Episode 10 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Chapter 6 - Beverly - Episode 10

“Is everything to your liking, Mrs. Threshold?” Brady McClellan, Manager of the Oak Springs Motel, was on his very best behavior as the new owner of the Motel had just arrived at her room for a long stay. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

Beverly had been looking around the room, and was satisfied, for the time being. “Thank you, Brady. Everything is just fine, for now. I was happy to hear that this unit with the kitchenette was available. I’ll get along well here, until I can make other arrangements. I hope to be out by the time your busy season comes around.” They exchanged knowing smiles. “Oh, and Brady, when we are alone, please just call me ‘Beverly.’ I’m much more comfortable with that. I’m still uncomfortable with ‘Mrs. Threshold,’ but I’ll work on that later. I’ll let you or Jaxine know if I need anything else. Thank you.”

“Very good, then, Mrs. ..., Beverly. I’ll get back out front. We are here to make your stay comfortable, of course.” Brady bowed, just every so slightly, turned, and left the room.

Beverly looked around the motel room she had decided would be her home for the coming weeks. Meant for a family on vacation, it really had all she needed. Quite a change from the mansion of Winston T. Threshold, III, for sure. However, somehow, she really felt more comfortable here. She had really enjoyed being the wife of the important Winnie, but when he died, that had quickly become unimportant again. It had surprised her, but she had soon realized she was really putting on an act, playing a role, all along. Perhaps, she had realized, her whole life, up to that time, had actually been ‘an act.’

With his death, and then the birth of her first grand-daughter, and some alone time, Beverly realized she had done some real soul-searching, for the first time in her life. It soon came to her that she had been chasing some elusive something - well, since she left home immediately after high school. She also, rather suddenly, realized that she had actually been living that ‘something’ - but, didn’t realize it until it suddenly wasn’t there any more. Life with Winnie had ended. Her ‘family’ was in Missouri, not in Mississippi.

Winnie’s children from his prior marriages were kind to her, but they were nothing more to her then that. They were all grown, and had their own lives. She had not become involved with them, only him. His will had left them each very independent. She was allowed to remain in the mansion as long as she wished, but it belonged to them. His will left her his two properties in Missouri, this Motel and a substantial investment in the Big Thunder Lodge (a few miles to the north) along with a sizable Trust fund. If she hadn’t realized it before, she soon realized he wanted her to come back to her own roots.

So, here she found herself, ready to start another new life. But this time, she would do it right. She realized she had much in her past to overcome, but that would happen, over time, if she would but, as Winnie liked to say to her, ‘behave herself.’ That would be her new goal. Could she do it? Would she do it? Only time would tell.

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)