Ashley Enright and the Brand New Year (8 of 8)

“Well,” said Mr. Enright. “It looks like another case solved by Ashley Enright Investigations.”
“Not really, Dad,” said Ashley. “It was Gram’s painting, after all.”
“That’s right, dear,” said Gram. “But, I’ll leave the investigating up to you and Josh. I’d just like to go home and enjoy my photo of the lighthouse painting.”
“I still think that the ‘Dogs Playing Pokers’ would look great over your fireplace,” said Mr. Enright.
“Oh, Dad,” said Ashley. “Give it up!”
“That’s right, dear,” said Gram. “It simply isn’t funny.”
Mr. Enright chuckled and said, “Well, it’s a little bit funny.”

Ashley Enright and the Brand New Year (7 of 8)

The next afternoon, Ashley received a call from Kaitlyn who excitedly told her that they’d better come to the university to see what they’d found under Gram’s painting. Mr. Enright drove them all to the university. Kaitlyn greeted them at the door to the art department.
“Here, let me show you,” said Kaitlyn as she ushered them into a room. They walked in and saw a painting of a man dressed in black and white. “This is what we found under your lighthouse painting, Mrs. Waterford,” said Kaitlyn.
“I have to admit,” said Gram looking over the painting. “I prefer the lighthouse painting!”
Kaitlyn laughed and said, “I agree, the lighthouse painting was beautiful, but it was painted over a much older painting.”
“So,” asked Mr. Enright. “Who is this guy?”
“Well,” Kaitlyn answered. “We did some research at the library and, thanks to Kathleen, we believe that it’s a painting of William Justice.”
“William Justice?” asked Ashley.
“Yep,” Kaitlyn answered. “Donnybrook’s very own pilgrim.”
“Wow,” said Ashley. “First, we found his home in Justice Woods and now we know what he looks like.”
“That’s amazing,” said Mrs. Enright. “What happens to the painting now?”
“I spoke to my art teacher, Professor Powers, and he asked if you would consider donating the painting to the university, Mrs. Waterford?” asked Kaitlyn.
“I don’t see why not, “said Gram. “I certainly don’t want his picture handing over my fireplace!”
“That’s fantastic,” said Kaitlyn. “This will add to the university’s exhibit about Donnybrook’s pilgrim.”
“It’s my pleasure, dear,” said Gram.

Ashley Enright and the Brand New Year (6 of 8)

The doorbell rang an hour later and Ashley greeted Kaitlyn at the door.
“Come on in, Kaitlyn,” said Ashley. “Everyone’s in the kitchen.”
“Thank you,” said Kaitlyn as she followed Ashley into the kitchen.
“Everyone,” said Ashley. “You all remember Kaitlyn, right?”
“Of course, dear,” said Gram. “Thank you for taking the time to come over and look at my painting.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all, Mrs. Waterford,” said Kaitlyn. “It’s nice to see you again and Mr. and Mrs. Enright, too. You have a beautiful home.”
“Thanks, Kaitlyn,” said Mr. Enright.
“We’re glad to see you, Kaitlyn,” said Mrs. Enright. “How are things at the university?”
“Things are going well, Mrs. Enright,” answered Kaitlyn. “We’re on winter break right now. Classes start up again next week.”
Gram pointed to the painting on the kitchen table. Here’s the painting, dear. As you can see, it could use some cleaning.”
Kaitlyn slowly looked over the whole surface of the painting. She said, “It’s certainly a very nice painting, but…”
“But?” Gram asked anxiously. “But, what?”
“Well,” Kaitlyn said slowly. “I can’t be absolutely certain, but I think this painting has been painted over another painting.”
“What?” asked Gram. “How can you tell?”
“The painting does have some dirt on it, but, do you see those chips on the bottom right corner?” asked Kaitlyn.
They all leaned over the table and looked to where Kaitlyn was pointing.
“Doesn’t that just mean that the paint has cracked with age?” asked Gram.
“It could be, “said Kaitlyn. “But, when you look closer, there’s a different paint color underneath. See? It’s a dark brown.”
“I’ve heard of artists who reuse canvas,” said Mrs. Enright.
“Yes,” said Kaitlyn. “That’s very common in the art world because fresh canvas can be expensive.”
“I get it,” said Ashley’s father. “Starving artists, right?”
“I guess so,” Kaitlyn laughed. “If you look at the top left corner of the painting, you can see a lighter brown showing through those cracks.”
“So, dear,” said Gram. “What do we do now?”
“If you want to,” said Kaitlyn. “I can take the painting to our art department at the university and we can see if there really is a painting under this one.”
“I hate to lose my beautiful painting of the Donnybrook Lighthouse. It’s so peaceful and it would look great handing over my fireplace,” Gram said with a sigh.
“Why don’t we take a picture of it, Mom?” said Ashley’s mother. “Then you can enlarge and frame it.”
“That’s a good idea, dear,” said Gram.
“I’ll get my digital camera,” said Ashley as she ran out of the kitchen.
“I really think that’s a good idea, Mrs. Waterford, “said Kaitlyn. “It’d be really cool if there was a valuable painting underneath this one.”
“Or it could be a painting of ‘Dogs Playing Poker’,” Ashley’s father laughed.
“That would not be funny,” said Gram.
“Well,” Ashley’s father winked and said, “It would be a little bit funny!”
Ashley came back in the room with her camera and handed it to Kaitlyn. “Here,” she said. “You’re the artist, you should take the picture.”
Kaitlyn laughed and said, “O.k., if you insist.”
“Yes, dear, we insist!” said Gram. “If my son-in-law takes the picture, we’re liable to wind up with a picture of a giant thumb.”
Everyone laughed and Mr. Enright said, “Oh, come on, I’m not that bad.”
Ashley laughed and said, “Dad, we have an entire photo album full of pictures of your thumb, your ears and the ground!”

