Chapter 263: Moving
*We’ll just be here for a little while. Don’t get too comfortable. - Donna Leigh*
Rye stood on the front porch of the small white clapboard post-war bungalow. With a bright smile, Karan handed her the house key. Cookie stood behind her, beaming with pride. Rye smiled at them, acting as though nothing had happened earlier. The whole club now knew that her mother was a whore, and she probably was too. There was nothing Rye could do. Tears would do no good. They would not change anything.
Rye unlocked the door and walked into the small house. There was a small foyer with twelve-inch tiles of assorted colors and a small gray rug covering the floor. On the right were several hooks with a black bench underneath. On the left was a slim black metal table about four feet high with a pine wood top about six feet long. A gilded mirror hung above on a cream-colored wall.
Walking through the arched doorway to the living room, Rye found more of the assorted tiles and cream-colored walls. A large stone fireplace sat against the far wall flanked by tall windows on one side and a sliding glass door on the other. In front of it were two charcoal armchairs with light gray pillows. Between them was a small dark round wood table with three legs.
Behind the chairs was a black couch with an assortment of pillows and two light weight blankets on the back. One was gray and the other a greenish gray. In the center of the room was a round coffee table with four drawers. A flat screen TV hung on the wall with an old entertainment center under it. The area was defined with a bright red rug with golden roses.
Karan directed her over to the kitchen where the assorted tiles continued. The cabinets were shaker style oak with black metal handles. The counter tops were butcher block, and the backsplash was made of alternating black mosaic and cream subway tiles. The appliances were cream except for the stove which was black with a matching hood vent.
The U-shaped kitchen had an extended peninsula separating it from the dining room. Three blue wooden barstools lined up against it.
The kitchen sink was placed under the window looking out over the front yard. It was a large double basin cream ceramic style with one basin being a little larger and deeper.
Opening a cabinet, she found that there was already plates and bowls inside. “This is too much.” Rye whispered.
“We know that you don’t like buying new, everything in the kitchen is from Evie’s old apartment. Except for the food. We didn’t know what you’d want, but Siobhan said that she would stock your kitchen.” Karan said with a grin. “The dining room table is from Pagan, he moved, and it doesn’t fit in his house. The rest of the furniture came from various old ladies and members. Except the nursery.”
“The nursery?” Rye asked facing them.
“Right this way.” Cookie held out a hand. “Karan said that you would get upset if we spent a lot of money on the house.”
“She’s right.” Rye said letting him lead her down the hall.
“The tiles are all leftovers or rejects from previous jobs. Which is why they are mixed.” Cookie said resting his hand on the door handle.
“I like it.” She smiled.
“I’m glad. Sticks made the nursery furniture and Evie’s mom made the blankets out of scraps.” Cookie said opening the door. He had phrased it carefully because he was pretty sure that the woman would be upset if she knew that the nursery was made to Chance’s specifications.
The tile floor was covered by a giant rug with city streets and buildings. The walls were a soft baby blue with cream accents. Noah’s ark and an assortment of animals hung on the wall above a crib.
The furniture was red and white ash. The high back was barn door style with the lighter wood making the X's. The two ends were shorter versions with the front having slats.
The mattress was on the highest level and covered by a sheet with blue and gray elephants. Folded at one end was a patchwork quilt. Each square had an M in the center.
“It’s beautiful.” Rye said hugging the quilt to her chest.
She turned and looked at the rest of the room. The long dresser with six long drawers sat under a collection of open shelves. A changing table pad rested on top in the center with diapers and other necessities on either end.
A toy box sat in the corner alcove next to the closet. In the alcove in the other corner was a bookcase. An assortment of books from teething books to novels sat on the shelves. Sitting slightly off center in front of the large window was a rocking chair.
“I’m not worthy of all this.” Rye objected.
“Yes, you are worthy.” Karan countered. “Don’t ever forget that sweet girl.”
“I’m the daughter of a whore.”
“You’re the mother of a son.” Cookie corrected.
