Northern Woods: The Cabin

By Sandra Ellis

The cabin is a place where Mary spent much of her childhood with her parents. In her early twenties, her father was killed in a freak accident in the yard. Mary realizes that in order for her to move on with her life, she needs to return to the cabin alone, facing again that awful day. The story continues with convincing her mother that she also needs to return, with old relationships revisited and events that follow throughout her journey to heal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887631639

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Going Back

The Return

Projects to Be Done

The Plan Fulfilled

Homecoming

Over the Hump

Winter

Christmas Arrives

Spring

Work Getting Done

Time to Celebrate

Planned Weekend

Secret Revealed

The Future

The Conversation

Long Week

Time to Heal

Next Move

Future Decisions

Back in Town

Warm Sunny Day

Plans Revealed

Relaxation

The Surprise

The Move

Getting It Done

Hugs and Tears

Finally Home

Fall and Friends

Winter Arrived

The Visit

The Wedding

Company

Small-Town Excitement

Well-Wishers

Winter

Spring

The Garage

The Wedding

Summer

Fall

Festive Times

The Wedding

About the Author

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Northern Woods

The Cabin

Sandra Ellis

Copyright © 2023 Sandra Ellis

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88763-162-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88763-163-9 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

To good friends.

Going Back

The sun was warm as she walked along the narrow path up the hill leading to the small log cabin. I should have done this in the summer, she thought. But the fall leaves are just so welcoming as they fall.

Mary had not been to this place for several years. When she was a little girl, she just quite loved this place, and she was sure she had made friends with all of the squirrels that spent hours scampering back and forth along the river and through the woods. This was a bittersweet trip for Mary, but she knew it would have to come someday. Why, she wondered, did she decide to make this trip alone?

The sun warmed her as she came up over the hill, and there basking in the sun was her beloved cabin in the woods, as she always called it. Mary slowly approached the porch, stopping for a short while surveying the cabin and the property around it. Just as I left it was her thought as she now approached the porch and front door.

Before entering, she decided to have a walk around the exterior just to be sure nothing had been breached as she was not willing to encounter any animals inside, large or small. She was satisfied that everything looked to be intact and undisturbed. Mary found herself again on the porch, putting the key into the door and slowly opening into the living room.

A strange rush came over her as she slowly looked around. Everything was exactly the same as it was when she had locked the door behind her well over four years ago. As she entered the room, she noticed it was as if wood was waiting for her in the fireplace, dry and ready to be set afire. Slowly, Mary started removing the dusty sheets that she had placed over the furniture, an attempt to protect what she could.

Lamps and stands she noticed needed to be cleaned as dust was on everything not protected. A load of cleaning in here, she thought as she slowly moved into the kitchen. Canned food was where they had been placed. She did notice a few tracks that a little mouse had left behind, but seeing that the cans were too much of a challenge, she was sure he had left long ago. She stopped to gaze through a dirty window over the sink at the brook passing down the mountain, still as beautiful as if it was not fazed at the tragedy that took place here.

Mary slowly entered the two bedrooms, still finding items that belonged to both her mother and her father. How sad, she thought. Sooner or later, I will have to go through and remove Dad's belongings. As she entered her room, she smiled. Teddy, which she had as a little girl, was still leaning up against her pillow as if to say, Well, Mary, I missed you. But you see, I never left this spot.

She picked him up, dusting him off as she did, looked into his button eyes, and gave him a large hug. Good grief, she thought. How could I have ever left him behind? Then she thought, How silly you are. You are not ten but twenty-five years old. You should be able to get over Teddy. Who cares, Teddy? For now, it's just you and me. She gently put him back into his place.

The place needed a lot of work to get it back into some sort of living order; and even though she did not plan on staying, she found herself shaking rugs, cleaning stands and tables, and even starting the fire in the fireplace. It seemed to say welcome as it warmed the inside. She turned the switch on the floor lamp that sat by her father's chair. Good, she thought. The power company did do as she had requested after all. She had light and power.

Soon, the act of cleaning took over Mary as she hustled through the cabin moving, cleaning, and polishing what she could. The blankets need to go to the cleaner along with the quilt her mom had made lying over the back of the little sofa that had been her grandmother's. Sheets need to be washed, and she decided in her mind this was a task she could handle.

Before she knew it, the beds were stripped and neatly packed into a box she had found in the kitchen, and the sun was starting to go down. It's time for me to go, she thought. That trail is not something I need to be on in the dark. She traveled to the shed out back where she found the wagon that Mom and Dad had used to transport food and supplies from the car parked at the bottom of the hill up the path to the cabin for years.

She carefully loaded it with the items she had packed, turned off the light, and closed and locked the door. As she started down the path, Mary stopped. Looking back, she thought, I need to get this place lived in again. Now if only she could convince her mother to come up here with her, a task that she thought would be pretty difficult.

