Chapter 10 - False Hope

The drive home was unsettling.

Willow distracted herself with hopes of better days as she pulled up to a quaint, sturdy craftsman with a storybook porch. Steve and Louie are already there, anxiously waiting for her on the front porch with the overly perky property agent.

She is filled with excitement, rushing to get inside and nearly trips on the sidewalk due to the large tree roots pushing up the concrete. Hoping no one saw her fumble and regain her balance, she pours out her enthusiasm.

“It looks just like the picture on the website. I’m dying to see the inside!”

When Willow walks through the door, it takes her back to earlier days as she notices the built-in cabinets, ornamental glass covers and fluted glass doorknobs with solid brass shanks, reminding Willow of her grandparents’ home far away.

The floors boasted original hardwood with ornamental ceilings and the yard was expansive with a variety of fifteen to twenty fruit trees.

When they walk to the outside of the old brick house, Steve grazes his hands over the bricks.

“I like the property but I just don’t think the brick could withstand an earthquake.”

Willow seems surprised Steve would mention the possibility of an earthquake. While she was fully aware of some major earthquakes in Sonoma, she recalled the trauma of living in quake country. But it had been so long ago.

“We haven’t had an earthquake in years. We’ll be fine.”

She continued to shirk off Steve’s concern as he studied the brick, always thinking the worst and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“Don’t worry. What are the odds of a major earthquake striking here again?”

They agree and decide to apply for and rent the old town home, being approved, they move in after only 30 days.

Bando even loved the home – especially the backyard. She would spastically run in the old orchard, weaving between the fruit trees like a trained dog in an obstacle course.

It was summertime. The massive front porch provided just as much enjoyment as the inside of the house. Willow and Steve would sit outside on the rattan patio furniture, sipping lemonade just like old retired folks in a Country Time TV commercial.

Even the boys enjoyed the front porch, sprawling out on the porch couch came in handy when there was an extra body staying over for the night.

The neighbors were nice enough but especially the neighbors to the east. This older couple took a liking to them and loved the fact that they took care of the yard. Apparently they had some distaste for the previous rowdy neighbors who let the yard go to pot.

Steve and Willow found themselves at their neighbors’ place often, as they proudly offered tours of their expansive old home, decorated with rare antiques. The mansion could have been a museum, adorned with old Victorian furniture and curio cabinets with intricate workmanship you’d see from the late 1800s.

Their new friends had the largest home on the block and the yard seemed to expand as far as the eye could see.

They talked about their children, who were now grown and about the same age as Steve and Willow. There was something about this couple that made Willow reminisce on her childhood days. It was as if she knew them before but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

One warm summer day Willow was outside planting flowers along the walkway when Sherri, their friendly neighbor to the east paid her a visit.

“Beautiful flowers Willow. You take care of this home as if it were your own. I like that.”

Willow always had a difficult time accepting a compliment and she had no immediate words other than, “thank you.”

She also wanted to fix the yard up a bit before her daughter and beau arrived for a visit.

“My daughter is coming to visit with her boyfriend. I’m looking forward to meeting him and getting away for a couple days.”

“Jim and I would be happy to look after the house for you. Just let us know. Where are you headed?”

Willow’s birthday was approaching and Britney was bringing her boyfriend, Kane, over to visit and join the family for a trip to Lake Tahoe. It would be Kane’s first trip to the beautiful mountainous area and Britney was excited to show him some of their favorite hangouts.

“Lake Tahoe.”

“We used to live in Tahoe. Jim ran a construction company up there.”

Just then, Willow had a flashback to her old neighborhood, visualizing herself roller skating up and down the old sidewalks, dodging sweet gums from the trees so she didn’t break her neck. Well, at least that is what her mother used to warn her of…Be careful you don’t break your neck on those sweet gums.

The flashback faded and she drifted back to reality. She was curious why they would ever leave such a breathtaking area like Tahoe.

“What made you move back here?”

“Our kids, well Jim’s kids, but he remarried when the kids were young, so we raised them together.”

If Willow would have asked their kids’ names she would have figured out the annoying missing link that troubled her memory.

