Thomas and William wanted to accompany him to his father's home for the funeral, but he insisted he go alone. Edward was very secretive when it came to his family and barely mentioned them in the decades he knew his friends. They knew he had several siblings but only heard him ever talking to his brother Linus regularly. He also got an occasional call from his brother Greg when they lived in England.
Edward packed two small suitcases. He packed a few days' worth of outfits, two suits, two pairs of shoes, and one tie. He didn't plan on staying there long enough to use all of the clothes he packed, but he always preferred to pack too much rather than too little. He didn't want to be bothered with shopping for something he forgot. That thought led him to think about all of the shops in his hometown. He hadn't been there in ages, and he wondered if the area had been developed more.
All of his memories that took place in his childhood home were not bad, but a lot of them were. The bad memories always seemed to stick out. Bad experiences always had more staying power in any situation; they weren't house specific. He tried to remember happy things. He remembered running around with Linus and Greg and how Sarah used to harass them. He recalled a particularly muddy day. It had rained for several hours, and after the clouds cleared, he, Linus, and Greg ran outside and came across two huge puddles by the back garden maze. They laid a layer of leaves over the puddles and waited on the other side until Sarah came looking for them. She was yelling and being bossy like she always was. When she got close to them, they ran, trying to get her to follow. It worked, and when she began to run, she stepped onto the leaves floating in the vast puddle, and she fell into it. The boys turned and laughed until she stormed back inside. He felt bad thinking about that day, but it still amused him.
Edwards' journey was from Virginia to Pennsylvania. He loved driving cars and found pleasure in doing so with the Copan. What he didn't expect was that he enjoyed the trip for another reason, the scenery. It was October, and during that time, the leaves changed colors in such a dramatic and vibrant way. He couldn't have picked a better route, there always seemed to be a large forest traveling with him, and different territories had different trees mixed together. Some trees he passed were bright green, like it was summer in a tropical climate. Then, deeper into the hill spotted area, a landscape of orange and red tufts decorating the horizon.
His father owned a large property named after him. The Vallow Estate. That was where Edward spent his younger years. He hadn't been back in more than a decade. He tried to remember the details of its location within the city, but his memories weren't helpful.
He forgot about how vast and grand the states were. It certainly didn't matter which state he traveled through; there was always something very unique to see.
Thomas urged him to take one of their cars rather than the train, not just because he was being courteous but because he wanted to test the new modifications on it. The Copan model was a staple in England, which is what they brought to America. The exact model was not what they were going to produce in the US; the one Edward designed was the design going onto the assembly line there. It wasn't much different from the original Copan but specified for the US market.
The weather in his old hometown was typical of October in that region. The sky was a dreary gray, and the clouds draped themselves slovenly across the horizon. There was an icy nip floating with the wind, alluding to the possible coming of snow. Edward hadn't been to his father's estate in more than a decade. It was his childhood home, though his family didn't always live there; they lived in England until he was seven. His father, Michael, made the move to the states for business. As soon as he graduated, Edward returned to England for University and never returned until that year with William and Thomas.
The trio had been friends for more than a decade. They met through his first job back in England and bonded over their love of automobiles.
Several hours later, Edward pulled up to the iron gate that led to the estate. The mansion sat upon a few acres and was surrounded by woods and a cast-iron fence.
The gate that blocked the entrance was just as tall and haunting as he remembered. He got out of the car, hit the button, and the doors slowly creaked open. The drive up to the house was always cinematic; the tree-lined path opened up to the majestic sight of the stately manor.
The driveway curved around the front of the house and created a roundabout. There were a few cars already lined up around it. He smirked, noticing that his vehicle was more appealing.
He grabbed his bags and took a moment to stare up at the giant house. It towered above most of the trees. He took a deep breath and walked towards the door. Dozens of memories from his childhood flooded his senses as the stones crunched under his dress shoes.
The maid, Lucy, came to the door. "Oh Edward, I haven't seen you in ages. I'm so glad you're alright. They hugged. Lucy was in her seventies; she had been with the Vallow family since Edward could remember. "How have you been?" He asked. She looked a bit shaken. "This whole mess, it's a lot to take in." She said, "I'm just grateful all of you kids are here now, and of course, Clara has been wonderful." "Clara?" He asked, not recognizing the name. "Oh, she's been living here for several years; she's delightful. You will love her."
Lucy took his bags. "Room five," he said, "if it's available." She smiled. "Of course... oh, that room is occupied..." His younger brother Linus swiftly entered the hallway from the sitting room. "Oh! Edward." He said excitedly. "I wasn't sure if you were going to come." They hugged. "I wasn't even sure myself." He turned back to Lucy, who was waiting for directions. "Just put them in whatever room is available." He said; she smiled and began to drag his bags up the stairs. "Would you like some food or tea?" Linus asked. "I just ate, but tea would be lovely." They walked to the kitchen. Edward was glad they stayed away from the sitting room; he could hear his sister Sarah dominating the conversation very loudly. He was not fond of her, nor was he in the mood for her antics. "Boy, she has not changed," Edward said, exhaling as he sat down at the kitchen table. Linus opened the cabinet and pulled out some teacups, then put the kettle back on the burner.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Edward looked around the room. "This place is a lot nicer than I remember. I never figured dad to be the sort to keep up with maintenance or decorating." "It was surely the woman he's been living with, Clara." "Lucy mentioned her. Is she here?" "She's around somewhere; she's the only one of us that lives here." "Interesting, it sounds like she has some sort of claim." "I couldn't tell you either way." He pulled out a tin from the cubbies. "Biscuit?" "Yes, thank you."
