Page 17 of Mountain Grump
There’s just the one, but that’s all I need.
I step into it and think the same thing I did the first time I came in here.
My bathroomis spacious.
It has a long vanity with a single sink and lots of counter space. Plain white cabinets below match the floor-to-ceiling cabinets to the right of the vanity. On the other side of the sink is a toilet. And then the shower.
It’s plain. But it’s bigger than the one I had in my apartment.
The house is bigger than anything I’ve ever had to myself.
My fingers fumble as I attempt to pull down the zipper on the side of my dress.
I pause and stare at myself in the large mirror.
“You’re fine.” My hair is a mess. My eyes are sore. My throat aches. “You are going to be fine.”
With purpose, I reach for my side zipper again and pull it down.
I exhale with accomplishment, then slide the straps down my shoulders and let the mud-stained material fall to the ground.
My bra and underwear go next. And as I drop the white material to the floor, I bite my lip.
When I fell… did that man see…
I shake my head.
It doesn’t matter.
Who cares if the grumpy ranger jerk saw my underwear.
Or my butt.
Or my thighs that aren’t toned.
I turn away from the mirror.
The plain white shower curtain is loud as I draw it back, revealing a clean porcelain tub with a standard shower head jutting out high up on the wall.
Uncle Jack was tall.
I swallow.
He may not have lived here full-time. And I may not have been here before. But I can see him in the details.
This was Uncle Jack’s home.
Was.
Because now it’s mine.
Reaching down, I turn on the water, and I cross my fingers, hoping the hot water situation works.
I’ve only ever lived in apartments. I’ve never had to deal with water heaters before. I don’t know the first thing about them.
I’ve never even owned a car.
Standing next to the tub, waiting for the water to warm, I shake my head. “What were you thinking?”
