Chapter 7
Whitney
Saturday morning and I’m at the cottage early.
Today I actually want to move in, make the place my home.
Parking under the carport, I quickly grab the bags, which are nearly the last from the cabin.
I just have one more trip to get the things from the fridge and freezer, and I’m done with the place.
I wore a pair of jeans and a tee this morning, so it won’t matter if I get dirty with all the unpacking and building of furniture I need to do. Tying my hair out of my face, I rub my hands together and quickly make a start.
Leaving the front door open so fresh air and Oren can get inside. I’m loving that kid, and I hope it won’t come back to bite me in the ass.
In the bedroom I’m calling my own, I rip the plastic covering from the mattress and struggle to get it onto the bed. It’s a king-size bed, and it fits perfectly in here. The dresser, which includes a beautiful mirror and stool, is made so I don’t have that to build.
Finding the bedding that I want to use, I unwrap it and throw it into the washing machine.
Oh, do I have a line outside for the laundry?
I don’t remember seeing one. I didn’t purchase a drying rack either!
Dang, this is not good. I don’t want to use the dryer when the weather is decent, as I love the fresh smell the laundry brings with it when dried outdoors.
Unwrapping the pillows comes next, along with the extra sheets and pillowcases I purchased. Looking around, I’m happy that the rooms all have vertical blinds. It will give me time to purchase drapes.
“Whitney, Whitney, I’m here!”
That has to be none other than Oren, and I can’t stop the smile that is so bright it reaches my eyes I’m sure. I walk into the main open area of the cottage and see Oren and Clem looking around at all the boxes of purchases that I’ve not started on yet.
“Morning, Oren, Clem. As you can see, I have a lot to do today.”
“Morning, Whitney. Well, let’s make a start shall we?” Clem walks over to a box that has a dresser image on the front. Picking it up as though it’s not heavy at all, “Which room?”
I quickly rush to the room Lee will use when she visits and watch as Clem takes the dresser inside.
This room and mine both have a walk-in, so that saved me some expense.
But I want a dresser and an easy chair in both rooms. I need to put easy chairs on my list so that the next time I go shopping I can keep my eye out for what I want.
“Oren, can you help me unwrap things that need to go through the washing machine? We can make a nice pile so they are all ready when this load finishes for the next.”
“I can do that, Aunt Whitney.”
Now, I had not expected that to come out of his mouth, and I stopped dead in my tracks watching Oren ripping packaging from the new purchases I'd made. He’s not even realized, I don’t think, that he called me Aunt.
I’m not sure Clem will be okay with that, but as I’m flustered, I decide to leave it alone as it may be a one-off thing.
“This is pretty.”
“Oh, I like that.”
“I’m going to ask Uncle Clem if I can have a bigger bed.”
“Uncle Clem said I can help build the bookcase, and I can have one at his house.”
“Me and daddy are moving in with Uncle Clem. I’ll be able to see you all the time.”
I don’t have to answer anything Oren says as he speaks more to himself than me, but he can talk that is for sure. Half of what he is saying is going over my head until he asks, “Do you like Uncle Clem? You can go on a date with him, and then you could really be my Aunt Whitney.”
A chuckle comes from behind me, and a flush of embarrassment rushes up my cheeks when I turn and see Clem leaning against the doorframe obviously enjoying my dilemma.
“Well, what do you say, Whitney, fancy going on a date night? There is a small Italian family restaurant on the other side of town. We could see how good it is?” Clem raises a questioning eyebrow along with a smug smirk.
“Okay, why not?” I respond by calling his bluff. But I’ve just dropped myself in something, because he still looks smug. Shit, was he actually serious about asking me on a date?
Oren claps his hands excitedly. “Uncle Clem, are you ready to do the bookcase now?”
“Give me ten minutes, bud. I just need a cloth to wipe this dresser with. Whitney, show me where you want the dresser placed.”
We continue working until we’ve got everything as I want it. I emptied the washing machine and found a rotary clothesline, and I smile when I remember arguing with Lee as she calls them umbrella clotheslines.
Clem had gone home and brought back sandwiches, which he said he’d made earlier. He seems to be a forward-thinker, especially where Oren is involved.
“Well, I reckon you are all set, Whitney. Beds are all ready for you to make. Bookcase, dresser, desk built, and you’ve got everything else placed as you want it.
Does it look like home to you now?” Clem is looking around while having his hands on Oren’s shoulders, who is now leaning his back on Clem’s legs, and I admit looks tired.
“Thank you, both of you. I very much appreciate you two helping me. Oren, you’ve been a great help, and if you don’t mind I’d like to give you a hug.”
Oren launches himself at me and wraps his arms around my waist, hugging tightly. I, in turn, wrap my arms around him, and kiss the top of his head, whispering ‘thank you.’ We stay like that for quite a while, and Clem is patiently waiting, showing no sign of trying to move Oren away from me.
“Are you decorating for Christmas?” Clem asks. “Tomorrow or next week is what I mean.”
“I’m going to pop out to Walmart in a while, and I’ll pick up a few things I want for Christmas decorating. But I have to get things for the kitchen, you know like food.” I laugh at that, but stop when I see Oren has horror on his face.
