“English geometric tile... pine hardwood parquet... I don’t know if I’ll be able to get this kind of stuff easily or affordably,” Joseph said, taking a quick look at the master list.
“You can also use the photo album for reference on the final effect of the interior decor,” she said. “There should be plenty of photos of most of the rooms in the house.”
Joseph sighed and shook his head as he tried to tally the possible costs of fixing the home exactly to historical standards. It could cost close to half a million dollars in materials when he was finished if he went along with Carolina’s request, and would take more than double the time than he had estimated to complete.
“I honestly don’t have any eye for style,” he admitted to the spirit. “I would be glad to take your advice and refinish the house your way, but I just don’t think that I can afford it.”
Carolina’s stony expression pinched into one of disappointment.
“We’ll find a way,” she nodded, then looked up. “There’s someone at the door, Joseph. You’d better go answer.”
With that, the spirit retreated into the shadows leaving Joseph even more puzzled than before. The telltale rap of the front door echoed through the cavernous home, causing both him and River to whip their heads toward the sound. Carolina was right. Someone was at the front door.
“Well, bud,” Joseph said, rising to his feet with the photo album still in his hands. “Sounds like we have a visitor.”
***
“Is this a bad time? This seems like a bad time.”
Rachel’s sister, Melissa, flew through the front door like a gust of wind, full of far more good, but hectic energy than Joseph could handle at the moment. His nephews, Jaiden and Malik, followed behind and immediately fell into play with River and the dog in the sitting room. Melissa moved toward the still under construction kitchen and shoved a cup of gas station coffee in Joseph’s hand.
“No, it’s a fine time. I was just going to bring River by your place.”
“Well, you weren’t answering the phone and I needed to go get coffee, so I thought I would just pop in and pick him up for you,” Melissa said, her eyes darting around the home. “Besides, I haven’t really gotten a proper tour of this spooky old place yet. You know me. I’m nosy.”
Melissa was indeed nosy but in an endearing sort of way. Though her boisterous personality could be at times, trying, he was grateful for his sister and brother-in-law’s support since he and River moved to St. Augustine. It was heartbreaking at times to hear the qualities of his wife’s voice echoed in her sister’s lilting southern accent, but being around Rachel’s family felt comforting at the same time.
“Well, there’s not much to see, unfortunately,” Joseph said. “I’m going to be ripping out walls and floors for a long, long time.”
“Okay, so that’s what I really wanted to talk to you about,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee. “I know that things have been hard, and that you’re using this house as a sort of therapy. I get it. But I was just thinking it might be nice for you to have some adult time and come out with me and Marcus once in a while.”
Joseph groaned.
“Mel...”
“I know, I know. You weren’t exactly into the whole social scene thing before Rachel died. But St. Augustine is a cool town, and I know a lot of people.”
“I appreciate the offer. I just don’t feel much like being social at the moment,” Joseph said.
“Cool, cool,” Melissa said, the squeals of the three boys from the front room suddenly catching her attention. “Don’t make me come in there!”
Joseph winced at her authoritative, booming voice, but the boys instantly fell silent again.
“Just think about it, okay?” Melissa said. “You’re too young to stay locked up in this old mausoleum of a house forever.”
“Mausoleum?” he said.
“Yeah,” Melissa said, digging her keys out of her bag. “You have to admit, this place is a little spooky.”
Joseph looked around, half expecting Carolina to appear at any moment. Melissa gave him a cock-eyed look of suspicion as she sipped her coffee.
“It’s not so bad,” he said. “Really, thank you. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to go out and get a beer or something.”
“Good,” she nodded, seeming not entirely satisfied. “Boys! Let’s go!”
Joseph winced again as he followed his sister-in-law toward the front door. River and his nephews were already out at Melissa’s van, piling in and elbowing each other for a chance to play with whatever electronic video game they were fighting over.
“Bye, son!” he called out.
