Some things, p.20
Some Things, page 20
Please do.
I put my phone back in my pocket and opened the door, wanting desperately to see my girls.
Chapter thirty-nine
Dustin
Monday 10:12am
I woke up this morning and Archimedes was all up in my face. I think he missed me. How’s your morning going?
The girls are off to school, and I am typing away. How’s it going there?
Hammering, drilling, being productive.
I like the sound of that.
I thought you would.
Listen, mister, get your butt back to work! None of this lollygagging around.
Yes, ma’am!
11:35am
I’m thinking mac and cheese for lunch.
Ooh, going out on a limb.
Right? That’s pretty progressive mommying right there.
Absolutely. What’s it been… 24 hours since the girls have had mac and cheese?
According to Wren.
I think they will appreciate that.
I think so too. They’re so lucky to have me as a mom.
I sent her a gif of Borat giving a thumbs up.
3:47pm
I want to let you know that my love for black olives knows no bounds.
I am right there with you! Black olives are the best!
Don’t play with my heart like this. I won’t be able to handle it if you’re joking.
I would never joke about this. Black olives are in my salads, on my pizzas, on my fingertips at family gatherings.
This is what I’m talking about!
Enjoy your olives 😊
9:15pm
Just wanted to say good night.
Tuesday 7:23am
I am so sorry! I totally passed out last night. I was reading and before I knew it, I was out. (sorry if this is too early)
It’s never too early. You can always say hi at any time. I am usually up by 6:30 at least, anyway. Alien smut shouldn’t put you to sleep like that, though.
I finished that and started a high fantasy but the world building was a lot in the first chapter.
Ahh man, I hate that.
Yeah, it’s good, just put me to sleep.
I like that your definition of good includes falling asleep.
Nothing is done correctly if there’s no sleep involved.
Amen to that!
1:11pm
I sent her a picture of one of the living rooms with no floor.
When things are looking like this, maybe you shouldn’t come by the place.
Oh my gosh! But look at all that progress! I’m so excited. The floors are looking beautiful. Hehe
Yeah, they’re going to be fantastic.
Honestly, do you need anything from me?
Nothing pressing.
6:47pm
I made a pizza for dinner. Yummy! How is the place looking?
It is coming along nicely. You make pizza? Like from scratch?
I absolutely do and it’s sooooo gooooood.
I’m going to have to try some of this pizza one day.
It’s a secret family recipe. We’ll see if you’re worthy enough.
*holds tile for pizza ransom*
Ok! Ok! I give. I’ll make you some pizza. Just don’t mess with my tile, please.
Uh huh. That’s what I thought.
9:52pm
Good night! This high fantasy is pretty good but these eyes are sleepy.
Good night, angel. Talk to you in the morning?
Yes, please.
Wednesday 8:24am
The price of gas is ridiculous. Like, honestly, it’s absurd.
I feel ya! And my truck gobbles it up. I think it’s less potent than gas was when I was younger.
Good story, Grandpa.
Lol!
11:46am
Speaking of being a grandpa, my back is hurting.
You getting too old for your profession?
Yeah, no one warns you about the sudden realization that safety rails in all your rooms might just be a good design choice.
I’m gonna open the door to my brand newly remodeled house and find them everywhere, aren’t I?
Maybe…
Damnit! I knew I should have gone with that younger contractor.
Yeah, you probably should have. Too late now!
7:45pm
Man, today has been crazy. The girls were their own special kind of insane. I think Leah might be coming down with something. Poor girl.
Oh no! Do you need anything? I can stop at the store and drop off some meds.
That’s really nice but I got some things. I think she needs a good night’s sleep. She’s been a little off for the past couple days.
Well, here’s hoping she goes down alright for you.
Thanks!
Thursday 6:37am
Yup, Leah is most definitely sick. She’s got a fever.
Poor girl. Are you feeling alright?
I think so. I usually don’t catch the things they do but knocking on wood regardless.
