The Wall People

by AnneMarie Dapp

  The layout of the cabin was simple: the main entry room was half the size of the entire house. It was a combination living-room-kitchen area. The great room was eight hundred square feet, laid out in a perfect square. An impressive fireplace was set against the back wall of the room. There was a collection of river stones that had been carefully arranged around the hearth. They rose to the top of the high ceiling, adding to the rustic charm. A kitchen and dining area was located on the opposite side of the room. This space was modest and simple. A large picture window rested above an old farmer’s sink. The rusty chrome basin lacked a garbage disposal. She made a mental note to buy a drain catcher. The cabin relied on a well system located at the back of the property.

  A collection of cherry wood cabinets surrounded the sink, the counter space allowing just enough room for preparing meals and washing dishes. It was simple and clean. The space was not conducive to a dishwasher. Katie was not concerned. With it just being herself, a few hand-washed dishes would not present a problem. Frayed, white curtains, designed with delicately embroidered flowers, covered the kitchen window. They hung easily on a thin, golden rod. There was a thick coating of dust covering the fabric. A collection of spider webs surrounded the windowpanes. She smiled to herself. Her mother used to call them Irish Curtains. The endearing phrase had always made her laugh as a little girl. Spider webs were fascinating creations. The clever patterns were really quite beautiful. The story of Charlottes’ Web had always brought her to tears. Insects and spiders had never intimidated Katie in the least. They were just one more interesting addition in nature’s collection. She made a point to relocate unwelcome insects outdoors. After all, there was no point in hurting something that was simply trying to live its life.

  She walked past the kitchen pantry, down a short hallway leading toward the bedroom. The room was as large as the livingroom space. She walked inside and tried to imagine how she would arrange the new furniture. While shopping in the city, she was delighted to discover a beautiful king-size cherry wood bed. It had a gorgeous canopy and delicately engraved headboard. She had purchased a forest green comforter set with matching sheers. The color scheme had always been her favorite. She had suggested it to her ex- husband several times and was met with open contempt. The past echoed in her mind. We can’t afford it. Maybe if you hadn’t wasted your time in college painting pictures, you’d have a real job. Your nursery business doesn’t pay for shit.

  The memory of Jake’s voice turned her stomach. She tried to rid herself of it by focusing on the cabin. The bedroom set included a large wardrobe and matching drawers. By chance, she had stumbled on a modest family-owned furniture store in the Mission District in San Francisco. It had been years since she’d treated herself. If that meant using a credit card or two, so be it. Still, she had been good for so long. Her marriage had seen to that. In the back of her mind she could hear the rough, sarcastic voice of her ex-husband. Jesus Christ, Katie! Money doesn’t grow on trees! What the hell do you need with a fancy-ass bed anyway? Who do you think you are? Queen freaking Elizabeth?

  She shook her head to make the voice disappear. Jake’s memory had a way of breaking in at the most inappropriate times.

  Her plans for her bedroom collection made her think of her grandmother. She had been a benevolent woman. Some of Katie’s most cherished possessions were items she had lovingly passed down. This would be the perfect room to fill with antiques and collectibles. Her set of porcelain animal figurines would go beautifully atop her new dresser.

  She walked over to the large picture window. Its southern exposure filled the space with welcoming light. She took a deep breath. The lake could be seen outside in the distance. Golden light highlighted the water. Sunlight caressed the glass warming the room. She was safe. She slid down to the floor like an eager child. Resting on her back, she allowed things to sink in.

  The owners of the cabin had offered it under market value. Katie had not wanted to ask too many questions for fear that they would change their minds. She barely slept the night before escrow. The idea that she actually owned fifteen acres was still so overwhelming. She planned to explore every inch of the property.

  Much of the land would be used for her nursery. She had started her business, Cozy Crops, a few years after graduating college. She enjoyed selling organic produce at the Bay Area farmers’ markets. Her growing grounds were leased in Berkeley. The commute had been over a half an hour’s drive from her old apartment. The business grew over the years, and so did her customer base. The money from the nursery and a small inheritance from her mother had allowed her to purchase the cabin and property.

  The realtor had pointed out several open spaces on the land that would be perfect for vegetable gardening. She could imagine all of the beautiful heirloom tomato plants growing. Her commute would be just outside in the meadow behind her cabin.

  After indulging her daydreams, Katie opened her eyes. She gazed up at the ceiling and noticed a faint outline etched along the overhead beams. The lines appeared to be deep enough to support a small door. The nature of the construction was difficult to determine. There was a considerable glare from what appeared to be varnish.

  The glossy coating was thick and concentrated. The reflective quality suggested that it had been recently applied. Whoever had attempted this project did not seem to take much pride in their work. The brushstrokes had been painted haphazardly. They were unusually jagged and edgy. Was it a door to an attic she wondered? Her realtor could have gained some extra selling points. Then again, she’d been sold the moment she stepped onto the property. Katie suspected the agent had caught on to this. Oh well. She would have to take a closer look when she had more time. A ladder would come in handy for the job. Better add it to the list.

