Mayor Cuddlebear was one of the most popular critters there was. He was cheerful, interested in day to day conversation, and genuinely cared about the future generation of Cloverleaf Corners. Under his mayorship, everything was stable.
This good nature extended towards his daughter, Ava Cuddlebear, too. With the elections in the foreseeable future, the mayor was determined to get on everyone’s good side. He wanted to create meaningful, impactful changes in the community, especially the countryside. As the mayor put it: “Just because they live further away does not make them any less central.” Ava was fifteen years old. She was charismatic, good in the kitchen, decently athletic, polite, knowledgeable, and likable. Not to mention, she always had a thirst for new experiences.
So, she was excited when her father told her she would spend a couple of months living in the countryside. She was told to understand and listen to the needs of the countryside. She could come home whenever she felt homesick, and the phone lines were very reliable.
“Of course!” Ava said.
All that was left was getting Ava food and shelter. So, the mayor called up Heidi Choch. Heidi was known for many things, including having many children, being born and bred a country critter, and providing lodging to many many critters. She took in everyone who came her way with kindness.
The phone in the Deluxe Village House rang with a trill for Heidi to pick up.
“Who am I speaking to?”
“Mrs. Choch, I presume. This is Mayor Cuddlebear. I was wondering if you still accept a spot for lodging and food at your home in the countryside.”
“Well, hello, Mayor Cuddlebear. Of course! I always have room. Who is it?”
“It is my daughter Ava. She’s a very responsible fifteen year old. My wife and I thought it might be beneficial to have a personal family member visit the countryside. We would love the immersion in it. She will stay for a couple of months.”
“Of course. Not a problem at all! She can sleep on a mattress, and we will feed her all the country classics.”
“Perfect. In exchange. I can go ahead and pay for your newspaper and TV channel subscriptions for next year.”
“My, that’s kind of you, mayor. Thank you. Just let me know when Ava is arriving so my husband can pick her up in town.”
Some details were finalized before Ava arrived. Heidi spread the word to all in the countryside. The day she arrived, everyone living in Heidi’s part of the country was dressed up in their finest. In the Tuxedo Cat house, Natalie had forced the pause of all bakery work for a day to avoid any dirty clothing. Meanwhile, Felicia put on a beautiful formal outfit.
In the Deluxe Village House, Heidi had scrubbed everything clean the week before.
“No button is out of place!” Bell yelled when Skip’s shirt button was slightly crooked.
“Sorry,” he apologized sheepishly.
Ava arrived and received a warm welcome. She wore a very formal outfit. It was a one piece school uniform. The connected skirt was a lime green plaid pattern while the top was a perfectly white blouse. To add on to her prestige, Ava wore a red tie that was exactly 180 degrees straight. Nothing was out of place as the teenager gently stepped off the Family Seven Seater.
Heidi introduced, “Hi, Ava. So nice to meet you. I’m Mrs. H. Choch. This is Bell, Bellia, Skip, David, Karen, Henry, Grace, Hopper, and Honey.”
“Hello!” Ava greeted.
“Our neighbors are just over there. They are the Tuxedo Cat Family along with their cousin Olive and friend Ginni.”
“Ok, I can’t wait to get to know everyone better.”
“That’s a sharp outfit you have there, Ava. Mrs. T. Choch would love the tie,” Karen complimented nicely. Being born from a countryside mother and a city dweller father, she had missed some aspects of urban life. Ava’s uniform was a very welcome site of how formal the clothing has been.
“Thank you! Is Mrs. T. Choch the woman who lives at the Lakeside Lodge? I have heard of her column,” Ava responded.
“Yup, she lives there with her children Freya, Breeze, and Kabe,” David told Ava. “How is her VERY TERI column doing in town?”
“Absolutely splendid! The people treat her like a diva with golden words!” Ava responded with first hand knowledge.
From just beyond, the Tuxedo Cats could be seen walking toward Ava. Rose and Lily each carried one small baby. Natalie had a bear head shaped bread in one hand and her husband’s hand in the other.
She started, “Hello, Ava. I’m Mrs. Charcoal. This is Mr. Tuxedo. He baked this for you as a welcome present,” before handing Ava the loaf.
