by Marja McGraw
“I guess we’d better go eat,” I said.
The three of us walked companionably back to the house where we found Lucy putting the food out for us.
Lucy and David ate in the kitchen, while the rest of us ate in the dining room. Lunch was what I would call polite. We didn’t know Josh, and the three of us were a little subdued at first. He was congenial though, so it wasn’t uncomfortable, just polite. We finished eating and Josh retired back to the patio with a book, while Sharon said she wanted to write a letter to her parents, who’d moved back to Texas around the time my parents moved to Florida.
It was almost one o’clock. I sat down to wait the for the mystery man who’d failed to give me his name. At five minutes after one, the doorbell bonged.
I opened the door and was surprised to find Mike standing there. It suddenly dawned on me why the voice on the phone sounded familiar.
“Is this a joke?” I asked, smiling. “That is, you are here about the room, aren’t you?” I hoped I hadn’t jumped to the wrong conclusion.
“No, it’s no joke. I told you I knew a guy who wanted to move out of town. I just didn’t mention it was me.”
“You can have any room you want. At least that way I’ll know you’re going to be here for work every day. Which room do you want?”
He smiled at my little joke. “Second floor, front. I start work early, so I won’t bother the other boarders too much if I’m right by the stairs.” He’d taken the room next to Josh.
“Good thinking. When do you want to move in?”
Mike looked down his nose at me. “Would you mind inviting me inside?”
“I’m sorry,” I said, embarrassed that I’d left him standing on the porch while we talked. “Come on in.”
“I thought I’d bring my things with me on Monday morning before we start work,” he said, answering my question.
“You’ll love living here,” I said. “All you’ll have to do is walk out the door and you’ll be at work.”
“Which is exactly why I want the room.”
“Oh. You only want it until you’re done with this job?”
“No, I’ll still be here when the work is done. This place is centrally located for me. I can get to all of the surrounding towns with less traveling.”
“By the way, Mike, I’ll need to have the handyman check your door. I keep closing it and when I go back, it’s standing open again. The latch must not be catching or something. Anyway, I’ll have him take care of it.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll check it myself.”
“Okay.” I decided not to argue the point, hoping he was going to be this agreeable about everything.
“Where’s Lucy?” he asked. “I’d like to talk to her while I’m here.”
“She’s in the kitchen.”
He left my side and headed for the kitchen while I climbed the stairs to check his room to see what it might need. By the time I finished, Mike was gone.
Ruth Bell showed up right on time. When I answered the door I realized immediately that my assumptions about her had been right. She was a timid little woman. She was small and thin, with mousy brown hair, huge brown eyes, and she looked at the floor a lot. With those big eyes, she looked fearful. Maybe she really was frightened. It did seem difficult for her to talk to me. I had to practically lead her by the hand during our conversation.
“You must be Miss Bell,” I said, encouragingly.
“Yes,” she answered quietly, looking everywhere except at me. She simply would not make eye contact.
“Please come in. I’m Kelly Sanders.”
She even walked timidly – slowly and like she was walking on eggs. I didn’t know her and yet her attitude and shyness tugged at my heart. I felt like I wanted to hold her hand and tell her she’d be okay, which was ridiculous. She was only a potential boarder and she was an adult who could handle things any way she liked.
I pointed at a chair. “Have a seat and I’ll tell you about what Holt House has to offer.”
She sat down with her hands in her lap, her knees held close together, and she stayed on the edge of the seat with her back hunched. I thought if she practiced good posture and did something with her hair, she might not be half bad. Well, a little make-up wouldn’t hurt either, but it really wasn’t any of my business.
I told her about Holt House – she flinched when I mentioned the community bathrooms – and then told her of the additions I was planning. She nodded her head, but never said a word.
“Would you like to see what the rooms look like?” I finished my sales pitch and stood.
She mumbled something so softly that I had to ask her to repeat herself. “Pardon me?”
“Yes, please,” she said, ever so quietly.
We climbed the stairs slowly and I showed her Mike’s room.
“They all look pretty much like this one,” I explained. “Do you think you might be interested in living here?”
“Yes, ma’am, I am. Could we please talk about the cost?” She sounded almost apologetic for asking.
“Certainly.”
After a one-sided discussion she said she’d like to take a room, and when I asked her which room she’d like, I had to tough it out while she made up her mind. She studied each closed door, then methodically opened each one and peeked inside. Then she studied the closed doors a second time. I just couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She ended up deciding on the room across from Josh.
We took care of money matters and Miss Bell decided to move in on Monday night after she got off work. When she mentioned that she was a librarian, I almost laughed out loud. Stereotypes do exist.
I watched her walk to her car. She looked like she hoped no one would notice her. I wondered how she would ever be able to deal with a house full of people. I hoped being placed in a situation like this would help bring her out of the darkness I sensed in her.
At two o’clock James Thomas arrived. He preferred to be called J.T., and I took an immediate liking to him. He was medium height, heavy set and balding, and one of the happiest people I’d ever met. He was so cheerful that I couldn’t stop smiling. What a marked difference between Miss Bell and J.T. His eyes fairly sparkled. I went through the whole routine with him and he also took a room. It looked like I was going to fill the house quickly. At least I hoped so.
