Chapter 6
Hi, thank you for the reviews, they give me ideas! So I hope you are still enjoying this story and let me know your thoughts and theories! I have this story broadly mapped out in my head but there are still some holes that I want to fill! Here's the next chapter: -
As Tris enjoyed a cup of tea on the porch of the lake house, she finally began to relax, finding solace after a stressful start to the day.
The lake house was a sprawling two-story residence, painted in a charming shade of pastel blue that seemed to blend seamlessly with the sky on sunny days. Nestled amidst towering trees, its wooden exterior was weathered by the years, every groove and knot in the wood a testament to the memories it held. A white picket fence encircled the property, adding a touch of classic charm to the rustic setting.
A wooden dock extended into the tranquil waters of the lake, providing the perfect spot for fishing or simply lounging in the sun. Beyond the dock, a crystal-clear swimming pool glistened, offering a refreshing escape on hot summer days. The property was a true oasis, embraced by the natural beauty of the surrounding forest, with tall pine trees and wildflowers creating a picturesque backdrop.
The lake house was not just a building; it was a part of a close-knit community of families who cherished the serene escape from the bustling city. Neighbors would often gather for picnics, bonfires, and shared adventures on the lake. Tris always felt a sense of calm and belonging in this place and envisioned herself settling down there in the future.
As Tris and Elizabeth settled on the porch of the cherished lake house, the day held the promise of catching up and creating new memories. Tris's classic Ford Bronco, which had graced many of their adventures, sat on the porch, awaiting her mechanic's inspection.
However, before they could fully embrace their Wednesday together, a familiar sight greeted them. Tris's mechanic, Mike, was approaching the porch with a somber expression.
"Tris," he began, "I've got some news about your Bronco."
Tris furrowed her brow, concerned. "What's going on, Mike?"
Mike sighed and explained, "It's a major issue, and the parts we need are hard to come by. Your Bronco will be in the shop for at least a month."
Tris let out a deep breath, absorbing the unexpected news. "A month? That's a long time, Mike."
"I know, Tris. I'm sorry about the inconvenience. But I'll do my best to get it back to you as soon as possible," Mike assured her.
Despite this unexpected inconvenience, Tris couldn't help but feel grateful for the love and support of her grandmother and the comforting embrace of the lake house, which always seemed to provide solace in times of need.
With a tray of homemade blueberry muffins and a pot of chamomile tea beside her, Tris took a bite of the muffin, savoring the sweet burst of flavor. These muffins were a tradition, lovingly baked by her grandmother every Wednesday morning. They were a symbol of comfort, a taste of home, and a reminder of the bond they shared.
"Grandma, these muffins are amazing, as always," Tris said with a warm smile as she sipped her tea.
Elizabeth, a graceful woman with silver hair and kind eyes, sat across from her granddaughter. She reached for a muffin and chuckled softly. "Well, my dear, I do believe they taste even better when shared with you."
"Grandma," Tris began, "everything tastes better shared with you! I hate it now that we can only see each other once a week."
Elizabeth nodded, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. When Natalie and Andrew moved their family to New York, Elizabeth had followed them and bought a house in the city, meaning that Tris and Elizabeth wouldn't be apart. But when Tris had decided to move back to Chicago, away from the judgmental eyes of her parents, Elizabeth hadn't moved back to Chicago. She still came back to the lake house every week to see Tris. Elizabeth liked to volunteer at the soup kitchen in New York and had bonded with several people there, and for now, she liked the life in NYC. So she had decided not to follow Tris this time.
However, now that Tris had moved out of her parents' home, they had more freedom to see each other, and their cherished Wednesdays had become a tradition they both looked forward to.
"Me too, my dear, but at least we still see each other almost every week, and oh, your parents' gala is coming up, so you are welcome to tag along with me next month."
"Grandma, I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me," Tris continued, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I'm not sure about the gala; I haven't spoken to them in a couple of months and am not very keen on spending an entire evening with them hearing about all of my flaws," she shrugged.
Elizabeth reached across the table, gently placing her hand on Tris's. "You don't have any flaws, my dear. Don't worry; I understand if you don't want to go. But know that I'll be your bodyguard the entire evening, and maybe you can even bring a date! I heard Susan has a hot grandson; maybe we can set you up?" Elizabeth quipped playfully.
Tris just laughed at her grandmother and shook her head.
With their bond affirmed and their hearts connected, Tris and her grandmother set out to make the most of their cherished Wednesday together. The lake glistened in the afternoon sun, inviting them to create new memories and relive old ones. As they enjoyed their muffins and tea, they shared stories, laughter, and dreams.
