vivian 14

Vivian 14

 

            I was moving in. my stuff was packed up and my horses were being loaded. Delanie looked on teary eyed as I threw my last bag into the bed of my new truck. Lane bought it for me as a engagement gift. “Hey sweetie pie. Ready to go?” I asked her as I walked up next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and squeezed her close. She was coming with me over to Lane’s farm to help me get settled. She bit her lip, not answering. “I’ll be just across the way whenever you need me. day or night. You know that right?” I asked. She nodded. “I know. It’s just hard to see you and fleet and Ella leave the farm.” She says, wiping her eyes. I smiled. “Let’s go see my new digs.” I say and take her hand, dragging her to the truck and shoving her in the cab, laughing with her all the way. With a crunch of gravel we were on the start of our short journey to my future.

 

            I stared up at the house in disbelief. How did Lane live in something so damn ugly? The house was painted ugly neon green. It looked like radioactive barf. Lane came up beside me suddenly, after unloading my tack into his tack room. I had personally put my horses away when we got there. my face must of said it all because he laughed as he slipped an arm around my waist. “Flat a*s ugly ain’t it?” he asked, leading me toward the front door. “that’s the way it came and I’m a terrible decorator. I thought maybe you could give some insight on that.” He said opening the door. They say you can get to know someone by their home. Well I was just learning my husband was a slob. The house was filthy. I was revolted and it showed. “Sorry about the mess. I’ll clean it tonight I swear.” He says quickly. “But you can get the gist without it being clean right babe?” he asks and I nod, making a face. He bites his lip nervously. “Maybe we can sleep in the extra cabin until it’s clean. It has a couple cots.” He said as I looked over the first room. It was painted a gaudy pink and all it contained was a od card table and two chairs. The tabke was covered in old takeout containers. I walked slowly from room to room, the living room was painted yellow and had a tv and a bean bag chair, the kitchen was covered in dirty plates and had wallpaper that made me dizzy, the two guest bedrooms upstairs were stuffed full of unpacked boxes, and the bathrooms I didn’t even want to discuss. The only room half clean was the master bedroom, which had about five pairs of boots by the door, was painted a god-awful neon orange. It was a wonder how he slept. It was bright in here than it was outside. There were two closets, most likely a his and her. only one had a few of his things in hanging up. The rest of the clothes were in a basket on the floor. The “bed” was just a blow up mattress and the alarm clock was sitting on a cardboard box next to it. “This house needs some Vivian.” I mumbled under my breath as I pulled out my phone and called my mom. “We have a situation here.” I said as she picked up. She laughed. “What is it baby? Don’t like the house?” she asks. I sigh. “Get over here and you’ll know what I mean. And bring your cleaning supplies, all of them.” I say and she agrees to be over in a few. I call as much of the female farm hands as I can. They all agreed to caravan with my mother. Delanie was already here. I sat down on the bed and Lane smiled sheepishly at me. “You had to call backup? I didn’t know it was THAT bad.” He says. I smile, “maybe not to the average bachelor but to a bride to be, yes. But don’t worry mom will-“ I was interrupted by the sound of my mom’s startled gasp echoing up the stairs. “Fix it.” I finish taking his hand and dragging him down stairs where Mom is already ordering Delanie to do the dishes and Jill to be on trash control. When she saw me she smiled. “You were right. Now before I die of a stroke go find some paint and furniture you like for this place.” She says shooing us out of the door. Lane laughed as he leads me toward the truck. “Better listen to what she says. I don’t want her to have a stroke.” He says, opening the door for me.

 

            We got back around seven after I was done displaying my terrific decorating skills, picking out everything from paint to towels to furniture, which we put on rush order. Lane backed the truck up to the house and after a few trips had all the stuff in the empty living room. Mom was found sitting at the clean card table, drinking a cup of coffee and reading a magazine. The house was spotless, still ugly, but spotless. I leaned over and hugged her. “Thanks mom, you’re the best.” I said. She patted my back and laughed. “It’s all right. Your fathers house was the same way when I moved in. this wasn’t my first rodeo.” She says, standing up and going into the kitchen. After the sounds of washing the mug stopped she reappeared with her basket of supplies and started toward the door. “Thanks Mrs. Lummis.” Lane says as she starts past him. she laughs and sits the basket down. “Oh my dear lane, call me autumn, we’re family now.” She says, pecking his cheek before picking up her basket and opening the door with her bare foot. I saw her shoes peeking out of under her washrags in the basket. “I expect to see a transformed house next week!” she call over shoulder as she closes the door with her foot. Lane smiles at her as she does, then smiles back at me, coming over to me and wrapping his arms around my waist pulling me close. “You mother is something special.” He says smiling down at me, and I smile up at him. “She sure is.” I answer. He smiles and kisses me. when we pull away he adds, “I see where you got it from.” 

Reviews

[InsanityWriter]

"This house needs some Vivian". I loved that line. (: Great chapter! It made me laugh. ^_^

[beautiful dreamer]

thank you so much. this story takes a special place in my heart :)