Virginia Creeper by Eva Pohler

Author:Eva Pohler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eva Pohler

Chapter Eleven

Crossings

O

n Monday, December twelfth, Ellen and her friends returned from San Antonio to Williamsburg for their ten-day holiday stay in Sue’s finished vacation rental. This time, Ellen brought Moseby along—not because Brian couldn’t watch him, but because she hated being away from him for very long.

They flew into Richmond, where a distant Frost relative of Ellen’s met them at a sandwich shop near the airport. Her name was Brenda Hammond, and she was in her mid-seventies.

Brenda had already emailed Ellen part of the Frost family tree, but Brenda wanted to provide some details she knew in person.

“Your father was a World War II baby,” Brenda said. “He was conceived while your grandfather was on leave, and, unfortunately, your grandfather died in the war and never met his son.”

“Oh.” Ellen’s heart hurt for her father, who must have been sad to not have his father growing up.

“Your father was Frank, Jr., and his father was Frank, Sr. Frank, Sr. was a World War I baby. He also lost his father in war before he was born.”

Although Ellen had been glad to meet a distant relative, especially one older than herself, someone who knew things about her family, the details of her line of the Frost family were depressing. She’d been hoping to feel a connection to Brenda, but whether it was the depressing details or something else, Ellen didn’t feel it. Brenda felt like just another stranger to her.

Later, as they drove in their rental from the airport, her friends must have sensed her melancholy, because she could tell they were trying to brighten her mood.

“What are you most looking forward to in Williamsburg?” Tanya asked from the passenger’s seat.

Sue, who was driving, said with a laugh, “Seeing the handsome Mr. Benson.”

“Like mother, like daughter!” Tanya sang in a teasing tone.

“I can’t wait to see Busch Gardens,” Ellen said. “I need a Christmas pick-me-up.”

Once they entered Williamsburg, Ellen noticed a candle in a window of nearly every home. Garlands and wreaths trimmed many a façade, and decorated Christmas trees could be seen inside shop windows along many of the streets.

Jason, Sue’s contractor, met them at the house on Kestrel Court in the late afternoon for a final walk through. Ellen carried Mo in his cloth pooch carrier.

“It’s perfect!” Sue ran her hands over the butcher block countertops. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

“It really is,” Tanya agreed.

“I love that backsplash,” Ellen said admiringly. “Everything goes together so nicely, especially the black iron fixtures, knobs, and pulls.”

Sue put her hands on her hips. “I had a feeling that would be your favorite—either the metal finishes or the black front door.”

“The door does look great,” Ellen admitted.

“I can’t wait to go shopping to help you fill this place up,” Tanya said. “The new sofas you ordered look really nice in the two living areas, but you’ll also need tables and lamps and wall art.”

“And books for the library upstairs,” Ellen added, “I’ve already ordered some written by my favorite authors.”

“I need a dining table, too,” Sue reminded them.

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