Perplexia
Romance embellisher
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2007
- Posts
- 18,221
Jessica Lynn Strouse sat in the window sill of her 5th avenue walk up over looking Manhattan. She had lived in the city for seven years admiring the hustle and bustle of the famous city.
After graduating 1st in her class at NYU for business she had obtained a 'dream job' at one of the top 5 Fortune 500 companies. Even with the 'perfect job', 'perfect apartment', and 'perfect boyfriend', Jacob Van Boyle an up and coming lawyer, at the young age of 25 she was still missing something.
Her apt, though she called it 'perfect' was really only perfect for her. Her friends tried encouraging her to no avail to purchase some upgraded real estate to reflect her status in society. But Jessica was a minimalist. She didn't mind that her apt was small, or that it took forever to climb the five flights of stairs with a bag of groceries.
Looking at her old Timex watch she realized she was late for her date with Jacob. He had sounded excited when he talked to her about having something important to ask her. God she hoped it wasn't a proposal, they had only been dating for three months. He was nice and chivalrous, good looking, successful, and perfect on paper. But when she kissed him, she felt nothing. It wasn't that he wasn't a good kisser, or a generous lover, he simply didn't inspire her. There were no butterflies when she looked at him, no aching between her thighs yearning for him, there was simply the contentment and companionship.
Quickly rising she put on her heels and hurried down the stairs to hail a taxi. The brisk air nipped at her ankles reminding her briefly of a childhood moment at the Inn in Lily Dale, NY that her great aunt owned. It had been a magical place that she had visited as often as her mother would let her. That was until her mother and great aunt had an epic fight regarding her absentee father. Or at least that was the just of it.
She talked to her mother, a hopeless romantic, about once a month. She was normally out on a new adventure with a new younger man she had fallen madly in love with. The phrases "he's the one" and "he understand me like no other", were common tunes she heard each time. At some point she stopped listening. Perhaps there was no such thing as true love, or butterflies. Yet still she found herself drawn to romance movies and stories.
The taxi halted in front of One if by land and Two if by sea luxury restaurant. It was said to be one of the most romantic restaurants in Manhattan. After paying the driver she made her way inside where she was shown to the table that Jacob was currently waiting at. He rose as any good gentleman would and pulled her rustic wooden chair out for her. The lights from the chandlers sparkled creating the ambiance of a romantic cafe in Paris.
She smiled and thanked him as she sat. Once seated they browsed the menu as he talked about how much he loved his job. How she wished she had that kind of passion for hers. How she wished she had any kind of passion for anything. As their meal came she found her first bit of passion as she dove into her Whole Boneless Poussin, or in layman's terms a really good pot pie. She simply wasn't in to the whole fancy cuisine where they charged you an enormous amount of money for a bite of food. It was called art, but why would she want to eat art and still be hungry?
"Jessica" Jacob said refusing to call her Jess or Jessie like any of her friends or co-workers. His voice was more serious and eyes intense as he looked into her emerald ones. "When I first saw you, I knew i had to have you. You are so beautiful and elegant. I can see us one day having children together. Will you move in with me?"
Well it wasn't as bad as a marriage proposal would have been, but still he talked about her like she was a Ferrari. Elegant? did he know her at all, she was eating a glorified pot pie, and lived in a 5 story walk up. She preferred jeans to trousers, and shorts and tank tops to more sophisticated casual wear. This would be the expected path, the way life was suppose to be. Shouldn't she be ecstatic at the opportunity?
"Jacob" she said lightly "All though I appreciate the offer, I don't see you in the same light. I'm just not in to the high society lifestyle that you, I've been happy with the time that we shared, but I don't think this is working." Reaching into her purse she pulled out cash to cover her part of the meal and laid it on the table. "I really hope you find what you're looking for." The look on his face was that of confusion and horror. He's just been rejected and broken up with in one brief conversation. She was sure he'd never been broken up with before.
Rising from the table she picked up her purse and headed out of the restaurant. It was she could do to not run. The taxi ride home was uneventful, now comfortably back in her apt she played the messages from her answering machine as she changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top.
"Miss Strouse, my name is Reginald Ostenheimer. I'm with Ostenheimer and Sons Estate Lawyers. I have some important business to discuss with you, please call me back at your earliest convenience at ##########. "
What could an Estate Lawyer want with her? The question boggled her mind as she settled in to bed. Tomorrow was Friday, and for once she didn't have any plans for the weekend. Oh how she was looking forward to that.
On her way to work the next morning she made a call to the Lawyers office.
"Thank you for returning my call so promptly Miss Strouse" Ostenheimer responded as he picked up her transferred call. "I regret to inform you of the passing of your Great Aunt Hilda St. Claire. When can we meet to go over all that you are to inherit?"
