So It All Begins

Celia didn’t let on that she was scared.  As the taxi dropped her off at 54 Willowbrook Ave., she was just finishing up her pep talk to herself.  “Really, how terrible could it be for three little ones to lose both their parents and welcome a complete stranger into their home?” She straightened her shoulders and picked up the small suitcase the cabby had unceremoniously dropped on the sidewalk. She patted down her hair and continued her conversation, “Of course they will learn to love me, I’m not that terrible of a person, and as long as nothing awful happens, we should have a grand time of things.”  By the time she was finished she had arrived at the front door. 

The brown brick house was sensible and safe, well maintained in a low budget kind of way.  The curtains that hung in the windows were crisp and cheerful looking. 

As Celia extended her hand to knock, the door was flung open and both Ethan and Joshua fell out onto the porch.  Behind them Mr. Patterson was rushing back and forth attempting to collect luggage and set it by the door.  His left arm was occupied by a drooling William.  “So, sorry about that!  Boys move away from the door.  I’ve told you once and I’ve told you a million times don’t open the front door until I am there.” 

The boys took off in a wild and unruly manner.  Mr. Patterson watched them run and shifted William to his shoulder.  “Well, then, I see you made it all right.  Just in time really.  I was just finishing up a hasty packing job.  It will have to do I am afraid.  You don’t mind, do you?”  He offered William to her.  Celia smiled and took off her coat.  Apparently, there was no need for her to make herself at home.  William felt awkward in her arms.  Mr. Patterson had made it look so easy and natural. 

Mr. Patterson finished collecting the luggage that was scattered about the living room amidst the Indian cries erupting from the two creatures circling the room.  He returned from the bedroom with two final suitcases.  “There.  That’s all of them.  Allow me to give you a quick tour of the house before we head out.  I am afraid that the train is leaving in a couple of hours so there really isn’t much time.  Jane keeps things in reasonable places so you shouldn’t really have too much trouble finding things. Well, she did before …. Let’s start in the living area before we go to the bedroom.  Jane is anxious to meet you.”

Across the hall from the living room was the kitchen.  A small room simply decorated.  Down the hall there was the bathroom and the boy’s bedroom. 

Celia shifted William in her arms and followed Mr. Patterson to the main bedroom.  There sitting in an aging armchair was Mrs. Patterson.  She was beautiful.  She rested her head on her arms with her eyes closed.  Even with her pale complexion and dark bags under her eyes, her long blond hair hung in luscious locks around her face.  Mr. Patterson quietly approached his wife and gently shook her shoulder.  Celia was amazed at her ability to sleep amid the chaos and noise of the house.  “Darling, darling.  She is here. Miss Celia Walters.”

Mrs. Jane Patterson slowly raised her head and fixed her blue eyes on Celia.  She seemed to study her closely as if she could determine what kind of a person Celia was from her appearance.  Celia stepped forward attempting to pat her hair in place with her free hand.  “Pleased to meet you Mrs. Patterson.”  Celia spoke firmly and with confidence she did not feel.  It was clear that Jane Patterson was a sick woman. 

“Well then, I will let you two get acquainted.  I need to put the suitcases in the car.”  Mr. Patterson quickly exited the room leaving the two women looking at each other. 

“Please, sit down,” Jane motioned to the bed beside the armchair.  William flapped his arms in excitement upon seeing his mother.  Celia sat on the bed with William on her lap.  “My husband spoke highly of you.  The letter Rev. Porter wrote, he thinks you more than capable of what we are asking of you.”  She shifted in her chair.  In the background the women could hear Ethan and Joshua enthusiastically helping their father.   “What do you think of what we have asked of you?”

Celia paused for a second.  “I would have to be honest and say I do think it might be a bit of a challenge.  But something I am very willing to do.”

“We have no family.  Otherwise, one might have expected to use them at a time like this.  We ourselves have only been here a few years.  We came from out east a couple of years ago for Henry’s job.  It hasn’t been easy, and we really haven’t made any close friends. After William was born, I got sick.”  She shrugged wearily as though that was all she could do to explain her need of leaving her precious children with a stranger. 

Celia straightened herself.  “Mrs. Patterson.  If there is one thing, I want you to know as you are trying to get well enough to come home again, I will love your children with all my heart.” She stroked William’s hair. “I am also alone in this big world and quite frankly this position is an answer to many of my prayers.  I will give them my life.” 

Celia looked steadily into the sick woman’s eyes.  In those moments it was as though Mrs. Patterson saw all that she needed.  She nodded her head.  “See that you do …” she smiled gently at William.  “Would you be so kind as to get my husband for me?”  Celia nodded and left. 

Mr. Patterson collected the three boys from Celia and brought them to their mother for some time alone.  The boys quickly quieted down as they all snuggled beside her on the bed. 

Mr. Patterson used the time to show Celia how to care for William, where to find the money, and where all the important things were.   “I am sorry about the haste.  The price was significantly lower if we could leave immediately.  Seems the resort had a last-minute opening.  I will stay with Jane for a week and then we will reassess the situation and let you know.  Mrs. Adams from two doors over has been coming to do the cleaning for us, as well as the shopping and meal making two days a week.  She will be in tomorrow and you will have to work out with her details on dividing up the jobs.  The boys are also very comfortable with her and she is willing to have them on occasion if you need a break.  You can call her at this number if you have any other questions.”  He rubbed his hands over his face as the boys ran in the kitchen.  They climbed on his lap.  His eyes misted over as he ruffled their hair.  “I love these boys dearly; I trust you will learn to love them too.”

In a flurry of activity, the car was packed and Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were backing out of the drive.  Celia and the boys stood on the front porch waving furiously.  The boys jumping up and down as they waved. 

As the car faded in the distance Celia took in a deep breathe.  The two boys had stopped jumping and calling out farewells.  In the brief time that Celia had known them this was the first time she had seen them still.  She smiled at them bravely then turned to go back into the quiet house.  The boys followed her quietly in. 

“Let me show you what I have in this bag of mine.”  She lured them to the couch and pulled out two large picture books of planes, trains, and automobiles.  The boy’s eyes widened.  They clamoured up for a seat and argued swiftly over the best position.  Celia got them comfortably settled each with their own book as William began to cry.  She sighed.   She felt exhausted already and her adventures had only just begun.