Donovan's Barn - Part Six

Hello to all readers, old and new! Here is part six of the story of Donovan's Barn. For those who might be interested here you can access all previous parts: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, and Part Five.

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Fortunately for Rachel and Trenton, the family that bought their house needed several more weeks before they could move in. This allowed time for the Mitchell’s to move their personal belongings to the Donovan place. Having purchased much of what Mrs. Donovan had in the farm house certainly simplified their own move, but since their buyer declined a similar offer, Rachel and Trenton were left to sell the contents of the city home, bringing with it a new task. Photos needed to be taken for the local buy and sell boards on the internet, a task that Rachel happily took on.

Going from room to room was a walk down memory lane. At each doorway Rachel re-lived much of her life. This was the home she and Trenton purchased soon after they found out that they were expecting twins. The kitchen was where she prepared so many holiday feasts, and the many take away meals for her parents, especially when her mother became ill and even more recently for her dad. There was the family room that echoed with Christmases past, the dining room where birthdays were celebrated, the guest room that was once the girls’ nursery. She was saddened by what they were leaving behind but the future was filled with new adventures and those put a smile on her face.

The move into the Donovan place went better than anyone expected. The movers showed up at the city house early on the designated day and Trenton supervised the removal of the furniture from the bedrooms and the minimal number of sentimental pieces that they had decided to take with them. Smaller and personal items, including almost all the dishes and kitchen appliances, were all carefully boxed and labelled with their destination room. There would still be a lot to do to set up the home exactly the way she wanted it, but Trenton knew Rachel was definitely the one to be able to do it, and quickly. He remembered back to when they purchased this home and how moving in and decorating it were no challenge for his talented wife. He knew that this would be even less of a challenge for her. When the last box was loaded onto the truck, Trenton drove on ahead to Taftsville and their new home to meet Rachel who was already at the house waiting his and their possessions’ arrival.

Rachel and her dad Lyle arrived at the farm house at around 10:00 a.m. Mrs. Donovan had moved into her new apartment earlier in the week and yesterday the cleaners completed a thorough clean of the entire home. Rachel set the keys on the kitchen counter and took a deep breath. The air was crisp and scented with newness. “This is mine, Dad. Can you believe it?”

“I’m so happy for you, Honey,’ Lyle replied. “You and the family are going to make this place every bit the home that Helen and Alfred Donovan did. The area around the pond looks so lovely and inviting already. I can’t wait until spring. And Charlie and his crew are making amazing progress on that barn.”

“Yeah, I should go out and take a look,” said Rachel looking up from the single box she had brought with her. “It’s a good thing this isn’t a complicated move. I have a barn dance to plan. Halloween is in just four weeks!” She set a coffee maker out onto the counter. “How about a cup of coffee while we wait?”

Lyle nodded in agreement. “That’s a terrific idea. Then you can tell me all about your plans for the dance.”

The family settled in quickly. The girls were now living at the farm house and Rachel drove them to school every morning. Trenton was unable to get time off from his job so he started his daily commute immediately, while Rachel was able to arrange a one-month leave of absence from hers. She was glad for the extra time away from work. The first week she dedicated to getting all the moving boxes unpacked and things set up to her liking. Then her focus switched to planning the Halloween dance in Donovan’s Barn. Charlie O’Brien was true to his word and the loft was cleaned up and pressure washed and now the crew was busy sanding down the floors and beams; next week they would work on minor repair needs they had discovered.

There were now only three weeks until Halloween. Rachel needed to get flyers completed but there were a few details to confirm first – live or recorded music; cold or hot luncheon at midnight; simple or elaborate decorations; adults only or a family event; free event or charge an admission – her plan for the day were laid out. She had asked, and Mrs. Donovan was thrilled to help Rachel plan the dance. It had been many years since there had been a dance at Donovan’s Barn, but Mrs. Donovan had planned many an event and was the best resource that Rachel could ask for.

As Rachel set down her laptop and notebook, she heard a quick rapping at the kitchen door. She turned and cheerily greeted Mrs. Donovan. “Please come in, Mrs. Donovan. Not need to knock.” Rachel gave her a small, sincere embrace. “Thank you for coming over to assist me.”

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine, dear,” smiled Mrs. Donovan. “Nothing gives my life more purpose than planning an event at the barn.”

“Well, we, especially I, am very thankful for your help,” said Rachel. “Can I offer you something before we get started?”

“Just a cold glass of water will do for now,” answered Mrs. Donovan. “Now tell me where you would like to start.”

Rachel filled a tall glass with ice and water from, “Here you are,” she said. “And let’s start at the beginning.” They both laughed.

