“Because, as I told you,” he said, keeping his voice steady, “It’s not fair for me to lead someone on, especially if they’re as nice as you say they are.”
Somehow, this satisfied her.Or maybe she thought she just needed to find the right person.
That was more likely.
And now, this neighbor.Annie.She’d gaped at him like he was a celebrity.It was embarrassing.
Had she concocted this whole thing to throw her hat in the ring?
No, that seemed unlikely.The request for help had come from Margie, so it was most likely legitimate.Or at least, he hoped it was.
“You’ll stay for dinner, right, Miles?”asked Margie.
It was best not to get too friendly regardless.
“It depends what Bella is up to this evening,” he said.
“She’s on her way over,” Margie said matter-of-factly.“She already said she’d stay.”
Oh well.“Sure, why not?I’m going to get started on this list.”
Annie popped out of the kitchen, then led him down the hallway, talking over the list she’d made for her mom’s return.
It wasn’t much, but Annie’s tone sounded as though she was asking him to remodel the kitchen.
“I don’t know if this is possible,” she’d start.Or, “If you think you could…”
He finally had to cut her off.“It’s really not a problem.This is a tiny house, and it’s nice of you to let your mom live with you.”
She responded with a hesitant smile.“Thank you.I appreciate it.”
He hoped he hadn’t insulted her, but it was too late.After all, it was a small house.Only two bedrooms, the first with two cribs jammed against a wall, and the second with a single queen bed.
Did she have to share a bed with her mom?Or did she sleep on the couch?
“I’m worried that all the toys are going to make her trip, and I’m worried about this bed, too.I don’t know how she’ll get out of it.It’s too tall.”
Miles shook his head.“This is a good height.She just needs a pull bar to steady herself.”
“Oh.”Annie frowned.“How does that work?”
“It slides under the mattress.It’s easy, so don’t worry about that one.”
She took a deep breath and nodded, eyes scanning the room.“Do you think we should move the dresser out to give her more room to walk?”
He shrugged.“We can, but where would you want to put it?”
“Good point.”She frowned.“Okay, now the bathroom.”
It was down the hall, a cramped space with a pedestal sink, a short toilet, and an old, high-sided tub with colorful bath toys spilling out of a hanging basket.
“I can get some pull bars in here, and a shower seat,” Miles said.
Annie nodded.“A shower seat, right.The physical therapist said that would be helpful.”
He made notes on the supplies he needed for the rest of the house.None of this was much trouble.The biggest project was the railing on the concrete stairs leading up to the house.
“I’ll go outside and measure now,” he said.“Do you want to pick out the railing?”
