Grandma Lu was sad. It had finally happened. Marleewood was going to be auctioned off. The small town could not afford the upkeep on the old building let alone the taxes. It had to be sold.
“Well, old girl, this is it. The days of telling stories to the little ones are over. Oh, I can still tell stories, but Marleewood was perfect. The rooms we added and the fun we all had. Oh how I remember the days when Grandma B and I first started getting that king size kitchen ready for little Marlee’s first cooking show. She was so little, but was excited as we all were. The television crew was coming to film her first show. But wouldn’t you know it everything went wrong. Plumbing leaked and we didn’t have the wiring up to code. B and I were scared to death things wouldn’t get done before the television crew got there.
Grandma Lu grinned as she thought about Sawyer and Cooper coming to their rescue and had everything fixed just in time. Well, that was just the first problem. We added a gift shop. Well, that was a disaster. Marlee and Charlee couldn't agree on things. Charlie was in charge of the bookwork and made sure that the shop made money. Marlee didn't like all of Charlie's rules so she went ahead and ordered way too much. She ordered so many things that it didn't all sell, so they lost money by having to put things on sale for way less than what Marlee paid for them. 
We put a beauty shop in where the gift shop was when it closed. We all loved that. There were several beauty operators including Grandma B that helped get everyone ready for parties and for school.
Then we decided to add a second kitchen. That was wonderful. We had homeschoolers that came and we also had huge parties. We used that second kitchen a lot for cooking and seating for folks. Oh Mercy the parties. One time the local grocery store had to deliver candy to us for Halloween because didn't order enough. Don't forget the cats, old girl. Cats and I don't mix. I am deathly allergic to them, but there always seemed to be a cat in the bathroom, the cupboard, and one time in the refrigerator! I about passed out that day. She shook her head at the memories. Then there was the Christmas tree disaster with Forrest!
I remember teaching moms and dads and their children an old game I played in school. Dropping clothespins in a bottle. I used canning jars. Such fun it was. I believe that the adults had just as much fun or more than the children. Yes, Marleewood was such a happy place. That was a Valentine's Day party. We all had such fun.
I'm not forgetting how B and I used to just go there for coffee and visiting. She always had coffee and something sweet for me. Oh yes those were the days.
"I think I'll take a walk over there for probably the last time. Oh my we had such a good time there. Those old walls could really tell a story themselves! I need to go through my old trunk too. It's full of pictures and momentos of the children's accomplishments and even some graduation announcements and invitations to birthday parties. I'll have to get my husband over there to take it home."
As Grandma Lu walked in the back door she felt the tears forming in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand and found her favorite old chair in the Sitting Room. She promptly sat down and wrapped herself up with the old quilt that always had been a favorite. Yes we even had a quilting bee in that big community room. I think some of the ladies were actually related to Whitlee and Marlee's grandpa.
She looked around. She could see through an open door into the room they used for a nursery. Young mothers loved that they could put their little ones down for a nap and shop or just sit and have coffee with friends or go to the Quiet Room and just have a few minutes to themselves.
Another tear slipped out of the corner of her eye as she looked at the lost and found closet. Those little ones were always leaving a mitten or scarf when they went home. We finally had to make room for them. The tear continued down her cheek, but at the same time she smiled. Her dear cousin Bon Bon accidently locked me into the tunnel under this big hulk of a house. Then she locked herself down with me. Oh she was an adventurous one. She had me traveling the tunnels all the while reminding me of our childhood on the farm. Oh the farm where it all started so many years ago...
