Rachel has some peace and quiet to puzzle her life out and finds a sentimental surprise.
Outside, can hear the uneven scuff of shoes on gravel. Hi, hello, bonjour. Clearly pronounced badly. The bored tones of a tiger in need of enrichment at the zoo. Welcome back to the casa de Rachaiiellll who is so bored. And frustrated. And all disorganized in the brainbox. And covered in paint because she’s painted her living room twice in the last three days and it is stubbornly refusing to stay white.
Blue finds it hilarious. I find it like a sock that keeps sliding down and off your foot inside your sneakers. And like, they’re your favorite pair of brand new, expensive running shoes. You want to relax and enjoy them but you put off adjusting your sock for the tenth time that day and before you know it the whole entire thing is bunched up around your toes so you have to stop. And take off your shoe. And pull up your sock. And oh hey, what do you know, there’s a hole in the heel. And then put your shoe back on and then now finally- finally- it stays put but then you still get a blister from where your poor, naked heel starts rubbing against the liner. Kicks a rock. She is walking up and down her driveway.
Needless to say Diane, what gigs I’ve been able to salvedge from… the last month… aren’t enough to fill my days. I am able to walk down to the road now, listen to Rosa’s handyman mow, pick up mail, drop off my mail… oh. That’s an idea. Hmmm. Anyways. And the garden in the back, and the shed. My own personal triangle of wonder and delights.
There’s not a weed in my yard, and all the tree holes have been dug. The house and basement with that awful tv still going are all spotless, and all that’s left to do is bring in the last of my storage boxes from the shed and sort through all the pictures. And ooh, maybe see if Jade would be willing to drop off the fruit trees I ordered, I think the apple and pears should be arriving this week or next. And I assume I won’t be able to go into town by then either.
It’s still a tight ship around here. I don’t get much peace during the day, Blue likes to pop in to say hello or restock the fridge, then destock it and make really bad cheese sculptures that, I don’t know how they work. The house is getting a bit weird though, between the living room, and the tv, and the bottom step of the stairs; which if I step on it colors are inverted for... about half an hour or so. That happened after a postcard from Lima where this dude just... complained about everything there. It was actually really gross to read, like, maybe you shouldn’t have left your nice little Malibu house if a city not carrying your favorite tea brand was going to absolutely ruin your whole trip. Kicking rocks.
On my way to see if there’s more. Enjoying the quiet until the monster shows up. They haven’t answered any questions I’ve been able to get in. Glad I’m not getting threatened over every single one now at least. The dry crumple and groan of sitting down in the grass.
Let’s see. I don’t know what exactly I’m being imprisoned for, some kind of group activity from hell it seems. I don’t dare ask about Quinn, Gideon, or whoever B was mentioned in the letter. And Blue’s made a couple slips where they’ve called me Georgia, and gotten frustrated about name changes and “bureaucratic paperwork” and then they do that thing where their… mouths grow and the teeth all come in and they lament about not being able to just tear me to pieces. You know, the usual.
It’s hard to tell with their endlessly cheery voice- which, they come up with a different reason every time I ask why they’re using mine- anyways, there’s something there, and I don’t actually think I’m in any real danger of getting shredded.
But they usually leave right after that. Just get frustrated and pop through a portal in the floor or ceiling or my fridge. Long pause. I can’t imagine holes between realities in my kitchen left and right can be good for the house.
I’m still trying to figure out the letters too. No word on how they end up here, beside’s Quinn sorting them apparently. Some bigger inter-reality which, honestly, if I think about that too much is a great way to spend an afternoon in a fun existential crisis. Further crinkle of grass being laid on. Long silence, the occasional bird.
This is too much for me. I feel awful, I’m sure I look awful. After last week my hair’s even… Trails off, sad and frustrated. Leaving Seattle was a mistake. Shoulda taken Cooper’s guest room for a few months, rest instead of leaping for a new project. This place found me, still can’t totally remember how I came across the listing, but it was right after reading some articles about Hartford and just… tunnel vision after that. I had to know. I had to come here. Sigh. Beginning to wonder how little of my own choice that actually was.
Wait… it was Kelly who mentioned Hartford. After she left. Do I… no. I won’t call her back. Well, I still can’t really make phone calls, the static is too much. Last time I called Coop it was bad enough on his end that it triggered a migraine. He was glad I called, but I won’t do that again. Mom was freaking out, we managed to have a two hour chat when the call finally went through. Most of it was repeating ourselves, but I think she’s convinced that I am actually alright. Deep sigh.
It’s almost noon, I’m going to get the mail and get this over with so I can get a start on cleaning out the shed. Recorder clicks off.
