Accessible Ramp.
Shit.
I have no way of making this, and I haven’t done any research on contractors in the area. My heart sinks as the feeling of being behind slaps me in the face. No matter how many times I look at the checkedboxes above, I can’t convince myself I’m doing enough. I know it’s just Jerry. God, when will he go away!
A reply comes in from Renee.
Renee:I know a few places! What you up to today?
Fortuitous.
Cait:Other than needing a working stove and fridge, I’ve gotta figure out how to build a wheelchair accessible ramp to the second floor…
Renee:OOOOOOH that sounds like fun! Need help?
Cait:A thousand times yes. I’ve listened to so many DIY podcasts, but one can only get so far with listening.
Renee:I’ll be over in a flash with my stuff!
My shoulders relax a little and I let out a breath. Thank goodness I was able to make a friend. I ought to do something special for her…like figure out her favorite book and do a bind!
I do all the morning things I hadn’t done yet and get dressed for hard labor in dark jeans with a tattered sweater. Bastian is scooping up handfuls of mites and clapping them out of existence when I walk by the bedroom.
“Renee is coming over to help with some construction planning,” I say. “She’s nice, so don’t be a jerk, and also she saw us walking together to the restaurant a few days ago, so you need to look human when she gets here.”
And he’s going to be wearing the same clothes…
“Another pink flesh,” he groans, then starts going off in a language I don’t know.
I open my Purchazon app to buy a few more shirts and different sweatpants for him as he rambles.
“Seriously, she’s my only friend in this place.” I point at him. “Don’t. Be. A dick.”
“Not youronlyfriend,” he replies.
I hum. “You’re right. I have Oscar.”
He frowns at me, borderline pouting, and it’s genuine. He looks undeniably hot and adorable. A week together has smoothed out his jagged edges, though he’s still a scamp and a tease. But I do feel an attachment for him that I didn’t expect. Friend. Hot friend. But yeah, I think maybe he is.
“Fine,” I sigh at him dramatically and smile. “A dragon friend, too. Now, put on your human skin so you can fool the other pink flesh.”
seventeen
Kindred Spirits
Renee arrives at the office door thirty minutes later in an outfit I would say is not for hard labor, but what do I know? She’s in a knee-length dress that’s black with electric blue octopus arms squiggling up from the bottom. The chest is a crisscross pentagram design, and the front has eyelets for blue ribbon she’s laced with Xs. Her hair is in two buns on top of her head, and she’s got matching blue lipstick on. Top it off with the thickest platform boots I’ve ever seen, and ripped fishnet leggings…
This woman is an icon.
“Hi!” she declares as she pushes into the shop and gives me a hug.
I accept it with a little bafflement and look at Bastian. He wears a smug expression until Renee’s reaching arms move from me to him.
“Nice to meet you,” she says as she descends on him. “I’m Renee.”
