She squinted at him. “Car knocked something down.”
Was that all she’d gotten from what he’d said?
“Do we know how long until it’s fixed?”
“Let me make some calls. Why don’t you…” He stopped when she cocked her head in confusion. Holding up one finger, he moved toward the hall closet and grabbed a blanket.
Tossing it on the couch, he signed, “Sit. I’ll call.”
He tapped the numbers of the property management for the building first. The answer he got wasn’t what he wanted to hear. Better check to see if they had enough supplies to last a day or two. Luckily, he’d gotten some wood for the fireplace in his bedroom. He’d looked forward to enjoying the real fire with Carli at some point this winter. He also had some stacked in the garage from last year.
His fridge had enough food for a while, though he’d lose what was in the freezer if power didn’t come back on soon. Not that he could cook anything without power. There was the grill on his balcony. Unfortunately, it was under two feet of snow.
After a couple more calls, he went back to the living room where Carli snuggled under the blanket on the floor in front of the fire.
“I’m sorry. There’s no…power.” Gah, he hated not knowing her language. Guess he’d gotten used to her having some hearing.
“It’s okay,” she said, touching his face. “Just talk, and I’ll get what I can. I’m used to this by now.”
“We really need to ramp up those lessons.”
Squeezing his hands, she nodded. “We will. Now, tell me about the power. It was caused by an accident.”
“Yes. It’s out all over this part of Boston. Plus, the hospital.”
“Oh, no. But they have generators.”
“They do, but the power company needs to get the power back there first before anywhere else, so it might be a while before they get to this street.”
“Should we check at the hospital to see if they need us?”
Always thinking of others. That was his Carli. “I already called. I was told they’ve got it under control and not to dare come back.”
“I texted Mercedes. My place has power. Do we want to go there?”
Hmm. Power along with a curious roommate, or alone with Carli having to snuggle for warmth. Not much of a choice. Especially if it was only for a few hours. They could manage. Plus, traveling there would be a nightmare.
“There’s no way to get there. The track is out on that line, and the ban on the roads is still in effect.”
“Will we be okay here? This fire is warm if you’re right in front of it, but the rest of the place is cold, and my guess is it will get colder.”
“I’m going to light the fire in my bedroom. That should help if I really stoke it. I have plenty of wood, and because I have apartments on both sides, above, and below, we won’t lose too much heat. We can close the curtains which will help some.”
“Okay, let’s do that.”
They got up and pulled the heavy drapes over the front and back windows then Blake got a fire started in his room. Carli stood in the doorway, watching. This was something he could get used to, her being here with him doing everyday stuff. Working together to obtain a goal.
“I’ll keep this fire going and the door open,” he said, making sure he faced her. “That should divert some of the heat into the living room and kitchen.”
After lugging up more wood, he and Carli set up camp in the living room.
“From now on, you should sign to me as you voice, so I can get used to seeing ASL and hopefully learn more.”
“Happy to.”
Laughing, he said, “That I already knew. Want toplaysome cards?”
Yes, she signed. No need to voice that.
