The Trunk

The Trunk

(part 3 of 13)

Amelia pulled up to a gate and flickered her lights and a big burly man pushed

a button to allow the gates open for Amelia to drive inside the apartment driveway.

Once inside, the mysterious plot of 714 Mulberry Street started to thicken!

A sign decorated with gaily colored flowers with the saying:

Friends are to be gathered into a bouquet and held close to your heart.

The trio walked in and over each of the eight doors were framed drawings that Anna

had given to Grannie Moon over the years. They were set over each door

so you could see them as you approached and a small light illuminated the drawing.

Linda was impressed and Anna was weepy eyed.

Amelia beamed and said " Your Grannie loved you so much and kept ever drawing

and painting you gave her...and Honey it was my idea to put the light under each one."

"Oh, Amelia I love you too." said Anna. Amelia got weepy too.

"OK enough reminiscing you two lets take a tour of your new digs." said Amelia.

The first seven doors were occupied by paying tenants but the eighth door

had a framed drawing of Grannie and Anna making apple turnovers

over the top

.

They went inside and there were four tables covered in assorted colorful tablecloths

and on each table there was a vase of fresh cut flowers.

An old but usable cook stove was in the corner near a large window.

There were shelves full of pots, pans dishes and linens on other shelves.

A refrigerator and freezer and a pantry with foods stocked to the limits.

Over in one corner there were overstuffed chairs, a sofa and plenty of lighting for reading.

Amelia said the kitchen was used and maintained by the tenants and everyone helped to keep it clean and well maintained.

Then they went upstairs using the small lift instead of the stairs.

"Your Grannie always kept the lift in good working order in case of a fire

or if someone were unable to walk down the stairs." said Amelia.

Upstairs there were also eight apartments but there were photos of people

hanging over each door instead of drawings.

The first door was a photo of Grannie Moon and Amelia said she would take them

in there later.

Over the second door was a photo of Amelia herself and the trio walked in for a short tour.

Once inside the room Anna and Linda saw that Amelia lived in a room with minimal

furniture but it was quite rich looking and well cared for with polish gleaming on the rich

wood grained tables. Amelia said she had this furniture in storage for safe keeping at a

sisters house before she had met Grannie Moon.

Linda noticed that on both sides of the wall there were connecting doors

to the next room but she did not mention it to Anna.

The third door had a photo of a lady that looked familiar to Anna

but she did not know who she was. Amelia said it was her sister

Carrie but they did not enter this room.

The fourth room had a photo of a dark and mysterious gentleman and Amelia

explained that he was the gardener and kept the court yard well supplied with flowers

and fruits and vegetables for all the tenants and the extra produce

was sold at the local Farmers Market .

"Court yard?" said Anna and Linda together. "Yes, we will go there for a tour also."

replied Amelia chuckling out loud.

The fifth room photo was that of the burly man that had opened the gate

for Amelia to drive in her truck. Amelia explained that he was the caretaker

and the fix it man for the building so there was never to be a problem for the tenants.

The sixth room was designated for Linda who was delighted that Grannie Moon

though of including her.

The seventh room was for Anna who got to peek inside

and it was empty except for her old doll house that she though was long gone.

"So Grannie had my doll house and saved it for me all these years."

"Yes, she kept it wrapped up at the old house and was saving it for you." said Amelia.

Over the eighth door was a strange photo indeed!

It was of a man with his back partially to the camera but he looked like

he was at some sort of ceremony.

Anna was about to ask who he was but a bell started to ring

and Amelia said it was time for tea in the kitchen.

Who was this very mysterious man Anna thought.