A Visitor to the Cottage
By: William Quincy Belle
Mary and Tom had been coming to the cottage for the better part of fifteen years. The owner, Bob Bender, gave them preferred status against his other renters so Mary and Tom got about any time they wanted throughout the year. They had to book time in advance, but Bob always made sure they had first choice and had only modestly raised their rent over the years. Bob knew Mary and Tom were good people, responsible and tidy, so he always explained he would rather get less rent than to have to deal with the horrors landlords always complained about when they had the misfortune of getting a bad tenant.
It was Thanksgiving weekend, a long weekend. Mary and Tom had played host to the kids and their significant others, so Sunday saw the entire family together, ten people, for a turkey dinner with all the fixings. As per usual, Mary, with Tom's help, had gone all out preparing a beautiful bird with stuffing, gravy, the usual assortment of vegetables and mashed potatoes, then finishing the meal off with pumpkin pie and whipped cream. It was a feast and a few belts had to be let out a notch afterwards.
Barry and Fred had to drive back to the city the same day with their girlfriends but Alan and his wife Barbara opted to stay over. It was a wonderful visit; the four of them having a lazy Monday morning together. The newlyweds headed home at noon and Tom went into Morrisville to visit a client. Mary had the place to herself for a few hours so she could do some last minute cleaning and pack up the few remaining items for their own trip back to the city. It had been a terrific family weekend.
Mary was at the kitchen sink when she heard a car coming down the gravel road serving the cottage. She glanced at the wall clock and thought it was far too early for Tom to be coming back. He said he wouldn't be back for at least another three hours.