“Eponia” is truly an adventure. Mom and I really approached it like that. Fortified with mom’s homemade Pasties (meat and vegetable pies — the BEST!), with scones and clotted cream, we agreed that we both needed to explore every nook and cranny.
Know that many rooms had been “off limits.” Gram had rules. Or maybe you are right. Maybe she kept some stories and secrets to herself.
Mom found a ring of keys. We unlocked all the doors, went through all the rooms, the attic, the closets, built in cabinets, and more. With each turn of the key, we traveled through centuries of family history, discovering albums, letters, locks of hair folded into papers, jewelry, stocks, bonds, birth certificates, monastery records, newspapers, magazines, paintings, photographs, journals, awards, documents, even cedar closets full of vintage clothing.
And my darling girl, a wine room.
Gram always had wine. But a wine room? The door, disguised as a portrait. Nancy Drew would be so proud, I found a secret passageway! The frame was painted onto wood, and when I played with it, it slid to the side. It was a pocket door. No wonder Gram never showed us! The collection of wine was outstanding.
We dusted off a bottle, and grabbed Gram's best cut crystal goblets, heading back to the kitchen for some good cheeses and crackers. Well deserved after a long day. As we finished, Mom motioned to the one place we had avoided.
The cellar. A door we had yet to unlock. Directly under the kitchen was a massive root cellar, which Gram used for her canned goods, potatoes, and large cookware.
Once upon a time, it held all the food for the community, all controlled by Brother Dudda the cellarer. Gram had us convinced the jolly rotund monk could still be seen stocking the cellar for the winter. But if we stole cookies she had baked, the ancient monk would punish us. If we were good girls he would bake and fill the house with warm aromas.
There was the story of Brother Cenric, who broke his neck. Or the tale of “The Faceless One.” Gram insisted he still could be heard crying over the loss of a child. Then there was the mysterious Cola who took care of the horses. She would lower her voice and add, "to the villagers he was “The Black Ghost.” Even now he could be seen in his silk turban and sword. It was enough to keep little girls scared and out of the cellar and the tunnels.
It worked. Even now. I thought she had been joking. Even with the warmth of the wine, I got chills while looking at the door. Perhaps there was truth in the teasing. Why test it at all?
We decided to overcome our fears, and look…just in case Gram, in one of her “hallucinatory moments” had stashed heirlooms behind her canned beans.
Over the years Gram had hidden many things. She was always afraid of people “peeping” through the windows and spying on her…especially Nazis. She lived through the Blitz of WWII. She’d mumble with tears in her eyes, “Bloody Nazis….children…hide…she’s dead.” Sobbing she would go to the kitchen and bake loaves and loaves of bread (which we later took to an orphanage).
What we did know was she was serious.
We didn’t realize how serious until we later discovered what she had locked away.
But we found no key to unlock that door. That cellar door.
Ooops! Gotta go! Coco just got home and we have a few things to talk about! I'll fill you in later!
Edy
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