Something Old Read Online Free

connected both houses to the small building.
    The bathroom was equipped with a toilet and a hand pump. A large tin tub hung on the far wall. Elizabeth shrugged, apologetically.
    Katy made light of the inconvenience. “There’s plenty of room to add a shower or tub in here.” They moved into the hall, and Lil scribbled furiously on a small pad.
    The wind groaned through a broken windowpane, and Ivan fiddled with some loose plywood. Elizabeth rested an arm across the small mound of her pregnant belly. “There’s only one bedroom, but it’s spacious.”
    They all stepped into the center of the bare, windswept room. Katy
    made a slow circle, assessing damages and imagining three twin beds and dressers in the room. “We could build a walk-in closet.”
    Pointing her pen, Lil added, “Three twins would fit along that wall.”
    “Or bunk beds,” Megan added. “Twins would be tight.”
    Katy objected, but Lil and Megan volunteered to share a bunk bed and give her a twin.
    “We’ll leave you girls to talk,” Ivan suggested. “Just stop by the house when you’re finished here.”
    Still acting like a newlywed, Elizabeth clasped her husband’s hand and, with a parting smile, told the girls she’d put on a pot of fresh coffee.
    “Thanks.” Katy watched them depart.
    “What do you think?” Lil asked at once, her bright gaze indicating her own approval.
    “I love it,” Megan replied. “I only wish I could move in with you guys. It’s hard to wait until graduation.”
    “But you can stay over on weekends….” Lil started dreaming aloud then broke off when her gaze met Katy’s face. “You’re scaring me. What are you thinking?”
    “It’s perfect. Only—” She shrugged and suddenly had to fight a rush of tears.
    “What?”
    Her mouth contorted uncontrollably, and she fanned her hand in front of her face.
    Lil and Megan rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?”
    She raised her hand to stay them. Her voice broke. “I’m not sure I can afford it.”
    “Oh.” Lil’s gaze darted around the weather-damaged room. “Ivan said we wouldn’t have to pay any rent right away. We’ll need to make a list of what we want to fix and get bids for the work. But we can do it in stages.”
    “You don’t understand. I didn’t want to spoil your Christmas, but I lost one of my jobs.”
    “What!”
    Megan pulled her into a hug, patting her back. “I’m so sorry.” Hovering, Lil asked, “What happened?”
    Megan dropped her arm, and Katy shrugged. “The Beverlys are moving to Florida.”
    Lil’s eyes widened. “Aren’t they the ones who pay you so well?” With a nod, Katy sniffled. “Yes, and the job will be hard to replace.”
    “Wow,” Lil muttered.
    “But you’re a good worker,” Megan reminded her. “You just need to get the word around that you’re looking for more work.”
    Lil stomped her feet and blew out a puff of cold steam. “We already planned to dip into your savings. And we knew this place needed renovation. Until I repay you the cost of the renovations, I’ll be paying the larger portion of the rent anyway. And like Megan said, you’ll get more work.”
    Was Katy overreacting? She rubbed her coat sleeves and shivered. She’d gotten used to a cushioned bank account. And besides the expense of the renovations, there would be food to buy and other necessities.
    Megan pulled a tissue from her purse and shoved it in front of Katy’s face. “Here. Use this before your tears freeze.”
    “A heater would make this place more livable,” Lil observed. “We should probably get a quote for wiring the whole house. Don’t you think?”
    Katy nodded, stuffing the tissue in her coat pocket. “I guess it won’t hurt to find out if we can afford it. But keep in mind, we’ll need new appliances and plumbing and furniture and who knows what else.”
    “You’ll need beds and bedding, too. But my mom would donate some furniture,” Megan offered. “It’ll work out. You’ll see.”
    “Sure.