Havel House © 2020
By David Lee
Chapter 1
When the company Ashton Havel's dad worked for was bought out by a larger competitor, the teen wondered what the future would hold for his family and him. William Havel had held an executive position, and it seemed unlikely that he would find anything with as lucrative a salary in the area. He might have to relocate. This could definitely disrupt their comfortable lifestyle.
The situation turned out better than Ashton had feared. Like many people at his level, William was given a golden parachute. His buyout amounted to more than some professionals earned in five years. So, he could bide his time waiting for a new job to open up. If he wanted to ratchet their standard of living down a few notches, the family could survive for many years on the wealth he'd already amassed. As it was, they already tended to live below their means, so it wouldn't be a big adjustment.
While the family was pondering their options, a letter arrived from the law firm of Caruthers and Kirk in Marion, Iowa informing William that he'd inherited a "vintage" house on the outskirts of the village abutting the city of Cedar Rapids. The family decided to drive up to investigate it since William had no obligations, Kathryn's on-line classes were finished for the year, and the boys' school term had also recently ended.
They could make a holiday of it. Iowa would, no doubt, be cooler and less humid than Florida in June. If they traveled by car, instead of flying, it would cost considerably less, especially for four people.
The photograph of the property, which had accompanied the letter, was an old black and white one. In the front yard stood a large rock inscribed, "Havel House." They all wondered what the place would look like in reality. William joked that they might have to change the name to, "Havel Hovel."
The family chose to spread the drive over three days instead of rushing. Their large SUV had many of the comforts of home, including reclining seats with footrests in the second row, and individual video players overhead. Now that the boys were 16 and 14, those devices got less use than they had a few years previous. Still, they did provide some diversion when the teens weren't on their other electronic devices.
Carson would turn 17 before school started, and had a driver's license, so he was allowed time behind the wheel to enhance his highway experience. If the family made the move to Iowa, Ashton would be able to get a learner's permit. In fact, had he already been an Iowa resident, he'd have had one for almost a year. That made him hope they might move north. He'd been car crazy from the time he turned 12.
There were a number of pros and cons connected with relocating. William might be able to secure a position at Collin's Aeronautics which would be comparable to the one he'd lost in the buyout. Kathryn could teach her on-line college classes from anywhere in the world that had a reliable Internet connection. Iowa's education system was among the best in the nation. Those were all positive ones.
However, the boys would have to adjust to a new school and new classmates. The Linwood school district was known as a quality place with many award-winning programs and opportunities in sports and music as well as academics. Perhaps the plusses would outweigh the stress of making new friends.
Neither of the boys had a strong attachment to their present school, though Carson would miss his soccer team. After the shooting in neighboring Parkland, FL, the notion of attending high school in a more rustic setting seemed like a safer prospect.
At this point, it was all speculation. Until they saw the property, it wasn't a done deal.
Knowing the house William had inherited had been vacant for several years, and probably wouldn't be fit to stay in, Kathryn made reservations at The Longbranch. It was a Best Western hotel and wasn't as expensive as some in the area. The rave reviews she'd read about the quality of the food on their buffet line was the deciding factor. She could fill up her boys without spending a fortune. Though the family was well fixed, they might have to stretch their funds for a while. Besides, it was located only about five miles from Havel House.
Arriving in the late afternoon on Wednesday, they checked into their accommodations and decided to take a look at the property while there was still plenty of daylight.
The boys were pleased to see that the hotel's outdoor pool was large enough for lap-swimming. Both wanted to keep up their skills so they could compete in their new school if they did make the move.
While waiting for the lawyer with the keys to let them inside, the family checked out the exterior of Havel House. From the front, it was evident that the vintage brick building had been well-maintained. No mortar was missing, and the trim looked as if it had been painted not too long ago.
The lawn was a bit weedy but was freshly mown. The flowerbeds, however, were a disaster. A lot of yardwork would be needed to restore curb-appeal.
Going around to the back, they discovered that the house had been added onto. The brick used in the newer part coordinated in color but was slightly different from the original. It looked as if the two-story addition included a family room on the lower level and probably bedrooms above.
They also found a teenager on a riding mower finishing the backyard. He stopped the motor when he saw them and hopped down to see what they wanted.
"Hi, I'm Rhett from across the street. And before you ask, my mom loves that old Civil War movie."
"Hello, Rhett-from-across-the-street, I'm William Havel and this is my wife, Kathryn and our sons, Carson and Ashton."
