines?" Clark opened the tailgate of his pickup.
"Well . . . not really, but I assumed that was the price one paid for modernizations."
He chuckled. "Not when I'm the contractor. I had the power company bring out a trencher." He pointed to where a narrow trail of dirt went along one side of the meadow. She hadn't even noticed it before. "That's where all your electrical wires and telephone lines are: underground."
Anna's face broke into a huge smile. "Oh, that's perfect! Thank you for thinking of that, Clark."
He grinned. "You didn't think I'd let anyone spoil this beautiful place you have here, did you?"
"Your mother assured me there was no reason to worry." She sighed. "But I just didn't have any idea how you'd do it. I am so relieved!"
"And I'm starving." He pulled one of the nightstands out of the truck. "If I unload this is there any chance I can get something to eat?"
"Dinner will be ready in about twenty—make that thirty minutes—but if you're really hungry come on up and I'll find something to—"
"Thirty minutes is perfect." He nodded to the back of the pickup. "Where does all this go anyway?"
"Just put it down there for now." She pointed to the space she'd just cleared out. "Thank you!" Then she hurried on up the stairs and began to unload the groceries. Hoping Clark would stay for dinner tonight, she'd gotten some nice rib-eye steaks and a few other things.
"Need any help?" Hazel asked as she emerged from the bathroom.
"No, I think I've got it covered. Clark is staying for dinner— and it sounds like he's ravenous. It'll take me about thirty minutes to get it on the table."
"And you really don't need help?"
Anna tossed her a confident smile. "I'm fine, Hazel. Trust me, I'm used to this. Sometimes my mother-in-law would plan a dinner party for eight and only give me a couple hours' worth of notice. Thirty minutes for three people is a piece of cake— just don't expect cake."
Hazel laughed. "Then, if you don't mind, I'll just sit here and put my feet up."
"Make yourself at home."
Anna was actually thankful to work in the kitchen alone. Having no distractions was always the fastest way for her to get things done. She used to try to put Lauren to work, hoping she'd learn how to cook a little, but Lauren usually dragged her heels and as a result everything ended up taking longer. Now if Babette was here, it would be different. Babette knew her way around a kitchen and usually she was telling Anna what to do. But when it came to the basics, Anna had it down.
While the steaks were broiling, she boiled potatoes for mashing, finished making a chopped lettuce and tomato and cucumber salad, heated some canned green beans, and put bread and butter on the table. She opened a jar of bread-andbutter pickles and put them in a pretty dish. Then she opened a can of peaches, arranged the yellow halves on a lettuce-lined plate, filled their centers with dollops of cottage cheese, and topped them with maraschino cherries. Nothing fancy, for sure, but at least it was quick.
She was just putting the heated platter of steaks on the table when Clark came in. "Boy, does something smell good in here. I washed up in the sink downstairs, but do you want me to take off my boots, they're a little—"
"No, no," she told him. "My father never took off his boots. These wood floors sweep up easily. And everything is ready."
"Wake up, Mom," he nudged Hazel. "Time to eat."
"Oh, my!" She sat up with wide eyes. "Wasn't that fast!" She walked over and looked at the table. "My, my, Anna, but you are a wonder!"
Anna laughed as they sat down. "Everything happens fast when you're asleep."
As before, Clark offered to say a blessing and as soon as he said "Amen"Anna handed the steak plate to him. "The big one is for you."
"That's massive," he said as he forked it and lowered it to his plate, "but I have a feeling I'll have no trouble making it disappear."
Hazel and Clark visited, talking about their day, the time spent at the beach, and what they'd accomplished. And for a moment, Anna just sat there, listening and soaking it in—it felt almost like being a part of a family again. So much so that she actually got a lump in her throat and had to chew her bite of steak for a long time just to be sure she could swallow it.
As they all finished up, Anna apologized for not having made dessert. "This morning I had planned to make a chocolate cake, but our unexpected outing derailed that idea."
"As delicious as that sounds, I couldn't have eaten another bite anyway." He smiled at her. "That was one of the best meals I've ever eaten, Anna."
"Seriously?" She found this hard to believe. "Thank you. But, really, it wasn't anything fancy."
"Poor Clark," Hazel said, "he's been living on bachelor food for a long time."
"I'll admit my cooking isn't the greatest," he told them, "but I eat in some pretty good restaurants too. And when I say this was one of the best meals I've had, I mean it."
Anna chuckled. "Well, you have to admit you said you were starving. Even a bad meal can taste good if you're hungry enough.
"
He shook his head. "No, Anna, I mean it. This was great. You're an excellent cook."
Hazel laughed. "I have to concur with him, Anna. And I've eaten enough of your cooking to know what I'm talking about."
Now Anna was embarrassed, feeling as if she'd been fishing for compliments, although that wasn't the case. Anyway, she thanked them and stood, beginning to clear the table. "Would anyone like coffee?"
They all agreed that coffee sounded good. "How about if I serve it outside," she offered. "We'll take another chair down and we can sit on the porch and enjoy the balmy evening."
So while Clark carried a chair down, Anna made coffee and, even though everyone claimed to be full, she remembered there were still a few lemon cookies left from what Babette had brought by a few days ago. So she put these on the tray as well, and then carried it all down to the porch where Clark and Hazel were already sitting.
"What a lovely ending to a lovely day," Hazel said happily." Can you believe we had two gorgeous sunsets in a row, Anna?"
"Speaking of sunset,"Anna said suddenly, "what are your plans, Clark? Did you get a room in town?"
"Not yet, but I plan to."
"But aren't you worried about driving your truck back in the dark tonight? That road seems challenging enough in the daylight. I can't imagine navigating it at night."
"Cave monster?" Clark sounded confused.
"And what if the cave monster comes out?" Hazel asked dramatically.
"It's a story,"Anna explained. "But, really, I wouldn't like to think of you out on that road in the dark. You're welcome to stay here if you like. There's plenty of room."
"I suppose you could have the cabin," Hazel suggested. "You might be more comfortable there. And I could stay with Anna in the house."
"Oh, I don't want to put you out of your cozy cabin, Mom."
Anna knew that they were all uncomfortable with the idea of him spending the night in her house with her. The truth was, Anna was probably the most uncomfortable. But if she really planned to run an inn, she would have to get over it. She decided to just be open about it. "I do want this place to be an inn someday," she began carefully, "but I suppose I'm a bit uneasy about, well, having men—even nice ones such as yourself—staying in the house with me." She looked to Hazel for help. "Is that a bit silly on my part?"
River's Song - The Inn at Shining Waters Series Page 13