No Place Like Home Ch 9 pt 3

1

As it turned out, her best friend had not called, however, there were several messages from her mother and one from Capital City Bank, informing her that they had approved her loan. Rose let out a yelp and jumped off the couch running outside into the front yard to look down the block at the old brick house. She was happy to see that the For Sale sign was still in the yard and stood there daydreaming for a moment. Nearly frozen by the northern Kansas wind, she ran back into the house, calling for her mother.2

Rose decided to break the news to her parents immediately. “Are you going to get a roommate?” her father asked, but before she could reply her mother interjected. “Why would she need a roommate she has a fiance? David should dump that pretentious castle he calls a house and move in with Rose… after the wedding, of course. Wouldn’t that be great? You’d be closer to us and he wouldn’t have to commute.” 3

Rose knew that her mother just wanted them close so she could see her future grandchildren everyday and although her mother’s intentions were good, she hated the way she tried to control her life. “I want to live on my own, mom. I’m actually relieved that I might not have to depend on anyone else.” Rose replied. 4

Her mother really did care deeply about her and sometimes that was the only thing that kept Rose from strangling her. “If I need a roommate, I’ll find one, but I can probably afford it, after all, my mortgage payment won’t be much more than my rent.5

“You have to figure in taxes and repairs.” Her father reminded her. “and I’ll help with whatever I can. Old houses can be a lot like old women...drafty and high maintenance.”6

“Or shifty and soft in all the wrong places.” her mother retorted.7

The rest of the evening Rose and her mother drug several boxes of Christmas decorations and ornaments out of the attic. Charlie and Richard spend most of their time outside putting up Christmas lights. When Charlie was around, Rose felt like he was watching her. Every time she looked up he would look away and Rose was beginning to get the impression that he was attracted to her, but maybe too shy to say anything.8

Charlie wanted, so badly, to tell her how he felt but it seemed impossible. His attraction was as emotional as it was physical and the lacy blue bra she’d hung over the lamp to dry was distracting him terribly. To avoid a potentially embarrassing situation he went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. As he was making his way down the hall, Charlie stopped to look at the family pictures hanging on the wall. Several photos of Rose growing up in chronological order held his fascination. Her hair had gotten darker with age and her face more angular, but the eyes were the same. Those green eyes that seemed to pierce his soul were staring back at him and Charlie felt weak. His admiration for her was elevating to monsterous proportions and he wondered how close he was to needing therapy. 9

Glen Campbell’s Christmas album could be heard from the living room and Charlie helped set up a rather worn, plastic Christmas tree. Once the tree was assembled, Rose and her mother descended upon it with a fury. Covering the thinning green branches with tinsel and candy canes, ornaments and gingerbread. When they were finished the tree was no longer recognizable. It’s bright star created a golden glow throughout the entire sitting room.10

“See what you can do with a little make-up.” Kate said, coyly glancing at her daughter.11

“Whatever!” Rose replied rolling her eyes.12

“Merry Christmas.” Richard said, and they all stood around the tree, caught in the holiday spirit.13