It was a day for simple pleasures — a leisurely boat ride on the calm waters of the lake, a stroll through the vibrant garden filled with blooming flowers, and a game of chess on the porch, where Tris was determined to finally win a match against her cunning grandmother.
After their boat ride, Elizabeth had prepared a delightful lunch for them to enjoy right on the boat. They savored sandwiches, fresh fruit, and homemade lemonade as they floated on the serene lake.
As they ate and chatted, Tris couldn't help but bring up the morning's encounter with Four. She recounted the unexpected and intense reaction she had witnessed, still puzzled by what had triggered it.
With a contemplative look on her face, Tris finally decided to share her morning encounter with her grandmother. "Grandma, I need your advice. You know how Sara moved out of the building? Well, there is this new guy in her apartment, and I just don't know what to do. I'm trying to be a good neighbor, but I just don't know what to do with this guy."
Elizabeth listened attentively as Tris explained how she had met Four in the supermarket, how he had blocked the elevator, his sudden twist in going for a morning jog, and having some friendly interactions over the past few days. Now his sudden burst this morning when she had taken a picture of his daughter and how he had just screamed at her and ran away.
Elizabeth's wise eyes focused on her granddaughter. She took a deep breath before starting. "Well, my dear," she began, "sometimes people have their reasons for their actions, and those reasons might not be immediately apparent. Sometimes parents don't like it when pictures of their children are taken. And I know you always like to think the best of people, be friendly to anyone, and have a good relationship with everyone, but not everyone thinks like that."
Elizabeth took a good look at her granddaughter; she could see that Tris was conflicted, and something told her that Tris didn't want just a neighborly relationship with this guy. However, she let it slide for now.
"But not everyone deserves your kindness, my dear, and never apologize when someone is treating you poorly. You also need to learn how to stand up for yourself because it sounds to me that this man needs to be set straight and make sure that he doesn't walk all over you."
Tris nodded, appreciating her grandmother's wisdom. "You're right, Grandma. I'll try to stick up more for myself and give the guy a piece of my mind when I see him."
With their conversation concluded, Tris, Elizabeth, and Bailey continued their boat ride, enjoying the fresh breeze and the serenity of the lake.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a breathtaking display of colors across the sky, Tris and Elizabeth shared a moment of quiet reflection. They watched as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, a reminder of the vastness of the universe and the infinite possibilities that lay ahead.
"Grandma," Tris said softly, "I love our Wednesdays together. They're the best days of the week."
Elizabeth smiled, her eyes shining with love. "They're my favorite days too, my dear. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world."
They spent the rest of the day working in the garden, having some laughs, and in the evening, Elizabeth spoiled Tris with one of her delicious home-cooked meals. Tris had learned a lot from her grandmother's cooking, but she would never be as good as her. In the evening, they cuddled up on the couch with a cozy blanket, some homemade popcorn, a romantic movie, and Bailey nestled up against their feet.
When Tris noticed her grandmother falling asleep, she quietly turned off all the lights and spread the blanket further over her.
As Tris prepped for bed, she noticed that the lake house was filled with the soothing sounds of nature — a chorus of crickets, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the distant call of a night owl.
As Tris lay in her cozy bed, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to confide in her grandmother. Elizabeth had always been her rock, the one person she could turn to with her thoughts and worries. And as she drifted off to sleep, the lake house seemed to embrace her in its loving embrace, cradling her in a sense of security and belonging that she cherished above all else.
The next day, Tris woke up to the familiar sounds of the lake house. The sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over her room. She stretched and got out of bed, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep.
After getting dressed, Tris made her way downstairs to find her grandmother already in the kitchen, preparing a delicious breakfast.
"Good morning, Grandma," Tris greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning, my dear," Elizabeth replied. "I thought we could start the day with a hearty breakfast. How about some pancakes and fresh fruit?"
Tris's eyes lit up at the mention of pancakes. "That sounds amazing, Grandma. You always know how to make the best breakfast."
Over breakfast, they chatted about their plans for the day. Elizabeth mentioned that she had invited some of her friends over for lunch, and Tris was looking forward to catching up with them.
After breakfast, Tris and Elizabeth took Bailey for a morning walk around the lake. The air was crisp, and the sun shone brightly, making it a perfect day for a leisurely stroll. Bailey's tail wagged happily as he explored the area, and Tris couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.