“You don’t have food?” Oren looks at Clem, frowns and then snaps, “You need to make sure Aunt Whitney has food. That’s not right, Uncle Clem.”
Now, Clem looks mortified that Oren is blaming him for me not having food in the cottage, and I can’t leave him taking the blame, so I blurt to Oren.
“Hey, it’s nobody’s fault. I’ve just not had time to get to a shop since buying the cottage.
I’m going to drive over to the cabin, pick up the few things from the kitchen and then hand in the key.
After that I’ll go over to Walmart and get a whole heap of food, then tomorrow I’m cooking if you want to come eat with me? ”
“I’ll come with you to the cabin, and shopping. Yeah, I want to eat with you tomorrow. Shall we stop at McDonald’s today, because you know we’re gonna be hungry.” Oren is way too old for his age, but he’s easy to be around and doesn’t have that silly kid thing that is so annoying at times.
“Okay, that’s a good idea.” I look up at Clem, and he’s shaking his head at Oren. But I see the love shining through his eyes.
“How about we both go with Whitney, then we can get some groceries and pick up some Christmas decorations, too?” Clem asks Oren, but he’s grinning at me as he asks.
I shake my head at him as I smile. “Shall we go in my SUV or your truck?”
“We’ll go in the truck.”
“Okay, then. Let me grab my coat and purse, and then I’ll meet you at your truck.”
Clem gives me a nod, and Oren runs for the door shouting, “I’ll get my coat, too.”
Walking around Walmart an hour later, I felt lighter. Handing the keys back for the cabin was great. I had rented from a different realtor than the one I purchased the cottage from, and it’s very easy to note the atmosphere was more clinical at that one.
Clem has a cart, and so do I. But watching Oren pushing his cart is amusing. He checks what is in mine and Clem’s before looking at his own, which doesn’t have much. He takes out his wallet and checks the few dollars he has and looks at a large garden snowman, obviously more than he can afford.
“Oren, did I tell you I was going to pay you a wage for helping me today?”
Clem looks at me with a small frown, wondering where I’m going with this I’m sure.
“No,” Oren replies, standing next to the snowman he’s interested in.
I quickly check what cash I have and hand over the amount he needs for the snowman and a little extra. “Here you go. Now, I’ve got to go get some meat for the freezer and for tomorrow when I cook for us all.”
As I’m pushing my cart away I smile and turn, waving when I hear Oren shout. “Thank you, Aunt Whitney.”
“Well, that was nice,” I hear said from the side of where I’m walking. An older gentleman is smiling toward me.
“It was nice,” I reply and continue smiling as I head toward the meat section of the store.
My cart is piled high by the time I’ve finished shopping for decorations and food. I meet Clem and Oren on the other side of the checkout area.
“Wow, you got a lot, Aunt Whitney.”
“I did, didn’t I. But you know what? I’m ready to get something to eat, and a nice double cheeseburger sounds about right.”
After we’d eaten our burgers, we’d all unloaded the truck. It was too much for Oren. We took him to bed after he had sat on the sofa and fell asleep.
Clem’s house has a warm, friendly feel about it, and to say it’s a zone where men are usually the only occupants it doesn’t have that bachelor home sense.
I rinse and place the glasses we had used for drinks into the dishwasher and wipe the counters down before grabbing my coat ready to go home.
“Can I ask a favor, Whitney?” Clem appears behind me from where he’d taken Oren to bed. Well, carried him to bed I should say.
“Of course you can.”
“I’m getting behind with my work at the garage, what with my brother not being here, and having to have Oren when he leaves school. Would it be viable for Oren to be with you after school until I get home? It will be about ninety-minutes.”
Clem looks worried about asking, but I would never say no. Clem and Oren have been great. They have done more for me than my ex-husband had done in two years. “I would be happy to have Oren. Shall I pick him up from school?”
“No, if he is coming to you he can come home on the school bus. I pick him up because the bus doesn’t come past the garage.”
“Oh, okay. I am happy to do that, Clem. He is a great kid, and I’m half in love with the little devil already.” I give him a bright smile to show how honest I am being.
“Once Myles gets back, we’ll be back to a normal routine and one of us picks him up. He wants to be a mechanic, so he works on small things I give him to keep him occupied, and learn at the same time.”
“That’s a great idea. But anytime I can help I’d be more than happy to. You both have made me very welcome, and I appreciate it.”
Clem leans forward and takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, leaning down and kissing me right next to my lips.
“You are a hell of a person, Whitney. Oren already loves you. Now what about our date night? But, you know we’ll have to take Oren with us because, one, he’ll sulk if he doesn’t come, and two, we don’t have anyone to sit with him. ”
I laugh, “Well, I’m good with that. It’s going to be a threesome date.”
“You know he’s going to be around your place all the time, don’t you?” Clem asks seriously.
“Yes, and I’m okay with that, so don’t think he’s bothering me; he’s not. If I’m working, I’ll set him up to do something too, so it’s all good.” I head out the door and give a little wave. “Goodnight, Clem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Clem follows me to make sure I’m in the cottage before he replies, “Goodnight,” while turning and heading back to his house next door.
It’s been a productive day, and I’m feeling happier than I have in a long time.