Misty Hill Manor

Home, Again

Bryn threw her dirty clothes into her bag and packed her bathroom supplies. This weekend couldn’t have been over soon enough. Bonnie told her before they went to bed last night that they were buggin out as soon as daylight hit the beach. They would drive up the coast a bit, eat lunch and head back to town. Bryn was more than agreeable. She was ready! She finished packing, made one more scan over the room and bathroom and headed through the bedroom door towards the stairs. She wanted to get her things downstairs and into Bonnie’s car before anyone noticed. “Bryn! Dear, already gone?” She heard Peg’s voice. Like a kid caught in the cookie jar, she stopped and straightened her back. Ugh. Turning towards the direction of the voice. “Good morning, Peg!” She greeted her. “Yes, getting a head start on the loading part. Got a job to find.” She said putting out her best fake giggle.

“Oh yes! That is a must!” Peg smiled back.

“Fake.” Bonnie said as she buzzed past the two in the hallway and jetted through the door to her car. Bryn smiled again and followed Bonnie out the door. Popping the trunk of the car to put her case in, she looked at Bryn and turned her face up and crossed her eyes. Mocking her. “You’re crazy.” She giggled as she put her things in with Bonnie’s. “Shall we go hug our sibling and life giver?” Bryn asked as she looped her arm into her sister’s. “We shall.” Bonnie responded and they waltz up the walk and in the door together. Or, trying. As they reached the door they attempted to enter together. It wasn’t happening, both vying for dominance and entrance. Tumbling over one another and falling to the floor in fits of laughter. 

“Grow up.” Beck walked over the top of them and headed towards the kitchen. Ben fell on top of them and the three continued to wrestle. Mike tried to slide by as he hit the bottom step of the stairwell so he could head to the kitchen. Bonnie grabbed one leg, Ben the other and Mike came down in a grunt. They finally stood, Bryn trying hard to catch her breath. Bonnie’s face was red and Ben was a hot sweaty mess. Mike just shook his head and laughed all the way to the kitchen. “Let’s get out of here.” Bonnie whispered in a giggle. “I’m right behind you!” Bryn replied slyly. “Me too.” Said Ben.. Bonnie shook his hair and pushed him into the sofa.

“We’re outta here pops!” Said Bonnie, giving her father a quick hug and peck on the cheek. Bryn doing the same. They both tackle Beck with hugs and headed towards the exit. 

“Thanks for having us, Peg! We enjoyed ourselves.” Bryn called to her on their way out. “Yeah, Peg. Ditto!” Bonnie yelled from the door. Peg waved back with a smug smile. “You are all quite welcome. Glad to see you!” Yelling back, to no one. Both girls were already in the vehicle and pulling out of the parking spot. Mike smiled and sat at the table. “What’s for breakfast, hun?” He smiled. Ben sat next to him with a huge smile on his face too. Beck smiled and put her face back into her phone. Peg huffed and went back to her cooking. 

“Interesting weekend.” Bonnie started the conversation with. 

“Yes, it’s always so very interesting.” Bryn agreed. “Poor dad.” 

“Poor Dad? Don’t poor Dad! He likes it there. He is a glutton. Peg treats him horribly, he sticks it out. Don’t pity him. He’s ridiculous.” Bonnie responded. Showing her disdain through her tone.

“Don’t like Peg much. Do ya!” Bryn laughed at her.

“Let’s just say, if it weren’t for you going along I wouldn’t have gone either. And, I won’t be going back for a while. Dad will have to come visit me.” She said as she watched the road. 

“Don’t hold your breath. She doesn’t let him out of her sight.” Bryn sighed and watched the scenery. 

“How odd was it mom showing up, out of nowhere?” Bonnie asked out of nowhere. 

“Truly?” Bryn looked at her sister. “Not that odd. I’m kind of surprised it took her that long. I thought for sure she would have met us at the door instead of Peg.” They burst out laughing together.

“You right.” Bonnie replied. 

