BV1

It was a beautiful early October day. The leaves had just about all fallen from the mighty sycamore trees that cornered off the site of the Burn's house and there was a slight chill in the air. The candles lined the walkway to usher the guests inside to the smell of mulled cider and a crackling fire. Jayne had no trouble getting permission for the guests to use the Main's driveway and park in the spare grass lot behind the Main's house. Luckily the party was at night so no one could see just how badly the flower gardens had become overgrown with neglect. The gardens would be a spring project.

It had rained nearly the entire time of Jayne and Ted's first month in West Virginia; they felt tired and down. Most boxes were finally unpacked, though, and at least the downstairs of the two story house was presentable. They hid numerous boxes in the walk-in attic along with a few boxes surprisingly left by the precious owner. The lighting was bad in the attic and a time-pressured glance into the left-behind boxes didn't catch Jayne's eye as being anything interesting. There would be time later to sort out all the contents of the remaining boxes and scatter them throughout the house where they fit.

Jayne and Ted are avid antiquers and were able to furnish the dining room and expansive living room downstairs with appropriate pieces for a nearly 100 year old house. Being an artist, Jayne could combine the most opposite pieces with a few accessories to create a look worthy of the most stylish designers. Ted just quietly moved pieces as directed and thought about more mechanical things like how the multiple-source heating system would work during the upcoming winter. The only trouble they ran into was keeping nails in one of the living room walls when hanging pictures. The plaster must not have been replaced when the rest of the house was renovated prior to the Burn's purchase.

Upstairs, a quilt and pillows Jayne inherited from her great aunt covered the brass bed that came with the house in the guest bedroom. The bolts on the bed were bound with age, so Ted and Jayne agreed that it could be left behind. It worked out good, since they moved from a one bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh and thus needed the furniture. The little bathroom worked, though the faucet dripped and the showerhead really needed to be replaced. Ted could get to those sometime during the upcoming winter, and if all else failed he could call in Chester the local handyman.

Jayne and Ted's bedroom is what sold them on the house. Though the floor was a bit slanted, it had the wonderful charm of old woodwork and large windows that looked down the hill to downtown. Ted's cherry Victorian-style furniture and Jayne's accessories made the room look warm and lived in. The his and hers closet would need to be combined into a one big closet, but otherwise all was perfect. The newer master bath used to be a sewing room, the only remaining window was stained-glass and pentagram shaped. It provided light and privacy, its gothic design fit the feeling of the house.

Tonight's party would bring the warmth of family and friend to the house and make it a home. At least that's what Ted and Jayne had hoped. Strangely none of the neighbors could make the party. The Mayde twin sisters were preparing bridal flowers at Bertha's shop in Burketsville, the Mains said they didn�t go out at night (apparently even next door), the Taylor's were never seen to invite, others had family visiting or business affairs to attend to. It didn't really matter though because Jayne and Ted were expecting quite crowd: a few somewhat local relatives, a couple old friends driving up from DC and they even invited a few locals they met in the short time they had been in West Virginia. It would be a fun night of socializing and eating. Laughter would permeate the walls and make old Paul Main's house Ted and Jayne Burn's new home.

Of course everyone was congregating in the kitchen, catching up with each other's lives and sampling the treats ex-chef Jayne had been making all week. Each guest brought some small trinket that, though put aside with the excitement of the evening, would be cherished in the coming days. The bulbs would bring color each spring, the candle would be sweet aromas to gray winter days, the old leather-bound Biddlesvale history book would be read by the fire, and the candies would disappear soon enough.

As more guests arrived people eventually flowed into the living room and dining room. The feature attraction in the living room was the cat ?????. If you asked him a question he would reply. His meows varied as the questions differed. It was amazing that he could discern background conversations and questions asked of him. There is nothing like a friendly cat to turn strangers into friends. Soon even the newest friends were old friends.

Every hour or so the smokers would step out onto the front porch. The view of downtown was pretty and the just-crisp air refreshing. It seemed every time they stepped outside, the first person out the door would notice the only illuminated light in the Taylor's house next door quickly turn off. The shade was always drawn but for a split second a shadow would be silhouetted, then it would go black. The light's at the Main's, on the other side of the porch, had been off since guests arrived. Guess 100 year old people turn in early. It was difficult to see the funeral parlor even though it was only two houses down. At nine o'clock the church bells rang out and brought the small town feel to the city visitors. The bells did not ring at ten; this was a small town. After a few minutes outside, laughter from inside would draw the smokers back to the party.

The dinner spread was as stylish as the house decorations. Jayne, as always, went all out and managed to combine enough unique foods to provide the varied guests with plenty to eat and remember in their dreams. The herb encrusted prime rib was the centerpiece, surrounded by broasted potatoes and fall vegetables. Truffle risotto and numerous salads completed the main course. Pies and finger desserts finished the meal.

After dinner Ted refocused the guests into the living room by playing the Shokra bowl. It is a deep polished crystal bowl about one foot in diameter. When the rim is rubbed with the special leather wand the bowl resonates a deep C note. The sound is said to stimulate the heart and add life to the listeners. Guest took turns caressing the bowl, some with better results than others. When rubbed precisely with the correct speed and pressure the sound waves would enliven your whole body, the entire house seems to come alive.

The evening eventually wound down, with the far-travelling guests leaving earliest. Everyone wished the couple well in their new house. A few even got the pleasure of extending the festivities by taking a few leftovers home to savor in the coming days. Ted and Jayne had succeeded in making their new house in Biddlesvale their new home.