Later. Rachel is on the couch in the living room, nursing a mug of tea. Recorder clicks on.
Only one today. Pause. She is listening for something. Hm. Maybe I won't have a guest today. Another pause, listening. Not going to get my hopes up, but I’m also not going to wait for them.
This is- Paper ripping. - Written to me, no more ℅, someone got the new owner memo. From the… Dogwood to Cypress Loops HomeOwners Association. To the Livingstons of 1142 Spruce Loop.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Robert Livingston- Audible cringe- Firstly we of the Dogwood to Cypress Loops HomeOwners Association would like to welcome you to our humble community. While there are still boxes and a moving truck outside at the time of this writing- we ask that you clear your driveway and porch by no later than 8 pm tonight to maintain the calm and homey nature of our community- we must inform you of the prior owners inability to remain within the rules set forth by our fine association, may they rest in piece...es. Pieces. What the… Uhh, rules set forth by our fine association, and kindly request that you remedy these at your nearest convenience, preferably before the next community meeting on April the 29th. Outlined below are the list of complaints from neighbors and the association board. Thank you for your compliance, we would all like to extend a warm welcome to you and your family.
And then its just… Paper rustling. Two whole pages of complaints, with… dates and the remarking neighbor, and what’s wrong and what needs to be changed. Jeez, the hanging basket that was left on their porch is hanging two inches too low, and… The last owners brought… hummus and pita chips to the last meeting instead of homemade cookies. Hrmmmmmmmm // disgruntled noises.
Blue’s not here. I’m not going to read all of this.
Blah blah blah, vague threats, extreme judgements, Sincerely, Barbara Matthews, Dogwood to Cypress Loops HomeOwners Association Board President.
That was actually the only letter today. How nice. And no company either.
Which means… I’m going to send out some letters of my own. I don’t know how the mail system works, but it’s worth a shot. I should have some paper around here… The bump and rustle of a drawer opening and explored. Here we go. I’m going to get these out, one for Quinn, one for Gideon, hope that Blue doesn’t find out… they never said I couldn’t send my own mail. And then some more cleaning, I guess. Recorder clicks off.
Recorder clicks on. Later, Rachel is in the shed. She’s still sniffling a little. Okay, no more Margot, no more- what’s her face only got to see ehr once- just going to talk myself through this one. Found dad’s old Yellowstone bandana. Mom must have tucked it in with the photos at some point. It’s faded and coffee stained, but I can still read most of the map, and it still smells like that cologne he liked. He picked it up when we all road tripped out there the summer after moving to Olympia, tied it around his neck and hardly took it off the rest of the summer. The rustle of fabric as Rachel ties it around her own neck.
Starts and stops talking a few times, deep breaths, psyching herself up. I scared mom really badly. There’s got to be some way out of here. I tried going into the misty bits earlier, when I was by the road again. There’s a point where I can actually stand in it, it feels like, a sweet spot before I get yanked to the opposite side of the property.
It’s still an awful feeling, like getting pushed through an electrified meat grinder that’s floating in the middle of a whirlpool. Managed to not get sick this time. AND! It might just be wishful thinking, but I could swear for a split second that I heard Jade, but there was definitely a dog barking nearby. Still waiting to hear back about having the trees dropped off… Might text Andy… or is it Allen? From the hardware store. I know they’re friends. He brought my paint by when my car was broken, might… Long sigh. Not important right now. Where was I going with this?
It’s getting late. I’m just going to bring this whole box inside, find homes for all the photos. Recorder clicks off.
SABRINA
Hello lovely listeners and thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode. I am Sabrina, your editor and audio gremlin, or SABRINA- all caps, your writer and script king. If you are enjoying this show or, episode even- although I would recommend starting at the very beginning, you silly noodle- please feel free to go nuts and share on whichever social media platform you’ve passed possession of your soul onto, or leave messages for airplane pilots on beaches with seaweed, or even spam spam callers with your sweet, sweet recommendations. Also amazing and awesome are reviews! They’ll help get this lil project more listens, so if you have a moment be sure to pop down a word or two about what you think on your podcast app of choice, and I will do a happy squeeeee dance for every one. The curtains will be closed and no one will actually see me but believe me, there will be dancing.
As always, scripts are available on the website, www dot sabrinalucille dot com where you will also find some other fun things including coloring pages and soon some other projects, which may or may not include a coloring book-cum-choose your own adventure book regarding the appearance of a fairy ring in your backyard- so keep an eye out there or follow us on Instagram @star.room.studio, thats at star dot room dot studio to stay in the loop.
This week, music was by SAGITTA, and Rachel Bardin was voiced by Sabrina Green.
Lastly, from the back half of my left tibia, thank you for listening. Toodles.