Mary could see the car now only a few feet down the path. Should she empty the wagon and bring it back up the hill to the shed, or should she park it under the big oak tree by her parking place? She decided the latter as when she returned, she would need it down here. I am coming back, she thought as she started her car and headed to her apartment in the city. I will be back.

The Return

Mary had completed the task she had taken on some two weeks ago. The blankets were back from the cleaners and smelling so fresh and clean. She had laundered all of the bedding, including airing out all of the musty pillows she could load into her wagon, and was now headed back. She completed work that needed to be done at her job and was now headed to her beloved cabin for the next four days alone.

As she drove out of the big city she lived in, she was much more comfortable than she thought she would be and kind of excited to get back. As she turned onto the road leading to the cabin, she noticed one of her old friends in his yard. He looked a little surprised as she tooted her horn and gave him a wave. He did not respond.

In her parking space and under the oak tree sat her wagon just where she had left it two weeks before. It seemed friendly, as if waiting for her. She loaded it with supplies, locked the car, and headed up the path. Now it was pretty early in the morning, and she thought it looks like the sun just might come out today as she continued up the path without stopping.

Mary was on the porch and into the cabin busying herself right away making the beds, starting a fire, and filling the cabinets in the kitchen with food. Thank goodness this old refrigerator is still working as she opened the door. I will need to replace this soon, she thought. Mary moved around the cabin determined to get her chores done as quickly as possible. There would be plenty of time for outdoor work later, maybe after lunch.

As Mary looked around the cabin, she smiled. If I do say so myself, she said out loud, "this place looks pretty darn good. Now, time to make me some lunch." As Mary was in the kitchen making herself a sandwich and some hot tea, she realized she was talking to herself. Why not, she thought. I am pretty good company.

Mary settled at the small drop leaf table in the living room where she could see the path leading to the cabin while having her lunch. She didn't realize just how hungry she had been. Mary didn't see the figure coming up the path as her gaze was now on the fireplace. It seemed she needed to put on a little more wood.

Just as she was ready to drop a couple of pieces in the fireplace, there was a knock on the door. Mary rose quickly, thinking, Well, do tell, I have company? She headed for the door. As she did, she decided to have a peek out the window to see who it might be before opening the door. It was her friend Neil. She was not sure he recognized her, but here he was.

Mary quickly opened the door now as she was glad to see her old friend. Oh Neil, I am so glad you came up. I was afraid you didn't recognize me. I should have stopped.

Neil did not say a thing. He just wrapped his arms around her and, with a big hug, said, I am so glad to see you. I was not sure you would ever come back. After all, it has been just about a four years ago I saw you last.

I know, she said. But I decided it was time. After all, you know how much I always enjoyed this place. It was once my happy place, and I decided it was time to make it my happy place again. After all, life does continue, doesn't it? And here I am. Mary offered Neil a cup of tea and a sandwich, which he accepted readily. They settled at the small table together, talking about old times and happy times.

Time seemed to go way too fast as they caught up on the last four years. It was now starting to reach dusk; and Neil offered to go into town and purchase grub, as he called it, so she would not have a need to make dinner. Only, she said, if you will stay and have it with me?

But of course, was his answer; and she sent him on his way, offering him some funds for the meal, which he refused, and was quickly out the door.

Mary stoked the fire again and smiled as she realized she felt pretty calm and happy to have the company. Neil returned with a very nice hot meal, and again, they settled down at the little table in front of the window. He had also brought a bottle of wine and a huge flashlight as he was sure that when he left, it would be dark as he traveled down that path to his car.

Mary and Neil settled in front of the fire with wine in hand and conversation, including several years back. She had forgotten some things they had done together, some pretty funny and some that could have been pretty dangerous, but when you're a kid, danger just does not enter your mind. It was late when Neil said his goodbye standing on the porch. He turned and said, Would you mind if I come back tomorrow? I promise it won't be too early, unless of course you would like me to make us some breakfast.

Mary just smiled and said, Yes, I would love to have you come back tomorrow, but make it a little later in the morning. I need to get some things done early, but we can have lunch again. I do have plenty.

Good, he said. See ya tomorrow. Sleep tight. Something she had not heard in over four years, her Dad's voice was now in the back of her head saying the same thing as she pictured herself at about ten bouncing off to bed, and a big grin on her dad's face. Mary cleaned up dinner, checked the fire, and decided not to add more wood. Heading off to bed, she thought, I hope I can go to sleep. After all, I have never been here on my own. Much to her surprise, she woke to the sun shining on her face and a good night's sleep.

Projects to Be Done

Mary dragged herself out of bed, made breakfast, and headed outdoors. The porch needed cleaning. Sweeping would make it look a lot better. Some cobwebs needed to be removed. And leaves, dead leaves everywhere.