The kettle began to whistle. "Oh, here we go, the perfect temperature." He poured Edward a cup. “Ah, at least you still haven't lost the English touch on the tea." "I don't think it would matter how long I've been here in America. I'll always make a good cup of tea." "Good to hear." "It's lucky you happened to be back in the US for business." "It depends how you look at it." He said. They laughed. "I still can't believe you stayed around here. I couldn't even stand being in the same country." Linus smiled, "Believe it or not, I may live close, but I rarely speak to anyone but you and Greg. I mean, I do see everyone over the holidays sometimes." "Well, that's good. I'm glad you haven't been suffering in hell or anything." Linus laughed.
The kitchen door opened; a thin, elegant woman in her early twenties entered. She had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was carrying a discarded food tray of hers and placed it by the sink. "Oh Clara, I'd like to introduce you to my older brother Edward. She turned around, and her disinterested expression immediately changed. She and Edward locked eyes. He instinctively stood to shake her hand.
Edward was just above the average height for a man of his age, but he was still taller than Clara. He had rugged, attractive, slightly aged features. His hair had grown longer than the standard business professional cut and was suavely pushed back. Linus, on the other hand, was thin blonde and very neurotic. He was not bad-looking, but he was nowhere near as good-looking as Edward. Clara held his hand in her soft palm; the light flickered on her face revealing hints of tears sitting on her cheeks. "Lovely to meet you." He said, "Would you like to join us?" "No, thank you." She said quietly. "I have some business to attend to." She left the kitchen, and Edward turned to Linus. "Wow." He smirked. "I know."
Sarah, her husband Carl, and her brother Greg relaxed in the sitting room. The trio spent a lot of time together. Sarah lived with Greg and their mother all their lives until recently. Sarah married Carl and moved out, and John took her place in the house. Greg couldn't justify living alone. He traveled all the time and rarely spent time at home. His job dominated almost all of his life. Greg lied back on the couch and tried to ease himself from the traveling exhaustion. "Drink anyone?" Carl asked as he approached the bar cart.
Greg was a large man, very muscular looking, a deception. He had a neatly trimmed beard and wore a black pair of dress pants with a matching vest and white dress shirt. His suit jacket was long left at the front door with his overcoat. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms. He was a burly man in the clothes of a professional: a unique yet attractive combination.
Sarah took a sip of her tea and winced at the flavor. She was an average-looking woman in her late thirties; she was wearing a gray dress with a gray sweater. Her waist was cinched with a brown belt, and she was wearing worn-in brown heels. Her hair was a mousy brown and was curled and pinned up. Her jaw was very angular, which was very indicative of her personality. The only portion of her that looked out of place were her eyes which were a piercing blue. Her husband Carl knew all too well how haunting they could be. Most people thought Sarah and Carl's marriage was an odd one. They clashed very often.
Carl was wearing tan slacks and a sweater. Sarah didn't like his casual wardrobe, but that was one fight he always won. He had very well-groomed dark brown hair and no beard whatsoever. He swirled his glass, watching the thickish liquid slosh around. Their marriage worked because when Sarah made unrealistic demands, and rather than fighting back, Carl ignored her.
The sitting room was encased in a dark gold-gilded wallpaper that had faded over time. The chair rail border across the walls was a dark cherry that matched the floor. The couch was crafted out of dark red velvet and had matching pillows. It was not the exact couch of their childhood, but it was a similar color and style.
Edward went up the stairs to settle into his room, and Linus returned to the sitting room. "Edward is here." He said, smiling. "Oh, I didn't think he would show up," Sara said. "Wait, did you honestly think he wouldn't show up?" "Well...when was the last time you saw him?" "Speaking of allusive people, I have yet to meet Clara," Sarah asked.
Edward walked up the large creaky stairs to the second floor. He couldn't find his bags. He expected to see them placed outside of a vacant room. He realized he would have to enter each room to find them.
He knocked on door five first. Clara slowly opened the door. "Oh, I'm sorry," Edward said. "Lucy put my bags in one of the rooms, but I don't know which one." "I think she's in the laundry room if you want to ask her." "Thank you." He said. "You know I was hoping this room wasn't occupied."
Room five had always been his favorite room, but he never had the chance to occupy it. Sarah claimed it as hers when they moved there. It wasn't unique; it was one of the smaller rooms. Edward liked it because it had a beautiful large window that almost spanned the whole back wall that looked over the garden. "I'm sorry. She said, "I've been living here for a few years. If I were a guest with just a suitcase, I would gladly switch with you, but all of my furniture is here. She opened the door the whole way. Edward looked and noticed what looked like a balcony built out from the windows. "Is that a balcony?" He asked. She smiled. "Yes, come in and take a look." He followed her over, and she drew the curtains completely. "Oh, this is lovely." He stepped onto the platform. "Honestly, the windows are the reason I loved this room so much, and this balcony makes it even better. I can't believe dad kept up with the house so well. And even made improvements like this." "That is what I am in charge of here." "Was the balcony your idea?" He asked. She nodded. "You did such a lovely job."
She pulled open the window door further, and they sat down in the matching outdoor chairs. Even though it was freezing, they were able to enjoy the view for a few solid minutes before they felt like they had to go back inside. "If you want to stick around, I can light the heater." "Oh no, thank you. I better get to my room." He left; Clara closed the door after him and turned back to her pile of clothes on her floor. She decided that packing would be the best course of action since she wasn't sure if she would be welcome after the funeral.