"Wouldn't my mother be the one to inherit?" she questioned saddened and a bit overwhelmed.
"No your Aunt specifically designated in her will that you were the only heir."
"Well I will need to take some time off work, may i call you back this afternoon?"
"Yes that will be find thank you"
After the morning meeting she spoke with her boss about taking some bereavement time due to a death in the family. Since she had banked vacation time her boss agreed to let her take a couple weeks off. Part bereavement and part holiday he divulged. She had apparently never taken a day off and had more time on the books then anyone else. "take today off too" he advised with a grin and she shrugged and obliged. She needed to rent a car and pack anyway.
When she called Mr. Ostenheimer back she asked if she'd be able to stay at her aunts inn. He advised that he'd have someone meet her there in the morning with the keys. He would meet her on Monday to go over everything with her.
She was saddened deeply over her Great Aunts passing. She had managed to talk to her a couple times a month over the years. She was almost 97 to the best of her knowledge. Though she never complained of any ailments or health issues. She was truly a remarkable woman. The stories Hilda told over the years were music to her ears. The stories were about the Inn, and how it had been passed down for generations, as well as stories about famous people that had stayed there over the years. Her Aunt had closed the Inn to the public about five or ten years ago. It was too much for a woman of her age to keep up with.
Tears trickled down her face as she packed her suitcase. Promises had been made about coming up to visit, she just never managed to have time. Though her aunt never made her feel bad about it. The idea was there and she had always intended to make the time. Now it was too late.
Early Saturday morning arrived and the SUV was ready when she arrived at the rental place. It was a long six hour drive to Lily Dale. The town had less then 300 permanent residents but had about 35000 visitors a year. It was the oddest thing for the beautiful little town. But it was a secluded getaway. As she drew closer to the town memories seemed to drift back. Although she had been a bit old for an invisible friend. He existed for her still the same. They went on hikes in the woods, he was there to listen when she had cried over her father not wanting her in his life, or when her mother was being completely neurotic. Even though she excepted that he wasn't real. He still remained her favorite person. The one time she had brought him up her mother literally laughed at her telling her how foolish and immature she was. Her aunt merely smiled, never commented and only listened.
Jessica wasn't sure if her aunt believed her or not, but she didn't make her feel like a fool. That was one thing that drew her to her aunts loving embrace.
As she drove up to the Inn she noticed that very little had changed. The drive was now paved instead of gravel. The barn seemed a little worn but still standing and mostly in good shape. The swing that she swung on as a child swayed in the breeze. The wind chimes sang their tune. For the first time in a long time it felt like she was a home. The sound of an old worn F150 drew her attention as it pulled up behind her SUV.
A handsome rugged lumbar jack size of a man stepped out. Wiping his hand off on his torn Jeans he extended a hand. "Miss Strouse, I'm Jack Lane, I was the care taker for Ms. Hilda. I have the keys for ya." He reached in his pants and pulled out a ring of old fashioned keys and handed it to her. "I'm awfully sorry to hear about your aunt miss."
"Thank you Mr. Lane."
"Just Jack Miss"
"thanks Jack"
"She mentioned you now and again when i was out here fixin somethin. Was awfully proud of all you've accomplished."
That made her smile a little bit. Jack ran a hand through is grizzly beard as he seemed off in thought for a moment. "Oh Ms. Nelly from the general store sent me with a bag of groceries for ya. Said no worries it was on the house."
"That was really kind of her" Jess responded as he went to his truck and brought out two large filled to the rim paper bags. "I'll just put these in the kitchen for ya and be on my way if you'd open the door." Jack said in a determined voice.
"oh ..ok well thank you Jack." Making her way up to the porch she looked at the giant key ring and found one with a label maker sticker on it that said Frt. Dr. and opened it. The familiar smell of lavender rushed in to meet her nostrils giving her an overwhelming sense of calmness. The chime on the door waned down as it stilled.
Jack made his way back to the kitchen as her eyes looked at the once familiar surroundings. Making her way out to the SUV she grabbed her bags and brought them in. Her bags were old, she never bought new ones cause she never really went anywhere. Jess' fingers slid up the cedar staircase railing as she pulled them up the stairs one thump at a time till she reached the very top. The corner suite was the one she had always stayed in, so without thought she made her way there and looked through the keys until she found the one for her room and made her way inside. It was almost exactly how she left it. Opening up the window she let the breeze in letting some of the stale air out from the lonely room.
"I'll be leaving now Miss" Jack called from downstairs. "Ok ty again Jack and tell Ms Nelly ty for me too." "Will do" with that the door shut and bells rang. She stared out at the trees watching a leaf fall down to its new home on the ground. Fall had just started, and soon winter would be upon the little town of Lily Dale. Winter was always her favorite time of the year.