Ashley Enright and the Brand New Year (5 of 8)

They drove home to the Enright house. Josh thanked Gram for taking him to the estate sale.
“It was really cool, Mrs. Waterford,” Josh said. “Thank you for taking me.”
“My pleasure, Joshua,” said Gram. “I hope you enjoy your stamps.”
“Oh. I will,” said Josh. “I can’t wait to get home and show them to my Dad,” Josh’s father was an archeologist who taught at the university. Ashley thought it was cool that he was like Donnybrook’s very own Indiana Jones. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Ashes,” said Josh as he got out of the car.
“O.k.,” said Ashley. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”Josh left to walk up the block to his house. “Gram, are you going to come inside and show Mom and dad your painting?”
“I guess I will, dear,” Gram said. She got her painting out of the back seat and followed Ashley up the porch and into the Enright house.
“Mom, Dad,” Ashley yelled as they came into the house. “We’re home.”
“We’re in the kitchen,” her father yelled.
“How was the estate sale?” asked Ashley’s mother.
“It was great,” said Ashley. “Josh got some pages from a stamp collection book. I got this old-fashioned doll for me and a teddy bear for Kelly.” She showed the toys to her mother. “I also got you a book on Donnybrook history and I got something for you too, Dad.” She handed the book to her mother and the ticket stub to her father.
Her father turned the ticket stub over and over in his hands. “This is absolutely amazing. This is from THE World Series…the miracle Mets of 1969,” her father said. He looked at Ashley and said, “I’m speechless. This is unbelievable. It’s a piece of history!”
“What are you going to do with it, dear?” asked Ashley’s mother.
“Well,” Ashley’s father answered. “I’m going to frame it and hang it in the living room. I may even put a spotlight on it!”
“I’m glad you like it, Dad,” Ashley laughed.
Her father gave her a big hug and said, “Thank you so much. But, you know, I’m not kidding about the spotlight!”
“Thank you for thinking of all of us, Ashley,” said her mother. “This book will come in quite handy when I work on the Donnybrook Days celebration later this year. I know that Kelly will love that Teddy Bear and, as you can see, your father is completely gaga over that ticket stub.”
“Where is Kelly?” asked Ashley.
“She’s playing at her friend Ellen’s house,” her mother answered.
“And now,” said Gram. “It’s time to look at what I got at the sale.” She put the painting up on the table.
“Mom,” said Ashley’s mother. “That painting is beautiful.”
“I know, dear,” said Gram. “That’s why I bought it. I thought it would look great hanging over my fireplace.”
“I think you’re right,” said Ashley’s mother.
Ashley’s father gave a low whistle and said, “That is a great painting. But, it looks like it could use a cleaning.”
“I know,” said Gram. “I think it got dirty from the smoke from the fireplace. I was going to ask Ashley’s friend, Kaitlyn, if she knew how to restore it.”
“That’s a good idea, Mom,” said Ashley’s mother. “Why don’t you spend the night here tonight instead of driving home to Oakdale? It’s supposed to snow late this afternoon and I know you don’t like driving in the snow.”
“That’s true, dear,” said Gram. “But, really, Old Bessie is the one who doesn’t like driving in the snow. So, I’d love to stay over.”
“So, that’s settled,” said Ashley’s father. “Why don’t you call Kaitlyn and see when she can look at the painting?” He looked at Ashley.
“That’s a good idea, Dad,” Ashley said. She went into the living room and called Kaitlyn. She came back into the kitchen after a few minutes and said, “Kaitlyn said she can come right over and take a look at the painting. Is that o.k.?”
“Yes, dear,” said Gram. “That would be wonderful!”

