asked between yawns.
“Not much. Her name’s Susan Leadbetter. Other than that, she works at the Maple Leaf Care Centre and visited Mrs. Bellman twice a week. She seemed a little distracted, though, when I spoke with her. Maybe even a little evasive.”
“But she still agreed to see us,” I added.
“Yes, though that’s not necessarily an indication of a willingness to help. Quite often people will agree to answer questions in order to get it over with and get you off their case.”
Cordi was really starting to impress me. I admit that I kind of wrote her off a bit as a crazy cat lady who hoarded crap, but the more I worked with her, the sharper she seemed.
“I feel gross,” I said. “Can I use your shower? It’s all been such a whirlwind lately I’ve not had a chance…”
“Oh, of course! I’m sorry for not offering sooner. I feel awful. Making you stay here without a clean change of clothes. You must think I’m a terrible person. Here, let me go sort some clothes for you. I know you’re slimmer than me, but I have some clothes from when I was younger, they’ll be sure to fit with a little adjustment. Come on; let me show you how the shower works. It’s a little antiquated and fussy, but it does work well.”
I wanted to say no thanks about the clothes, thinking they were going to be moth-eaten bell-bottoms or some such horror, but Cordi was off and up the stairs, muttering what a terrible person she was.
Given how good she had been with me, especially with not asking too many questions, I decided I’d just deal with it and go by Sapphire’s later to collect the rest of my things, which only amounted to a single rucksack of leggings, old band T-shirts, and various items of underwear.
***
After spitting cold water at me, the shower head, a great wide brass thing like a sunflower, eventually sprayed the hot stuff, making me groan with delight.
I stood with my head bowed and let the water hit my shoulders and back to ease my muscles.
Although I’m quite used to sleeping almost anywhere, Cordi’s ancient sofa provided a new kind of chiropractic torture that twisted up my muscles. I leaned against the tiled wall and let my body relax.
Outside of the shower room, Cordi was bustling through cupboards and wardrobes, trying to find something for me to wear. I don’t know why, but I got images of floral dresses and beige slacks. That thought made me shiver, despite the hot water.
Easing myself straight, I soaped up and washed my hair.
It felt good to be clean again.
It’s easy to get used to going a few days without a shower when you’ve spent years on and off the streets or hiking through Africa and South America.
From beyond the door, Cordi called out, breaking me out of my relaxation. “Harley, dear, I’ve got some clothes and towels for you. Is it okay to come in?”
The shower curtain wouldn’t show anything, so I said, “sure.”
“How are you getting on in there, everything okay?” Cordi asked.
“Fine,” I said, letting the last of the shampoo suds wash away. “It feels great. Thanks for letting me use your shower stuff. I’ll pay you back.”
Through the shower curtain I saw her silhouette standing there with her hands on her hips. “I’ll hear none of it. In fact, I’ve been remiss in paying you your wages. When you’re finished, come into the kitchen and I’ll give you an advance. Given the sudden circumstances, it’s only fair. And no, I won’t have any argument, you hear me, Harley?”
I smiled through the stream of water. What had I done to deserve finding such an amazing friend and employer? I definitely owed Cole big time for setting this up.
Which reminded me; I’d have to send him a message and find out what was going on with my new ID credentials.
“Thank you so much,” I said. “Really.”
“Well, don’t thank me too much until you’ve seen these clothes,” Cordi said with a hint of mischief to her voice. “I’ll be downstairs getting ready.
“Not much. Her name’s Susan Leadbetter. Other than that, she works at the Maple Leaf Care Centre and visited Mrs. Bellman twice a week. She seemed a little distracted, though, when I spoke with her. Maybe even a little evasive.”
“But she still agreed to see us,” I added.
“Yes, though that’s not necessarily an indication of a willingness to help. Quite often people will agree to answer questions in order to get it over with and get you off their case.”
Cordi was really starting to impress me. I admit that I kind of wrote her off a bit as a crazy cat lady who hoarded crap, but the more I worked with her, the sharper she seemed.
“I feel gross,” I said. “Can I use your shower? It’s all been such a whirlwind lately I’ve not had a chance…”
“Oh, of course! I’m sorry for not offering sooner. I feel awful. Making you stay here without a clean change of clothes. You must think I’m a terrible person. Here, let me go sort some clothes for you. I know you’re slimmer than me, but I have some clothes from when I was younger, they’ll be sure to fit with a little adjustment. Come on; let me show you how the shower works. It’s a little antiquated and fussy, but it does work well.”
I wanted to say no thanks about the clothes, thinking they were going to be moth-eaten bell-bottoms or some such horror, but Cordi was off and up the stairs, muttering what a terrible person she was.
Given how good she had been with me, especially with not asking too many questions, I decided I’d just deal with it and go by Sapphire’s later to collect the rest of my things, which only amounted to a single rucksack of leggings, old band T-shirts, and various items of underwear.
***
After spitting cold water at me, the shower head, a great wide brass thing like a sunflower, eventually sprayed the hot stuff, making me groan with delight.
I stood with my head bowed and let the water hit my shoulders and back to ease my muscles.
Although I’m quite used to sleeping almost anywhere, Cordi’s ancient sofa provided a new kind of chiropractic torture that twisted up my muscles. I leaned against the tiled wall and let my body relax.
Outside of the shower room, Cordi was bustling through cupboards and wardrobes, trying to find something for me to wear. I don’t know why, but I got images of floral dresses and beige slacks. That thought made me shiver, despite the hot water.
Easing myself straight, I soaped up and washed my hair.
It felt good to be clean again.
It’s easy to get used to going a few days without a shower when you’ve spent years on and off the streets or hiking through Africa and South America.
From beyond the door, Cordi called out, breaking me out of my relaxation. “Harley, dear, I’ve got some clothes and towels for you. Is it okay to come in?”
The shower curtain wouldn’t show anything, so I said, “sure.”
“How are you getting on in there, everything okay?” Cordi asked.
“Fine,” I said, letting the last of the shampoo suds wash away. “It feels great. Thanks for letting me use your shower stuff. I’ll pay you back.”
Through the shower curtain I saw her silhouette standing there with her hands on her hips. “I’ll hear none of it. In fact, I’ve been remiss in paying you your wages. When you’re finished, come into the kitchen and I’ll give you an advance. Given the sudden circumstances, it’s only fair. And no, I won’t have any argument, you hear me, Harley?”
I smiled through the stream of water. What had I done to deserve finding such an amazing friend and employer? I definitely owed Cole big time for setting this up.
Which reminded me; I’d have to send him a message and find out what was going on with my new ID credentials.
“Thank you so much,” I said. “Really.”
“Well, don’t thank me too much until you’ve seen these clothes,” Cordi said with a hint of mischief to her voice. “I’ll be downstairs getting ready.
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