Bailey's used to be called the 'Blue House.' At one time, it had been a rather popular boarding house, though it could never claim that anyone very famous slept there, unless you count Ms. Sarah Jane Rose. 'Grandma Rose', as she was known, was a traveling teacher for one of the early sewing machine companies. Her route went right through QuiltersVillage and she became a regular tenant at Bailey's. She made local headlines the year she won a blue ribbon for a 'pickle pie' she entered in the state fair. I don't know if the ribbon was for a truly delicious pie, or just plain culinary creativity. Ben captured a 'click' of Ms. Rose on Bailey's front porch, proudly displaying her blue ribbon, and the sly smile on her face suggests that she'd never divulge the recipe anyway.
When the elder Mr. Bailey died, Ted and Ann inherited the house and business, though there wasn't much to inherit, really. Business had almost slowed to a standstill, and Ted took a job in another town to make ends meet. Tending to the occasional boarder and raising three sons kept Ann from getting lonely while Ted was away, but the years passed more rapidly than she would have preferred. To Ann, it seemed she had spent nearly all of her adult life within the same three buildings on the same street of the same small town: the Meeting House where she met Ted, the Church where she married him, and the Blue House where they raised their sons. Time and again she found herself envying her best friend Estelle.
Estelle had grown up with Ann. They'd been inseparable in younger years, so much so, that people sometimes called them 'Ann-Estelle' when they were together. Estelle was the flashy, flamboyant, artistic type, and no one had been surprised at her plans to 'study abroad' their senior year of school. Estelle's parents were rather wealthy, so finances weren't a problem, but they raised a fuss over their only daughter venturing so far from home at such a tender age. "Eighteen is anything but tender!" Estelle had retorted angrily, then packed her bags and left. She hadn't been back since.
Ann still envied her. They had been in touch over the years, through cards and letters, and the occasional phone call, but Ann could only imagine all the worldly wonders Estelle had experienced. Exploring England. Art studies in France. Meeting people and going places Ann would never see. And now, nearly twenty years later, Estelle had written her with the most unexpected news.
Subscribe
