In Virginia Deep

Yew House

The house came up into view and I lit up inside as if it was the first time I came. I fumbled for the key in my bag. It better not have been in the lining. 

"It's smaller than I remember", Michael muttered as we came into the driveway. 

"You've been here many times?", I asked, realizing I don't know that much about Michael. He was always so cool and professional for someone so young. I only assumed he was young, he could be one of those with a babyface. 

"Ruari is a family friend, I've been around several times."

"Oh." This must be strange for him and others Ruari will be leaving behind. Virginia like Bailieborugh is relatively tiny, everyone who has an idea who everyone is, and outsiders are scarcely looked at askance. But I knew some people here. My friend Flora Kate lived in the village with her family. They were away for the summer but she was over the moon once she realized I'd be moving closer.

"Well, here we are." 

Yew House. My new home. I flung open the car door and headed to the boot to get my suitcase. After my journey, I knew what Michael meant about it feeling like it has a body inside. 

Michael had gotten out and was now staring at the house. It was quite a sight. It reminded me of the dolls houses I used to play with when I was a little girl. But looking closer at him, I noticed he seemed to be looking more through the house than at it. 

"What do we do about the papers now?" I edged. Michael shook his head as if he was coming out of a dream.

"I'll get in contact with him and we'll  sort it out another day", he said, "At least you're not in another county anymore."

"No, I'm right on your doorstep." He blinked rapidly. That did not sound so suggestive in my head. 

"Actually, it would appear I'm on your doorstep", he retorted smoothly. A rising heat came up on my face. 

"Touché", I  managed to get out before going up to my door, "Well, goodnight."

"Goodnight Audrey", he said before going back inside his car. My eyes followed him until he was out of sight back into the village and I took a minute to look at the bundle of trees beside my new home before opening the door. 

There was a blue long carpet on the wooden floor that continued up the staircase. I turned inside t the living room to see a small wooden table and the dark marble fireplace. I went to the kitchen and its cream cabinets and tables bid me welcome. I ran a hand along with the integrated dishwasher and freezer. Luxuries in my eyes.  I'll do some shopping tomorrow.  I skipped over to the french door offering me the view of mid-length emerald grass and a panoramic vision of Lough Ramor.  I walked back into the hall where I left my suitcase and began to heft the thing up the stairs to my new room.

I pushed open the mahogany door to the master bedroom with a queen-sized bed and two cream-colored nightstands. Ruari must have loved his cream. I put down my suitcase, opened it up, and took out my bedding. I've got more on the way for the other rooms as well as extra. My furniture would be arriving tomorrow morning from Dublin. I put my books on my nightstand and unwrapped my mini cuckoo clock and put it on the other. I arranged the clothes I'd brought with me into the wardrobe and sorted my shoes; heels, flats, and sandals into a corner. Now it looked a little more like home. 

I stuffed my suitcase into the wardrobe and went down the stairs to check on the downstairs bedroom. It was a weird sounding concept at first. Ruari told me that it was son Mark's before he moved out because after hurling in the evenings he would collapse onto the bed.  I could tell by the smell coming from it he would collapse. I went inside and the smell hit me full force. 

Ugh, I should have brought some cleaning supplies.

It was a small room with a single bed and a box near the window. That was where the smell was coming from. Maybe old hurling boots? I approached it cautiously, using a tissue from my pocket to lift up the lip. 

I fell on my back with a scream and I didn't stop. I couldn't stop. How could I stop? 

Inside the box was Ruari, eyes wide open, covered in blood with a hole at the side of his head.