FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE

 

 

 

 

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FRANKLIN FARM : MAIN HOUSE

Awakening herself from her nightly slumber, Sarah Lynn Saunders couldn’t help but elicit a smile knowing that on this date forty-five years ago, she and her husband Peter were joined in holy matrimony in front of their family and friends at First Street Methodist Church.

 

All of the trials and tribulations they have faced in their marriage have only made them stronger. And the memories of them raising their two daughters in this very house which sits on Franklin Farm. The 800-acre land that Peter and his sister Esther inherited from their late father in 1990.

 

Sarah Lynn is so enamored with her thoughts that she hadn’t realized that a familiar figure walking in the bedroom carrying a tray.

 

“Oh my goodness,“ she says, looking down at the tray to see two dish plates consisting of scrambled eggs, strips of bacon, buttermilk pancakes, and two glasses of orange juice. Peter Saunders, grins at his wife, places the tray on the bed, he then takes a seat across from her.

​

From the corner of her eye, she sees her husband entering the room.

 

“Forty-five years of marriage, and I’m glad I’m still able to keep a smile on that beautiful face. ”

 

He holds her delicate face as the two of them kiss.
​

“Louise here yet? " Sarah Lynn inquiries the whereabouts of their eldest daughter whilst putting strands of her loose golden blonde hair behind her ear.
​

Peter takes a sip from his glass. “She is handling the meeting with the suppliers," he said with a hint of uncertainty that his wife picks upon.

 

“Babe, you heard anything from Martha lately?"

 

At the mere mention of their youngest daughter’s name, the look on his wife’s face tells it all for him.

 

"I have been trying to reach that girl for the past few days now, but no luck.” she grimaces.

 

Ever since their youngest daughter, left Radcliffe for Los Angeles, two years ago, to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Both of them had their doubts about her moving two thousand miles away on her own in a place where she did not know one soul. Besides, Sarah Lynn knows from experience, it is one thing to be discovered, but to succeed is another.

 

"Martha will call us when she is broke … again.” he assures his wife.

 

She nods in agreement.

 

He then takes one of his wife’s hand.

 

“Get your glad rags ready, Mrs. Saunders, because tonight I am taking you to The Chateau for dinner. "

​
Sarah Lynn knows that her husband is not the most romantic person in the world. So she knows by him planning this evening away from home at one of few fine dining establishments in Radcliffe, Kentucky. It tells her that Peter is truly going above and beyond for an anniversary that she considers a momentous one.

 

"You still surprise me, Peter Saunders.” Sarah Lynn says. She then leans in to give her husband a kiss and a loving hug.
 

FRANKLIN FARM

​As Louise Saunders Lockhart steps out of her Range Rover, which is parked on the grounds of Franklin Farm. It is evident to her that spring is near, the sun is shining, birds are furiously chirping, not to mention the grass beneath her feet is beginning to thaw from the frost of winter.

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In the distance from where she is standing is her childhood home; the moderate-sized two-story farmhouse with its white aluminum siding, and trademark crimson red front door that every few years need a fresh coat of paint. But one of her favorite things about the house will always be the handcrafted wooden porch swing where she would sit for hours.

 

Although Louise no longer lives here, it still has a very special place in her heart as well as the whole land that it is on.

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She finds herself in her own world that she hadn’t realized that her husband is in the barn a few feet away, feeding dry forage to several of the cows.

 

Her husband Sean has been working on her family's land as long as they have been together. Today he is wearing a Red, white, and blue plaid shirt that vigorously displayed his muscular physique, with a pair of worn-in jeans and a baseball cap on his head.

 

"You're back early,” Sean Lockhart says as he continues to feed the cows.
 

“Franklin Farm has been conducting business with Mercer for years, so it isn't much of a formal meeting."

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“Well, don’t let your dad hear that.”

 

"Maybe it’ll be a good thing.”

 

Despite all of the years that Louise has been working on her family’s farm. Her father Peter, still tends to think that she is incapable of running it.

 

“Is everything for tonight?“ Louise asks

 

Sean puts down the bag of provisions on the ground and wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead.“ Yeah, your dad is taking your mom to The Chateau for dinner tonight."

 

“Good,”

 

Louise kisses her husband on the cheek, “ OK, I’m going to find my dad to tell him how the meeting went before he calls me himself.”

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ESTHER SAUNDERS STABLES

Pleased with the mane’s overall checkup, Steven Sullivan picks up his medical bag and with one more rub of the horse’s back leaves out of the stable and back into the chilly spring afternoon.

 

He heads into the office that smells of his mother’s signature fragrance. And Reba McEntire’s new song is playing at a good volume on the radio on her desk.

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The sound of her boisterous voice appears mere seconds before Esther Saunders does, as she comes out of the backroom.

 

“Keep ya shirt on, I’m right here son, “ she replies

 

“You’d be happy to know that Chestnut has a clean bill of health,“ he informs his mother.

 

Esther has a look of delight on her face that one of her horses is healthy.

 

“ Now let’s talk about the bill.“ jokes Steven

 

The older woman spots the younger woman walking up to the desk.

