Page 28 of Ava
“It’s just that painting is so boring and tedious.”
“But, someone has to do it, and no offense, but it’s better that it’s not you.”
Justin started to argue, but looked across the table when Ava started giggling. “Sounds like you’d better give it up.” Then, she leaned forward, and whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear her, “I don’t blame you, I hate painting too.”
Justin shook his head, and finished his breakfast. When he was done, he looked at everyone, and nodded. “I’ll go talk to Chuck, and then go out to the camper to get my flyers. Be ready in an hour?”
“I can do that,” Ava said, and started cleaning up the plates. The boys had rushed upstairs to take a shower, and Dillon and Wyatt started with the plates also. Wyatt was the one to shoo her away to go with Morgan.
In the office where Ava had first met Morgan, she watched as Morgan pulled out a file from the bottom drawer, and carried it over to her. Instead of handing it over, she opened it and waved Ava closer.
“Here’s the list. I know not everything is on here, but we’re going to need eight bedroom sets, and I want the beds to have headboards and footboards, not like in the military when it was just a mattress on a set of metal springs.”
“So, box spring and mattress?”
“Yes, and I want them all queen-sized. I’m not going to monitor your comings and goings, but if something happens and you girls hook up with someone while you’re out, then there should be room in a queen-sized bed. I’m not encouraging it, but I’m not stopping it either. I know what it’s like to have needs. Just because you’re working for me, doesn’t mean I have to put a crimp on your sex life. I’m not like the military. Then, there should be eight dressers, and sixteen night stands—one for each side of the bed.”
Ava took the folder then, and went down the list. She grabbed a pen off the desk, and began taking notes. “Bedding?” she asked, and looked up. “Personally, I’d get two sets for each bed.”
“I agree. Until later if you guys want to purchase your own, but that should be good. At least four towels and washcloths per bathroom, maybe more. I don’t know how you guys shower.”
“I personally usually dry with one, and use that one to fluff up my hair.”
“Me too, but if one of the others has long hair, she might want to put it up and use one to dry her body.”
“Right, I understand. And I’m assuming you want living-room and dining-room furniture?”
“Yes, can you get a table that seats at least twenty? I know that’s big, but what if everyone is here, and they’ve hooked up with someone, and we join you guys, you know, for like Thanksgiving or something.”
“Ah, I know what you’re talking about, but it doesn’t have to be that big to begin with?”
“No, about eight to ten people.”
“Can I make a suggestion?”
“What’s that?”
“Why not ask Alan to build the bigger table?”
“Shit, I never thought of that.” She grabbed a sticky note and jotted down the reminder. As she turned back to Ava, she sighed. “For the living room, I was thinking of two couches, two love seats, and at least four lounge chairs, along with a big-ass widescreen TV.”
“Will you allow TVs in the individual bedrooms?”
“Of course, and don’t forget all the dishes, the pots and pans, the glasses, plates, the kitchen towels, pot holders, you know, all that stuff.”
“Okay, got it, just one more question,” Ava said as she continued to take notes.
“What’s that?”
“How many washers and dryers?”
“Crap.” She pulled her phone and sent a text. It didn’t take long for the reply. “Two, Justin said there’s a hookup upstairs in the common area, we didn’t go back there to look yesterday, but also a hookup in the basement.”
“Good.”
“If you have any other questions, talk to Justin, he knows how big everything is, and whether there will be space. Can you see if they’ll deliver the larger furniture? Get with Chuck to see when it’s good to have it delivered, or you can discuss it with Justin.”
“Okay, I got this. I just hope you trust my choices.”
