5 Elements Mini-Challenge 500 Words
“Dad’s eccentric Aunt Cora left a house to him, and now it has passed to me. All I know is that it’s in New York State, it’s Victorian, and nobody’s lived in it for five years.
Colleen only stared at him.
“It’s a place to live! What else can we do?” Kyle reasoned with his wife. “The jobs are gone here. It doesn’t make sense to stay, only to be out on the streets in another month.”
“I guess I still can’t accept that the factory has really closed. It’s kept this town going for so long.” Colleen’s green eye’s searched his face, seeing the weariness and concern that hadn’t been there until recently. In her heart she knew that she would do as he wanted – the only option there was, really. “You’re right, of course. It’s just that leaving will be hard.”
“I know –it’s hard for me, too,” Kyle’s voice caught. He struggled to continue, “but we can’t live in the past when the present is knocking on our door demanding satisfaction. Try to think of it as a blessing - God’s provision.”
Knowing he was right, Colleen resolved to change her attitude. Sitting up straight, she wiped her hand across her tear-stained face, “Tell me again about that house.”
*************
They sat in front of the old Victorian mansion, mouths agape. Colleen turned to Kyle, and demanded incredulously, “You could have mentioned that it was purple!”
“Ah-h—I..I.. didn’t know... I think Aunt Cora must have been beyond eccentric.”
Immediately regretting her outburst, Colleen took his hand, smiled, and said, “It’ll be fine - this is God’s provision. So... let’s get settled.”
*************
Colleen sighed as she slumped in the ancient settee. Surrounded by a house full of musty furnishings, it was becoming harder to stay optimistic. After another day of unsuccessful job hunting, Kyle paced back and forth in front of her. Through the window, the apple tree swayed with the fall breeze, and she watched as a couple of apples gave up their hold and fell to the ground, seeming to mirror her own discouragement.
While she mused, Colleen idly ran her fingers over the ornate carving on the desk next to her. Her fingers found the drawer pull and without thinking, she slid the drawer open.
“Look, here’s an envelope. Open it,” she said as she handed it to Kyle, “maybe there’s money inside”.
“Yeah, like that’s gonna happen,” he muttered. The ancient seal on the envelope broke free and Kyle pulled out two sheets of paper. The first was a letter written by Aunt Cora.
“Since I can’t take things with me where I’m about to go, I’m leaving them behind for you, the next occupant of this old house. I know God brought you especially, because you need a blessing.
“The enclosed document confirms the furniture is antique, and of museum quality. It should bring enough money to see you and yours through any hardships you may face. Consider it God’s provision.”
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