So I saw an interview with Ann M Martin saying that she'd imagine Mary Anne living in Stoneybrook. Naturally this leads to me to write Mary Anne moving back after living in New York and Virigina. She also said that Mary Anne would be a teacher, but I like to think that her being a child psychiatrist she is working with kids still. Also stuck with Mary Anne having a wife since she, Katherine, is the best reason for why they move back to Stoneybrook.
Enjoy and please review!
Mary Anne glance around as she took in the scent of her old family home. Not the one that she lived with the Sharon and Dawn but the one on Bradford Court. Where Kristy used to live next to her and the Claudia was across the street. Now the Gianelli family happy to let her walk around and see what happened to her old house. The neighborhood brought her back to good times with her friends and the BSC and all those community events. She remembered the Goldman's funeral and their house sold. The Hobart kids scattering and the parents retiring and moving to the other side of town.
"Too bad we can't move into your old house," said her wife, Katharine, rubbing her shoulder affectionately.
"I didn't have my hopes up too high," said Mary Anne wiping a tear from her face to see her old bedroom turned into yet another boy's room. "It's nice to look around though. I love the new addition; I wish we thought of adding a sun-room. There's always the Hoskins."
She glanced around again and saw her daughters playing with the Gianelli kids and Mrs. Newton talking with Bobby and Nancy about something or another. Mary Anne smiled to see that somethings didn't change noticing the same light fixtures and despite the addition, the same familiar layout with a door to each room.
"So, the Hoskins are moving Mrs. Newton?" asked Mary Anne turning to the woman.
"Yes, if you want I can introduce you," said Mrs. Newton as Mary Anne remembered them moving in when she was a junior in high school. Claudia baby-sat their kids occasionally (even long after the BSC ended), but nobody else knew that much about them.
"Of course," said Katharine excitedly and squeezed Mary Anne's hand as they walked down the street. "I love that I get to move to Stoneybrook now too."
"What brings you girls to Stoneybrook? Or rather back Mary Anne" asked Mrs. Newton grinning. They promised to come back for their daughters after they pleaded to keep playing with the younger kids.
"Katharine is a librarian," said Mary Anne. "And she just took the position of head of the children's department here in Stoneybrook."
"Oh, that's funny," said Mrs. Newton with a chortle, "You know Rioko Kishi? She just retired and the former children's librarian, Charlotte, is taking over for her. We'll have two librarians living on the block."
Mary Anne giggled herself as she glanced around to see the Kishi's, er, Pike's outside of the house playing with a small dog.
"Hi Mary Anne!" called Byron Pike chasing after one of the kids in a game of tag.
Then she saw Mrs. Kilbourne getting her mail who had waved with a smile on her face. Her cell phone next to her ear. Anna Stevenson pulled up in her car and waved before heading inside with her kids rushing to the door for the pizza in her hand.
"Hi Mary Anne," said Laura Perkins waving to her as she climbed into a red car before she backed out of her driveway.
How odd would it be to know everyone on the block before you even move in. Her smile wide as she waved back to everyone while walking down the sidewalk.
Together the three woman started down the street with Mrs. Newton catching Mary Anne up and giving Katharine a warm welcome. Until finally they turned into the Hoskins house. It was across the street and four houses down the street from her old one. Katharine gave a look to check it out as she the outside looked prim and proper. Then suddenly Mary Anne remembered what it would be like to mow the lawn or something. She'd have to hire someone herself.
"It's very cute," said Katharine. "I wonder if it'll fit all five of us."
"It's probably bigger on the inside. I remember the Willis's had three kids as well. I know I sat for them once or twice."
Mary Anne looked around the neighborhood before walking into the house. It was great to be back in Stoneybrook.