I’ll do the same. 😉
Oh lordy…
7:46am
Check your door.
What?! You didn’t have to do that, but you seriously have no idea how much I want to hug you right now. Thank you so much for the coffee and muffin. And the meds will be helpful.
You’re welcome! Let me know if you need a refill.
I need an IV drip hooked up.
Noted.
10:14am
How’s Leah doing?
She’s resting. We’ve got on Rapunzel right now and she’s sucking on an otter pop so she’s perfectly happy.
An otter pop! Man, being sick as a kid certainly has changed. I never got an otter pop.
I’m incredibly sorry to hear that. You have definitely missed out, poor baby.
Somehow I don’t think you really are sorry about this.
Maybe try me again when my kid doesn’t have a 101 degree fever.
Noted.
11:56am
How’s the complex looking?
You’re bored, aren’t you?
Maybe…
It’s looking good. I’ll send you some pics.
That’d be great. I want to come by tomorrow but not sure about the sicky. Hopefully by the weekend, she’ll be ready to go.
Don’t bring a sicky to my work site. You’re going to pause all progress.
Noted.
Lol! I’ll take that as I’m rubbing off on you.
That’s what she said!
I can’t with you right now.
Aww, come on, you find me adorable.
Absolutely.
1:03pm.
Dustin… my man… you have got to stop with the food and beverage.
No.
Well, then…
Have you eaten yet today?
Um…
That’s what I thought, hence the food and beverage. Eat, please. You have to take care of yourself as much as you have to take care of the girls.
Thank you. This is really kind.
It’s what friends do. Enjoy!
3:17pm.
BRIAR!!!
That’s me… what’d I do?
Did you, by any chance, order a couch?
I did! Did it arrive?
It did arrive.
Quick question… did it ever occur to you to let your contractor know that you ordered said couch and that said couch was going to be delivered today?
It did BUT I got distracted by said contractor finding a long-lost post and going on a road trip and forgetting all about said couch.
Excuses, excuses… your couch arrived and it is really comfy.
Will you get off my couch!
Nope.
GRRRRR.
7:24pm
The girls are down for the count. Went to bed a little earlier than usual, but we can thank some meds for that. I’m going to go crawl into bed myself, but I wanted to say thanks again for everything today. It meant a lot.
I’m glad. Get some rest. You deserve it.
Friday 8:45am
Good morning, sunshine. Leah’s fever broke, good ole 24-hour bug, but keeping both of them home again from school today to be safe.
Wonderful news! How did you sleep?
Actually pretty good. How was your night?
Boring. Took Arch for a walk, made some dinner, and then watched a documentary.
Ooh, what was it about?
WWII. Yup, coins and history buff. I’m so cool.
You are cool! Leah and Adelaide definitely think so.
Well, their opinions are the only ones that matter.
I’m glad you think so too.
What are you up to tonight? Any chance someone can watch the girls and I can show you the complex?
What about tomorrow? I want to give it a full 24 hours with no fever before I let them around anyone.
Good call. Tomorrow would be great.
Ok, I’ll keep you posted on how they’re doing.
Chapter forty
Briar
Waking up Saturday morning with two incredibly hyper and healthy girls made me the happiest mom on earth. Stressful does not begin to explain what happens to me when one of my girls is sick. Worst case scenarios go through my head and half the battle is not going to the hospital for the smallest cough.
But that morning, there were no fevers, no lethargic bodies, no sore throats, and I could feel my blood pressure lower. Everything had been so chaotic lately, which was good, but it was finally starting to come to an end. There were still things to be done at the complex, but it was moving along nicely, and I had all the faith in Dustin to get it done as soon as possible.
“Who wants to go to the park today?” I asked after getting dressed and walking into the living room.
“Meeee!” the girls chimed looking up from the game of Uno they were attempting to play.
“Great! Marilyn is going to meet us there with Jordan and Kaylie. I’m going to go meet up with Dustin at the new house, and he’s going to show me around. Sound good?”
