"I wish we had a ladder," Karen said as she hopped up and down without success.
"We do," I said as I grabbed her on either side of her small hips and lifted her to my shoulders until she was straddling my neck. "I'm glad you wore the jeans I bought you and not a dress. High enough?" I said as I carefully walked to the closest window, stepping around the garden of hyacinths and crocus that ringed the front of the house.
"Yes!" She pushed down on my head to gain a little height. "You were right . . . it is empty but it's beautiful! There's a nice fireplace and a double door that goes out to our porch! Walk me around so I can see in the other windows!" She bounced up and down as if I were a horse, nearly toppling me.
"Whoa," I called as I staggered forward. Next viewed and reported on was a dining room, visible through the side porch, then the kitchen and attached pantry. On the west side, there was a small room, probably a study and a larger family room with built in bookcases and a second fire place. The space next to it was a high marbled window indicating a bathroom. I plopped Karen down and sank to my seat in the grass.
"Is this like your house . . . where you and Grandma and Aunt Suzie lived?"
I thought back to Milford Street, where I'd lived for twenty years, home to my sister and her husband to this day. There were similarities, not in elegance or lot or building size but this too was a home that breathed of family. The building was of a like vintage when homes were built to last generations. "It's nicer and bigger and the location is much more beautiful. Our neighbors were closer, but it reminds me of where I grew up. We had a porch like that, and our house had two stories."
"We have to buy it! It's perfect!"
I looked up at this excited girl. "Why are you so thrilled with this place? It isn't a fraction as elegant as your house. There isn't any comparison."
"It's a real house," Karen said. "I wish Grandma could see it." I felt a pang that my mother was Grandma but I remained Sarah.
Karen turned the corner to the rear of the large lot. "Look!" she announced, "they have a big garage too!" She ran off to investigate while I caught my breath. The building Karen pointed out was an old converted barn that stood behind the house.
I wished I could have sat upon Karen's shoulders and spied inside this lovely old home but from her description, it was perfect. Judging by the footprint of the first floor I surmised there must be four bedrooms on the second level. Neighbors were within sight but not too close, mostly hidden by the massive trees.