Beth was already making notes on her clipboard. "I will see what we can do. Just to remind you, this home is on the list of historical places, so we may experience some delays."
Mike waved a hand dismissively, kneeling beneath the desk. "I have my ways. Just get me some sort of high speed line, I'll do the rest." He stuck his hands behind the desk, feeling for an outlet.
"Let me show you to the guest room," Beth said, reminding him that she was still there. Mike smacked his head on the desk as he stood. He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the top of his head as he followed her back into the hall. Beth opened up another door, showing him a plain twin sized bed with a large pink comforter. Daisies were embroidered across the top. The walls of the room were painted a robin blue, giving the whole space a dollhouse vibe.
"I have no words." Mike said, staring at the guest bed.
"I don't blame you." Beth opened up the closet. "There are some spare linens, but they aren't any better."
"What use does a shut in have for a guest room?" Mike inspected the closet. In the bottom, he saw another porcelain doll.
"My best guess is that it was a room your father stayed in as a child."
"You think?" Mike held up one end of the pink comforter.
Beth laughed. "I never said it was a good idea. Your dad had some cousins, and most were little girls once."
"I'm sure." Mike stared at the bed, his thoughts drifting. Was it actually possible that his own father had slept beneath this roof? The man had died not long after Mike was born, lost to an aggressive form of cancer. It was the same disease that had led his own mother to drink. Thinking of his mother, he looked at the tiny bed and shivered.
No fucking way. He needed a larger bed.
"Where did Great Aunt Emily sleep?" he asked.
"In her room, down the hall." Beth paused. "She died in there."
"In the bed?" Mike was already wondering where he could unroll his sleeping bag.
"No, if that's what you are worried about." Beth took him back into the hall. Mike found himself staring again at her butt. His eyes flicked up to hers as she looked back. "It's this one right here."
Beth opened up the door. The room was large, the ceiling elevated. Mike realized he was in one of the round, tower rooms he had seen from the front. The bed was centered along the back wall, a large four poster with draping curtains all around. His eyes followed the curve of the walls, taking in the intricate molding along the mid wall and ceiling. Two dressers, a standing armoire, and a mirrored nightstand were all uncovered by Beth as she made her rounds. A large opening signaled the entrance to the bathroom. Towards the other side of the room, a large oriental rug covered the floor.
"The rug is in an odd place," Mike said, pointing at it.
"It was some time before we found your aunt," Beth replied. "We're working on finding proper replacement material. It isn't easy to find hundred year old hardwood flooring that matches the surrounding floor."
"Why not replace it all?"
"Historical society, remember?"
"Ah." Mike stared at the bed. It was easily a king size. "Her heart gave out?"
"She was 96. It happens." Beth looked at her clipboard. "I made myself a few notes. I just need a signature to authorize some purchases."
"Of course." Mike ignored Beth for the moment as he walked in the bathroom. "Holy shit, have you seen this thing?"
Beth laughed behind him. "I have. Impressive, isn't it?"Click for part3