Page 53 of Happily Ever Laughter

We walk up to the third floor, which is one giant loft-like space. Huge windows at both ends and exposed wooden beams give it an almost industrial feeling.

“Wow, this is even nicer than the space you have now,” Tanis laughs.

“That’s the idea. Upgrading all aspects of our lives. I’m thinking that all of my music and studio equipment can go in the basement,” I say, as I study the space. “I can sound proof it so that I don’t disturb you. And someday, the kids.”

“Or just one kid,” she laughs, holding up a finger.

“Yes. Of course.” I gesture to the east end of the space. “We can set you up with a video production studio here. If your desk and computers are at this end, and any larger cameras and lighting are at the other end, you’ll still have plenty of space.”

“And what will I be shooting that I would possibly require this much real estate?” she asks with a smirk, her eyebrow raising up with that saucy tilt.

Tanis has been building her portfolio for the past several months, doing plenty of jobs for Gretchen, MicroCity TV, and a few other freelance gigs.

Her lyrical style and simple but elegant animations have been catching everyone’s eye, and last week she signed a contract to do a video for a local indie music band.

It was the first project that she got on her own without any of my connections. When she told me about it, she had been so excited that she couldn’t even speak, finally having to pull up the email on her phone and shake it in my face.

I recall hugging her so hard I was worried I’d actually hurt her.

“Seriously, I really appreciate you thinking of all of this,” Tanis says, as I recognize the look of worry creeping through her eyes as tension tightens her forehead. “But my tiny fledgling career really doesn’t require this much space yet.”

“You’ve heard of how a turtle grows to the size of its enclosure?” I chuckle. “We’re using that line of thinking. Once we have the space, the bigger jobs will come. Right?”

Her lips press together in a straight line. “If we’re talking about buying some supplies, or taking a course, I’m with you a hundred percent. But this is a house. How on earth can we afford it?”

Taking her hand, we walk back downstairs and out into the garden. Since the house is empty, the benches out back are the only place to sit. Once we’re surrounded by the few small trees that have been planted so far, I turn to clasp both of her hands.

“What if we actually can afford this house?”

She rolls her eyes. “Unless you haven’t told me that your middle name is Rockefeller or Murdoch or something, I know you have to be kidding.”

“There are actually three expenses, and four reasons why we can afford everything.”

We’ve played so many brain teasers and puzzle games together that I can see in her eyes she thinks this is some sort of mental exercise. I sort of love that she isn’t taking me seriously in the slightest.

“Okay then. Sure. What are the expenses?”

“I can’t be driving Dan’s van around if I’m going to be taken seriously as a top level music producer. I need something small and sleek. And you’ll need the same to get to work. So the house, plus two small cars.”

Damn, I love the way her eyes sparkle and the way she grins at that beautiful, magical point where she’s fighting to hold back her laughter and is about to lose the battle. “No problem. Two cars and the house all at once. That’s the goal. How do we get there?”

“Oh, the cars are easy. We lease them for a while until we’re positive we know what we want, then we buy something.”

“With what money?”

“With the money we’re getting paid for our next freelance job together.”

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I show her the email from MicroCity TV.

Tanis reads the name of the project as if she honestly thinks it’s a joke. “Tiny Pet Possibilities?”

“Apparently it’s a joint venture with the station and a pet supply company. Fun little features on apartment and condo friendly pets. Or easy to care for pets, for seniors who live alone.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet.”

“I’ll be doing the music and you’ll be doing the video, of course. But you’ll also need to shoot some straight, regular video of the pets. They’ll have handlers to control them, and make them run around however you need them to. All you have to do is shoot a bunch of footage.”

Her eyes widen, then grow even bigger as I point to the number at the bottom of the email.

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