Ava Cuddlebear was one of the most positive girls ever. She smiled at everything, helped with as many chores as she could, and had an aura of kindness about her. Although Ava enjoyed each day she stayed in the countryside, she worried that she was not fulfilling the responsibility that she had been given: to help improve the countryside with her father as mayor. When Ava was tagging along in a joy ride along the countryside with Bell, Skip, Bellia, David, Karen and Heidi, a brilliant idea popped into her head.
“This is a lovely patch of land no one has ever really done much with. The grass is cleared and there is just that one big tree. Yet, development has always just missed this place. There used to be a lake here before it dried up. Now, locals call it the Lakeside District,” Heidi explained. “As a young girl, I was told by my family that the place has been untouched since the beginning of everything.”
“It is beautiful!” Karen said.
“Who owns this land then, mother?” asked Skip with burning curiosity.
He had a natural affiliation to ask as many questions as possible.
“I believe the town owns it. The mayor has direct access and control of it while he or she is in term. Maybe everyone just forgot about the place,” Heidi said so knowledgeably.
That got Ava to thinking…. It seemed to her that she could certainly invoke change if she wanted to.
“Do you like leaving the place untouched?” Ava inquired.
“I would not mind seeing the place get a little developed. It would be sad to see it unappreciated like this forever!” Bellia argued.
“I have to agree with Bellia,” David added.
“It is a little sad,” Karen added.
“And what about you, Mrs. H. Choch?” Ava followed up.
“Me too,” Heidi affirmed. “This place needs some tender love and care.”
Ava rushed to call her father immediately. Normally, she might not have sounded so excitedly frantic; she could have written her father a memo card. Today was different. Ava was determined to get development to the forgotten patch of land.
“Hello? Is this the Hopscotch Rabbits’ residence?” The cheery but formal voice of Mayor Cuddlebear inquired.
“Yes, father. It’s me, Ava,” Ava piped up happily.
“Oh, it’s so nice to hear from you, my daughter,” the mayor answered gaily. “How is everything?”
“Everything is great. I know you told me to write to you if there was anything you could do as the mayor for the countryside. I have spent about two weeks here, and there is.”
“Speak away!”
“There’s this old, unnamed patch of land beyond Mrs. T. Choch’s house. It’s been there forever, neglected. All that grows there is one big sad tree and a little cluster of juvenile stumps in the corner. The place could really use some development to brighten it up.” Ava introduced.
“I see. Are the countryside residents onboard with this?”
“Yes, everyone is in favor to see some life get into the place.”
“What sort of development would you like to see there?”
“Make it a happy place. Make it a place where someone wants to live, smile, and enjoy the views. It has so much potential.” Ava requested.
“Very well. Why don’t you dig up some details and send me a building plan? Let’s get a flat built into the tree. I’ll make it an attractive place to live with cheap rent.”
“That sounds great! What a wonderful idea! I’m very excited!”
The two family members parted over the phone, incredibly excited about the plan. Ava had not realized that it was already time for dinner. Unusual for her, Ava gulped down boiled flour, swallowed her carrot in massive bites, and chugged her cup of water down.
“What’s gotten into you, Ava? I didn’t know you were that hungry!” Bell said. She was worried for her friend and tenant.
“Don’t worry about me. There’s always more than enough to eat here thanks to Mrs. H. Choch. I’m just excited; that’s all. I need your help after dinner, Bell.”
Bell, fueled with curiosity, obliged. It was not everyday that she saw the neat mayor’s daughter eat like this nor get bursting giddy.
The two girls went upstairs to the Children’s Bedroom. Bell got out her pink notebook and a yellow pencil. Ava vividly described the plans she had for the place.
“It should be cozy as a small home for one or two people. But, I don’t want it to be boring. I want it to be one of a kind. Pleasant, organic colors. And some sort of play element incorporated. We could have a few small play features at the bottom of the tree. A slide downwards that curves around. Make room for a hammock outdoors and plenty of little hiding places downstairs. Roof should be well tiled,” Ava went on and on.
