“Even so.”
“I don’t see why you’re being so resistant, Riva. This could be the answer to your prayers—and to your financial woes.”
“Right, just like winning the lottery.”
“Well, sure, go buy yourself a ticket. What are the odds now? One in a bazillion trillion. Look, you’ve said more than once that you might have to let your house go. And what will you do then? Live in some awful apartment like Windy and me? Seriously,renting out your rooms is genius. And Windy knows real estate. She probably quoted you some very realistic rental rates. You’d be a fool not to consider this. What if house-sharing allowed you to stay in your home?”
Riva wasn’t focusing too well. Instead, she was imagining herself living in a dingy little apartment like Laurel’s. It wasn’t a pretty picture. “So you would really recommend Windy as a renter? She doesn’t have a dozen cats? What about smoking? Drinking or drugs? Is she a party girl?”
“No, no, and no. She’s a solid citizen.”
“Yeah, okay, and excuse me for sounding judgmental, but she looks, well, kind of ... you know, kind of bohemian.”
“She wasn’t always like that. I knew Windy before her husband died, and she was totally different then. Believe me, she played a very traditional role. The perfect wife and mom. She worked part-time in her husband’s agency. But Bill’s death threw her into a tailspin. Her kids were already launched when she lost her home. That’s when she returned to her roots.”
“Her roots?”
“Her upbringing. In a hippie commune.”
“Oh, yeah, she mentioned that to me.”
“She started dressing differently, for starters. She said it made her feel happy and free. And she started taking art classes at the community center. She’s a really good potter. Anyway, I’ll vouch for her. Windy is a thoroughly good person. I’d absolutely recommend her as a renter. In fact, now I’m starting to get jealous. If you’re going to rent to Windy, what about me?”
“You? You’d want to live in a room instead of a whole apartment?”
“If I could afford a really nice apartment or condo unit, of course I’d prefer that, but my options are pretty limited.”
“You really think you’d be happy renting one of my bedrooms?” Riva felt skeptical.
“In your beautiful house? You bet I would.”
“What about Fred?
“Fred’s getting so old that he’s an easy keeper. With a sunny window to sleep by, his favorite kitty food, and a clean litterbox, he’s content.”
“What about your furnishings?”
“I can store things. I really should just get rid of all of it.”
Riva considered this. She and Laurel had always gotten along pretty well, but under the same roof? “I don’t know, Laurel. I’ve gotten pretty independent since losing Paul.”
“Don’t forget that I’ve been on my own a lot longer than you, sweetie. I’m fiercely independent myself.”
“I know, but what if sharing a house ruins our friendship?”
“Oh, I don’t think that could happen. After all, we’re mature women. It’s your home, and I’d respect that. And we could figure out how to give each other space.”
“I don’t know...” Riva told her the rent Windy had suggested, including the more expensive ensuite. “You might not want to pay that much for just a room.”
“Are you kidding? In fact, I want to put dibs on the ensuite. That’s a beautiful room, Riva. I always admired it.”
“Seriously?”
“As serious as a heart attack—just don’t have one.” Laurel laughed. “Okay, darling, I’m not going to pressure you further. Give it some thought. And pray about it too. Let God lead you in this. It’s a big decision. After all, it’s possible that you need to just sell and get out.”
“But you honestly think it’s a good idea to rent out rooms?”
“I think it makes perfect sense, but you need to feel at peace about it, sweetie.”
