Family Reunion

After meeting with the lawyer of his late Great Aunt, William Hocutt was surprised to find out that he had been given her family home and all the land around it. Plus a few bank accounts to take care of any unforeseen expenses. The only condition was that he and his new family had to live there.  His Great Aunt was thought to be the last of a long line of relatives dating back centuries. After immigrating to America during the early 1600’s their ancestors over time had constructed a huge house surrounded by miles of forest and streams running into lakes. Getting involved in politics and business had made them wealthier and powerful but at the core of this family was the family.

As the children grew and married with children of their own they continued to live in the home. At one time there were at least four generation and twelve families under one roof. The house would continue to grow as well with new extensions added for the family and servants. Like gardens, swimming pool, an indoor green house to warm the place during the long winters and even a cemetery. The place was noisy but the environment was full of love, happiness and joy.

The lawyer had to finish getting all the details finalized but handed him the keys to the house offering him and his family a weekend getaway to think things out. So the following week the man took his seven month old son John and his wife Lyn-Ann to his family home to see and to think over if they really want to live there or not. In what used to be miles of forest around this place was thinned out with farmland and roadways. As they approached the house they stopped the car. The mere size of the house was like a castle.

Stone built with moss and ivory covering most of the building. The entrance door was big enough to drive a car through it. They were greeted by the door by a servant woman in her early 30’s.  Her name is Claudia and as a fifth generation servant, she has spent her whole life living here. Her six year old son Brandon came up behind them. Surprised to see new people he proceeded to talk-up a storm on all the wonderful things about his home.  They walked around the house as Claudia described in fine detail about the history and wonders of the place.

As they walked around the place to see how big it is, they discovered a large garden with a path leading, to a huge lake with a boat dock housing at least 4 different types of water crafts. The green house connected to the house held a small vegetable garden in it.  Not too far away they were shown the family cemetery with tomb stones dating back to the 1620’s.

Once inside portraits and paintings of every family member hung on the walls throughout the house. Lyn-Ann fell in love with the kitchen bay windows. Looking as if the whole kitchen wall was a bay window as the sun lights filled the whole area. The library was fully stocked with books filling the shelves, stored in boxes or stacked on the floor. All the bedrooms were covered in huge sheets of cloth as they were unused for years.

The whole place could use a good spring cleaning but given the age of his great aunt and with only one servant they understood it was too huge job to do. Even for them to clean the entire house could take months and that’s not counting the outside areas. But as the kids were getting tired and ready for a nap, they went to the greenhouse area. By the entrance into the greenhouse were nice comfortable couches and a portrait of their Great Aunt hanging there. Claudia took Brandon to his room for his nap as John was breast fed and fell fast asleep then placed in his stroller. Lyn-Ann laid on the couch went to sleep as well. William decided to finish the tour of the house and to see which room they will sleep in that night.

As everything had quieted down for the moment a unique thing began to happen. Slowly and quietly many images began to appear all around the baby and mother. In time the area was almost full of past relatives all wanting to have a look at the baby and marvel at the prospects that a family will once again fill their home with laughter and joy. Some chose to float above the mother and child while other stuck their head and bodies through the walls and floor. As each one there spoke different dialects of the English language they all agreed on how beautiful the mother and child looked.

The baby awoke and started laughing with joy. Whether he saw them or not didn’t matter to all of his ancestors who were now making funny faces and baby noises. Mostly the men who were competing with each other to get the baby would notice them. By then Lyn-Ann awoke as everyone quickly backed away out of not wanting to frighten the mother. If she notices them or not; they knew after years of learning to never awake a sleeping mother. But she didn’t notice them as she changes the baby’s diaper as she had the feeling that she was at home.

William travels from room to room doing a quick walkthrough. Never noticing the other family members are watching him. The elder family men debate if he could really fill the family home as it once was or if he would just let the house simply die a slow death. Never to be lived in again. But during their discussion, William finds one of the playrooms full of old and antique toys. He finds a small toy and carries it with him as a play toy for John. In one of the last rooms William enters appears to be the main Master bedroom.