The two women, from two very different generations, spent the day with their heads together preparing for the first event in Donovan’s Barn in more than ten years. They talked and laughed in a way reminiscent of a mother and daughter team; as if each was filling a certain void in the other’s life. Much was discussed, a lot of phone calls made, and many decisions finalized. Trenton had graciously bowed out of all planning for the dance, with a vow to be Rachel’s best worker when needed, but all the final decisions rested entirely on Rachel. The day flew by quickly. Mrs. Donovan’s help proved to be very helpful to Rachel. It was certainly a bonus to be well connected to one’s community and thanks to Mrs. Donovan, Rachel now shared the same connections. By the time Lyle brought Kylee and Ashlee home from school that day, the details for the Halloween dance at Donovan’s Barn were confirmed and Rachel had a flyer prepared and ready to take to the printer first thing in the morning.

Only days away from the Halloween dance. Rachel was busy with confirmations and taking calls from excited people in Taftsville. Clearly, they had underestimated how much the community needed a venue like Donovan’s Barn. From phone calls alone Rachel was sure there would be a full house on Saturday night. Even her girls were excited and spoke daily about who of their friends was going to come to the dance.

Just like he said he would, Trenton was a great help to Rachel as things came together. They spent every evening and weekend getting the loft and yard decorated to Rachel’s exact specifications. Both inside the loft and the yard outside, things were taking shape. There were pumpkins and scarecrows; witches and webs, black cats and ghosts. The highlight for Rachel was the antique pick-up her father drove over and parked near the barn and then decorated the area with lights, straw bales and pumpkins. There was no denying that there was a party set to happen at Donovan’s Barn. All she could hope for now was a big, full, harvest moon.

The evening before, Rachel and Trenton were in the loft doing a final check to be sure that everything was in place and that all the lights worked as expected. With a flick of the switches at the end of the loft, the neatly hung strings of lights illuminated the entire expanse. It was breathtaking to Rachel and she leaned into Trenton and gave his arm a squeeze. “Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed. “How perfect is this?”

He drew his wife into an embrace. “It’s as flawless as I knew it would be,” he said. “I believe you have found your calling, my dear.” He took Rachel by the hand. “Come on. I have a special surprise for you.” He led her across the barn to the long side opposite where they stood. The space was the designated the “bar area” back in the day, complete with a counter and glass-doored refrigerator that was lit up from the inside. He reached behind the counter and Rachel could hear a little click. The wall behind the counter glowed under the most beautiful green light outlining the letters “DRINKS”. Happy tears ran down Rachel’s cheeks. It was exactly what the barn needed.

The people of Taftsville were excited and supportive of the Mitchell’s first event in the newly renovated barn. As Rachel had predicted it was a full house. Every table and all the benches were filled with families and couples, some in costume others not. The band played a combination of cover tunes in every genre as well as their own original pieces, keeping the crowd up and dancing. The “bar” was a hit with the adults and the “witch’s cauldron” punch bowl was a favorite spot for the kids, including the Mitchell twins. Rachel was glad Mrs. Donovan advised her to hire a caterer to look after both the bar and the refreshments, not to mention the hot luncheon that would happen later in the evening. Her and Trenton’s only responsibility was to greet their guests and visit with old high school friends and new acquaintances.

At around 9:30 Rachel and Trenton made their way to the band riser. They wanted to mark the occasion with a few words. Taking the microphone, Trenton spoke. “Hello, everyone. Happy Halloween!” The crowd silenced at his voice and then erupted with a response, along with loud applause. “Thank you all for being here tonight as we officially declare Donovan’s Barn open for business once again!” Another loud round of applause and cheers from the crowd. “My beautiful wife had a vision and you are experiencing the first part of that vision.” Yet another loud cheer. “Now I will pass the mic to Rachel to say a few words.”

Rachel took the mic. “Thank you all for being here!” Her words reverberated throughout the space. “I wanted to let you know that this was not all my doing though. Trenton had a big part in the final outcome. There were others as well and they are sitting at that table there in the middle of the floor. I’d like to acknowledge each one, without whom none of us would be have been possible.” The applause roared. “First our parents – my dad, Lyle Benson who always made room for us in his home; Trenton’s mom and dad, Aileen and Matt Mitchell for taking in the kids over the summer and through the start of the school year and most especially, Mrs. Helen Donovan who has entrusted us to not only keep up the Donovan place but also to revive it.” Rachel added her own applause to that of the crowd. “Now let’s bring back the band and keep this party rocking!” The music and party atmosphere resumed.

Rachel and Trenton gave one another a smile. The re-emergence of Donovan’s Barn was a rousing success and it was just the beginning of what this property would soon become.

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Thanks for reading! Part Seven is linked here for your convenience.

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