Harper

try thi

��

ht fixture. Then I remember Jerry was loose in the basement. I looked

door, and I answered it to

s again and try not

if I didn��t h

t��s your

e a mouse.�

�A mo

e outside, but inside is a no. Matthew opened the do

because I refuse to hang out with a mouse. I stood there until I heard boots h

as scratching,

or water.�� Matthew took the container outside and opened it. He release

seemed scary.

ed it poison. Other animals consume them

lize you had a soft

d it helps to understa

e you a

ronment. Plus, they deserve a chance at life. Now, le

Matthew finished, placing bulbs in the sockets and securing the globe. He stepped down,

itchen has light

you learn abou

taught me. Grandpa Nash wa

taught me t

w furrowed

o fend for myself.�� I sat down in a chair. ��Sin

ear of someone you love.�� Mat

my home. It��s not much, but I can fix

ou went to school to dra

change majors. When I applied at the hotel, I hoped to get pro

want to weep in front of him, exposing my failure. M

�

�**

�

��

tt isn��t the same girl sitting here. I

as a housekeeper. It��s an honest job, a

leave rooms trashed. It��s j

aw her. Her face matured, and her br

you meet anyone?�� Nora ask

��Ye

Is she a s

l is kind, funny, smart, and beautif

her lips. ��That��s great. You d

t the situation. I don��t w

suck.�� Nora smiled,

ith home repairs, I wouldn��t mind helpin

. I promise not to electr

chance to spend time with Nora. After

�

�**

�

��

ugh I wanted to die inside. Once again, I smi

h. Do you want me to grab you

��s unne

�s not a

for a burger, f

�ll be back.��

out with Matthew, and nothing would happen between us

on me and give me a cat or

�

�**

�

��

drinks on the table. Nora opened the bag as I s

k you a questi

s.�� Nora bi

think you��re good

ead and arched a brow

t give yourself

u left. It��s difficult to meet some

had issues with guys, or

mean.�� Nora sipped her drink

came for Christmas, I came t

rink and coughed. I got

it somethi

Nora coughed, gr

my laughter

rl you met would appreciate you

met would know I have no in

in her seat. ��So, you came to see

told me that you an

��s eyes

know when you

quickly and headed to the kitchen sink. She tu

pt towards Nora. Sh

t. I��m sure it wo

eyes met N

you want?�� Nora star

ou know.�� I le

think I do.�� Nora

ps with mine. She put her palms on my chest as I wrapped my arms around

we broke from our kiss.

go.�� I removed

�

�**

�

��

ft. I didn��t understand what he was doing. Matthew tell

I suck with guys. One looks at other girls, another do

epair my house, myself. I can do this because I��m self-rel