After graduating 1st in her class at NYU for business she had obtained a 'dream job' at one of the top 5 Fortune 500 companies. Even with the 'perfect job', 'perfect apartment', and 'perfect boyfriend', Jacob Van Boyle an up and coming lawyer, at the young age of 25 she was still missing something.
Her apt, though she called it 'perfect' was really only perfect for her. Her friends tried encouraging her to no avail to purchase some upgraded real estate to reflect her status in society. But Jessica was a minimalist. She didn't mind that her apt was small, or that it took forever to climb the five flights of stairs with a bag of groceries.
Looking at her old Timex watch she realized she was late for her date with Jacob. He had sounded excited when he talked to her about having something important to ask her. God she hoped it wasn't a proposal, they had only been dating for three months. He was nice and chivalrous, good looking, successful, and perfect on paper. But when she kissed him, she felt nothing. It wasn't that he wasn't a good kisser, or a generous lover, he simply didn't inspire her. There were no butterflies when she looked at him, no aching between her thighs yearning for him, there was simply the contentment and companionship.
Quickly rising she put on her heels and hurried down the stairs to hail a taxi. The brisk air nipped at her ankles reminding her briefly of a childhood moment at the Inn in Lily Dale, NY that her great aunt owned. It had been a magical place that she had visited as often as her mother would let her. That was until her mother and great aunt had an epic fight regarding her absentee father. Or at least that was the just of it.
She talked to her mother, a hopeless romantic, about once a month. She was normally out on a new adventure with a new younger man she had fallen madly in love with. The phrases "he's the one" and "he understand me like no other", were common tunes she heard each time. At some point she stopped listening. Perhaps there was no such thing as true love, or butterflies. Yet still she found herself drawn to romance movies and stories.
The taxi halted in front of One if by land and Two if by sea luxury restaurant. It was said to be one of the most romantic restaurants in Manhattan. After paying the driver she made her way inside where she was shown to the table that Jacob was currently waiting at. He rose as any good gentleman would and pulled her rustic wooden chair out for her. The lights from the chandlers sparkled creating the ambiance of a romantic cafe in Paris.
She smiled and thanked him as she sat. Once seated they browsed the menu as he talked about how much he loved his job. How she wished she had that kind of passion for hers. How she wished she had any kind of passion for anything. As their meal came she found her first bit of passion as she dove into her Whole Boneless Poussin, or in layman's terms a really good pot pie. She simply wasn't in to the whole fancy cuisine where they charged you an enormous amount of money for a bite of food. It was called art, but why would she want to eat art and still be hungry?
"Jessica" Jacob said refusing to call her Jess or Jessie like any of her friends or co-workers. His voice was more serious and eyes intense as he looked into her emerald ones. "When I first saw you, I knew i had to have you. You are so beautiful and elegant. I can see us one day having children together. Will you move in with me?"
Well it wasn't as bad as a marriage proposal would have been, but still he talked about her like she was a Ferrari. Elegant? did he know her at all, she was eating a glorified pot pie, and lived in a 5 story walk up. She preferred jeans to trousers, and shorts and tank tops to more sophisticated casual wear. This would be the expected path, the way life was suppose to be. Shouldn't she be ecstatic at the opportunity?
"Jacob" she said lightly "All though I appreciate the offer, I don't see you in the same light. I'm just not in to the high society lifestyle that you, I've been happy with the time that we shared, but I don't think this is working." Reaching into her purse she pulled out cash to cover her part of the meal and laid it on the table. "I really hope you find what you're looking for." The look on his face was that of confusion and horror. He's just been rejected and broken up with in one brief conversation. She was sure he'd never been broken up with before.
Rising from the table she picked up her purse and headed out of the restaurant. It was she could do to not run. The taxi ride home was uneventful, now comfortably back in her apt she played the messages from her answering machine as she changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top.
"Miss Strouse, my name is Reginald Ostenheimer. I'm with Ostenheimer and Sons Estate Lawyers. I have some important business to discuss with you, please call me back at your earliest convenience at ##########. "
What could an Estate Lawyer want with her? The question boggled her mind as she settled in to bed. Tomorrow was Friday, and for once she didn't have any plans for the weekend. Oh how she was looking forward to that.
On her way to work the next morning she made a call to the Lawyers office.
"Thank you for returning my call so promptly Miss Strouse" Ostenheimer responded as he picked up her transferred call. "I regret to inform you of the passing of your Great Aunt Hilda St. Claire. When can we meet to go over all that you are to inherit?"
"Wouldn't my mother be the one to inherit?" she questioned saddened and a bit overwhelmed.
