Marigold Manor

Marigold Manor

Marigold Manor was a large abode, festooned on each side with Marigolds. The flowers, a bright yellow and orange, flanked each side of the building. A welcome to all who visited from summer to fall.

The house was painted a muted yellow that complimented the bright flowers. It contained 5 bedrooms and 4 baths and was the talk of the little town of Kent, Georgia. Kent was a small town, and Marigold Manor was its only bed and breakfast. It was also the only place to stay in Kent.

The owner, Ms. Lila, was in her seventies with wispy white hair pulled back in a bun. She had worked at the manor since she was fifteen and knew the history of the house and the surrounding town. Her family had owned the home since the 1950s, and Ms. Lila had grown up here. Her son Thomas helped her with the Inn. He was also the town veterinarian, so he was in and out.

Today they had three guests at the manor. Mr. Walter Grey stayed there every year for the horror writers conference. The conference was about 45 minutes from the Bed and Breakfast.

Mr. Grey preferred the quiet, peaceful pace of Kent and the Inn. He had also sometimes seen Ms. Lila whispering in the corners of the house. He suspected that Marigold Manor had a story to tell.

The other two guests had come together. Diana Lawson and her husband Ted were staying at the Inn to visit family in Kent. The family reunion had overflowed into the Bed and Breakfast because The family had five children. Everyone had come home bringing their offspring in tow. Diana's parents' house was teeming with small children and parents. Diana and Ted had just been married a year, and it had seemed prudent to stay somewhere a little less noisy.

Ms. Lila appreciated her guests. She knew Mr. Grey watched her and talked into the corners to give him something to write about. There were ghosts at the house. Usually, they just followed her around. Sometimes she would spot her mother and father in the dining room. Her parents bought the Marigold Manor in the late 1940s. It had been known as Browers Inn.

Arthur, Lila's husband, had been a shoe salesman. Kent had a strip mall of stores. The shoe store was brand new and attracted him to come and work in Downtown Kent. He had been tall, handsome. He had kind brown eyes. Best of all, he had fallen in love with Marigold Manor and with Lila. They got married after a year with her parent's blessing. Her husband Arthur had run the shoe store until it closed. Then he had retired and became the Inn's handyman. He had caught cancer. Had it really been ten years ago? It seemed like only yesterday. He was here at the manor too. Keeping her company on quiet nights. Marigold Manor was her home, her world. Everything had a season; the marigolds taught her that. The Marigolds bloom the fragrance keeps the pests away. Then they turn to seed only to regrow again in the Spring. To Lila, all of life was that way.

That afternoon a frazzled young woman came into the Inn. Lila wasn't expecting any other guests; she was surprised. The young woman asked if she could have a room, and Lila obliged. The young woman seemed upset. Lila sensed that she could help.

The Wizened Innkeeper showed the girl to a room upstairs at the end of the hall. The girl said her name was Francie. Her credit card had said her name was Monique Desmond. The girl smiled at the room, and Lila left her to sort things out.

This is it, Lila thought to herself. We are here to help others. She called Thomas, her son, and invited him for dinner.

Her son had grown up with her. He knew when his mother asked him for dinner, there was no refusing. Someone in the house needed help. His mother would find a way to help them.

Ms. Lila informed her guests that she was having a special dinner that evening in their honor. Mr. Grey was excited. He had heard that Ms. Lila, to make ends meet, had held seances at the manor. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he was sure he could write about it later. Diana and Ted looked forward to a break from their rambunctious nieces and nephews. Francie was just looking forward to a home-cooked meal. She had been running so long. She was so tired she fell asleep as soon as Lila had left her room.

The dinner consisted of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and homemade biscuits. There was also a salad for the health-conscious. Then peach cobbler for dessert since it was a peach season.

As dinner was finishing And conversations waned. Lila cleared her throat.