Mary swept the porch and headed to the shed. There, she found the rake her dad used and started the job of raking and cleaning up around the outside of the cabin. The sun was shining now, and as she removed her heavy sweater, she heard the voice of Neil, Hey, what are you up to? Why didn't you call me? I would have been more than happy to help you with this. He was heading for her. How was your night? Sleep good?

Yes, she said. I did, and much better than I thought. Mary looked at her watch and found that it was nearly noon. She had been so busy she didn't realize she was getting a little hungry until now. How about lunch? I am getting a little hungry, she said.

Neil agreed, and together, they headed to the cabin. Mary made herself busy with lunch while Neil decided that a fire should be made to keep the place warm for later that day. She agreed, and off he went. She heard the front door open and close. Looking out the window, she watched as Neil started splitting wood that was piled out by the shed. It seemed that was his plan all along as he had brought up his own axe. She smiled, feeling kind of warm as she watched. She finished making lunch. Setting the table, she was just about to call him in when the door opened. And there he was, arms full of wood.

Ready? he said as he staked the wood he had split. Smells pretty darn good. Again with her old friend, she settled down for lunch, discussing what was on the agenda after tummy's were full. It seemed he was determined to be there to help whatever she needed for the rest of the day. Mary was pleased to have the company again and did not discourage his willingness. A little muscle is good, she thought, sipping her tea.

Neil showed up every day that Mary was there to lend a hand. Together, they got a lot of outside work done on the cabin, and she was grateful to have that muscle she was sure she needed. On the last day, instead of Mary making them lunch, Neil showed up with a full dinner knowing that she would be leaving early for home. It was a welcome sight. It's good to have my old friend here with me again.

She had not told her mother what or where she would be for the past four days, only that she would be away. Her mother assumed, she thought, it had to do with her work. As Mary closed the cabin for the next week and headed for her car and back home, her stomach kind of felt upset as she knew sooner or later she would have to tell her mother of her adventures at the cabin.

She would have to think of a way to get her back where years of friends were, she was sure, waiting. All the way home, her mind worked to figure out a plan. Maybe she had figured it out. After all, Mom was still fairly young, only fifty-two now and a nice-looking woman with a great personality. She needed to continue to live. This just had to be done.

The Plan Fulfilled

Over the next week, Mary's mind whirled with a plan to get her mother back to the cabin. She was concerned as she had already lied to her mom about just where she had been on the weekends, something she didn't normally do.

Mary struggled between just surprising her with a trip to the cabin or telling her the truth about what she had been doing, plus trying to convince her just to go back if only for a day. After much consideration, she decided just taking her for a surprise trip may be too much. After all, she seemed to be at times depressed and definitely not handling the loss of her husband well at all. Mary had stopped by to check on her much more now than she ever did and, more than once, found her staring out the window with puffy and red eyes. She knew why. Nevertheless, she decided to make yet another trip to the cabin before convincing her mom to go with her.

Suddenly, Mary found herself reliving that horrible, horrible day over four years ago. She was not prepared for that loss, not that you are ever ready. It was the beginning of the summer, and her dad had been watching and wondering just how to remove a very old tree standing tall and near enough to the cabin that much damage would be done if it happened to come down.

Her dad was pretty sure that it was starting to decay, and it seemed to be happening pretty quickly. He had decided that he would be able to fell the tree on his own as he had done many times before. After all, he was a pretty good woodsman. Mary and her mom were busy cleaning up inside when he headed to the shed for his trusty chainsaw and wedge.

They heard the buzzing of the chainsaw as it sliced through the tree. A couple minutes later, the sound the wedge being slammed into the cut he had just made, next the ripping and tearing of the splintering wood as the tree came crashing to the ground. Mary and her mom were now looking out the window, but something just did not look right. Mary was the first on the scene, running from the cabin with her mom close behind.

The tree had twisted as on its way down, her dad had not been able to get far enough out of the way. He lay on the ground lifeless with a huge gash in his forehead and blood, it seemed, everywhere. Mary was afraid to touch her dad. She remembers she just kept calling his name. Her mind was racing. She knew she needed to get help. Running back to the cabin, she fumbled in her room, looking for her cell phone. She finally found it and dialed 911. She knew that in the small town, it would take a while for the all-volunteer EMTs to make it to her location.

Mary knew she needed to stop the blood. She grabbed a clean pillowcase and headed out the door, ripping it lengthwise as she ran. She passed her mother, who was now white as a sheet and heading for the cabin. It seemed like two minutes, and Mom was back carrying a small bowl of clean water. Both of them were now on their knees and working to slow the drain of blood coming from her father's head.

Her mother was both calling his name