"Oops, I should have given you my last name, it's `Butler.' I know, what mother would do that to her son, right?" Rhett shrugged as he grinned.
"I don't get it. Is that a joke?" Ashton asked.
"Um, Rhett Butler was a character in "Gone with the Wind," Rhett blushed. "I guess a lot of guys our age don't know about that."
"Uh, sorry, Rhett, I wasn't making fun of you. I'm so embarrassed!"
"Don't be! I'm not offended. It's cool that you didn't know.
"I was crazy about Gone with the Wind too," Kathryn smiled. I wanted to name my second son, Ashley, after Ashley Wilkes, but William convinced me it sounded too feminine in today's world, so I compromised with Ashton."
"I'm guessing by your last name that you guys must be related to Miss Andela Havel."
"Yes, she was a distant cousin of my father," William responded. "He passed away from a heart attack at a young age, and I'm the next generation. My sons and I are the last males in the Havel line, I guess."
"Ah, so you've inherited the plantation," Rhett joked. "Mom always wanted to pose in a period costume in front of the house and call it `Tara.' Of course, the architecture is more Italianate than Southern Colonial."
"I'm impressed that you know that," William compliment him.
"I like old buildings," Rhett reddened. "Dad jokes that I have an `edifice complex.' I wasn't trying to be a showoff."
"Never apologize for having knowledge, young man. Our society seems to push people to be mediocre. We don't value intelligence as we should."
"I suppose your sons will want to mow once you live here and you won't need my services," Rhett said, trying to shift the attention away from himself.
"I doubt they'll fight you for the job if you're willing to continue at least for the current season. We don't have the equipment to keep up a lawn of this size. You might convince Ashton to do the trimming.
"I'd be pleased to have your help with getting rid of the weeds and rejuvenating the flowerbeds if you do that sort of thing."
"Cool! I'd love the extra income. I'm saving for a car. I won't be able to get my license for over a year, but it's a goal."
"Wow! We must be close in age," Ashton exclaimed. "I'll be a sophomore in the fall."
"Me too! If you move in here, you'll be going to Linwood with me."
"I'll be a senior there," Carson spoke up.
"That's really cool!" Rhett grinned. I know you guys are gonna love it."
When Mr. Kirk from the law office arrived, he opened the front door to give them the grand tour. Kathryn invited Rhett to accompany them after learning that he'd never been inside past the foyer.
"You can tell by the stuffy odor that it's been unoccupied for a while. It's been closed up since Miss Andela went to the care-center. Obviously, it will need a thorough cleaning before it can be lived in. At least the major pieces of furniture were covered with plastic drop-cloths so they shouldn't be dusty."
"Despite that, the place has a certain aura about it -- like a personality," Kathryn commented.
"It's a kind of split personality. The main part of it is much like it was a hundred years ago. Lots of the furnishing are original. When needed, she had the furniture reupholstered in fabrics that looked as much like the ones of the period as possible.
"During many of her years in this house, she ran it as a bed and breakfast. People came from around the country to feel like they were traveling back in time."
"It's absolutely beautiful!" Kathryn exclaimed. I could move in and enjoy it immediately. I might freshen some of the paint, but I don't think I'd change the colors drastically."
The boys said they were fine with it. They thought it looked a bit like a movie set. Ashton said he felt a connection with the house. Their father was less enthusiastic.
"It's almost like a museum," William remarked.
"Yes, but the back part is furnished more in mid-twentieth century modern. That's where she lived. She paid homage to the memory of her grandfather by keeping the front much like it had always been, but she enjoyed modern conveniences and had the wiring and heating systems brought up to code, as well as, adding air conditioning at the same time.
"Guests enjoyed the nostalgia of the nineteenth century much more when they didn't have to suffer from the heat or cold!"
"Didn't people come to see if it was haunted?" Rhett asked.
"Yes, some did. I wasn't going to bring up that legend until the new owners had seen the whole thing."
"Um, sorry, Uncle Ken. I assumed they'd been informed."
"The subject needs to be covered, and since my nephew has already broached it, this is as good a time as any. Old Anton Havel was a rather strange person. He was what is often termed a `renaissance man,' dabbling in many things. Some said he was a scientist; other referred to him as a wizard or an alchemist. He held several patents, including one for a primitive milking machine which he used in his farming operation and later sold to the De Laval company for a good sum of money. But according to the rumor mill, he inherited his wealth from his father who'd made his fortune in the California gold rush.