Ashley Enright and the Brand New Year (4 of 8)

They walked in and out of the other rooms upstairs. Ashley picked up a teddy bear for Kelly, a book on Donnybrook history for her mother and a torn ticket to the 1969 World Series game for her father.
They came down the main staircase and crossed the main hallway into the living room. Gram stopped abruptly and said, “Look at that painting over the fireplace!”
The painting on the wall above the fireplace was of the Donnybrook Lighthouse at sunset.
”It’s beautiful,” Gram whispered.
”Yes,” Ashley agreed. “But it looks like it’s dirty.”
“Oh, that must just be smoke build-up from the fireplace,” said Gram. “I just love that painting! I wonder how much it is.”
At that moment, Estelle entered the room. “Were you interested in that painting?” she asked.
“Yes,” Gram answered. “How much is it?”
“Well,” said Estelle. “It’s truly a bargain. It’s a Donnybrook original by a local artist. The painting was done in the 1930’s and shows the lighthouse as it was in those days…
“O.k.,” said Gram impatiently. “That’s all very nice, but how much is the painting?”
Estelle looked up at the painting and saw a round blue sticker on the frame. “It’s $150,” she said.
“Wow,” said Josh. “That’s a lot of money for a painting.”
“No, dear,” said Gram. “It really isn’t a lot to spend for something that will give me so much pleasure!” She looked at Estelle and said, “I’ll take it!”
“Oh,” Estelle clapped her hands in delight. “I just know that it’ll be in a good home. I’ll get some help to take it down.” She left the room to find help.
“Gram?” asked Ashley. “Are you sure about this painting? It still looks dirty to me.”
“You have to see the big picture, dear,” answered Gram. “You have to be able to see what it will look like once it’s been cleaned.”
“How are you going to clean it?” asked Josh.
“I thought I’d ask your friend, Kaitlyn, at the university if she can clean it,” answered Gram.
Kaitlyn was a talented local artist who worked as a lifeguard at Miller’s Pond during the summer. She helped arrange to have Josh’s Jupiter Shadow comic book to be printed by the university press.
“Gram,” said Ashley. “That’s a great idea. I’m sure she’d love to do it.”
Estelle came back with a tall young man, Justin, who took the painting off the wall and handed it to Gram.
Gram thanked him and spent almost a full minute gazing at the painting. “I can’t wait to get this home,” she said. “I know just where I’m going to hang it.”
“Where, Gram?” asked Ashley.
“Why, on the wall above my fireplace, of course,” answered Gram. “Come on, kids, let’s pay for our treasures and go home.”
They went to the front room and paid for their treasures. They also thanked Estelle for her help.
“My pleasure,” said Estelle. “It looks like you’ll all be very happy with the things that you’ve bought.”
“I know we will,” said Josh.
They walked outside to the driveway and Gram opened the back door of Old Bessie. “Joshua?” she asked. “You won’t mind sharing the back seat with my painting, will you?”
“Not at all, Mrs. Waterford,” said Josh.
Gram got in the car and started Old Bessie. Ashley couldn’t believe it when the engine started right up.
“Wow, Gram,” she said looking in wonderment at her grandmother. “Old Bessie started right up. You usually have to pump the gas pedal!”
“I know, dear,” said Gram with a big smile. “I guess she likes being parked at an estate!”

Ashley Enright and the Brand New Year (3 of 8)

