Chapter 1: Welcome to Burntwood Ranch
Fi
I watch the images flash as the train speed down the tunnel. It is sudddenly dark then bright again. This feels all too similar to my personal life ; dark and bright with few neutral phases in between. It has been 2 years since I have had a break, a trip to myself. I have few acquaintances here in Upstate NY but this is a trip for myself, my own sanity. The open air, the silence and nature.
6hours later
I am here
Welcome to Burntwood Ranch
A wooden sign that has seen better days. The cab drops me off at the entrance but it is still a couple of miles until the entrance door. It is now well past noon. The sun is at its zenith, hitting me with full force. A man riding a horse rides past me. They slow down and he nods slighlty. I do the same. I wouldn’t expect cowboys up North but life can be mysterious.
30 minutes later and I am here. There is no place to knock so I open the door and ring the bell.
Ring
A nice gray haired woman , couldn’t be past 60years old walk in with an apron, just like people used to wear in the 50s. It’s a bit unsettling to see her dressed like that. In what season of the little house on the prairie have I landed on?
“ Ah Mrs Brown , welcome”
“ Just Fi please..”
“Fi, we had been awaiting your arrival 2hours ago. Here is your key. I will fetch you something light to drink. Tonight at dinner, the ranch’s master will talk more with you regarding the schedule and your responsibilities. Your room is on the East Wing, His on the West Wing. Everybody else lives in the cabins nearby” she motions pointing out in the horizon past the corn field.
“Including you?”
“Including me. I only come by in the morning and afternoon. Rarely evenings before going home.”.
She stops to look at me, gently touching my shoulder.
“You have nothing to worry about, you will barely meet or see the ranch’s master, and he is a real gentleman. Now, let me show you to your room”.
We walk up a couple flight of stairs than take the right. I turn back to look at the other side of the house, it has a sinister and dark look to it.
“And what about other visitors Mrs…”
“Miss Danburry please. After my frst husband divorced me, I took back my maiden name. There will be other guests from time to time in the rooms next to yours and downstairs”.
How modern of her, I think smiling.
My bedroom looks more like an apartment. It’s grand. Light blue is the main theme because of the wall paper that encompasses blue flowers and white birds in all 4 walls. There is a size king bedpost. A mini seating area to eat. On the corner a bathroom that includes a closet. But my favorite part is the banket by the window, spacious enough to lay down and read while looking at the street. Another window shows a side of the backyard. An indoor wood fireplace and above the mantel , a flat screen tv.
“I will bring up some sandwiches and dinner will be served at 6PM. Our ranch Master appreciates a semi formal wear for the dinner , with a high preference on dresses and/or skirts, bust most importantly, be on time”.
I nod then she leaves with a light smile. After my warm bath, I devour the tuna sandwiches that she left on the table. I am not sure if I am looking forwars to meet the ranch master or not.
