“Can I get you anything else?” Riva noticed her copy ofPride and Prejudicemostly hidden under the bed. “Do you remember our agreement when you moved in, Kitty?” she asked, stooping to pick up the book.
“About reading that?”
“Yes. That was part of the deal. And you did promise to read it.”
“Or to watch the movie.”
“The book group might’ve agreed to that, but I never did.” Riva handed her the book. “Since you have nothing better to do andsince I’m still not sure about you remaining here, I suggest you keep your end of the deal and get reading.”
Kitty scowled as she opened the book. “Fine, but don’t blame me if it puts me to sleep.”
Riva glanced around the transformed room. “Does it feel good to see order in here?”
“Yeah, whatever.”
Riva didn’t expect a personal thank-you, but a little appreciation would be welcome. Couldn’t she see how much better this room looked? “Happy reading.” Riva carried the plate out, quietly closing the door. As she went downstairs, she wondered just how far she and the other housemates should go to help the mess of a woman who didn’t seem to want their assistance or even think she needed it.
After several days of catering to Kitty, Riva and the others were getting fed up. It wasn’t that it was that much work when shared by four women, but it was irritating to witness Kitty’s ingratitude and complaints.
“It’s understandable that she’d be edgy from being cooped up and in pain like that,” Riva said to the others while she finished loading a dinner plate for Kitty. “And she’s probably lonely too. I mean, none of us have been overly friendly to her, and she doesn’t have her salon gals around. I’m surprised none have come to visit.”
“Maybe they feel the same about her as we do,” Windy said glumly. “Safer to keep a distance.”
“But she needs friends,” Riva argued. With that thought in mind, she decided to take her own dinner plate upstairs.
“I’d rather befriend Cruella de Vil,” Laurel declared. “And I happen to adore sweet little puppies,”
“Well, I’m going to make an attempt.” She picked up both plates. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’ll be eating with Kitty tonight.”
“Don’t be too sure. She might just toss you out,” Fiona said. “I brought her a pastry from work and she just yelled at me.”
“Hurt people hurt people,” Riva said. “But I’m prepared for her rejection. I might be right back.”
“Good luck,” Fiona told her.
“You’ll need it,” Windy added.
“Watch your head,” Laurel warned.
By now they were all questioning how serious Kitty’s “sprained” ankle really was. Laurel was certain she was faking it, but Riva wasn’t so sure. Kitty seemed the kind of person who would be up and running if her foot was okay. Well, unless she was depressed ... or hiding out ... or both. Riva knew that Kitty was concerned about her ex showing up. At least, she claimed to be. Although Laurel claimed that was a hoax as well.
Riva knocked quietly on the door, then poked her head in. “Dinnertime.”
Kitty looked up from the book she was reading, squinting as if to focus. “Oh, it’s just you.”
“Who were you expecting?” Riva asked a bit hotly.
“Guess I should’ve said,oh,good,it’s you.” Kitty smirked. “Dinner already?”
“It’s past seven.” Riva handed her a plate. “I thought I could join you, if you want company. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Well, your company is better than others in this house.” Kitty picked up her fork.
Riva sat down, biting her tongue. She wasn’t going to allow Kitty to bait her into a silly argument like Laurel kept falling for. “Looks like you’ve made good progress in that book.”
“Yeah, once I got past the seriously boring factor, it got kinda interesting. Plus, I remembered how Marcus said he liked Jane Austen books.”
“Right.” Riva wasn’t surprised that Kitty would be more inclined to read Austen because of Marcus, just aggravated. “So can you relate to any of the characters?”
