AUNT WILLY BOOKS

BOARDER IN THE BASEMENT (BOOK I)

EXCERPT

I remembered my aunt’s lovebird, Petey, and that unfortunate incident with Willy’s one and only suitor. Quiet, unassuming, slightly stooping Mr. Edmond Munch had summoned his courage after church one day and had surprised the life out of my aunt by asking if he could accompany her home.

My spinsterish aunt had reluctantly agreed to Munch’s attentions, albeit, looking for some reason to turn him away. At the time, I suspected that, deep down, she thought it somehow scandalous for a woman her age, sixty-two years, to be “stepping out” with a male of the species; but kindly soul that she was, Aunt Willy did not want to hurt the man’s feelings.

Munch dutifully visited one morning each week. The pair would sit out “coffeeing” on the front veranda, in a peaceful, secluded corner shaded in with Virginia Creeper, well back from the street; and to sandwiches and the cookies, pastries or slices of cake my aunt served, they would pass an hour or two in polite conversation.

This pattern went on for some four months with my poor, gentle aunt trying to figure on a way to dissuade her suitor. Munch, it appeared, had settled in for the long haul, his eye, no doubt, on autumn years made more tolerable by delicious home-cooked edibles.

At about the juncture where Munch started to increase his attentions, an incident occurred that forever doomed the man to nights of eating out of a can. Alone. Over coffee, one visit, he mentioned offhandedly that animals—even pets—were best kept out-of-doors, where they belonged.


He had no idea how that one innocent remark, coupled with the drama to follow, would seal his fate.

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© Melody Rhodes

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MEET THE CHARACTERS 

Aunt Wilhelmina - A mischievous elderly lady who lives in a rambling Victorian with a turret and verandas and plenty of bushes for Miss Tuppence to explore under.

"Hello, my dears. I'm an elderly spinster who lives in a crumbling Victorian house with my cat, Miss Tuppence. In book I, Boarder in the Basement, Niece and I are cozied up in the Lilac Room having a good cup of tea and a nice little chat-up."


Miss Tuppence - A Siamese-calico cross with unique markings, Tuppence is Willy's most treasured feline companion.

"That behemoth of a bird was a bad, beaked bully! Meow!"


Niece - One of Willy's closest companions and a frequent visitor. Niece is amused at all the goings-on at Aunt Willy's house. She knows that while her great aunt is sweet and means well, out-and-out chaos often results.

"Aunt Willy, you must enlighten me about this mysterious boarder of yours." 


Floodgate - Oh dear! He's been living under a black cloud and tries to find affordable lodgings close to the university that will suit his budget and... his bird! He's not keen on the idea of dark and potentially chilly basement rooms.

Floodgate's Bird - When Floodgate first mentioned a bird, Aunt Willy's hearing aid acted up, so she assumed he meant a sweet little budgie.


MENTIONED IN BOOK I





Edmund Munch - Aunt Willy's one and only suitor who had an unfortunate little incident that forever doomed him to eating alone.


 

Miss Townsend - The librarian. The library is a short distance from Aunt Willy's House and Miss Townsend plays a role in future events in book II.

 
Petey - Aunt Willy's lovebird, Petey, that lived with her before Miss Tuppence showed up on the back veranda and never left. Petey is remembered fondly but has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

© Melody Rhodes

Images

Book I is available at Amazon.


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