"Anyway, local folklore claims he had a secret laboratory where he conducted experiments and that he died while trying to do a Frankenstein-type of test. His son, Jakub, Andela's father, supposedly dragged his body out into the yard so the authorities would assume he'd been struck by lightning in the storm that night. Andela was a child at the time but allegedly knew the real story and promised to carry the secret to her grave. Well, if there was a secret, she didn't reveal it on her deathbed and most people have assumed it's a tale she fostered to make the house more of a draw to people who are interested in that sort of thing.
"She did receive an inquiry from a group of serious investigators on the West Coast who wanted to set up equipment to check for paranormal activity, but she turned them down despite the large sum of money they offered her. Some people say she was afraid they'd find nothing and spoil the mystique. Others think she feared they would discover the family secret."
"So, may I assume there's really no ghost story involved?" William asked.
"Not necessarily," Kenneth replied. "Guests claimed they were awakened in the night by Anton's moaning and wandering about the place. According to them, he was restless because of unfinished business. Some think he had a guilty conscience and couldn't rest in peace. Of course, Miss Andela may have encourage those tales."
"Wow! That's weird!" Ashton exclaimed. "I hope we get to meet him!"
"I'm not that eager to have contact with a restless soul," Kathryn shuddered.
After they'd looked the house over, they went back to the hotel. They would eat dinner there later. In the meantime, the boys decided to go out to the pool.
"Mom, if we're gonna be here several more days, can I stay overnight with Rhett? He's in band and we have a lot in common. I can help him on a mowing job too. He said he'll pay me."
"I'll discuss it with your father, but I'm sure it will be okay with us. I need to talk to Mrs. Butler before you kids get too excited about it."
"Okay, he gave me her cell number so you can phone her anytime you want."
Ashton was excited about getting better acquainted with Rhett, but Carson seemed a little down. He wouldn't admit it, but he would miss having his brother to hang around with in a strange place where he didn't know anyone else! They were good buddies and only about two years apart.
The two of them were racing each other in the pool when Kathryn came out to talk to them again.
"Coleen just called back to say that Carson is invited as well. She doesn't want him to be left out."
"I don't need to horn in on his date."
"It's not a date!" Ashton remonstrated. "Rhett probably isn't into other guys."
"He seemed pretty eager to get to know you."
"He's just being nice to the new kids, and you're invited to be there too."
"Maybe, but I'll bet including me was his mom's idea and not his."
The "date" was for overnight and the following day through dinner. Kathryn thought it was a lot for Rhett's family to do for strangers, but Coleen insisted it was only Midwestern hospitality and that the boys would be no trouble. It would free the Havel's to oversee the cleaning services and take care of whatever legal details needed to be done.
Kathryn and William dropped the teens off after dinner, early enough to spend a few minutes getting acquainted with Coleen and Brant. Coleen insisted that they have at least a small serving of homemade shortcake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. That was a hit with everyone.
Their home was beautiful and their hospitality over the top. They would be excellent neighbors and quite possibly become good friends. The Havel's were impressed.
The best part of Carson's evening was that Rhett had an older sister whom he hadn't mentioned. Brianna would be a senior at Linwood High in the fall. Carson wore a grin for the rest of the evening. He no longer felt like the recipient of a mercy date.
The teens sat on the screened porch at the back of the house chatting after Carson and Ashton's parents had departed. The new kids learned a number of things about the school they might be attending, and details of the town in general. Everything seemed to be positive. They found themselves hoping that the move would actually take place.
Carson told a little about his soccer season and found that Brianna also played. They shared a love of the game and she said Linwood's boys' and girls' teams had good records.
Rhett and Ashton discussed the music program since they were both band jocks.
When it was time for bed, Ashton shared Rhett's room which had a pair of twin beds. Carson slept in the guest room by himself. It didn't upset him that he wasn't with the other boys. He felt his brother should be alone with Rhett so the two of them could form a closer relationship. Ashton's orientation wasn't a secret in the family, and never had been. The teens' parents often reminded them that they were both loved unconditionally.
Author's notes: Thanks to the many (29) readers who responded to Incognito. I loved all of your positive comments!
Thanks to David who edited this tale. Without him, there would be more missing words and typos!
Thanks to Nifty for providing this venue. It has proved to be entertainment for those of us hunkering down. If you have the means to do so, now would be a good time to donate to keep this free site available.
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If you enjoyed this tale, I'd love to hear from you. Please write to me at: dlee169@hotmail.com
Stay well,
David