Chapter One
I had just landed a new client who had recently purchased an old farm house located about one hour from my town.
They, husband and wife were hiring me to design a new kitchen and bathroom.
I welcomed this opportunity as there was extensive renovation work to be done on this old and charming country house.
Ted gave me broad instructions on how to get to their place. "I am sure you will find our place without any problem were Ted's words."
I was booked for the coming weekend, a Saturday. I thought of this as a great opportunity to drive out into the country, fill my nostrils full of fresh air and see new sights, a welcome change for me from the urban sprawl. Got up bright and early on Saturday morning, raring to go. Decided to pack a lunch, sandwiches, cookies, an orange and an apple in case I did not find a restaurant. I was so looking forward to getting out of town.
Alas, I was on my way on the open road cruising along comfortably taking in the sights. It was May and the lilac bushes on either side of the country road were in full bloom. I had the windows open wide, me breathing in fresh air filled with the smell of lilac perfume wafting about for miles on end. What a treat.
I followed the directions Ted gave me and found myself turning down one road then another and yet another dirt road. Things were looking more and more remote. I was not supposed to be on a dirt road. Here I was in the middle of a forest This did not bode well at all. I thought it best to stay on the road I was on and see where it would take me. The area was quite wild looking and here I was driving into on a lonely back road in a dense forest.
Finally, after driving for quite some time I came across a farmstead. It looked somewhat dilapidated as though worn by time. I spotted a few cows in the field adjacent to the old house. I figured the best thing to do was to see if anybody was home and if so, ask for help. It was already 4 in the afternoon and before long it was going to be dark outside.
Slowly I drove up to the house, parked my car and hesitantly got out. Took a deep breath and walked up onto the porch and knocked on the door. I thought I heard shuffling around inside the house as I stood there waiting to see if someone was going to answer any time soon.
At long last, the door opened and there before me stood an old guy who looked to be in his 80's for sure dressed in overalls over his long wool underwear, fly wide open and sporting a wide toothless grin.
"Howdy son, what can do for you?" With that he invited me inside and offered to make tea which I certainly welcomed.
We sat at the old oak kitchen table, looked like circa 1920 style. The place was untouched, clean and well organized and filled with antiques and artwork.
He served up a hot pot of steaming tea and told me to call him Red.
I introduced myself. "My name is William; my friends call me Bill."
"Good, I will call you Bill if that works for you son. What brings you to this neck of the woods?"
I went on to explain how I got lost, that I was on my way to meet new clients.
He laughed at my situation good heartedly. "Well, you sure got lost. They, your clients would be located in the opposite direction. Your actually quite some ways from where they are. I doubt if you can make it there before sundown and driving at night on these roads can be quite tricky and dangerous. Your welcome to stay overnight, share a humble meal with me."
I quickly mulled over his offer, asked if he had a telephone because I knew my cellphone would not work in this area. Sure enough, he had one. I asked if I could call my clients and let them know what had happened.
No problem. I got busy, spoke with Ted. He thought the situation was funny and we decided it was best to rebook for the following Saturday. This way I was under no pressure to get to their place and I had time to look up a map and find my own way instead of relying on Ted's directions.
I let Red know it was ok to stay overnight and that I gladly appreciated his hospitality.
"Mighty glad you can stay over son and share a meal with me. I don't mind the company as it gets lonely out here sometimes." He told me to make myself comfortable.
I was wearing a pair of jeans, an polo shirt, cowboy boots. In the car, I had a spare sweater and a light windbreaker.
I could see Red sizing me up carefully. He was a shrewed old timer. There was something about him I liked. I felt safe and secure with him. Supper time rolled around soon and Red got busy reheating some of his homemade rabbit stew. He served up some of the bread he baked and to my surprise the meal was delicious...good wholesome country cooking. I made sure to compliment him on the meal.
"Well, I learnt to cook when I was young. My folks sent me to work in the lumber camp north of here in the winters so as to help out. I was the cook at the camp and that meant feeding approximately 30 mouths. I learned a lot of things quickly up there...grew up in no time. Knowing how to cook made me independent and self-reliant. I have a great vegetable garden, a few fruit trees and some hens for eggs, three cows which gives me milk and butter and cheese. I make all my own food. Rarely buy provisions except for tea, coffee, sugar and salt and pepper, that kind of thing."
I loved listening to Red talk about his life. I knew he had a great deal of experience to share with me if I was ready to listen.
After supper, we enjoyed homemade apple pie and
another pot of freshly brewed tea.
Red had electricity yet he was not quick to turn on many lamps. He took me upstairs to show me where I was going to sleep. He had three bedrooms on the second floor and a bathroom. The place was quaint yet very nicely put together and comfortable.
I was in the last bedroom at the other end of the bathroom.