THE INHERITANCE - part thirty-eight

I WROTE THIS AS THE SPARK IN MY IMAGINATION ILLUMINATED.

PLEASE GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND READ THROUGH.

I APPRECIATE IT. THANKS.

THE INHERITANCE (part one) | Fiction (vocal.media)

THE INHERITANCE ... part two | Fiction (vocal.media)

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THE INHERITANCE – part thirty-eight ………

Welcome home

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“Oh, dear,” Shevy said. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Have you seen this before?”

Kate put her arms around her dear friend. “Shevy, it’s fine. We just never expected to see anything like this again. You see, my dad had one exactly like it and then died before he hung it on the wall. We never found where he put it.”

Patti wiped the tears from her yes and said, “I searched the apartment from room to room, every closet, drawer, anywhere that might have something to pull open. I searched our old travel bags. I never found it. And now, well, now I have a replacement for it. How can I ever thank you?”

“Patti, do you know what it means?”

“Not really. He’d made a trip to Aughacasla and brought it back with him, saying he had it made especially for our family and to honor his. He said as soon as he had time, he wanted to hang it in our little parlor, but then two days later, well, the crash happened.”

Shevy spoke in a hushed voice. “It’s been told that Kathleen called it the Tree of Having. Having love, life, and family. The leaves are painted green to represent the ever presence of love, life, and family - always growing and being alive. The roots symbolize the intertwining of the lives of each family member with an unbroken bond, always making the tree stronger. ‘Tis a shame Kathleen’s own children didn’t see things that way and maybe that’s why she never had her drawing made into the wall hanging. She gave it to Declan before he left for America. He’s the only one who showed any promise that family mattered. He’s the only one who came back periodically to visit.”

Patti lovingly fingered the design as she said, “Yes, I can understand that. I remember once that my husband said he had no contact with his brothers and sisters. He tried to keep in touch with his mother but eventually, the letters stopped. That’s when he came to visit. He arrived two days before his mother passed away and she told him that his brother and sister had long ago stopped corresponding with her. Only Aaiden kept in touch. What a sad thing to have happened. I can’t imagine your own children not wanting to bother with you.”

Kate wrapped her arms around her mother’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

Shevy said sadly. “Seems like ungrateful children ran in that family. First it was Kathleen’s children, then Declan’s. Oh well, Declan came as often as possible and never failed to make her smile. That’s why I can only assume that she gave the drawing to Declan, who in turn left the drawing for Aaiden and when he visited his mam the last time, he found an iron worker to craft the plaque.”

“It all makes sense, now,” Patti said sadly. “Shevy, I’ll cherish this forever. Thank you so much.”

“Now, ladies, I’ve taken enough of your time, so I’ll be headin’ back to my little house. Take care, now, mo dream. Good night, to ya.”

For the next few minutes, Kate and her mother sat in silence, staring at the Tree of Having wall plaque and remembering the man they both loved and lost too soon, too quickly.

Kate stood, “Mom, I’m for a glass of cool iced tea. It’s your favorite, raspberry. I’ll pour you a glass as well, and then, let’s talk about mo abhaile.”

Patti knew that Kate wanted to break the somber mood and agreed. “Good thinking. I’ll cut us another slice of Shevy’s apple pie.”

“You know, Kate, even though I’m glad you had the electrical power fixed, I think once you have the water connected, I might miss that old well and its pump.”

Kate smiled as she sat at the table next to her mother. “So, mom, country living is really rubbing off on you. Have no fear. The well isn’t going anywhere. That’s where the house water will come from. Now that the house has electricity, I’ll be having a water heater installed. I still haven’t decided on the stove, though. I really like my wood-burning stove but it’s not ideal for baking. It’s something to think about.”

“Hot water heater? You don’t have a … wait! You’ve spelled the house water to give us hot water for our showers!”

“Yes, mom, I did. But, once I get a hot water heater, I’m removing those spells. I only want to use my magic for emergencies.”

As her little cross vibrated, Patti said, “Well, to be honest, that does make sense. So, let’s see those plans.”

After Kate described her plans for her cottage, Patti couldn’t help but show her pride in her daughter’s intuitiveness. “Kate, what you have here is marvelous. I love the idea of putting the addition on the other side of the kitchen. You said the contractor will try and match the stones for continuity. Where will be find all the stone he’ll need?

“From what Red tells me, there’s a rock quarry on the edge of the next town. Hopefully, he’ll be able to match the stones grandmother’s in-laws used when they built the house.”

“Red?”

“Oh, yeah, Red Lynch. His name is Seamus, but everyone calls him Red.”

There was an urgent knocking on Kate’s door.

When she opened it, she saw a pretty girl about ten years old, with reddish-blonde hair and sad brown eyes.