  She reluctantly sat up and stretched. Her muscles protested. Moving boxes all morning had taken its toll. She made her way across the bedroom and opened the door leading to the full size bathroom. The dark, hardwood floors covered the entire cabin, including the bathroom. They were newly polished and waxed. Several thick rugs would go beautifully next to the dark wood. The mountain air could get very cold and hardwood floors could be unforgiving. As part of the sale’s agreement, a new toilet and shower fixture had been installed. They were simple, unremarkable Sears’ models. Underneath the chrome shower fixture was a claw-foot tub. The vintage beauty was a wonderful reminder of the past. Her mouth took up the shape of a grin. She loved this little piece of history. It was easy to imagine herself submerged under a thousand warm bubbles with scented candles lighting the room. New towels and curtains would definitely add some warmth to the bathroom. She had the perfect antique table to set next to the tub. It was mahogany wood and would go nicely with the floors. A new painting would brighten up the space as well. A vineyard scene would be nice. The towels would have to match the canvas. The shopping list continued to grow.

  After exploring her new home, she headed back outside to her jeep. The air was fresh and clean. It felt light compared to the air in the cabin. The clouds were beginning to gather. The birds and insects quieted their tenacious harmonies. She went through her car hunting for something to prop open the front door. She spotted a small box of books. The container was packed full of classics by Steinbeck, Faulkner, Jane Austen, Stephen King, and Victor Hugo. The novels appeared to be waiting for her. She propped open the door with the heavy box. Success. She planned on re-visiting her old favorites this winter, bundled up nicely in front of the fireplace.

  Containers of clothes and personal items were carried to the bedroom. Once they’d reached a considerable height, she opened the closet door. It was a nice walk-in. She pulled a cord that hung from the high ceiling illuminating the space. She would begin the task of sorting and unpacking the items once the movers arrived. Her goal for the moment was simply to move the belongings from the jeep without blocking the path of the new furniture.

  She’d just finished moving a box of dishes when she heard the loud, steady motor of the moving van.
The sound of cracking twigs and branches echoed in the forest. The van prominently displayed in large black letters, The Merry Movers, as it turned in a wide forward arch and slowly shifted into reverse. The driver carefully backed up toward the cabin door and cut the ignition. The doors opened simultaneously. The movers appeared and were surprisingly young. They were tall, with athletic builds, neatly styled blond hair and rosy cheeks. The boys made their way over and introduced themselves. “Hi. I’m Ted and this is my brother, Paul. Are you Katie O’Brien?” He asked, looking down at his clipboard.

  “Yes, I am. Thank you for showing up on time. Some of the furniture is pretty big. It might take a few minutes for me to figure out where it should go. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No problem.” Paul spoke up. Wavy blond curls framed a boyish face. He looked young, earnest. “Take your time. This is our last job of the day and we’re in no rush,” he smiled.

  She suggested they start with the heavier items for the bedroom and work their way to the living room. They were happy to oblige. As they headed back to the van, she made her way over to the jeep and searched for a small box marked kitchen. She carried it back to the dining room table. Carefully unpacking it, she found her coffee pot buried at the bottom. Sadly, she realized she’d forgotten to pick up coffee beans. She unwrapped her tea kettle instead, filled it and placed it on the stove. After making the coffee, she offered the cups and apologized for the instant coffee. They accepted their drinks enthusiastically, and it warmed her deeply.

  Katie soon learned that the two young men were working their way through school, majoring in political science and business respectively while renting a house with two other roommates. They were more than happy to discuss their college adventures. She was impressed by the way they multitasked. They covered a number of subjects as they moved the heavy furniture. Paul Berry was taking political science and history courses at the University. He was very knowledgeable about current political events. Ted Berry, on the other hand, was fascinated by business matters particularly the stock market. He shared several tips with Katie on investing, which she found quite interesting. She asked the right kind of questions, and encouraged the boys to open up and share. Their enthusiasm and banter was engaging.

  There was room for Katie to chime in. She had a broad understanding of history, which seemed to impress Paul. By the end of the day, he was looking at her with quiet admiration. They had made the entire move pleasant and enlightening. This was one part of the move that Katie had been dreading. Instead, she had fully enjoyed the experience. They were true to their word. They had waited patiently for her to consider the placement of the furniture. She had chosen to set up the bed against the opposite wall, across from the large, southern exposed window. The position would allow her to wake up with the view of the lake outside her window. A vanity with matching settee had been set up along the sidewall across from the bathroom. She owned a lovely silver antique mirror and brush set that would go beautifully on the table. The set was one of her favorite gifts from her grandmother. She had received the antique on her fifteenth birthday. She looked forward to unpacking it.

  The living room area had come together. Paul and Ted moved the sofa sectional in front of the fireplace. The embroidered upholstery was lavender with golden floral accents. Two Victorian styled cherry wood tables were placed on each side of the sofa. Diamond shaped etchings covered their surface. A golden lamp adorned each table.

  On the opposite side of the room hung a framed print of William-Adolph Bouguereau’s Psyche. The painting portrayed Venus’ son, Cupid, flying into the heavens with his beloved. The young woman’s face glowed ecstatically as she leaned backwards into her lover’s embrace. Psyche’s lavender gown matched perfectly with the couch. The room possessed an elegant simplicity. The two boys smiled at one another. They obviously took pride in their work. The furniture had transformed the space into a beautiful old fashioned home.