“Well Dear, I’ll let you get back to planting.”

And with that she was off, headed back home.

Willow realized the time and needed to head to the airport.

The drive to the airport was filled with anticipation as it always was but this time they would meet Kane, the new man in Britney’s life.

Spotting Britney on the elevator always seemed to take hours, instead of the realistic mere minutes that transpired. Willow was usually the first to spot her daughter, but these past couple years, seeing her less as she lived down south, she noticed gradual physical changes in her daughter.

Her face had matured. She trimmed down and she dressed to the beat of her own drum. After she was born, her ivory-colored face resembled that of a porcelain doll. When she was old enough to start school, she was accused of wearing lipstick, which was merely a natural gift from God.

Being a competitive swimmer most of her life, she was fit, strong and seldom wore makeup. Her focus was on training, improving – not being bothered by makeup. Her beauty was natural which exuded a type of confidence.

As she descended down the escalator, standing next to a handsome young man, looking distinguished wearing his glasses, she smiled and then whispered in his ear. As Willow watched her giggle she could almost hear that familiar laugh.

“Britney!”

She wrapped her arms around her daughter, not even allowing her enough time to set her luggage down.

“Hi Mom. This is Kane.”

He seemed a bit nervous and refrained as if he didn’t quite know what to say. Holding out his hand, Willow wrapped her arms around him and welcomed him, introducing him to everyone.

He grinned as if her warm greeting broke the ice.

“What’s your flight number?”

“S2314 but it was a loaded flight so it may take a while for them to offload the entire plane.”

Steve looked up at the airport screen monitor, trying to be helpful and locate which baggage carousel their luggage would be on.

“It looks like you’re over here.”

Steve points the way to the carousel as the herd follows. Moving in the same direction, Willow has a million questions but she tries her best to pace herself.

“Are you hungry? We can stop and get something to eat. Maybe BJs?”

Britney tugs at Kane’s arm.

“Oh, that sounds so good.”

After a delicious dinner and sparkling conversation, they head for home. Of course this will be another new home for Britney since they moved again, trying to stay off the radar from Mitch and his devious cult. Willow was starting to believe Brit was getting used to it.

Home at last. Steve pulls down the long gravel driveway as the echoes of Bando’s barking from inside the house could be heard by everyone inside the car.

Willow glances in the rearview mirror to witness Brit’s reaction while Louie perks up when he sees the old home oozing with character.

Louie and Britney didn’t share the same ideas or opinions on many issues and the new home didn’t hold any changes here. Louie looked to his sister with an expected amount of enthusiasm but she seemed to be less enthused than her brother.

“This is it! What do think Britney?”

“Oh. It’s nice. I really can’t say – I haven’t seen the inside.”

Louie was the old soul in the family and Brit was a modern girl with elegant ideas and refined taste. She looked at Kane, hoping he liked the place as impressing her beau was high on the priority list for her.

“I like the porch.”

Willow knew that was about as far as the compliments would go as Brit was trying to be kind but wasn’t much for sugar coating things. After all, it was Willow that taught both her children…If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.

No hurt feelings or overthinking done. Brit had her own place and it was the time together that mattered.

Bando twisted her Boxer body in half, grinning as she ran at her sideways. It was a quite a site to see, earning an unexpected reaction from Kane as he grinned. Brit and Bando had a special connection. She seemed to have a unique reaction with all animals. A nature girl – not a tree hugger and she loved her dog.

They settled in for the night and discussed Babushka coming over the next day to meet Kane. Babushka was Polish for grandmother and she insisted the grandkids call her accordingly from the time they could speak. You didn’t argue it or even question it. Babushka was unforgettable. She was filled with energy and had opinions on everything. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and after years of experience, Willow and the kids learned to adjust and expect some awkward and frustrating moments.

Kane had talked to Babushka on the phone and just a brief conversation on the phone with this over-the-top Polish woman, seemed to escalate his anxiety to high levels.

Britney laughed and encouraged Kane as he shared some nervous thoughts with meeting her in person. The family watched her in action as she boosted his confidence.

