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The process takes me a couple of hours since I need to get insurance. The salesman is nice enough to drive me to and from the rental place so I can drop the car off and then pick up my truck afterward. He also recommends a roofer who would be able to patch my cabin quickly. I hire the guy with just a phone call, giving him my address so we can meet later.
I spend the rest of the day choosing paint, cleaning supplies, furniture, carpets, a mattress, and linens. Tomorrow, I would get a start on the repairs. In high school, I worked full time for a contractor during the summer of my senior year. My father wasn’t pleased about it, but I enjoyed working with my hands. I learned a lot about repairs and wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty.
It’s been two weeks since I arrived, and the cabin is shaping up. I painted the main room consisting of the kitchen, small dining area, and living room. Getting the wallpaper off was pretty easy since it was so old. It was cleaning the glue off the walls that were a bitch. I painted all the rooms one color, cream. It brightened up the place considerably.
In a day, I was able to gut the bathroom entirely. Only problem was that it has taken me a few days to tile the floor, put in a new toilet and sink with a cabinet, and paint the walls. Since it was the only bathroom in the house, I found myself having to brave the cold to use the outside toilet. I’ve been bathing at the kitchen sink until I finish the last of the tiling, which should be today. Tomorrow I might get to take a hot shower.
My voicemail is full when I check it. I haven’t bothered to call anyone back. Rory has texted me several times telling me that everyone is worried. I text back, saying she should tell them I’m fine and that I want to be alone. She is the only one I’ve communicated with since I left; well, her and Zane.
He informed me that he told Olivia why I left and that she’s beating herself up over being the cause of it. I told Zane that I didn’t care about what she had to say. I don’t want to be reminded of her.
In the early morning, I finish tiling the bathroom. As soon as I think it’s safe, I’ll put in the showerhead, and I’m good to go. It looks great if I do say so myself. In the meantime, I start putting in new kitchen cabinets. The granite company should be here tomorrow to put in the new counter and stainless steel double sink.
I had already torn up all the old yellowed linoleum that covered the entire open floor space of the kitchen, dining room, and living room. I previously bought engineered hardwood in a honey color, which took me three days to put down. Now all I need is to install the new molding, and I’ll be finished. My new furniture should also be arriving tomorrow, the load consisting of a large couch, loveseat, dark wood coffee table, and two-floor lamps. I’ve discarded everything, but the old bed and that will be replaced next week after I re-lay the floor in the bedroom.
Once I finish installing the molding and fill the nail holes, I replace the showerhead. The bathroom is finally finished, and for a moment, I stand in the doorway, looking over the hard work I put in. My phone rings, and I fish it out of my back pocket only because Zane said he would be calling.
“Hey, buddy, what’s up?” I greet.
“Just calling to ask what you’re doing for Thanksgiving.”
Shit, I completely forgot about the holiday, which was easy to do since I’m not around many people besides when I make trips to the home improvement store or to go food shopping.
“Not a thing. Why?”
“I thought you could stay with me. We could have a nice meal, and I could set you up with this hot blonde, I know.”
I laugh sarcastically. “This is a joke, right?”
“Luc, I worry about you. Why can’t you just hang out for a few days?”
“Because I can’t. I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine where I am.”
“So, you’re going to spend the holiday alone?”
“Does it matter?”
“To me, it does. I don’t want you to be lonely.”
“I’m not. I have plenty to do. The bathroom is finished, the kitchen is almost there, and the floor is installed.”
“That’s busywork, but it’s not time spent with people who you love.”
“Zane, to be truthful, I’ve given up on love.”
He lets out a loud sigh. “I didn’t want to unholster this, but I’m going to. Olivia knows she fucked up.”
“It’s too late,” I respond quickly. “For the weeks we were together, I expected her to come to me. To let me know that she loved me too, but it never happened. I’m not going to be a consolation prize.”
“And nothing I say will change your mind?”
“You’re not the one who hurt me. I’m better off staying here and working on my place.”
“Which is where?”
“Once again, nice try. The less people that know where I am, the better.”
“Suppose something happens to you? No one would find your carcass until the spring when you begin stinking up the joint.”
