Dovetail(21)

“Ten weeks seems like a long time to empty a house and clean it up.” He looked around the kitchen. “What if I get it done sooner than that?”

“You won’t,” she said and took a sip of coffee. “There’s an attic full of family items and a barn that hasn’t been looked at in years. God knows what you’ll find inside. You’ll have to start off by inventorying everything in the place.”

“Inventorying?”

“Yes, nothing fancy, just a list of each item, but you have to go through all of it. Every cupboard, closet, and storage area. It’s a huge task. Then things will have to be sorted, packed, and moved. I’ve rented a large pickup truck to be delivered later today. It will be here for the duration of your stay.”

“Again, you seem pretty sure that I’d be on board.”

She continued, not addressing the comment. “You can move some of the things on your own. The bigger pieces you’ll need help with, but I have all the details in the folder. The young woman who owns Secondhand Heaven is named Kathleen. I talked to her on the phone, and she’s willing to take the furniture on consignment.” She sighed. “At this point, though, it doesn’t really matter if things sell or not. I’ll be dead as dead soon enough, and all the money in the world won’t help me then.”

“That’s a cheerful thought.”

“It is what it is, and there’s nothing to be done about it.” She glanced back down the hallway. “If there’s anything you want for yourself, feel free to take it. Just note it on the inventory sheet.”

“Me? I can take what I want?”

“Of course—you’re family. Who better to take family items than my own grandson? Keep your sister in mind too, and take anything you think she might like. I doubt I’ll ever meet her. Not if that father of yours has anything to say about it.”

Joe turned his attention back to the paperwork. “So I start off by taking inventory. Once I’ve done that, then what?”

“The inventory is for me. I’ll go over the list and help you decide what to do with everything. The junk will get donated or tossed. I ordered a dumpster to be delivered as well. They’ll park it on the driveway, and it will stay as long as you need it. Goodwill will get some of the household items, and the furniture and valuables that you don’t want will be sold at Kathleen’s shop.”

“This Kathleen, you trust her?”

“I don’t know her very well,” Pearl said with a shrug. “She’s a young woman, looks to be about your age. She inherited the shop from her great-aunt, Edna, who was a decent woman, known for being honest in her business dealings. A bit too tenderhearted, but she couldn’t help that, I guess. And if you think I’m old, you should have seen Edna Clark. She wasn’t much older than me, but she looked ancient! Even her wrinkles had wrinkles.” Pearl tapped on the table with her fingertips and grinned. “Kathleen stepped up to the plate when Edna was at the end. I understand she came right away, driving up from Ohio when she heard she was ill, then helped her when she was in the hospital and kept the shop running. And this was before she knew she’d be inheriting the whole kit and caboodle. So I would guess she’s not too bad.”

Joe gathered up the papers and tucked them back into the folder. “I think I understand what I need to do.”

“So you’re taking the job?”

“Yes.”

“Very good.” She took another sip of her coffee. “Let me show you the rest of the property while I still have energy. I’m pretty good in the morning, but as the day goes on, I lose steam.”

Joe walked ahead, pausing for her to catch up and holding the outside door open for her. When she headed for the stairs, he went to hold her elbow, but she waved him away. “I’ll let you know if I need help.” Pearl had never been opposed to accepting a gentleman’s gallant offer, but at this stage in her life, having someone help her do something as simple as descend the porch steps made her feel old. Not as old as some of the people who lived at Pine Ridge Hollow. Those folks had one foot in the grave, their eyes cloudy and teeth barely holding on. She wasn’t there yet.

It took a while, but she and Joe made the rounds of the property. She showed him two sheds and a chicken coop. “The chicken coop is only a shell of its former self,” she said, giving the structure a push with her walker. “You can tear it down. Use the tools in the barn. If you can’t find the right tools, go into town and buy what you need at the hardware store. Give them my name, and they can bill me.”

She’d saved the barn for last, swinging the door open and standing in the doorway. Old bales of hay lined one wall. Dust motes swirled on a shaft of light. She inhaled something that tickled her throat, and she coughed loudly and then again. She gripped the handles of her walker and leaned to one side, hacking and wheezing, her whole body trying to expel the irritant. Finally, she spat out a wad of grayish saliva and cleared her throat. When she looked up at Joe, she expected disgust, but instead his face showed concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded, swallowing hard. “I could use a sip of water.”

“Just a minute. I’ll get some.” He jogged off in the direction of the house.

By the time he’d returned holding a tall glass filled to the top with water, she was better but still grateful for the drink. Funny how a simple gesture made such a difference. She gulped it down. “Thank you.”