“It will be fine. She will do most of the talking. Don’t worry.”

Kane just rolled his eyes and held the pillow on his lap up to his chest, giving it a good squeeze.

Just then, Louie ran for the front door as he saw Charlie approaching the front porch. Charlie was like a member of the family, no doorbell or knock was ever needed, he brought a sense of calmness to the family – always being welcome.

“Hey Dude.”

Charlie was as polite as they come, too. Willow admits he was her favorite among all of Louie’s friends.

“This is nice. Sweet front porch.”

Before Louie could give his pal the grand tour, Britney interrupted.

“Charlie, this is Kane - Kane this is Charlie, Louie’ best friend who practically lives with us.”

Charlie leans down and shook Kane’s hand.

“Nice to meet you. So are you joining us in Tahoe?”

Kane positions himself and sits a bit straighter on the couch as the mysterious new man speaks a few words, while the family listens.

“Yes. I’ve never been there.”

That was it. No more discussion between the two – Kane was a man of many words at that moment.

Willow realized how awkward it can be when meeting your girlfriend’s family. She knew he would warm up to that comfortable space of endless conversation, but she always felt it may take a while with Kane.

As Louie and Charlie run off to scope the new home and roomy backyard, Willow ordered a pizza, making the cleanup easy as they would be packing for their trip.

The morning seemed to arrive rather quickly as the typical slow-motion morning needed a boost with all of the travel itinerary to-dos and last minute packing.

As Willow checked the weather report, she announced the possibility of a thunderstorm in the mountains.

“Looks like we may get some rain - not much but a chance of rain. Be sure to pack a jacket.”

There was no response but clearly everyone at the breakfast table heard. Just then the doorbell rings and Kane’s eyes grow to the size of a golf ball. His expression was deserving of a laugh as it was quite animated but truth be told he seriously had those unwelcome butterflies.

Britney tried her best to refrain from laughing, so her words came out rather unclear. From the make of it she encouraged him to be brave.

“You can do this Babe. I’m right here.”

Kane looked like a frozen mummy in a trance. He didn’t move as his eyes remained the size of marbles and Louie ran to open the front door.

“Babushka!”

“How’s my Louie?”

Before he could answer his distracted grandmother, she spots Kane sitting on the couch beside Britney.

“You must be Kane. I’ve hear so much about you!”

Kane seemed afraid to stand up and encourage the old woman. After a long pause, he stood up and held out his hand, but Babushka wasn’t having it. She grabbed him and hugged him, acknowledging Britney after the expected invasion of boundaries.

“Britney!”

There is a history between these two as Britney wasn’t one to ignore insulting remarks or opinions that differed from her own. At this moment there was peace and all seemed right in the world. Babushka continued with her perky encounter, greeting everyone and checking out the house with her comments and opinions allowing no filter.

Willow became numb to the strong opinions as she learned from her father at an early age to keep peace no matter what. So whether learned or intentional, Willow tried her best to be the peacemaker and pick her battles wisely. She learned as she grew older that this approach probably wasn’t the healthiest but rather more of a sadistic habit.

“So is everyone excited about their big trip? Sounds like you will have a lot of fun. I sure could use a getaway.”

Then came the look, directed at Willow. Let’s be clear… the looks and guilt was always directed at Willow. She was used to it and it seemed to help her throughout her life. There weren’t many personalities she couldn’t handle and she owes that twisted gift to her mother. Well, there was just one person more difficult than them all.

“I said you could come.”

“Where would you put me – on your car’s hood?”

The comical dig earned a few chuckles as Willow redirected the conversation.

“Would you like a quick tour of the house?”

“Quick tour, huh? Are you trying to get rid of me?”

Willow refused to bite and appear defensive as she walked her mother to the kitchen and then to the bedrooms. Her mother gave the rooms a thorough inspection and noticed the bathroom door was locked. Just then Willow remembered Charlie locked himself in the bathroom to avoid added insult from Babushka as she would certainly claim Charlie was given the last seat in the car over her. It was best to not let her know Charlie was joining them. He was considered part of the family after all and Louie would have someone to hang out with, too. The benefits clearly outweighed the hurt feelings.