The first room that they walked into was the master bedroom. There was a magnificent four-poster bed in the center of the room. A desk by the front window had four pages from a stamp collection book on the top. Josh couldn’t contain his excitement. “Look! “ Josh almost shouted. “The sign says that you get all of these pages for only $10.”
“Is that a good deal, dear?” Gram asked.
“Sure!” answered Josh.
“Are those valuable?” asked Ashley.
“I’m not sure,” said Josh. “I’ll have to check my stamp book at home. But, my dad says that you should always get stamps when you see them and hold onto them.”
“Why?” asked Ashley.
“Because, they’re sure to increase in value over time,” answered Josh.
“Do you want to buy them?” asked Gram.
“You bet I do!” said Josh as he picked up the pages. “I’m glad I brought money with me. This is awesome!”
“Gee,” said Ashley. “You’re the one who was reluctant to come and you’ve already found a bargain!”
Josh blushed and said, “I know, sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, my boy,” said Gram. “That’s what estate sales are all about – finding bargains!”
They crossed the hallway and went into another bedroom. There were children’s toys all around the room.
Ashley picked up an old-fashioned baby doll that had a porcelain face and eyes that opened and closed. “Oh, this is so precious, Gram,” she said to her grandmother.
“It reminds me of a doll that my mother used to have,” said Gram.
“Do you still have it?” Ashley asked.
“Hmm,” said Gram. “Now that I see this one, I remember that I do still have my mother’s doll. It’s in a trunk in the attic.”
“Maybe you should get this one,” said Ashley. “Then you’d have two porcelain dolls.”
“No, dear,” Gram answered. “I think it’s probably better if you get this one and then we’ll both have dolls. ‘
“Really?” asked Ashley.
“Absolutely!” Gram answered. “We’ll take the doll with us and pay downstairs.

Ashley Enright and the Brand New Year (2 of 8)

At precisely 11 a.m., they heard a ‘beep, beep’ coming from the driveway.
Ashley laughed as she looked at her father and said, “Gram’s right on time. We’d better go, she only beeps the horn when she’s in a hurry.”
“That’s right,” said Ashley’s father. “She must want to be the first one at the sale! You’d better go. Have fun and I’ll see you later!”
“O.k.,” said Josh as he followed Ashley out of the kitchen and out the front door.
When they got to the driveway, Ashley laughed as she saw that Gram was about to honk the horn again. “O.k., o.k.,” she said as she opened the passenger door. “We’re here!” She sat in the passenger seat and leaned over to give her grandmother a kiss on the cheek.
Josh got in the back seat of the car.
“I’m sorry, dear,” said Gram. ” I just want to get to this sale and, well, you know how old Bessie gets temperamental.”
Old Bessie was Gram’s old blue Chevrolet that didn’t always start up the first time that Gram turned the key in the ignition. She usually had to pump the gas pedal furiously before the car would start. She’d always say that “Old Bessie always get me where I need to go…eventually.”
Ashley patted the dashboard and said, “I’m sure Old Bessie will be just fine!”
“I know,” said Gram. “I just like to be sure we have enough time.” She looked in the rear view mirror and saw Josh in the back seat. “Hello, Joshua.”
“Hello, Mrs. Waterford,” Josh said. “Thank you for taking me to the estate sale.”
“It’s my pleasure, Joshua,” said Gram. “I hope we all find great things to buy!”
“I’m excited, Gram,” said Ashley.
It didn’t take them long to drive to the McDoogan estate. When they pulled up to the house, there were quite a few cars in the parking lot.
“It looks like quite a few people are excited about this sale,” said Gram as she parked Old Bessie under the shade of an oak tree. The three got out of the car and walked up the front driveway toward the front door. They were awed by the size of the McDoogan estate.
Josh gave a low whistle as he looked at the front of the mansion with all of its windows and said, “There must be a hundred rooms in this place.”
“I don’t think it’s quite a hundred rooms, dear,” said Gram. “But, it is one of the biggest houses in Maine!”
They walked in the front door and were greeted by a grey-haired woman wearing a long blue dress and a white apron.
“Good afternoon,” she said. “My name is Estelle and I’m one of the volunteers handling the estate sale. Please take your time and look around the entire estate. Everything is tagged with a price. If you see anything you’d like to buy, just bring it to the front room here.” She pointed to a room to the left of the main staircase.
“Wow,” Josh exclaimed as he looked up. “Just look at that chandelier.” There was a magnificent chandelier above them in the front entry way.
“Oh,” said Estelle. “Are you interested in buying the chandelier?”
Josh turned bright red and mumbled, “No, Ma’am.”
Ashley laughed and said, “We’re just kids and we certainly couldn’t afford anything like that! He was just admiring it!”
Estelle laughed and said, “O.k., I just get excited when anyone expresses interest in anything in the estate.”
“That’s understandable, dear,” said Gram. “I’m sure we’ll find things that we simply can’t live without!”
“I’m glad,” said Estelle. “Take your time and make sure you see everything.”
”Don’t worry,” said Ashley. “I’m sure that my grandmother won’t miss a thing!”
They thanked Estelle and started walking up the main staircase. Gram had suggested that they start ‘at the top’ and work their way down.