“I want to come with you,” Leah said.
“I want you to come with me, too, but Dustin doesn’t think it’s a good idea. There’s too much stuff around, but as soon as it’s a little safer, I will rush you both over there to take a look.”
“How will you know when it’s safer?” Leah asked while Adelaide nodded her head as if putting exclamation marks on Leah’s question.
“Dustin will tell me.”
“Hmmmm... Ok.” Leah looked skeptical, and I loved that quality in her.
“I will run over to you and jump up and down and shout that it’s time,” I said playfully.
Adelaide shook her head. “Mommy, you don’t do that.”
“Ok, I will walk over calmly and whisper in your ear.”
“Mommy! Just be normal,” Adelaide said.
I danced over to her, making her giggle. “Where’s the fun in that?” I asked as I kissed her on the forehead.
“I can dance too!” Leah shouted and got up to show us her moves.
“See! We can all dance over to put our shoes on and get to the park.” Leah put her hands on my hips, and Adelaide did the same to Leah as we conga lined over to the front door.
I dropped them off at the park and gave Marilyn a quick hug hello before I was back in the car headed over to the complex. Excitement pulsed through my veins, and I couldn’t wait to get over there.
I pulled up, and Dustin was waiting for me out front. He was on his phone but once he saw my car, he put his phone away and slowly walked towards me. I instantly smiled when I saw him. He had this instant mood booster effect on me.
“Hey there, beautiful. What brings you here?”
“Well, I don’t know if you know this, but I’m kind of a big deal around here.” I sauntered up to him joking around.
He whistled and backed up. “Oh really?”
“Yeah, really. I kind of own this building.”
He laughed and feigned amazement. “What?”
“Come here and give me a hug.” There was something about him being this close to me and not hugging me that was a problem.
“Yes, ma’am.” He had recently taken a shower, and he had that fresh smell about him. I had no idea what the scent was, but it made my body tickle with enjoyment. He let me go slightly, his eyes finding mine. “Better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“You want to see the place?” he asked like a child who has a brand new toy he wanted to show you.
“Absolutely. I’m so excited.”
“Well don’t get too excited. It’s not much, but hopefully you’ll like the progress.”
He took my hand, and I followed his lead up to my apartment.
Once at the top of the stairs, he finally let go to make a sweeping reveal motion with his arms.
“Ta-daaa!”
The place looked like a tornado hit it but then had tried to put it back together again. The floors were in, and the color was perfect. The kitchen wasn’t completed but all the old cabinets were gone. Carpets were pulled up in the bedrooms and the bathrooms were in a state of purgatory.
“This is horrible but in the best way possible!” I said as I came out from the hallway.
“I told you it was going to be hectic but we’re making progress.”
“The floors…,” I said looking around. “I love them.”
“Yeah, those came out really nice. And they’re so easy to put in.” He stomped down on them, testing out the durability.
“When is the kitchen going to be done?” I stared at the blank space in front of me trying to imagine how it was going to look all done.
“Probably next week. The cabinets are here, we haven’t put them in, yet, obviously.”
I turned my head quickly and asked, “Can I see them?”
“They’re downstairs in one of the garages. We can head down there, and I’ll show you those areas.”
The garages were in disarray also, but I knew they needed to look ugly before they could be pretty.
“And, here is your couch.” He patted the plastic covering and then sat down on the arm of it.
“Oooh! It looks fantastic. That was the definition of an impulse buy but I’m so not sorry I did it.”
“Anything else I should be expecting?” he asked, crossing his arms and then putting one foot over the other.
I tapped my lips with one of my fingers. “There might be some rugs showing up.”
“Wonderful,” he said, a little defeated, but I got the feeling he loved it.
“It is going to be wonderful! Why? Because you’re wonderful,” I said sweetly.
“Were you a cheerleader?”
“Absolutely not, but when you hang out with three and four-year-olds all the time, you suddenly become one.”