The finished product was the fruit of Bell and Ava’s one hour. Before the two girls laid a well constructed construction plan for the new building; really, it was more of a treehouse. They could not hold their giddy joy inside for long. Pretty soon, all of the countryside villagers knew. At long last, something was going to be done about that old spot. Everyone pitched in. Harlin personally chauffeured Ava and Bell’s plan to the mayor’s office. The mayor approved the plans after running it over with more official construction management. Workers got to pounding. Painters got to painting. Newspapers got to advertising. They were all a speedy bunch. Before long, there was a finished building. It was to be marveled at. The trunk of the tree had a whittled away interior with a wooden slide latched on to it. A base had been built at considerable height for the ground floor of a two floor lodge. The lodge’s two floors rose into the healthy green leaves of the tree. The floors were fitted with hardwood planks and a matching quaint door.
Not to mention, Ava had Bell draw in a fun trapdoor inside to the slide that was actually accepted into the final building plans!
All that was left to do was to put it to use.
Mayor Cuddlebear had long decided that the place would be a residential area. There was no better way to bring life to that part of the Lakeside District than to have tenants. He named the flat the Adventure Treehouse Lakeside Lodge. Quite a mouthful, but a perfect description of the location, design, and function. The Calico Times was the default way to advertise anything, whether it be a new baby stroller, boutique dress, or apartment! Soon afterwards, Natalie, having devoured the daily VERY TERI column first thing in the morning, proceeded to see the latest blurb devoted to the Adventure Treehouse Lakeside Lodge.
Natalie read aloud to her daughters: “Mayor Cuddlebear is happy to announce the recent completion of the new Adventure Treehouse Lakeside Lodge. The comfortable two story home is located in the Lakeside District of the countryside of Cloverleaf Corners. The goal of this new initiative by the government is to foster healthy activity into the formerly ignored area of land. As part of this new initiative, Mayor Cuddlebear is excited to announce the lodge is available for renting at lower than average prices. With new architecture, revived location, and competitive rent, he is sure there will be interested renters. All interested critters can contact him directly by mailing the mayor’s office in town or calling the office.”
“Oh my! This is so exciting!” Lily reacted.
“Correct me if I am mistaken, but Teri lives right on the edge of the Lakeside District!” Rose recalled.
“You’re absolutely right!” Lily answered.
“We’ll have to arrange a car ride to see the place with our own eyes soon,” Natalie planned.
Lily noticed her quiet older sister and asked, “Felicia, what’s wrong? You’re awfully quiet.”
“Yes, it just crossed my mind to perhaps consider renting there. I have gotten to thinking about my future lately; I’m already 23. I realize this editor post station could be permanent, and I will stay in the countryside permanently. I would eventually need a personal place to stay. And, if I do get stationed back to town, the Lakeside District’s great location has the perfect proximity to town for work,” Felicia thoroughly explained.
“We love having you here,” Natalie butted in. “But, as your supportive mother, I would understand that you do need a place of your own at one point or another.”
“May we look at the place tomorrow?” Felicia requested.
“We will,” Natalie reaffirmed. “Lily, Rose, be good daughters and take care of the babies while your father and I take Felicia to check the apartment out.”
“Yes, mother!” The twins chimed like machinery.
At dinner, the conversation was more serious than usual. Felicia explained her reasoning for wanting to rent the Adventure Treehouse Lakeside Lodge once again. This time, it was to her father. Mason pondered what his eldest daughter had just said carefully. Although he would miss her a lot, Mason realized that an empty house was inevitable as he and Natalie grew older. So, right then and there, the parents and Felicia made up their mind to arrange to see the apartment for rent as soon as possible. Humbly, Mason went over to Harlin Hopscotch’s house to borrow the telephone. Harlin, enjoying a television program with a sweet strawberry donut, opened the door.
“Come in, come in, Mason. The weather can get a bit chilly at this hour. I have some coffee left in the coffee maker.” Harlin kindly greeted.
Bell, always quick to recognize anyone in need of a hot cup of coffee, prepared a coffee cup with coffee and a spoon.
Mason accepted before asking to use the telephone on the side table. He explained what his need was all about: Felicia moving out.
“Of course! You’re our guest. Do whatever you need to do. Bell, make sure that cup never goes empty.” Harlin said.
Mason dialed the mayor’s house’s number, easily locatable in the standard phone book, and scheduled to see the place anytime tomorrow. Apparently, the mayor was leaving on a diplomatic five day visit to the neighboring place of Sylvania Village within the next three days; he had a lot of preparations to make. He had intended for all interested renters to simply show up and walk themselves in. After all, no doors locked here; everyone trusted everyone. If the cats were interested, the actual rent and formal agreement could be finalized. Harlin was more than happy to provide a ride to the cats on his way to work. It was also arranged that he would drive them back after a good seventy five minutes.