“Hi, Ava. I’m Rose. This is my twin Lily and my older sister Felicia. That’s our cousin Olive and her best friend Ginni.”
Ava was so touched by how friendly everyone was. The mood was so good, and the gift was so generous.
“Thank you so much, everyone. Everyone is so nice!” Ava thanked them.
Heidi, such a good host, realized Ava might be tired from her travels.
“Ava, you must have had a tiring day with all of these new things to get adjusted to. Let me help you with your baggage and get you a bite to eat,” Heidi initiated
“I don’t have much luggage with me. Just a simple apron to keep my outfit clean from time to time,” Ava said.
Harlin proceeded to get out the dainty white apron he had put in the backseats. Ava put it on as part of her remarkable outfit today.
“Have a good day, Ava. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to stop by,” Felicia offered before her family made their way back home. Her red hills clicked harmoniously on the ground.
Ava was led inside by Heidi as the door swung open. “Children, I’m fixing up a plate of food for Ava. Be good hosts and hostesses, and give her a tour of the house,” Heidi said as she made a left turn into her kitchen.
Harlin proceeded to go for a shower.
Karen led the tour with excitement. Ava followed her, full of awe at how beautiful a house it was.
“This is the Deluxe Living Room. Mr. H. Hopscotch loves watching the nature channel and bought that Luxury Color TV many years ago. We use the fireplace during the wintertime, and we always dust it regularly,” Karen informed.
Then, they went upstairs.
“Over here is the older Children’s Bedroom. Bell and Skip sleep in those bunk beds. Grace and Henry sleep in the other bunks. Then, there’s the Deluxe Bathroom on the other side. Toilet, sink, soap, shampoo, and bathtub. All your standard bathroom items. Now, follow me up this ladder.”
“Wow, there’s more!” Ava remarked.
Karen laughed. “It certainly is a big house, but it never gets lonely here.”
They climbed up the white ladder to reach the third floor.
“We don’t come here much, because this is Mr. Hopscotch’s and Mrs. H. Choch’s bed. That’s the Nightlight Nursery. We often help care for all the babies here. They’re so sweet, but they can get frustrated and cry at times. I don’t think I missed anything except for the Country Kitchen, which I’ll show you right now. Are you hungry? Mrs. H. Choch is a really good cook.”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for the tour.”
The girls went to the dining room, where Heidi had carried in a delicious meal. She had scooped a generous portion of her boiled flour seasoned with plenty of salt and pepper. On the side, there was a soft, stewed carrot. It smelled mouthwatering.
“Dig in,” Heidi said while handing Ava a spoon.
Ava took the first bite.
The flour was evenly seasoned all the way. The texture was just the right mushiness that it was the perfect comfort food.
“This is delicious!” Ava praised with sincerity.
Heidi smiled. She only served the best for her new guest. Just then, Harlin came downstairs. His fur was still slightly damp from a warm shower. He smelled like sweet shampoo.
“Ava, feel free to step in for a shower or bath. Make yourself comfortable. Help yourself to anything,” Harlin said grandly before plopping himself down in front of the Luxury Color TV.
Ava went for a bath afterwards, helping herself to soap, shampoo, and hot water.
When she was done, Heidi had set the table for formal dinner already. Tonight, she was serving a round baked squash along with boiled flour. But, Ava was still full.
Heidi had anticipated and offered, “Do you want a bit of chocolate, Ava? A nice snack before going to bed.”
Ava accepted and bit into the sweet treats. She enjoyed the chocolate while using the phone to let her family know she was safely arrived. Then, she went upstairs to clean her teeth with toothpaste and sink water. When she got back downstairs, nighttime chores were in full swing. Heidi was washing the pots.
Bellia was clearing the table. Harlin was unfolding the mattresses.
“Alright, I’m done. You can take this one, Ava,” Harlin said while pointing to a plump, beige mattress. In reality, it was just the detachable seat from the Family Seven Seater. Even so, the seat/mattress was extremely comfortable.
Things toned down to nighttime serenity. The children made their way to their designated sleeping quarters. The babies had long since fallen asleep.
Heidi and Harlin snuggled into their bed.
“Good night, Bellia,” Ava said in a hushed whisper.
“Good night, Ava. Do you like it here?” Bellia replied.
“I love it already!”
Welcome Ava!