Page 118 of Love & Other Disasters

The house was tall and skinny with a cream stucco exterior. He’d told her about trimming the hedges. The front porch had a railing that had a fresh coat of white paint, but still needed plants or decoration to make it homey looking. The farmhouse style home appeared smaller from the front, but as he pulled to the side, it extended to the rear.

From the outside, it no longer looked in the disrepair J.P. had spoken of. But when a man who was used to working eighty hour weeks no longer had a job, something had to occupy his energy.

“I should take you in the front door, I’ve painted the living room. I’m not sure what this back room is for.” He unlocked the back door and held it open for her.

“It’s probably a family room, then. The other one is the formal living room.”

“There’s a bonus room on the third floor that could be a family room too.”

“There’s a third floor?”

“I think it’s a converted attic.”

The downstairs family room was empty, except an arm chair along one wall. A set of French doors led out to a deck and another set led into a small kitchen. The white cabinetry needed a fresh coat of paint, but other than that, the countertops were in good shape. A window over the sink overlooked the driveway and bushes along the side. In the living room, the freshly painted light gray walls stood out from the rest of the house, in a wonderful way. Here she found a sizeable space with only the couch, coffee table, and a television.

“I’m planning to refinish the floors soon,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a kiss on her neck.

“It’ll be really pretty.” A fireplace along the wall caught her attention. The wooden mantle was simple and also in need of refinishing. Large windows let in a lot of natural light. Violet imagined the comfortable space this could be. “Big room.”

“This part here,” he motioned to the area outside of the kitchen, “is the dining room.”

It made sense for the little alcove. “She didn’t have a table?”

“I’m guessing Ethan took it. He probably convinced her he needed it. He likes to use his multitude of kids as an excuse for everything.”

“Not sure that four counts as a multitude.”

The laugh in his chest reverberated through her. “How many kids are too many then?” His voice low in her ear.

“It’s a personal choice. I can’t pick for anyone else.”

“What’s your choice, then?”

“For me? At one point I’d thought about two or three. But I don’t know. Who knows at this point?”

“Want to see the upstairs?”

Violet nodded, ready to leave behind the subject of children. It’s not that she didn’t want any, but having a boyfriend who lived hundreds of miles away, the opportunity to have a child let alone children seemed further away. He took her hand and led her up the steps.

The second floor had three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

“I’ve been using this room,” he indicated one of the spare bedrooms and not the master. “Here’s the bathroom.” He showed her a closet with towels. Then leaned in for a kiss.

Violet wrapped her arms around him and melted against him. His hand swept up her back inside her shirt, and she froze.

“Don’t do that,” she stepped back. “I’m all sweaty and gross.”

He grinned. “You are far from gross.”

“Even so. I’d rather shower.”

He nodded and checked his watch. “Yeah, we need to get going here soon.”

He’d only taken one girlfriend to meet his mom before, with not having many serious relationships and living in other places most of his adult life. He didn’t have anyone to drag home on a regular basis. But he’d never imagined that he’d bring the woman he wanted to marry to meet his mom in a nursing home. And breathing became difficult as he drove them across town to the facility. He was happy to have Violet there, but what if something bad happened with his mom? Would it scare Violet too much?

“Are you all right?” Violet asked. “You’re quiet.”

He pulled the car into a space and killed the engine. “This isn’t how I wanted you to meet my mom.” She reached over and rubbed his hand. He turned his hand over and snagged hers up for a kiss. “And just a heads up, Mom could either be herself or not. Things can get weird at any time.”

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