Natalie, Mason, and Felicia put on their most optimistic selves to see the apartment the next day. Harlin chauffeured them to the grand place.
It was not hard to find and stood out marvelously. The cats explored the bottom level, which did not come with the rent. It was probably going to be used for something else. Still, it was intricately carved with strong wooden walls. With the tour of the unincluded part done, they lifted themselves up through the clever swing to enter a large room.
The room was filled with a forestry vibe and smelled like pine. Tucked away in a darker corner was a brand new stove, but there was no other furniture.
“It will leave all this imagination to you to decorate,” Natalie optimistically determined.
“Yes, but I don’t want to spend much on buying furniture. I don’t even own this place. It’s just for rent until I save up to become a real property owner. Just the simplest furniture will do,” Felicia responded.
“If that’s what you want,” Mason added in support.
They continued their tour by opening the wooden door. The hinges were smooth from being so new. The opened door led to a slightly lower hammock for sleeping. There would be some shelter from the above ledge.
“Is this the type of sleeping arrangement you want?” Natalie shyly asked. She knew that she would always prefer a solid mattress to a woven hammock. On the other hand, Teri Choch and her family loved the way hammocks saved space in the house.
“Of course. I’ve always been a very flexible critter!” Felicia answered with much better enthusiasm.
The three cats climbed up the ladder to view the second floor, which was slightly smaller but had marvelous views.
There was an open air balcony and tree themed carvings of windows. A cute pink flag with acorn patterns flew proudly at the very top of the apartment.
Right then and there, Felicia knew the open air balcony would be her favorite part of her new home. Harlin came exactly on time to find an excited trio of cats.
“I’m assuming it went well?” he asked courteously.
“Yes, yes, we love the place, but were wondering about the bathroom arrangements. There appears to be no bathroom!” Mason explained.
Harlin laughed lightly with the wisdom of his countryside knowledge. He went on: “Well, I hope this isn’t too much of a surprise for you folks, but the toilet is right outside. Do you see that small green shrub?”
Mason followed his white pointing law and answered, “Yes, of course.”
Harlin continued, “That’s the toilet. You see, that shrub is commonly called the toilet bush in the countryside. It grows at practically no pace but needs so much nutrition. It’s not very efficient in terms of growth, but the perfect choice for a toilet. You do your business and that hungry plant decomposes it quickly. No smell, no remnant, and the bush does not get any bigger than this small size. I wouldn’t worry. A lot of the homes on the outskirts of the countryside use it because plumbing pipes were way too much of a hassle to ship.”
“Oh, that’s interesting,” Natalie said. “Felicia, is this something you are okay with?”
“Yes, if so many critters in the countryside are using this, I don’t see why I can’t.”
By the end of the week, the full rent details had been finalized. Felicia gave up all of her pay’s discretionary credits (hair salon visits, boutique dresses, and gourmet foods) to pay the rent. She also had to talk with Teri about using Teri’s shower twice a week. Teri agreed immediately, but Felicia still bought her a brand new, nice pot as a thank you.
The cats all said their final goodbyes by the start of the weekend. Harlin, not having to work on the sunny Saturday, was more than okay with letting Mason drive the Family Seven Seater to help Felicia move in. First, they moved her cabinet of clothes, trinkets, and bags. Then, they drove a short distance to town to pick out simple furniture. Felicia was still adamant on picking out simple, cheap furniture. She bargained for an unpainted set of two chairs and table, as well as a simplistic set of two acorn shaped cups. The only real treat she gave herself were two marshmallow sticks to increase the “countryside vibe.” The most expensive item ended up being a pan and a small bowl, which Felicia quickly filled with purchased eggs. Crockery was usually a pricey item around those parts. By late afternoon, everything had been moved in and furnished.
“Oh, I’ll miss you so much,” Natalie whimpered.
“Don’t worry. I’ll visit, and you’ll visit. If anything happens, we’re not that far away,” Felicia comforted.
That night, the Tuxedo Cats’ house felt awfully different. Mason, Lily, and Rose felt a surge of pride for Felicia, who had grown into the next stage of her life. Olive and Ginni just felt there was something missing. Natalie was a bit sad, so she comforted herself by redecorating the house! But one thing was for sure. Everyone all agreed Felicia would be very happy with her new home.
Comments