Page 6 of Monster Mansion

Ted then took a turn to his right and started toward what I learned was the west wing. Through a set of glass French doors was an elaborate dining room with tall-backed wooden chairs set at each side of a table that could easily fit twenty people.

“Here’s the dining room,” he said as he kept walking straight through a set of swinging doors like I’d seen in saloons in the old western movies my dad liked. “And through here’s the kitchen.”

I wasn’t much of a cook, but I didn’t need to be to feel hugely impressed by the kitchen. It was set up with modern appliances, much to my surprise, and painted entirely in white to make the already huge space seem even larger. A smaller table was set up on one end, and the entire space was washed with sunlight as even more massive windows sat along the wall next to the table.

“Wow,” I gasped. “When the guy said it was an older house that needed work, I wasn’t expecting there to be such a nice refrigerator and stove. That’s a nice surprise.”

“Yep, Mr. Silver ordered them and had them installed before you got here,” Ted explained. “Said he was gonna have to update the kitchen anyway, so he may as well give you a real kitchen. Bathrooms are updated as well with jacuzzi tubs and nice steam-showers, depending which bathroom you use.”

“Well, tell him I said thanks.” I chuckled as I checked out the fridge. “That was nice of him to take care of in advance.”

“Next time I talk to him, I’ll tell him you said that, but truthfully, I don’t talk to the guy much,” Ted explained as he continued the tour. “He just hired me on to do some handiwork and get the grounds cleaned up, but he’s always been cordial with me. Pays well, too, which I’m thankful for. I’ve got a wife and two kids at home on summer vacation, so finding a job that has me home at five o’clock every night that also takes care of the bills has been a real lifesaver.”

Ted hobbled about the house, showing off the library, as well as a billiards room that also took up the second floor of the west wing. I asked him probably too many questions about the house’s history, when it was built, and what the former owners were like, but he was either ignorant to the answers or extremely tight-lipped. It was hard to tell.

“So, Mr. Silver is a pretty quiet guy?” I asked as we walked over the indoor balcony to the east wing.

Ted cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t say ‘quiet’ necessarily. He’s just busy. I only met him once, but from what I gather, he’s pretty involved in his business and whatnot. Travels a ton for work. I actually think he’s in Japan or somewhere or other right now, so you’d be better off getting a hold of him by computer mail rather than phone with the time difference and all.”

My silence must have clued him in that the concept of only being able to speak with him via email was not the most reassuring thing in the world. He stopped leading the way down to the next wing and turned to me.

“But if there are any emergencies, honey, you can give me a call or a text, and I’ll take care of it. Take my number.” He paused so I could retrieve my phone from my pocket, and I saved it immediately. “I live right in town about ten, fifteen minutes away. Even though I am oh-you-teeouttahere by five on the nose, I won’t leave you hanging if you need me for anything at all. I promise you that.”

I smiled at the groundskeeper. As awkward as he was, and even though he struck me as a little empty-headed, his kindness was comforting. I’d have to let my dad know that I wouldn’t actually be alone for a month if Ted was going to be hanging around every day—until five o’clock, at least—taking care of the landscaping.

“Thanks, Ted,” I said with a genuine smile.

“Don’t mention it.” He shrugged. “You’re braver than me staying in this house by yourself at night, hoo-wee. Place gives me the willies when it’s all empty.”

“I kinda like it, though,” I admitted. “I’m from the city in Pennsylvania, so I’m looking forward to experiencing what a real night sky looks like.”

The groundskeeper pushed open the first door down the hall. “Well, you’ll love this first bedroom, then.”

Inside was an almost perfectly circular room with a gorgeous skylight. The walls were painted deep blue with gold-leaf stars in clusters. Circular windows dotted along the back wall allowed a view down to a statue garden in the rear of the property. The room was small, but I immediately knew I’d be staying in this room above the others. Just being in it made me feel like I was living a childhood dream.

“You’re right.” I sighed happily. “I do love this first bedroom.”

“It’s the smallest one in the house, and I reckon it was meant for a child, but it is quite unique.” Ted gave me a quick look up and down and gestured at my apparel—a black band shirt I’d cut into a cropped tank myself and ripped jean shorts. “You look like someone who would appreciate ‘unique.’”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his comment. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ted immediately started rubbing his hands together and shaking his head with embarrassment. “Oh, please don’t be upset. I was just trying to say this room suits you. I swear I wasn’t trying to be judgmental.”

“I’m just teasing, Ted,” I assured him. “You don’t strike me as someone who creates conflict for no reason.”

“You’ve got that right,” he said as he turned to exit the starry bedroom. “I’m happiest just showing up here every day, chipping away at the task at hand, and going right home to the fam.”

“I don’t blame you at all.” I sighed. “I’m looking forward to just relaxing here in the woods for a while.”

The two of us made quick work of the east wing, and the groundskeeper definitely undersold the quality of the bathrooms. Each one was more swanky than the last, and I made a mental note to try them all out before the month was up.

“Don’t feel like you have to stay here all day every day, either,” Ted told me as we made our way back down the spiral staircase. “Tallpine doesn’t have the options you’re used to, I’m sure, but there’s a nice little grocery store as well as a library, and a few bars down the way if you’re keen to check them out. You’re young, and it is summer break, after all. May as well enjoy yourself a bit.” He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his thinning hair. “Just be back here every night, I think is the important thing. Those kids have been showing up pretty regularly and making a mess of the work I’m doing, so as long as the lights are on and you’re around, the hope is it’ll keep them away.”

“I think I can handle that,” I said as I reached for my purse and suitcase. “Anything else I should be aware of with this place? Any quirks that may surprise me?”

Ted put his hat back on and visibly searched his mind for anything to tell me. “Nothing that really sticks out. Obviously, the place is old, so you’ll likely hear some scratching from the attic. I’m pretty sure there are squirrels up there I’ll have to handle at some point, but don’t let the noise get to you.”

“Noted,” I said sarcastically. “Squirrels in the attic arenotmonsters out to get me. I’ll keep that in mind.”

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