Finn's sister Fiona was gorgeous. She went to a private school in New York and didn't want to take a car, so she traveled through the bus system whenever she wanted to visit home. I enjoyed her company on the ride to Spring City. Lexington was a nice place to see too, very different from the cities where I had lived in Florida, but nevertheless busy and full of all the things a city needs.
Spring City, however, was just as Finn described: a small town.
He had called his mother and arranged for me to have a room at the Mansion he mentioned that she worked at. And it sounded like she’d be letting me stay for free, which I certainly appreciated and would happily take her up on.
In five minutes, I think we drove through the entire town from one end to the other. And signs for Griffin Gas Stations were lit up and appeared to be the only things open so late at night, which I wasn’t used to at all. I was used to everything being open 24 hours.
A happy mother greeted her two children as we entered the front doors of the Verboden Mansion. What once was a huge home had been turned into a bed and breakfast establishment. When we walked in, I immediately turned to find a grand ballroom and a vast open space.
“Mom, this is Vale, Vale this is my Mom, Mrs. Armstrong,” Finn said and I shook her hand.
“You can call me Blair, sweetheart,” she said and told me she'd show me to my room.
I waved goodbye to Finn and thanked him as I followed his mother up the stairs. We had exchanged phone numbers earlier and he told me to call him when I needed some help finding things around town.
“Finn said you’re relocating?” Blair asked me.
“Yes ma’am, I am looking for a change of scenery,” I said, unsure what Finn had told her when he called ahead to tell her I was coming.
She unlocked the door for me and handed me the key asking if I needed anything else.
“I’d love to have you stay more than one night, but being as how it’s Easter weekend, we’re booked solid tomorrow night through the end of the weekend.”
“I certainly appreciate your hospitality, ma’am, but I won’t trouble you more than one night,” I told her and hoped I’d be able to figure out my next steps soon.
“And honey,” she said in a panic, “Where’s your luggage?”
I had to think on my feet. “It's actually lost... no worries though, hopefully, it'll turn up tomorrow,” I lied again.
“Oh that’s just awful,” she said, “I’m heading back downstairs and will be leaving for the night, but I’ll send up some toiletries for you to have at least.”
I thanked Blair, realizing I should have at least packed a toothbrush in my purse and hadn't thought that through all the way in my grand plan. In my head, I was planning to stop at a department store when I got to a stopping point and would get a few necessities, and that plan changed mid-stream. Just as she promised, there was a knock on the door and a bellhop holding a basket full of items for me.
I thanked him and took the basket back inside to find pretty much anything I could need for the next couple of nights. She sent up a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, several small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, a bottle of fabric refresher which I was super excited about using, a sewing kit (not that I needed one), snacks, drinks and all sorts of other things. There also was a small t-shirt from the Spring City Christmas parade and a note.
Breakfast is at 8 a.m., come hungry, it’s on me. Use as little or as much of this stuff as you want! Check out tomorrow is at 11 a.m. Sleep tight! -Blair
I opened up the bath salts and decided to take a soak then hit the sack. I’d had a busy day trying to figure out what the heck I was going to do with my life when I woke up. When I went into the bathroom, I almost dropped the basket when I turned on the light and saw the grandest claw foot tub. This place was better than anything I could have ever dreamed.
I might just want to stay in this town forever.