“Why is this door locked?”

“I’ll have Steve look at it - maybe a problem with the lock.”

After Babushka decided it was time to leave, she hugged everyone and wished them well on their trip.

“I’ll see you after you get back for birthday cake?”

“Of course. We will only be gone a few days.”

After her dear mother left, Louie ran to the bathroom to let Charlie know Babushka had left. He knocked on the door but there was no response. He knocked a few more times, this time harder.

“Charlie. You can come out.”

It took a few minutes for Charlie to open door. His hair was disheveled and his shirt a wrinkled mess as he had fallen asleep on the bathroom floor. The boys shared a laugh and ran to Louie’s room.

It wasn’t long before they were on the road and Willow glanced at the weather forecast again.

“It looks like we will definitely have rain in Tahoe.”

A frustrated Louie shouts out.

“Mom! I only packed bro tanks!”

Willow was used to Louie’s adorable comments and thought nothing of it, but Kane was filled with extreme laughter within as this would be a memorable quote Louie would never live down.

“Well I told you to pack a jacket, hopefully you did.”

They arrived at their small cozy rental cabin late in the afternoon with just enough time to unpack the car and head for the beach, which was only a few feet away. Being there was an upstairs with three bedrooms, the home was large enough for the boys and Brit and Kane to have their own rooms – even Bando had her cozy dog bed with her favorite toys.

The thunderstorm hit late that night, knocking out the power throughout the entire south shore. They were planning on grabbing a bite to eat but with the power out, Willow thought maybe the casinos would be the best bet for being open.

“The casinos should have emergency generators. Only an act of God would be able to close them down.”

Steve seemed to disagree and Willow persisted. As they neared the 20-floor casinos, the hungry bunch could see lights on. Success. Willow could have rubbed it in but her being right was enough to make a loud statement.

They marched to the top floor and found a fabulous buffet with window seating. The thunderstorm was magnificent and the evening was memorable. Trying not to appear like the tour guide, Willow had some ideas as to how they could spend the following day.

“What are we going to do tomorrow? I say we go to the beach. Who’s in?”

With a unanimous vote, their plans were immediately settled.

They awoke the next morning, packing lunches, towels, sunglasses and more essentials needed for the perfect day. In Willow’s mind, any day away from work and Mitch’s daily threats was a perfect day. Even this summer thunderstorm and overcast weather wasn’t going to dampen her delusional illusion that it was a perfect day.

Kane wasn’t one for soaking up the sun and the overcast weather burned the back of his tender legs. That night hot tub plans were somewhat dimmed for Britney as Brit pleaded for Kane to give it the ol’ college try.

“Oh it’s not that bad Babe. The water is not that hot.”

From the look on this desperate man’s face, you could see he wanted to please his girl. But anyone who has suffered a calf burn knows that 90 degree water feels more like 200 degrees in the devil’s underground tub.

Kane doesn’t speak a word as he slowly lowers his leg into the self-inflicted hot tub of hell.

“Nope. It’s not gonna happen.”

Britney is clearly irritated as she tries not to dwell on the situation as Kane feels bad enough.

It’s the boys’ turn to enjoy some relaxation time in the tub. Towels, check. Phone, check. Raccoon, check.

It doesn’t take long before Charlie notices a visitor has come to join them at the tub. Louie continues his conversation with Charlie while behind him; a black and white critter with a black mask stands, chattering nonsense in Louie’s ear.

Louie cannot see this rather massive raccoon but he hears the chattering sound as the loud noise of Jacuzzi bubbles throw off his hearing perception. When he notices Charlie’s attention is elsewhere, Louie slowly turns and gets an unexpected surprise. They are out of that hot tub faster than a speeding bullet.

Charlie and Louie race inside the house, frantic and filled with pure adrenaline. They are both out of breath, speaking over each other as they proceeded to share their story of a run-in with a king-sized raccoon.

