Page 17 of Steve's Barmaid
“Oh, this isn’t an attic,” I said in awe. “This is actually super cozy. And well-outfitted, despite the age.”
“Yeah, I noticed when I first inspected it. It doesn’t look like it has been touched since they passed. All of this furniture will likely have to go. That bed doesn’t look salvageable. Not that I am particularly interested in sleeping in a dead person’s bed.” Billie made a face.
“How do you think we will fit everything down the stairs? They are pretty narrow,” I said, walking around and looking atthe furniture. “The chairs would likely fit, but the dining table and the bed would have to be taken apart.”
Billie looked around at the furniture, hands on her hips, lips pursed.
“Well, we only really need to take the salvageable stuff down the stairs, so it doesn’t get more damaged. What if we got rid of the rest of the stuff a much quicker way?” She gave me a mischievous look.
“Okay, and what would be a much quicker way?” I asked, wondering where this was leading.
“What if we just threw it out the window?” She gestured to the large window at the front of the attic.
“You can’t be serious.” I moved in front of one of the chairs as though it were at risk of imminent defenestration. “Th-that just isn’t done.”
Billie was unlike anyone I’d ever met. She was seriously suggesting throwing old furniture out a window. Who would think of that? I couldn’t tell if I was terrified of her or enraptured by her.
“Why not? It’s not like it will matter if it gets broken. This old stuff will probably end up being used for firewood.”
“And what do you think Osif would say to this plan?”
“I happen to think he would say it was brilliant,” she said, puffing out her chest and smiling.
“Well then, you’re the boss.” I bowed.
“Oooh, does that mean I can boss you around?” She teased, tossing her curly hair to one side.
“I am at your service.” I smiled suggestively and then blushed at my forwardness.What has come over me?
“Oh, don’t tell me that. I might abuse my powers.”
“Why don’t we start by emptying this attic? Then you can think of other ways to use me,” I said.
“Oh, I can think of many ways to use you,” she replied tartly.
I could feel the heat radiating off my face. I needed to change the subject, having realized how forward I was being. “Should I run downstairs to get an axe to chop up some of the larger items?”
She laughed at my clear discomfort. “That sounds like an excellent place to start.”
When I returned with two axes, I was greeted by a vision of Billie levering all of her petite body against the window sill in a doomed but desperate effort to pry it open.
I placed the axes against the wall and rushed to help her. The window was probably stiff from having been shut for árs. Billie was pulling at it with all her might, but it refused to budge.
“Why don’t you let me try?” I asked, startling her.
She let out a breath of exhaustion. “Yeah, I’ve given it all I’ve got, and it won’t move.”
I stepped forward and examined the window. It looked designed to open upwards, with a large lip along the bottom and a small latch. The window was still locked.
“Did you consider unlatching it before trying to yank it open?” I pointed at the latch.
Billie put her face in her hands, mumbling something.
“What was that? I couldn’t quite hear you,” I teased.
“No, I didn’t see the damn latch,” she muttered.
“Would you like to be the one to unlatch it, or shall I?”
