Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [7]
Aged hardwood planks creaked as Katy joined in the tour of the quaint little house. Ivan Miller explained, “It’s been boarded up for years. We’ve been busy updating the main house and didn’t get to this one yet. We figured if somebody was game to fix it up, we’d let them live here rent free for a while.”
The girls exchanged hopeful glances.
“When you say fix it up, you mean electricity?” Lil clarified.
A sudden thrill tingled Katy’s spine at the idea of painting the walls a cheery color and choosing modern appliances and furniture. But could they swing it? Her pulse quickened. Could she still convince her parents to approve the idea now that her income had fizzled? Her dad took his role as leader of the household seriously. She’d have to convince him she could handle the responsibility.
Ivan nodded. “Whatever you want. Paint, indoor plumbing—”
“We’d like to keep the wood floors, though,” Elizabeth said. “We think it adds to its charm.”
“I agree.” Megan dusted the floor with the toe of her shoe. “Just needs a little sanding and polyurethane.”
The kitchen contained a green sink hutch with a hand pump. The refrigerator and stove required propane gas. Elizabeth explained, “You can share the wash room with the main house. It’s updated with a dryer, and there’s room to hang some clothes inside, too.” Katy had noticed a sidewalk connected both houses to the small building.
The bathroom was equipped with a toilet and a hand pump. A large tin tub hung on the far wall. Elizabeth shrugged, apologetically.
Katy made light of the inconvenience. “There’s plenty of room to add a shower or tub in here.” They moved into the hall, and Lil scribbled furiously on a small pad.
The wind groaned through a broken windowpane, and Ivan fiddled with some loose plywood. Elizabeth rested an arm across the small mound of her pregnant belly. “There’s only one bedroom, but it’s spacious.”
They all stepped into the center of the bare, windswept room. Katy
made a slow circle, assessing damages and imagining three twin beds and dressers in the room. “We could build a walk-in closet.”
Pointing her pen, Lil added, “Three twins would fit along that wall.”
“Or bunk beds,” Megan added. “Twins would be tight.”
Katy objected, but Lil and Megan volunteered to share a bunk bed and give her a twin.
“We’ll leave you girls to talk,” Ivan suggested. “Just stop by the house when you’re finished here.”
Still acting like a newlywed, Elizabeth clasped her husband’s hand and, with a parting smile, told the girls she’d put on a pot of fresh coffee.
“Thanks.” Katy watched them depart.
“What do you think?” Lil asked at once, her bright gaze indicating her own approval.
“I love it,” Megan replied. “I only wish I could move in with you guys. It’s hard to wait until graduation.”
“But you can stay over on weekends….” Lil started dreaming aloud then broke off when her gaze met Katy’s face. “You’re scaring me. What are you thinking?”
“It’s perfect. Only—” She shrugged and suddenly had to fight a rush of tears.
“What?”
Her mouth contorted uncontrollably, and she fanned her hand in front of her face.
Lil and Megan rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?”
She raised her hand to stay them. Her voice broke. “I’m not sure I can afford it.”
“Oh.” Lil’s gaze darted around the weather-damaged room. “Ivan said we wouldn’t have to pay any rent right away. We’ll need to make a list of what we want to fix and get bids for the work. But we can do it in stages.”
“You don’t understand. I didn’t want to spoil your Christmas, but I lost one of my jobs.”
“What!”
Megan pulled her into a hug, patting her back. “I’m so sorry.” Hovering, Lil asked, “What happened?”
Megan dropped her arm, and Katy shrugged. “The Beverlys are moving to Florida.”
Lil’s eyes widened. “Aren’t they the ones who pay you so well?” With a nod, Katy sniffled. “Yes, and the job will be hard to replace.”
“Wow,” Lil muttered.
“But you’re a good worker,” Megan reminded her. “You just need to get the word around