The Weekend

The scene was set. The actors were in place. The curtain opened as the green civic approached the narrow, gravel drive. Two rusty pick-up trucks sat in the parking lot. Overgrown weeds filled the flower beds. The unsuspecting players, Mike and Traci, walked to the manor house cautiously, unaware of the adventure that awaited.

They opened the large, heavy front door. A bag of kitty litter and dusty stacks of magazines welcomed them. An older woman with the distinct look of Mike's Aunt Donna approached the couple. She chatted for a bit about the price of food. The players were quiet. This was to be their romantic weekend getaway.

They slowly climbed the wooden staircase, jaws dropped, eyes wandering. Dusty antiques covered every inch of the mansion-- tattered silk flower arrangements had seen better days.

Traci, although confused at the setting, collapsed in bed before Mike returned with the suitcase, sleeping two hours.

It was dinner time. A candlelight dinner was planned. Mike and Traci took their seats at a cozy, corner table. The server lit the candelabra, setting a single, fake rose aglow. Sounds of Ozzy Osborne danced through the dining room from the kitchen. The players smiled. The players laughed. The players fully expected someone to tell them they had been transported to the Augusten Burrough's memoir, Running with Scissors or perhaps Hamlet would appear shouting, "I am but mad north-northwest!"

Nevertheless, the food was delicious, the time away from kids was needed, and memories were made of a unique 7th anniversary celebration.