An Island Between Us

by K'Anne Meinel

  “Why don’t you go in the house with your bags and make yourself at home,” Cass told Stephanie who nodded. Cass hopped down and helped Stephanie over the edge of the wagon. “Easy there,” Cass cautioned as the pregnant woman made her way down. They both went to the end of the wagon and helped the boys clamber over the edge. Cass handed Stephanie her bags and then took the gate down to put the crate of pups to the side. “Could you boys watch the pups while I put these others in the barn?” she asked them.

  Both boys nodded solemnly. Timmy, because he realized what an important job he had just been given, and Tommy, because he imitated everything Timmy did. Stephanie smiled indulgently; Cass had a real way with the boys. She realized Cass had kept the boys out from under her feet while she got settled and looked into the house. It was a typical farmhouse and painted a nice white. It had been painted in the last year or so; the color was bright and fresh.

  Stephanie carried the two travel bags in with her. A large screened in porch, which now had storm windows up on the outside, was where she entered the house. Long, low shelves lined it under the windows where a person could sit and take off their muddy boots or milk cans could be placed or stored in a cool place before bringing them into the house. The house door was thick and heavy, and she heaved to get it open. It opened into the kitchen, and what a kitchen! She knew immediately she would like this house, just based on this kitchen. The kitchen was decorated in warm rust colors, and there was a fireplace at one end of the large room. A family style table dominated near the door with seating for six. Its top gleamed with a shiny finish. There were windows lining the side wall next to the screened-in porch, letting in plenty of light and continuing on behind the table next to the fireplace and then again on the opposite side. A doorway led to a walk-in pantry abounding with supplies and lit by a couple of windows. A large stove stood against this wall, and it was electric! Next to it was an old-fashioned wood stove, as well, with its chimney leaning to the side and out towards the chimney of the fireplace. There was plenty of counter space to the right of the doorway and a large set of kitchen sinks. Stephanie had grown up around farmers and realized this kitchen was set up to feed large crews if necessary.

  A hallway went behind the kitchen sinks and cabinets. A doorway led to a living room and immediately to the left, a set of stairs led to the upper floor. Beyond that was a dining room with leaded glass display cabinets, displaying trinkets that Stephanie looked forward to examining later. She sighed; this was a home, so much more than the one she had just sold and left. There had never been money for anything, trinkets or otherwise, and with two boys to raise, never extras. Her own mother and father had been just as poor.

  Another door was across the living room, and she peeked through it to find a warm and sunny den with the front door and a porch. It was the front of the house, with an extra wide front foyer, but it was obvious it wasn’t used. Most farmers used their back doors. She closed this door again and looked around the comfortable living room. Rocking and easy chairs and a couch lined the walls, and there was a large wood heater in one corner. Windows seemed to abound in this house, and the curtains had been handmade, possibly by Cass’s mother. A table held a large radio! She was excited as she had heard one once but never been in a house where someone actually owned one.

  Stephanie returned to the kitchen and noticed a small closet in the hallway that led back to a small powder room. She took off her coat and hung it up inside. Rich woods lined each and every doorway. They were so beautiful they made her ache. They needed dusting, and perhaps polishing, and she vowed to be a good housekeeper to this generous woman who had saved them...who had saved her today.

  Another door across from the powder room led downstairs. She closed this after discovering its secrets. Rolling up her sleeves from her traveling dress, she decided to get started. A meal was in order, and she could certainly cook. She found what she needed in the pantry. She noticed there was no icebox and then realized there was one out on the porch, where the melt would not get all over. She found fresh meat, which looked like beef, and cut off a few thick slices for their dinner. She cut up and fried potatoes and opened a canned jar of beans, as she pan-fried the beef. She wondered if Cass canned all this herself, as the shelves were well stocked for this time of the year. Even when most stocked up, the packed shelves surpassed them all.

  TO BE CONTINUED...

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