“The Red House” by Sedem Akposoe

     The Red House here in Oysterville was built for my great-grandparents in 1872, shortly after they were married. It has been in the Espy family ever since. Over the years it has belonged to several of R. H. Espy’s children and grandchildren, including my uncle Willard. At the present time it is owned by three of my second cousins and their children – R.H’s greats and great-greats.
     The Red House is not to be confused by the other red residence in the village – the Red Cottage. That structure, far smaller than the Red House up the street, was also owned by Willard for a number of years. People sometimes become confused as to which one is which.
     In both cases, it was Willard who painted them red. Willard’s oldest (by several minutes only) daughter, Mona, does not exactly remember the painting of the Red House. But, she does remember that, when the family was living there in 1947, her father dashed into the neighboring field and painted the horns of a bull bright red.
     Mona particularly remembers what a kick her father got out of his accomplishment. She and I both surmise that he was taking a break from the house painting at the time. And earlier photographs of the house, though they are not in color, confirm that it was a lightish color – perhaps white or yellow.
     It was in the early 1970s that Willard and Louise bought the little cottage south of the church and, shortly thereafter, painted it red. Although I never thought about it at the time, it seemed to be his signature color, at least with regard to houses he owned in Oysterville. And the colors have stuck.
     Yesterday, my friend Nan e-mailed me a painting of the Red House done by her fifteen year old niece, Sedem. I do so wish Willard were still around to see it! Sedem took many photographs while she was visiting here last summer. Little did we know what she intended doing with them. In fact, we had no idea what a talented artist she is.
     And now, Nan says, she wants to visit again in August to give us the original painting!  On second thought, maybe it’s just as well Willard is no longer with us. I’m sure he would commandeer it on sight!