"I have been in this house for a long time. Things haven't always been easy. I met my husband here at the Inn. I knew another boy who thought of me as his own. It was the fifties, and he considered me his property. I am here to tell you that will never be how it is. My mom was worried for me. Now I am not sure if you know much about the Marigold flower. They are beautiful, but like the most beautiful things, they have a dual purpose. Marigolds keep the bugs and pests away that you don't want to devour other plants. That Spring, my mother planted the Marigolds you see today. She wanted to be ready to protect me. She spent the Spring planting those flowers, and they bloomed. One night the boy I told you about showed up on our lawn." Lila went to the window and opened it. "He hollered for me to come out. I had broken it off with him, so I wasn't going out there."

"As strange as it seems, I promise, this next bit is true. That boy came towards the house and started complaining about how the flowers stank. Suddenly he stopped moving and just stared. He hollers again. Lila are you coming. No, I hollered back. He looked confused, then he turned and walked away. I never saw that boy again. I don't really know what happened. I am sure it had something to do with my Mom and those Marigolds. That was when the house was renamed Marigold Manor."

Lila turned to Francie, "is your story a little like that, honey?"

Francie looked up, surprised.

"I, Yes, My boyfriend seemed alright at first, little by little I realized there was something wrong. He would get so angry when I talked to other people. It was like he wanted me all to himself. I left him last week. I am terrified that he is following me. He is unbelievably persistent when he wants something. I don't think he loves me, but he will be angry that I left. I have no doubt he will come after me." She slumped on the table. Thomas put his arm around her. Lila smiled to herself.

Lila told them that she believed they were all there for a reason, to help Francie. Lila plopped down a pot of Marigolds in the middle of the table. They heard a car drive up outside. I would like to ask everyone to join hands, Lila said. Everyone did without question.

Lila said, "Dear Lord, please help these Marigolds protect this house and the people inside it. Keep the magic of the past alive and well."

From outside, the group heard a voice.

"Francie! I know you are in there. I had you tracked. I put a tracking device in your bag in case you ever left. Come on out. It is time for you to come home."

Without letting go of Thomas' or Lila's hand, she yelled back through the window that Lila had opened. "It is over, Todd. I am not coming back!"

"Then I am coming in!" he yelled in an angry tone. Everyone grasped tighter almost by instinct, sending more love and strength into the flowers they encircled.

"These flowers stink! How can anyone live with such smelly awful flowers." Todd yelled from outside.

Lila smiled. It was working. Marigold Manor was doing the job it was intended for. Her home was a haven for the hunted.

Todd had stopped on the lawn. He acted like he was confused. "Francie, this isn't over. You will come crawling back!" He shouted as he backtracked down the lawn. He got into his car and drove off while the people in the house were still holding hands. They slowly let go.

"That was remarkable," said Mr. Grey.

Francie smiled at Thomas and hugged Lila. "I am really free of him. "

"You can't seek him out. You can't go back."

"I really like it here. Does anyone know where I can get a job?" Everyone laughed.

Thomas piped up. "My assistant just left. What do you know about animals?"

Francie turned a beautiful smile on him and exclaimed, "I love animals!"

The next day Mr. Grey left. "Thank you for a beautiful time, Ms. Lila. Thank you for telling me about your history. Would it be alright if I use it?"

Lila smiled at him. "Mr. Grey, I figure that was why you were here. I would be honored."

Diana and Ted left two hours later. "Lila," Diana said, "it has always been exciting when you are around. I just love this old place."

Lila hugged her and then Ted. "Diana, you were the best chambermaid I ever had. Thank you for being here, and congratulations to you both."

Thomas had come to show Francie the vet's office. They were smiling.

She turned to Lila, "I don't know how to thank you. I am so happy to stay here. I love your home. Now I have a job."

"Take your time honey, look around. I have a feeling this will be your home soon."

Lila closed the door. She felt Arthur standing beside her. Things were as they were supposed to be.

"You always know, don't you, when someone needs you, needs the house." she heard him whisper.

The marigolds know. The marigolds keep the pests away.