1 1. Move in day

Mitch and his family were moving into a new house in the country. It was to get away from city life, and all the stress that came with it. They had found a beautiful home in the country surrounded by the woods. This would be the first time that any of them had seen it. The agent had emailed them lots of beautiful pictures of the cottage style home. It looked like something out of the seven dwarves. It was adorable. At first they thought that the agent had sent them pictures in black and white of their new home. But then the agent explained to them that the trees were naturally grey like that during that time of year. The agent also sent along a picture of what it looked like in the summer. The stark contrast of it was amazing! The leaves on the trees were such a bright and beautiful green, they looked even greener in contrast to the grey of the bark, and the black and white of the cottage. There was even a beautiful little flower bed full of colorful flowers. It was the perfect home! The previous owner had been an artist and loved the way black and white looked together. It was obvious that the artist knew what she was doing when this home was designed. The whole home had the theme of black and white, they had been informed. They would paint the inside after a while. The black and white seemed so dismal in winter.

They drove in a red mini van down the black paved driveway that led through the grey trees. The husband slowed almost to a stop, was that a spark of color between the trees? He could've sworn he saw something. His wife looked concerned next to him in the passenger seat.

"Mitch?" She asked. "Is something wrong?"

"No," he said. He smiled uneasily at her. He tried to make it look normal. He wasn't sure if she could see the alarm in his eyes or not though. "No, nothings wrong. I just wanted to stop and appreciate the trees."

His reassuring smile seemed to work for now. She smiled back at him.

"Okay, then," she said laughingly. "Let's get a move on; I want to get to the house before sundown. Besides I'm sure the agent's waiting." She paused. "What's her name again?"

"I honestly can't remember," he replied sincerely.

"It's Katie!" cried out one of the children from the back seat. It had been her best friends name in the city.

"That's right Judy!" said the mother. "I can't believe I forgot that."

"Luanne," said Mitch ___. "You always forget people's names."

She rolled her eyes at him, at the same time that she smiled. He was right; she did forget people's names. Katie the agent was going to meet them at the house.

*=*=*

The moment the mini van had stopped the children were out the sliding door. They scenery made it seem like they should be in black and white as well. But at the same time the children, their parents, and the mini van all made the scenery look like it should be in color. It was so contrastingly beautiful.

Katie, the agent, met them at the door. She was wearing a grey business suit, with black shoes. Her hair was grey, and even her skin was a paltry color, but that was to be expected. She was 65 after all. Luanne didn't like it, it made her uneasy. It was like her Technicolor family had just walked into a black and white film. Katie smiled at them in a friendly manor, and said hello to the children.

"Judy! Johnny!" She exclaimed happily. "How are you?"

"We're fine!" They exclaimed. Then they charged past her into the house. It looked like they were about to knock her down. She wobbled slightly, and then caught her balance.

"Are you alright!?" Luanne exclaimed all feelings of unease washed away by her children's fiasco. Katie nodded. "Judy, Johnny! Get back here and apologize right now!" She screamed past Katie.

"Oh no dearie," she said. "That's not necessary. I'm perfectly alright."

"I'm so sorry," Luanne said.

"No, no really," said Katie full of sincerity. "They're just excited."

"Mitch," Katie half shouted to Mitch who was still in the mini van staring out into the wood. He looked her way surprised to hear his name. "Drive around back. We'll meet you at the garage."

He smiled and waved, with one last look in the direction he had been staring, he drove toward the back of the house.