There were five bedrooms on the second floor, and I’d already filled three of them. J.T. took the master bedroom at the end of the hall on the third floor. I was exhilarated. Things were going well, maybe too well. Things had never worked out this easily in my previous life, the one before having money. It was a little scary and I felt like I was waiting for the big gong to signal fun time was over. Realizing how pessimistic my thinking was, I made a point of reflecting on and enjoying my current good fortune.
I had three more calls that day, one man deciding we were too far out of town, one woman who didn’t want to live in a “co-ed” house, and Ted Fernley who made an appointment to come out on Sunday.
The rest of the day was busy with helping everyone finish getting settled and helping them find their way around, and after dinner I finally got to sit down. The minute I hit the couch a memory jogged loose in the back of my mind. I stood back up and headed for Mike’s room.
When I’d taken Ruth Bell to see the room, I noticed that the dresser had been slightly pulled out from the wall. Now, as I turned on the light, I saw that it had been returned to its original position. I wasn’t a suspicious person by nature, but I was beginning to get an odd feeling about the room. Maybe I should suggest to Mike that he choose another. But no, that was ridiculous.
Once again, I knew my imagination was working overtime.
My head plunged a little closer to the sand.
Chapter Twelve
When I awoke on Sunday morning it was raining. Clouds had moved in overnight and it had begun to rain early. By the time I got up it was pouring, and thunder and lightning added emphasis to the storm. I watched out the window and saw
the treetops whipping around in the wind. Opening the window, I sniffed the fresh scent the rain had brought with it.
Oh, no! I’ll bet today’s appointments don’t show up. I closed the window.
After showering and dressing, I wandered through the kitchen, told Lucy good morning, and moved on to the dining room to look for breakfast. Lucy had set out warming trays with crisp bacon, breakfast rolls, fluffy scrambled eggs and toast. There was a pot of coffee, a pitcher of orange juice and my favorite, a pitcher of ice cold milk. I drink coffee, but a meal isn’t a meal without milk.
“Lucy,” I called.
“Be right there.”
I picked up a plate and began dishing up my food. Lucy entered the dining room, drying her hands on a dish towel.
“Will you look at this rain? It’s going to ruin everything. No one will come out today.”
“Thanks for sharing your mood with me. You want a little cheese with that whine?”
“Sorry,” I said.
“Oh, come on. It may clear up later. Wait and see.”
“I hope you’re right. Why don’t you join me
“No. If Mr. Forbes comes down, well, it just wouldn’t look right.”
“It’s going to be hard to get used to this kind of life. I promise though, when I can I’m going to eat in the kitchen with you.”
“You do that. I’ll look forward to it. In the meantime, I’ve got David for company. But when the guests are around, you stick to business and you treat me like an employee, not a friend.”
“I don’t know if I can do that.” She’d been right, I sounded like I was whining.
“Wait here and I’ll go get that cheese.” She turned towards the kitchen, shaking her head.
“Okay, you’re right. I’ll do an attitude adjustment while I eat my breakfast.”
Sharon passed Lucy on her way into the dining room. “Good morning, Lucy.”
“Morning.” Lucy left us and headed back to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” I said. “How’d you sleep?”
“Fine. The thunder finally woke me up, but it’s getting late anyway.”
“Late? It’s only seven o’clock. I didn’t think you ever got up before nine or nine-thirty on weekends.”
Sharon began piling food on a plate. “It just depends on my mood. Sometimes I can still sleep as late as nine o’clock, but not very often. Do we have to talk about sleeping habits?”
“Just making idle chit chat,” I said.
“Look at that rain. I love the rain. As soon as I eat I’m going for a walk.”
“Wait until the lightning stops and I’ll walk with you, if you don’t mind. I’m getting a little worried that my appointments won’t show up, and maybe some exercise will help my mood.”
“I hope so,” Lucy said, walking into the room with a plate of fresh fruit.
“Okay, okay,” I said.
The telephone rang and Lucy returned to the kitchen to answer it.
“It’s a Mr. Fernley,” she said to me, sticking her head around the door.
I groaned before I followed her into the kitchen. Fernley said he’d be over on Monday night instead of his scheduled time because of the weather. I thanked him for calling and said I’d see him then.
Josh came in and dished up his breakfast while I finished eating mine.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Good morning,” he replied. “How are you ladies this morning?”
“Well, thank you,” Sharon said. “And how are you today?”
“Very well indeed.”
I stood and picked up my plate. “Excuse me. I’ve got a few things to take care of Sharon, so let me know when you’re ready for that walk.” I left them to finish their breakfast in peace.
The rain was making me restless. I felt cooped up. I was pacing back and forth across the living room when the doorbell rang. I practically ran to answer it.
One of my potential boarders had shown up regardless of the weather. “Hello, I’m Marion Webster. I have an appointment with Miss Sanders this morning.”
