Scrooge & Marlee by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Author:Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: World Castle Publishing, LLC
Published: 2022-06-16T10:11:19+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Her new place was in shambles, just as her brother had described, but the reality was even worse. They had to walk single file to get through the living room and could only stand at the kitchen door gazing inward. In the bedroom, her bed was set up in the center of the floor, surrounded by boxes and pieces of furniture. Hands on her hips, Marlee surveyed the apartment and groaned.

“It’s going to take forever to get this place in shape.”

“I’ll help you,” Theo said. “We’ll start tomorrow after church and get it done.”

“Why not do it now?”

“I’m tired—you’re tired. It’s been a long day.”

“I won’t be able to sleep with all this stuff. It’ll drive me crazy.”

“Come stay with me for tonight.” When Marlee said nothing, Theo added, “You stayed before, and if you want, I’ll even sleep on the couch, so there’s no temptation.”

“I’m tempted,” she said with a smile that lit up her face. “But I also don’t want to have sex, Theo. It’s not the way I am.”

“I know that, liebling, and I’m glad. I’ll make an early dinner, we can relax, get some sleep, go to church tomorrow, and then we’ll get this in order. What do you think?”

“I love you, that’s what,” she said. “Okay. Will you make hamburgers?”

“Ja, anything you want. We’ll stop at the market on the way.”

Marlee gathered up a change of clothing, some personal items, and a few other things before they headed out. Theo didn’t waste time at the store but fielded several questions about why Bah Humbug! was closed. At the restaurant, it was too quiet as Theo unlocked the door and headed upstairs. Once there, he paused long enough to let his mom know they were back.

“Sehr gut,” Liesel said, then coughed hard.

“Mutti, bist du krank?” Theo asked, concerned.

“Na, ja, vielleicht,” she said. “I think I have caught the same crud that Liz has. Oma also has it. But we will be fine, I think.”

“You don’t sound fine,” Theo said. “You sound sick.”

“We’ll stay home from church tomorrow and rest, Theo.”

“You need some good, homemade chicken soup.”

She hacked again, and he winced at the heavy cough. “I think we have some canned soup. I’m too tired to make any.”

“I’ll make it,” he said. “Will you both eat it if I bring some out to you?”

Liesel protested. “It’s too much work. You’ve had a long day, and I know you are tired, son.”

“It’s no trouble,” Theo said. “I’ll make it now and have it out there by six-thirty, ja?”

“Ja, ja, all right, and thank you.”

“Do you need anything else? Tissues, medicine, groceries?”

She listed a few items, and he promised he’d deliver all of it.

Once he ended the call, Theo turned to Marlee. “There’s a slight change of plan. I’m making chicken noodle soup, German style.”

“Is your mom sick?”

Theo remembered she’d only heard his end of the conversation. “Apparently, both she and my grandmother have caught the crud from Liz. She’s coughing a lot already.”

“Then let’s make soup,” Marlee said.

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