The evening ended with a few board games and random storytelling of memories past. Kane was settling in, sharing his thoughts on topics and fitting right in.

The next day the group split up as Britney, Kane and Willow took the tram to the top of the mountain, where a new lodge and hiking trails were open. Louie, Charlie and Steve headed for a day of four wheeling on the historic Rubicon Trail.

It was a beautiful day. The sun was out and the overcast sky had disappeared. The tram was open and as they reached the top, views of the big beautiful lake was breathtaking. Kane’s sunburn was bothering him when he reached into their backpack. He appears to be looking for something specific.

“Where’s the sunscreen?”

Britney has a blank look on her face but quickly responds.

“Oh, I forgot it.”

Willow watched the misunderstanding unfold and was quite relieved this mysterious young man wasn’t opposed to speaking his mind.

“You didn’t forget it. You forgot it on purpose.”

It was one of those moments when Willow wanted to walk away and hear no more of their personal disagreement – much like a train wreck, we want to turn away but curiosity overrides decency.

Kane didn’t raise his voice but his words meant business. Britney received his message loud and clear.

They walk to the beautiful new lodge with a massive deck, adorned with patio chairs and chaise lounges. Kane was suffering from allergies, eying the comfy lounge chairs, so he decided to take a break and rest for a bit.

As Willow and Britney played some bean bag toss, touring the massive mountainous grounds, they glance over at Kane, making sure he was doing okay.

After spending a few hours on the mountainous playground, they wake Kane and take the tram back down and hit the shops. Of course Willow wasn’t going to leave Tahoe without playing a couple slots. She finds a slot machine that catches her attention, inserting twenty bucks, promising herself not to exceed the twenty. After the first pull, the lights blink and bells ring, signaling she won one hundred dollars. From Willow’s radical excitement, one would have thought she won a million dollars.

With times being as financially tight as they were, one hundred dollars afforded her to treat Britney and Kane to lunch. She didn’t expect Britney to understand but Willow felt like the richest girl in town.

They met up outside the candy shop, where the lovebirds shared some sour candy, making atrocious faces after each bite when Willow ran up to them.

“Guess what?”

Britney turns around as the unpleasant look on her face startles Willow.

“What’s the matter with your face?”

“We’re eating sour candy.”

Kane was a trooper, participating in the shenanigans.

“I just won one hundred dollars! I want to treat you both to lunch!”

They grab a bite to eat at a little diner inside the casino. Willow feels a sense of pride, knowing she could treat them. She knew it wasn’t much but she barely scraped up enough money to take this short birthday trip.

Willow’s paychecks paid off Peter to then pay Paul. Every two weeks when she received her paycheck, she paid a visit to the friendly cash advance store. Without any financial help from Mitch, paying 100% of the kid’s health insurance and many other expenses, she wasn’t even making it paycheck to paycheck.

But thank God for short breaks and getaways. Willow extended her time off, making the most of every minute, hour and day away from the pain and trauma which awaited her.

Tahoe was long overdue and Willow couldn’t be happier spending it with her family. They spent their last day at Eagle Falls, hiking down to The Vikingsholm Castle and touring the historic Castle. But as with all good things, they must end.

They arrived home one day before Willow’s birthday, sparing just enough time to unpack and recharge their batteries for a visit to Babushka’s for a birthday dinner and champagne birthday cake.

It was a relaxing day at Willow’s childhood home, giving Kane a tour of the long ranch style home with a running creek in the back. She reminisced of earlier days as a child when she hauled a bucket down to the creek and came back up with tadpoles and frogs. She loved the thrill of watching their tiny legs poke out and slowly transform into her most beloved creature…frogs. Her love for frogs still remains to this day.

It was the final night of vacation and the following day she would take the kids back to the airport, missing them before they had even departed.

They arrived home to devastating news. Britney and Louie’s childhood cat, Penny, lay dead on the gravel walkway. Britney instantly burst into tears as Kane held her tight. What had happened to their sweet Penny? There were no obvious signs of trauma and before they left, they thought their neighbor would take good care of her.

Something smelled rotten in Denmark…correction, Sonoma.