“Hi. I’m Kelly Sanders. You’re a little earlier than I’d expected, but that’s okay.” Great! I couldn’t have said anything that would have made her feel more ill-at-ease. “I was afraid that with this rain you wouldn’t come at all,” I said, trying to redeem myself.
Marion Webster was an older woman – I guessed her to be close to seventy – but she looked to be in good shape. I had expected a younger woman from the sound of her voice over the telephone. I invited her in and we sat in the living room.
“Well, Miss Sanders, I must say I was expecting an older woman.”
I almost laughed, but didn’t tell her what my expectations had been.
“Aren’t you rather young to be running a business like this? I’m sorry, that was rude. Age has nothing to do with running a business, does it?”
“Not really. And you’re not rude, just honest.”
We settled back and I went through the whole routine again. She laughed when I mentioned tennis, hiking and skiing, and I had to laugh with her.
“The rest of it sounds quite pleasant though, Miss Sanders, even the pool.”
“Please, call me Kelly. I should mention all of the rooms are on the second and third floors, and there are no elevators.”
“That’s wonderful. Stairs are very good exercise. I’ve tried to keep myself in shape over the years. I exercise almost every day.”
“Well, follow me and I’ll show you the rooms.” I knew I was going to like this woman.
She was pleased with everything she saw and chose the master bedroom at the end of the hallway on the second floor. She wanted to bring a large trunk and an easy chair with her, and there was plenty of space in that room.
Marion left and said she’d be back with her personal possessions during the week. She wasn’t sure what day, but that didn’t matter.
There was only one bedroom left on the second floor – the front bedroom across from Mike’s room. I understood why no one wanted the third floor rooms, with the exception of J.T. Those rooms meant one extra flight of stairs to climb.
I looked out the front window and saw another car pull in. About that time, Sharon found me.
“The thunder and lightning stopped. Are you ready for that walk?” she asked.
“It looks like I’d better wait until later. Fortunately, people are showing up after all.”
“All that worrying for nothing,” she said, grinning. “Well, I guess I’ll walk by myself. I’ll see you later.”
She let Richard English in when she walked out the front door. He turned and watched her climb down the steps. He looked her up and down, not seeming to be able to take his eyes off her. The expression on his face made me uncomfortable.
“Mr. English? Mr. English!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. What a lovely lady. How nice,” he said, turning to me. “Two lovely ladies. Are there more?”
Oh brother! Not one of his kind. I didn’t care for the look in his eyes. It wasn’t flattering at all, and his tone of voice was suggestive. Richard English was about five feet ten inches tall and he was slightly pudgy. He had the doughy look of someone who hasn’t exercised or spent much time in the fresh air, but at the same time his skin appeared oily. His hair was so thick that it made him look like he was wearing a toupee.
“There will be at least five ladies living here, if you include my housekeeper, although not everyone has moved in yet.” I was trying to be tactful, remembering how I’d felt when Lucy judged David too fast. There wasn’t much doubt in my mind about Mr. English, but I knew I should give him the benefit of the doubt. I had to take my own advice or keep my mouth shut in the future.
I went through the whole spiel again. He seemed to like what he saw and decided to take a room. I’d given the speech enough times that it was becoming monotonous. He chose the room across from Mike. He had his things with him and would move in immediately, which surprised me. I had those nagging reservations ab
out him, but chose to ignore them, at least for the time being.
Now there were only four rooms vacant on the third floor, but time would take care of that. At least all of the rooms on the second floor were taken. Besides, I might need a room or two for vacationers. I wouldn’t argue if I had to let the rooms out to permanent boarders though.
In a way I was glad no one else would be out that day. I was tired of repeating the same things over and over.
I glanced out the window and saw Sharon and David walking together and it brought a smile to my face. Men were always interested in Sharon, but very seldom did anyone come along that caught her interest. She wasn’t conceited, just picky. She had a certain type of man in mind and so far nothing could budge her from what she was looking for. It didn’t seem like David met her criteria, but one never knew what life would throw at us.
As for me, I never really looked for anyone. I felt that when the time was right, that certain someone would show up. I certainly couldn’t force the issue, so why worry about it. On the other hand, Mike did spark something new in me.
In the meantime, I was glad to see Sharon looking so happy. I noticed that she was doing most of the talking and wondered if opposites really do attract.
Since nothing demanded my immediate attention, I decided to go up to Mike’s room and look around. Something just wasn’t right about that room, and I knew I’d better not let it go on any longer.
I climbed the stairs, and as I reached the last step I looked up and saw that the door to Ruth Bell’s room was open. As with Mike’s room, I knew I’d closed the door. She wasn’t there, so there was no reason for anyone to be in her room. I sighed before walking down the hall to take a look and close the door.
Entering the room I had a sense of movement, just as I’d had in Mike’s room. Most of the people here were strangers to me so I decided I’d look a little further. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary at first glance, my instinct was to check the closet. I opened the door and something dropped over my head. I tried to pull it off, but I couldn’t. Someone was pulling the cloth downward so I couldn’t see. I struggled, and in return for my efforts I was knocked to the floor.