  Katie found her purse and wallet. She insisted they take considerable tips for their hard work. They tried to refuse the generosity, but she insisted. Paul gave Katie his business card as they said their goodbyes. His face suddenly became quite serious as he remarked, “Let us know if you need any more help. The homes out here are older than they look.” This offer was made in a protective manner.

  “Thank you. Actually, I need help moving my greenhouse. Do you have any time at the end of the month?” she asked.

  “Sure,” Ted answered.“ We have the last Friday of the month off if that works for you.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  Paul opened his schedule book and took down the appointment.

  “Great. You can call me later in the week with the details,” He smiled down at her.

  The boys waved goodbye. Katie waved back as they headed down the mountain road. She stood in front of her cabin as storm clouds eclipsed the sun.

  CHAPTER 3

  A golden blanket of light could be glimpsed in the open space above the forest. An assortment of dark thunderclouds gathered in the sky. The cloud formations brought to mind an angry mob from an old horror movie. A few narrow sunlit beams were managing to make their way through the heavily wooded yard. The contrast between the bright rays and dark clouds was divine. The gradual absence of daylight changed the forest into a different world. Birds were engaging in their final harmonies of the day, their calls fading out one by one as they settled into their evening routines.

  A high-pitched whine rushed past her ear. Katie quickly swatted the side of her neck. An annoying mosquito was busy helping itself to a free meal. A small, itchy bump began to rise on the back of her skin. Little insects were swarming in transient clouds. They were obviously offspring from the lake behind the cabin.

  The aroma of chimney smoke drifted across the woods. It was most likely coming from one of the houses up the road. Her closest neighbors were about a mile away. It was becoming too dark to visit the lake. Better wait until morning. She headed back inside her cabin. The click of the ceramic doorknob locked her in for the night. Darkness slowly worked its way inside. She made her way to the living room, silence embracing her like a lost lover. All of the years of city living had accustomed Katie to a constant exposure of human noises, horns and cars, and shopping carts. She anticipated the sounds that were no longer part of her world. The peace and quiet was soothing. She walked down the hallway and headed into her bedroom.

  The antique lamps on the end tables against the bed were made of crème ceramic and decorated with pink flowers. They were turned on next. The soft light complimented the Victorian charm of the bedroom. Paul and Ted had volunteered to help install the matching forest green draperies over her windows in the bedroom. The effect was elegant. A clip from Gone with the Wind suddenly came to mind. She pictured Scarlet O’Hara removing the green velvet curtains from her living room in Tara. She used the material to create a fabulous antebellum costume. The thought brought a smile to her face. “Yes, Ms. Scarlet. Fiddly Dee!” she announced to the empty room. The only response was the deep moan of the wind outside her window. Another storm was gathering outside.

  Katie looked around the room. Her antiques and new furniture blended together perfectly. The final job for the evening would be setting up the comforter for the new bed. She walked over to the large bedroom window. The darkness outside added to the mysterious aura of the forest. Strong gusts of wind shook the branches and leaves of the old oaks surrounding the home. Venus was just making an appearance in the night sky. The heavenly body seemed to summon her brothers and sisters. The harvest moon appeared impressively large, its moonbeams glowing eerily through the passing clouds. Although the cloud cover impeded the view of the Milky Way, the clarity was still amazing compared to San Francisco, where the stars often appeared muted by the city’s bright lights.

  She pulled the drapes together and was comforted by the complete privacy of her bedroom. The comforter set had been placed at the end of the bed. She opened the large container and sorted through the
contents. The bed coverings felt soft and alluring in her hands. She went to work making the bed. There were several layers to protect her against the cold. The comforter was the crowning glory. Delicately embroidered violets and cream daisies accented a sea of forest green. They matched perfectly with the lamps in the room. Next, she pulled out the delicate sheers. They would be attached to the top of the canopy. This would be a challenge without a ladder. But she was eager to experience the bed in all of its Victorian glory.

  She moved the lamp from the right end table and pushed it against the side of the bed. She hastily pulled off her tennis shoes and muddy socks. She climbed atop the end table and hooked the corner of the sheer through the canopy rod. She continued this process until she had worked herself around the other side. There was one more side to finish at the foot of the bed. A large hope chest rested underneath. A wedding gift from her mother. The vintage treasure contained several handmade quilts and linens. Many of the pieces had been sewn and passed down from generation to generation. Katie gently climbed over the chest and was able to reach the last canopy rod. As she pulled the remaining fabric through the hanger of the foot of the bed, her eyes were drawn up to the center of the ceiling. She noticed the strange varnish that had captured her attention earlier in the day. The bed’s canopy was lined up right underneath it. Fumes drifted from the ceiling. The deep lines etched in the wooden beams were thick with gloss, and the remnants of a door appeared to have been painted over. Katie wished she had asked the Berry Brothers’ opinion about it. She wondered how much space was available above the bedroom. However, she was not sure how to go about removing the varnish. She had spent a considerable amount of money on the move already. This particular job would have to wait.