Finding a good place to eat, they sat and talked for an hour. Walked the beach a bit and finally headed home. Bonnie hated leaving Bryn. She wanted to take care of her, she was her best friend. “I’m always here if you need me. Well, you know. At the other end of the phone anyway.” She held her close as they hugged. “I know.” Bryn responded. 

“I got this.” She told Bonnie as they pulled away from one another. “I’ve got to, or I’ll be forced to move in with mother. I don’t want to do that, Bon. I really don’t.” She smiled. 

“Yeah, you can come live with me first. I don’t want you ruined.” She giggled. “Deal?”

“Deal!” Bryn waved at her sister as she drove away. Grabbing her bags, she turned to the entrance of her apartment. ‘Hello old friend. Never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad to see you’ She said as she walked up to the door. “I’m so glad you are back!” Bryn heard her neighbor’s shrill voice greet her as she walked through the door. “Hi! How was the devil, I mean.. Beth?” she asked as she opened her mailbox. 

“I won’t be watching that thing in your apartment anymore. And, never ask again.” She told Bryn. “I like you, Ms Bryn. I do. But that ‘cat’. Well lets just say, if it comes up missing. I won’t help you look for it!” she really sounded distraught. 

“What ever happened?” Bryn asked seriously curious to what the demon cat had planned up while she was gone for ONLY 3 days. 

“That thing wouldn’t even let me in the door. It attacked me as soon as the door cracked open. Like it was, waiting for me. When I finally did get in. I believe the devilish thing was sleeping or something. I ran in quickly, set down some food and made sure the water was still full and I was ambushed from behind. Like that dumb cat jumped from somewhere high and landed on my head. No ma’am. I won’t do it again. No, do not ask.” She held her hands crossed over her chest in defiance. 

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know she would behave like that.” Knowingly filling the neighbor lady’s ears with lies. She knew that cat would act out while she was gone. She knew her best behavior was when Bryn was home and that wasn’t saying much. “Please accept my apology. Let me know if there is anything I can do to make it up to you.” 

“Just don’t ask again. That cat should be put away somewhere for crazy animals. If she is indeed a real pet and not a demon spawn. Thank you for understanding.” And just like that, the little stout lady was up the stairs and gone. Wow. That cat could ruin a wet dream. And now, to face the music. 

Bryn turned the key in her lock and opened the door. Waiting for claws or teeth. She was met by neither. She placed her bags near the sofa and set the mail on the kitchen table. Removing her shoes, she looked around the apartment. No sign. ‘This is not good.’ Bryn whispered to herself. Refocusing on the mail she had set down, she went through to see if she had received any responses to resumes or applications. Nothing. She threw the junk mail into the trash and grabbed her bags. Carrying them to her room she dumped it all on her bed and went through it to put things up. She heard a light growl. Muffled. Wearily searching the room, knowing she was about to get ambushed. Then, she heard it again. A muffle growl. Following the sound (she couldn’t believe SHE was looking for that dumb cat.) she noticed a basket overturned with clothes piled atop it. And caught in the basket, was the furry devil. She giggled, Beth growled as if to tell Bryn, ‘when I get out of this, you’ll pay for your transgressions.’ 

“What have you done?” She asked the cat in the politest voice possible as if the cat knew what polite was. “Don’t look her in the eyes.” Bryn dipped her eyesight a bit to avoid ticking the cat off. Slowly she lifted one side of the basket. Taking care so as to keep her hands clear from the reach of the clawless cat. Once the basket was far enough from the ground on the one side, Beth jetted out with a growl and ran for dear life. She couldn’t have run faster if someone was chasing her with a knife. Bryn couldn’t help it, she giggled knowing it was her demise. Bending down she picked up the overturned basket to right it. She placed the laundry back inside and set it back on the shelf. The cat was still growling, Bryn could hear her the entire time. “I’m so going to pay for laughing at that dumb cat.” Bryn giggled again and shook her head. Gathering the rest of the things from her suitcase, she went to the bathroom to put things away.