 

“What can I do for you darling?“
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"I called a couple of days ago, and was told today was the last day to sign up for riding lessons.“ the young woman looks over to Steven. Then the two of them lock eyes with one another for a split second. Esther glances between her prospective student and her pride and joy, sensing that they have some kind of attraction to one another.

 

“This is my son Steven, “ Esther says

 

"Where are my manners?" the young woman stops to remember she didn't introduce herself.

 

"I'm Courtney,"

 

The two of them shake hands their looks at one other don't go unnoticed by Esther.

 

Twenty minutes of information being passed back and forth between the two women concludes with their goodbyes to one another.

 

As Courtney walks towards the door, She waves at Steven who is now sitting on the edge of the desk and does the same. He watches her from the door speeding off the premises in her Audi A3 Cabriolet.

 

He then turns to his mother who has the look that reads; Do not entertain the thought of pursuing that young lady.

 

“Don’t !” Steven protest

 

Esther points one of her perfectly beige polished manicured finger at him. “The ink ain’t even dried yet on your divorce papers."

 

Steven sighs as his mother throws another reminder that his marriage of six years ended only months ago.

 

He crosses his arms on his chest. “Ma, that didn’t stop you from dating, after three divorces.” Steven retorts

 

“Don’t be a smartass,“ Esther replies in a somewhat playful tone.

 

The two of them laugh, relieving the small amount of tension in the room.

 

Esther then looks up at the large wall clock. “I need to go to the bakery, to pick up that cake. "

 

She scoops up her purse off the filing cabinet.

 

Steven puts both of his hands in his blue jean pockets. “What time do Uncle Peter and Aunt Sarah’s party starts again”?

 

“7, and, by the way, son, I am so glad you’re back home.”

 

During his separation from his ex, Steven moved back to Radcliffe from Lexington in order to get his life together, post marriage. Even though it does means that he is miles away from his son Evan whom he misses constantly.

 

He then follows her out of the office as the two of them to their vehicles to head out to their designated destinations.

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LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE

"We are leaving in five.“ Louise shouts out for everyone to hear.

 

She walks down the stairs in the residential lake house she lives with her husband and two children. She knows that they’re already running behind. Her aunt Esther sent her a text that she does not have to worry everything is set for the anniversary party for her parents.

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She stops to look at herself at the classic double wide mirror that hangs above the wall over the hallway table.

 

Louise then looks over to see her teenage fraternal twin daughters Lynn and Tanner Lockhart coming downstairs, thankfully the both of them were dressed and ready to go.

“Mom, your dress is on fleek.“ Lynn complements her mother on the sleeveless black neck fit & flare dress she is wearing.
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Louise turns away from the mirror and gets closer to her daughters. It only seems like yesterday that she was bringing the two of them home from the hospital. Now, they’re teenagers, so it dawns on her how sly sixteen-year-olds can be.
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“What do you want Lynn?"
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Lynn folds her arms perplexed that her mother knew she wants something. "Can I drive to Grandma and Grandad’s?" she asks. "I can use the practice with my driving test coming up in a few weeks," she adds.
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​"No, your father is tonight, and where is he? " Louise asks as to no one in particular as she was walking off leaving the girls near the hallway table.

 

“Damn it!”

 

Tanner puts a hand on her sister’s back. “Nice try Lenny,”

 

In the proximity of the hallway where the living room is located. Louise overhears Sean talking to someone on the phone regarding his plans for tonight. As annoyance rises upon her, she sees the girls walk near the foyer.

 

“Mom, what's wrong?" Tanner asks
 

Louise snatches the set of keys out of her black clutch and gives them to Lynn.“ Start the car,"

 

A look of small victory spreads upon the youngest twin, as the girls head out of the house.
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Louise turns around to see Sean coming out of the living room dressed in a black button-down shirt and dark jeans.

 

“Just going to my in-laws anniversary party.“ she mimics her husband. ​

 

Sean clicks his teeth at what his wife is getting at. "Well, what do you want from me? he says, Pretend once again we're not in a happy marriage again? " Instead of an op.."

 

Louise throws her hand up to cut off his next statement. It takes most of her willpower from her resisting to smack Sean across the face with the anger she is feeling over the rules they have discussed regarding his whore.

 

“Tonight it is about my parents. So let's drop everything for one night," she says it as more as a demand than a compromise.

 

The two of them head out the door into the sunset of the evening in complete silence.

FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
​The usual quietness inside of the house at this time of the evening is being replaced by various noises and movements of family and close friends in attendance to celebrate Peter and Sarah Lynn’s forty-fifth surprise anniversary party.​

 

The best of Captain & Tennille is coming from the surface dock, stationed on the mantel above the fireplace.

 

Esther casually checks in on the guests. She then spots her best girlfriend Mae Jackson coming out of the kitchen with two glasses containing an aqua blue concoction with a pineapple ring sticking from the side of the glass.

 

She hands Esther the cocktail. “Here you go, I think you probably  needed this."

 

Esther takes a sip of this drink feeling grateful that their twenty-nine years of friendship have made them in tune with each other imminent wants and needs.

 

“Thanks for this, and supplying the drinks, Darling," she says meaningfully.

