The Dream House

Sarah came out of her bedroom with her usual smart step and looking quite bright for her eighty-four years.  She smiled warmly at her son Tom and daughter-in-law Emily with whom she had been living since her husband Jim, had passed away some six years earlier. Sarah was very independent and started at once to prepare her own breakfast, which  usually consisted of a fried egg, one slice of toast, and a cup of tea. Sarah was fascinated with dreams and whenever she remembered one would relate it’s details to Tom  and Emily. As she sat at the table where the others were finishing the  last of their coffee, she was lost in the thoughts of her dream. “Well Mom, what did you dream about this time“, chuckled Tom, “not a new boyfriend I hope“? “I wouldn’t be that lucky”, Sarah took the ribbing good naturedly, “ I was in this beautiful place and there were carpenters there getting ready to build a house. I wasn’t speaking to anyone but they seemed very concerned with doing a good job, it was then that I awoke. I wonder if someone is going to be building a new house around here“? Tom kissed his wife and gave his mother a peck on the cheek before leaving for work, “I’ll let you know if I hear of anyone building in the area”, he smiled at his mom. Emily too would be going soon, leaving Sarah alone in the big house. They had begged her to let them get someone to stay with her and do the cooking, but Sarah would have none of it and even threatened to get her own apartment if they mentioned it again. She knew she was quite capable of being alone and even of cooking dinner for the three of them. Nevertheless, both Tom and Emily worried and would call home several times during the day. After they had left, Sarah sat for a few moments thinking about her dream, than arose to clear the table and wash the few dishes. She wouldn’t touch the dishwasher, as she didn’t trust the thing and anyway she liked the feel of the nice soapy  water on her hands.

There was little change in their lives over the next few months, Sarah remained in good health and even looked forward to her weekly 50 Plus club meetings. She talked too, of the Senior’s dance sponsored by the local Lion’s Club, a twice yearly event which Sarah never missed. The first one of the year would be coming up next month, and she made sure that Tom and Emily had no other plans, for they always accompanied her. Tom, who was expected to be his mother’s dance partner for most of the night, would sometimes joke that he was getting too old for this sort of thing. Sarah would smile then and often relate stories of the Square Dances that were common when she was young. “At your age”, she would say looking towards Tom, “I could dance  until six in the morning, and do a full days work when I got home”. Tom groaned at the thought of dancing until 6 AM, and then suggested it was time for a lunch if they going to get to bed before midnight. Although there were only three of them, Emily and Sarah set the table, just as they did for dinner. A large white tablecloth was spread over the table  and cups and saucers, as well as plates were laid in  the correct places, followed by knives, forks and spoons.  Several slices of home made bread would appear in the middle of the table, a tin of “Bully” beef would be cut in slices and placed beside another plate with chunks of cheese and crackers. A bottle each of Emily’s homemade beets and pickles would complete the spread.  After the meal, Emily placed the dishes in the dishwasher, (a disapproving  look from Sarah) and everyone was ready for bed. Sarah still spoke of her dreams in the mornings, but there had been no mention of the house since the original dream. This was all to change very soon.