As Life Goes: The End of the Innocence by Jason Zandri

Author:Jason Zandri [Zandri, Jason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B017TBSD42
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2015-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Matthew rinsed his paintbrush and roller in the work sink in the basement next to the washer and dryer. Melissa giggled at all the paint in his hair.

“I’m so glad you find this amusing,” he said and flicked the water-soaked brush at her.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice full of laughter. “I only meant to tip a little on you when you came near the ladder, not the entire tray.”

“I should make you wash it all out,” he said.

Melissa stopped laughing.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Matthew said, realizing how it sounded.

“Like I’m going to bathe you and wash your hair,” she said.

Matthew laughed.

Mark and Diane made their way down the basement stairs with the rest of the reusable items. Mark stepped into the light and placed a few things in the deep sink.

“You can wash all of that out and stand them along the inside edge of the sink,” Mark said as he placed the last of the rollers. “They’ll dry out overnight. Then you can wrap them in cellophane and maybe get another use or two out of them.”

“Tomorrow night is Friday; can I stay here?” Matthew asked.

Mark sighed. “Look I know you’re excited.”

“What difference does it make if it’s this weekend or next? Sooner or later it’s going to be the first weekend. Why not this one?”

Diane turned her head, and a grin lifted her cheeks.

“Well, if you’re going to beat me with logic,” Mark said with a smile. “A couple of things.”

“Sure,” Matthew said.

“With regards to the rent; it’ll be four hundred a month, but until the summer, when I expect you’ll be in here full time, I’ll only charge you a hundred dollars since you’re only going to be in here on weekends.”

“And overnights when there’s a day off from school,” Matthew said.

“Don’t push it,” Mark said in a stern voice, and a light frown replaced his smile. “Additionally,” he said, softening his voice. “How is Mr. Epps dealing with this?”

Matthew stared at his father with a blank look.

“You haven’t mentioned the apartment. I would advise you, unless you want to lose that trust you’ve built with him, not to bring Donna here alone

until she’s cleared it with her parents. If you want to watch TV, come back to the house. We’ll let you two get comfortable in the basement rec room and leave you to your privacy there.”

“I understand, Dad,” he said. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“Well, the opportunity here. You could rent it for six hundred to a stranger. Instead, you’re cutting me a break. I appreciate it.”

“You’re worth a couple of hundred bucks a month, sport. Not three hundred … but two works,” Mark said with a smile.

“Missy,” Diane said. “Did you ever find the emergency spare key that I left with Mom? I need to give it back.”

“No, we never found it. You gave it to us six years ago, or whatever, and never needed it. I guess it’s just lost.” Melissa reached into the sink to clean more of the decorating stuff.

Diane turned to Matthew.

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