A fireplace positioned across from a bed that is much larger than a king size bed. Steps going all around the bed that made it more easily to get in and out. There is a huge balcony that overlooks the garden area as well as the lake. But most surprisingly is the portrait of the original head of the household and his wife hanging over the fireplace. The portrait alone could cover the bed easily. The adjoining bathroom was rather large.

A private shower room next to another private bathtub room large enough for three people. The toilet is also located in a separate room. His and her vanity sinks with a large sky light and a small balcony. Even a couch and chairs fit for a King were located in here. William eventually leaves the room and makes his way to where Lyn-Ann and John are.

She has found a photo album and was looking through it as William joined them. She was amazed at the history of this family and they looked at photos going back to the early 1900’s. Christmas pictures of the house full of people. Kids playing around the tree and opening presents. But as Claudia showed up they learned more about the traditions of their family. Even though the servants did their job, they were treated just like family. Many of the kids in the pictures were the servants’ children playing with their masters children. There was no real separation of class state in the house when it came to the children. But once they reached maturity they were given the choice of being servants or leave to find their way in life. Many stayed on but as the household grew problems arose.

With so many kids, a small school was constructed for them to be educated. And with a rather large family and servants, a social hall was constructed so a minister could conduct Sunday service for the entire household. All the food not grown was delivered by trucks twice a week as a nurse was kept on staff at all times. It was a wonderful time to be a part of this family; even working for them. But all this was due to change.

As the evening wore on they made their way to the kitchen to prepare dinner. During the preparation and eating they were constantly watched and studied by all of their ancestors as to see what kind of people they were. A few would try to get close to the baby to make silly faces as others would offer cooking tips to the couple who still didn’t know of their presents.  The conversation carried on through dinner. Mostly by Brandon who wanted to share his adventures of the house.

Afterwards the couple was show to a room by Claudia. Lyn-Ann loved that the room had its own bathroom. She and the baby bathed as William prepared the fireplace and bed.  On the dresser was more photo album. They fell asleep looking at photo albums and talking over the possibility of living in such a huge place.

The next day after breakfast they explored the lake using one of the boats to travel around the lake. Also exploring the wine cellar to find it over half full of wine and spirits dating back centuries. By afternoon, the lawyer shows up will more details of his Great Aunt will and about the house as well. Several bank accounts that would be given to him if he takes the house were located in several American and British banks. The total value would be around 700 million dollars. After a very short discussion between the couple and the lawyer, they agreed to take the house.

Paper work was signed and the lawyer left to finalize everything for the couple. Claudia and Brandon arrive to thank them for taking ownership of the home. She talked more to them about why the place looks the way it does now but the couple began to see something very odd about Claudia and Brandon. As she spoke, both she and Brandon became transparent. Ghost-like.  And all around them many more people appeared. Relatives and servants from different points in history all giving thanks for them keeping the family line alive and their home a home.

They said their goodbyes and comforting the couple that they have nothing to fear or to worry about.  After they left the couple was left standing by the entrance of their new home. Entering a bit more cautiously they made their way to the kitchen where they discovered several diaries on the counter. Inside was a detailed history about the family and servants from the very beginning until the time of his Great Aunt. After skimming through the diaries the couple felt more relaxed and somewhat proud to carry on the family line.

As the couple prepared dinner for the night, Lyn-Ann went to the pantry to get a few things. On the wall by the pantry door was a picture of Claudia dated 1917. In one of the diaries they find out that she died during child birth of her second child.  Her husband Kevin was a gardener who died months earlier while serving during World War One. A short time Claudia’s death, their first son Brandon was bitten by a water moccasin during a camping trip. It was impossible for her husbands’ body to be brought home but the next day they found their grave sites for all three in the cemetery.

With the help of a few hired servants, their home was more and more fixed up and repaired and feeling like home. Although from time to time the sound of children playing can be heard in parts of the house no one felt terrified or threatened in anyway. And within a year they welcomed a new addition to their growing family; a baby girl whom they named Claudia.