The lake house was a place filled with cherished memories for both Tris and her grandmother. It had been a constant in their lives, a sanctuary away from the bustling city, where time seemed to slow down, and the worries of the world could be momentarily set aside.
As they walked along the tranquil shores of the lake, Elizabeth shared stories from her own youth, recalling the adventures she had experienced in this very place. Tris listened with rapt attention, finding comfort in the timeless tales of love, friendship, and the beauty of the natural world.
In the afternoon, Tris reluctantly realized it was time for her to head back to her apartment in the city. She called a cab to pick her up from the lake house, grateful for the opportunity to spend time with her grandmother.
Saying goodbye to Elizabeth, Tris gave her a warm hug and held her tightly for a moment. "I'll miss you, Grandma," she said softly.
Elizabeth returned the embrace, her eyes filled with affection. "I'll miss you too, my dear. But we'll see each other again soon, I promise."
With a final goodbye, Tris climbed into the cab and headed back to her city apartment. The cab ride was uneventful, but Tris couldn't help but reflect on the past few days. Despite the unexpected challenges with her car and the usual stress that she experienced, she felt a deep sense of gratitude for the love and support of her grandmother and the cherished moments they shared at the lake house.
As she arrived back at her apartment, Tris knew that no matter what life threw her way, she had the strength and the bonds of family and friends to help her through it.
After her return from the lake house, Tris had a plan to unwind with her friends, Christina and Marlene. She had agreed to have dinner at Christina's place that evening, looking forward to some quality time together.
As she arrived at Christina's apartment, she was greeted by the tantalizing aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. Christina, always eager to impress her friends, had decided to cook dinner for the occasion.
"Hey, Tris!" Christina exclaimed as she opened the door, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I've been slaving away in the kitchen to prepare this amazing meal for us."
Tris smiled and gave her friend a hug. "That's so sweet of you, Christina. I can't wait to try your cooking."
Marlene, who was already there, chimed in, "Yeah, Christina, what's on the menu tonight?"
Christina led them to the dining table where she had set up an elaborate spread. "We're having chicken piccata with lemon butter sauce and garlic mashed potatoes, followed by a decadent chocolate cake I baked for dessert."
The table did indeed look impressive, but the proof would be in the taste. Tris and Marlene took their seats, their mouths watering in anticipation.
However, as they dug into the meal, it became clear that something had gone terribly wrong in the kitchen. The chicken piccata was overly salty, the lemon butter sauce was more like a lemon disaster, and the garlic mashed potatoes had an odd, lumpy texture.
Tris exchanged a glance with Marlene, who tried to hide a grimace as she took a polite bite.
Christina, who had been watching their reactions closely, finally sighed in defeat. "Okay, okay, I messed up the cooking. I thought I could impress you guys, but I guess I went a little overboard."
Tris couldn't help but chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "It's the thought that counts, Christina. We appreciate the effort."
Marlene added, "Yeah, next time, we can order takeout and just enjoy each other's company."
Relieved that her friends were being understanding, Christina nodded. "You're right. Let's save ourselves from this culinary disaster and order some good food."
They decided to order their favorite dishes from a nearby Italian restaurant, and soon enough, they were enjoying a delicious meal that didn't involve any culinary mishaps.
As they were finishing their meal, Christina suddenly brought up a topic that caught Tris off guard. "Oh, by the way, Tris, I have surprise."
Tris raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Christina?"
Christina grinned mischievously. "I've set you up on a blind date for next Friday."
Tris nearly choked on her last bite of pasta. "You did what?"
Marlene burst into laughter at Tris's surprised expression.
Christina leaned in, her excitement palpable. "I know this guy from my office, and he's really nice. I thought it would be fun to set you up. Plus, it's been ages since you went on a date."
Tris sighed, feeling both exasperated and amused by Christina's antics. "Christina, you can't just set me up without asking me first. I don't even know the guy"
Marlene chimed in, still chuckling, "Yeah, Tris, it's not like you're opposed to dating but you would at least like to know him. "
Tris nodded along with Marlene.
Christina looked a bit sheepish but remained determined. "I promise, he's a great guy, and I think you two would get along. Just give it a chance."
Tris relented, realizing that Christina's heart was in the right place. "Okay, fine, I'll go on the blind date. But only if you promise to never do it again!"
Christina squealed in delight. "You won't regret it, Tris. I have a good feeling about this!"
As they continued their evening together, Tris couldn't help but wonder what awaited her on this unexpected blind date, she wasn't looking forward to it at all. It was bound to be an adventure, whether she liked it or not, and she knew that christina meant well even if her method wasn't the best.