Jimmy takes Kale from me. “I’m not sure yet. I have to survey the damage some more and price out materials. My insurance will cover part of it. I won’t charge for labor, either. Just materials.”
That’s a deal I know I won’t find anywhere else. He’s making this difficult to make any other decision than to go with him. “Just do it. Whatever it costs, it costs. I trust since it wasyourtree that fell onto my house you’ll be very honest and reasonable with your pricing.”
“I don’t price the materials. I am, however, able to take advantage of discounts.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Do you want to continue to stay at my place until it’s finished? Kale would love to have you.”
Stay at Jimmy’s house for the next few weeks? This is an invitation I certainly was not expecting. “Why? I can sleep on my couch. It’s not a big deal.”
Jimmy nods and grins. “At a minimum, I can start tomorrow. It may not even be until Thursday. And until I can at least get the framework done, there’s a hole on the side of your house. That’s not very safe.”
“From what? We live in one of the safest neighborhoods in probably the entire state. Besides, your dog’s barking keeps everyone away. I’ll take my chances.” I’m a grown woman and can take care of myself, thank you very much. I’m not too worried.
I don’t care for the way he eyes me up and down as if he’s calculating my self-defense skills. I’ve watched all three seasons ofCobra Kaiand I’ve seen allThe Karate Kidmovies. I know what I’m doing.
“Fine,” he says. “You know where to find me if you need me. I’ll be there tomorrow morning to take some measurements. Does that work for you?”
“Whatever gets my house in order the fastest works for me.” As I go into my house, I wonder if Jimmy and Kale are still outside. I pull my living room curtain back slightly. They’re headed back home.
I’m not sure why, but a dash of disappointment runs through me when neither of them glance back.
9
I kickoff my heels and head straight for my bedroom. My favorite pair of pajama pants and my light green tank top are calling my name. Even though I’m aware my bedroom is in complete disarray, a wave of shock still runs through me when I walk in and see the debris.Ugh. I pull the clothes out of my dresser and change with my back facing the big tarp. I can’t even look at it.
My doorbell rings. It can’t be Jimmy. He was just here. I open the door and my best friend Kayleigh plows through.
“I can’t take it anymore!” She shakes her head, her blond locks falling out of the bun she’s wearing. “Donovan’s mother is driving me completely insane.”
“Hasn’t she only been there a few days?” I take out a bottle of wine and pour her a glass. She takes a big drink, gulping almost a third down right away. I’m not refilling her glass, even if she asks for it.
“That’s too many! She’s calling me at work every time a thought pops into her head. I’m waiting for the phone call to tell me she’s peed and thinks she’s dehydrated based on the color of her urine.”
I cringe. “Too much information.”
“Sorry.” We both sit on my couch. “Try being the one hearing it every single day; morning, noon, and night.”
I reach my hand over and cup her knee. “It’s that bad, huh?”
“Girl, you have no idea.” She sighs as she rests her head on the back of the couch. “How’s your week been going?”
“Pfft. Not much better. A tree fell onto my house during the storm the other day.”
“What?” Kayleigh reaches out and puts her hand on mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I can’t believe you didn’t even notice when you pulled up. There is a big blue tarp on the side of my house.”
“I’m sorry. I’m in a complete zone trying to filter out Donovan’s mother. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I was asleep on the couch when it happened. It fell on my bed.Jimmy’stree. The same tree I’ve been insisting he take care of for the past few months.”
“No way. Are you having it fixed?”
“No,” I say as I stare into the abyss. “I plan on leaving it that way. It’s a very open concept.”
Kayleigh slaps me on the arm. “Stop it. You know what I mean. Is it in the process of being fixed? Can I see it?”