 

Mae is the owner of the local pub, The Waterfall Bar.
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Mae waves one of her hands. 

 

"No problem." Well, it's not every day when I can celebrate my two good friends' longevity of marriage. "

Esther notices that her best friend's expression changed to more of a regretful one. If she didn't know her well she might jump to the conclusion of her being envious of her brother and his wife. Then the realization hits her like a ton of bricks. Mae is saddened that her late husband Horace passed away before their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. As much as Esther wants to cheer her friend up, she knows Mae would wave her hand and say that she is fine before changing the topic of conversation.
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Steven comes around and places one of his hands on his mother and the other on Mae's shoulder. “Everything is set up, it just needs Louise’s approval,” he informs them.

 

He is wearing a burgundy button-down shirt with a pair of black slacks and bit loafers. The women laugh at his comment knowing Louise’s Type A personality can be quite overbearing at times.

 

A flurry of greetings and hugs are exchanged from guests, as Sean, Louise, Lynn, and Tanner enter into the house.

 

A flurry of greetings and hugs are exchanged from guests, as Sean, Louise, Lynn, and Tanner enter into the house.

 

"Is everything to your liking Lou? " Steven asks

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"So far, So Good Cus,” Louise says, gesturing to the blue sapphire decorations that represent forty-five years of marriage according to her quick internet search.
​
"Your Mamma and Daddy are gonna love this." Esther proclaims. "It’s just too bad that Martha Rae couldn’t be here," she adds

 

“Well, maybe next time Aunt Esther.“ she tells her respectfully.

 

On par with the argument with her husband earlier at home, and the mere mention of her wayward sister’s name is now making her blood boil.

 

“They’re Here!" Tanner exclaims

 

She watches her maternal grandparents through the window, getting out of the truck in the driveway from her post at the window near the front door. She quickly flips the light switch, as people begin to move around to find a hiding spot.

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                                                                      ********

Peter and Sarah Lynn walk hand in hand towards their home in silence. Sarah Lynn lifts her head to stare at her husband

 

“Thanks for a lovely evening, and this gorgeous necklace”. She pats the 18k Diamond solitaire pendant that Peter surprised her with at dinner at The Chateau is around her neck.
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You're welcome,” Peter says when the two of them getting closer to the front door.

 

“Now where is my gift? " Peter inquires in a jovial tone of voice. It doesn’t take long for her to know what he is suggesting.

 

Gesturing her head towards to the door "Inside," Sarah Lynn says

 

Peter unlocks the door and as the two of them step into the house. Sarah Lynn then turns the light on throughout the living room.

 

Surprise!
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The room suddenly burst into a round of surprises as people jump up from different areas of the room.

 

“Happy Anniversary,” Louise greets her father as she steps to embrace her father and then does the same thing to her mother.

 

Peter puts his hands on his hip. “How in the hell did y’all pull this off?"
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“Well Peter, your daughter is the mastermind behind of all of this.“ Sean replies.

 

He places his arm around Louise an act that she does not question.

 

"And all of us folks helped out as well little brother." Esther chimes in, as she bestows pecks on the cheek to both her brother and sister-in-law.

 

After receiving more well-wishes from their granddaughters and friends. The two of them instantly taken back to their wedding reception when At Last is playing through the speakers. Making it even more intimate as if it was just only the two in the room as they dance in the center of the living room.
 

After the song concludes, everyone now is in the living room was now holding onto a glass of champagne and a select few with ginger ale.

 

Peter clears his throat to get the crowd’s attention. He then stares at his oldest daughter and his twin granddaughters Lynn and Tanner and lastly his wife beside him beaming with pride.

 

“ Y’all know that I’ve never been good at making speeches." he vocalizes. "I can remember the first time I met Sare it was summer, a hot one at that I was 19. My daddy was on the judging panel of the beauty pageant here in town. Imagine my luck to be around twenty girls in their bikinis. "

 

The room erupts into a burst of laughter at his speech. Sarah Lynn hits Peter in a playful manner wondering how their story starts off by girls in their string bikinis. 

 

But … once this beautiful young woman came on stage in a form-fitting seafoam green dress and as she smiled at the audience it was then that I knew that it was my life’s mission to make her not only mine but to keep her happy forever."

 

Peter holds back the tears in his eyes as Sarah Lynn wipes the water from her own. And the guests react to the story of his first sight with applause and uproar of happiness.

 

“To Peter and Sarah Lynn.“ Mae toasts

 

“To Peter and Sarah Lynn.“ the rest of the room repeats as they all take a sip from their glasses.

 

The doorbell rings which causes Sarah Lynn to excuse herself from a conversation with Louise and Sean.

 

She opens the door, discovering a woman in a fitted released denim shirt with a cherry red blossom floral mini skirt and her blonde hair is in a messy bun, carrying a tote bag and a rolling suitcase sits beside her.

 

“Martha," Sarah Lynn says in amazement.

 

“Hi Mom,“ Martha Saunders greets her mother.

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END OF EPISODE

 

NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN & COUNTRY

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Martha's return strikes suspicion from her family.

Louise discovers something out of the blue.

A celebration takes place at The Waterfall Bar.

 

 

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