"No your Aunt specifically designated in her will that you were the only heir."
"Well I will need to take some time off work, may i call you back this afternoon?"
"Yes that will be find thank you"
After the morning meeting she spoke with her boss about taking some bereavement time due to a death in the family. Since she had banked vacation time her boss agreed to let her take a couple weeks off. Part bereavement and part holiday he divulged. She had apparently never taken a day off and had more time on the books then anyone else. "take today off too" he advised with a grin and she shrugged and obliged. She needed to rent a car and pack anyway.
When she called Mr. Ostenheimer back she asked if she'd be able to stay at her aunts inn. He advised that he'd have someone meet her there in the morning with the keys. He would meet her on Monday to go over everything with her.
She was saddened deeply over her Great Aunts passing. She had managed to talk to her a couple times a month over the years. She was almost 97 to the best of her knowledge. Though she never complained of any ailments or health issues. She was truly a remarkable woman. The stories Hilda told over the years were music to her ears. The stories were about the Inn, and how it had been passed down for generations, as well as stories about famous people that had stayed there over the years. Her Aunt had closed the Inn to the public about five or ten years ago. It was too much for a woman of her age to keep up with.
Tears trickled down her face as she packed her suitcase. Promises had been made about coming up to visit, she just never managed to have time. Though her aunt never made her feel bad about it. The idea was there and she had always intended to make the time. Now it was too late.
Early Saturday morning arrived and the SUV was ready when she arrived at the rental place. It was a long six hour drive to Lily Dale. The town had less then 300 permanent residents but had about 35000 visitors a year. It was the oddest thing for the beautiful little town. But it was a secluded getaway. As she drew closer to the town memories seemed to drift back. Although she had been a bit old for an invisible friend. He existed for her still the same. They went on hikes in the woods, he was there to listen when she had cried over her father not wanting her in his life, or when her mother was being completely neurotic. Even though she excepted that he wasn't real. He still remained her favorite person. The one time she had brought him up her mother literally laughed at her telling her how foolish and immature she was. Her aunt merely smiled, never commented and only listened.
Jessica wasn't sure if her aunt believed her or not, but she didn't make her feel like a fool. That was one thing that drew her to her aunts loving embrace.
As she drove up to the Inn she noticed that very little had changed. The drive was now paved instead of gravel. The barn seemed a little worn but still standing and mostly in good shape. The swing that she swung on as a child swayed in the breeze. The wind chimes sang their tune. For the first time in a long time it felt like she was a home. The sound of an old worn F150 drew her attention as it pulled up behind her SUV.
A handsome rugged lumbar jack size of a man stepped out. Wiping his hand off on his torn Jeans he extended a hand. "Miss Strouse, I'm Jack Lane, I was the care taker for Ms. Hilda. I have the keys for ya." He reached in his pants and pulled out a ring of old fashioned keys and handed it to her. "I'm awfully sorry to hear about your aunt miss."
"Thank you Mr. Lane."
"Just Jack Miss"
"thanks Jack"
"She mentioned you now and again when i was out here fixin somethin. Was awfully proud of all you've accomplished."
That made her smile a little bit. Jack ran a hand through is grizzly beard as he seemed off in thought for a moment. "Oh Ms. Nelly from the general store sent me with a bag of groceries for ya. Said no worries it was on the house."
"That was really kind of her" Jess responded as he went to his truck and brought out two large filled to the rim paper bags. "I'll just put these in the kitchen for ya and be on my way if you'd open the door." Jack said in a determined voice.
"oh ..ok well thank you Jack." Making her way up to the porch she looked at the giant key ring and found one with a label maker sticker on it that said Frt. Dr. and opened it. The familiar smell of lavender rushed in to meet her nostrils giving her an overwhelming sense of calmness. The chime on the door waned down as it stilled.
Jack made his way back to the kitchen as her eyes looked at the once familiar surroundings. Making her way out to the SUV she grabbed her bags and brought them in. Her bags were old, she never bought new ones cause she never really went anywhere. Jess' fingers slid up the cedar staircase railing as she pulled them up the stairs one thump at a time till she reached the very top. The corner suite was the one she had always stayed in, so without thought she made her way there and looked through the keys until she found the one for her room and made her way inside. It was almost exactly how she left it. Opening up the window she let the breeze in letting some of the stale air out from the lonely room.
"I'll be leaving now Miss" Jack called from downstairs. "Ok ty again Jack and tell Ms Nelly ty for me too." "Will do" with that the door shut and bells rang. She stared out at the trees watching a leaf fall down to its new home on the ground. Fall had just started, and soon winter would be upon the little town of Lily Dale. Winter was always her favorite time of the year.