Gutter Treasure, Gutter Trash

By L S Mason

After fifteen years in Garoth House, orphan Zeah Boyd finally ages out; taking with her a mystery that haunted the kids all those years. Life on the outside proves not to be the freedom she imagined. Homeless, she struggles to rise above the obstacles keeping her down and is stubbornly determined to remain independent. Things change drastically when Braum Baker inserts himself into her life and a second mystery crops up. Her past keeps mingling with the present until one day it all clears up the two mysteries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L S Mason
• Release date: Aug 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310644481

L S Mason

Growing up in a large southern city and spending summers in the small town where I was born was the extremes of fast and slow living that broke the monotony of sameness. Now I live in an apartment in that same small town. Reach me at: [e-mail]

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Gutter Treasure, Gutter Trash

L S Mason

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 L S Mason

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER ONE

Sitting before the over sized desk, hopefully for the last time, Zeah faced the Garoth House Administrator. She stared at his bent head as he pretended to be doing something that couldn't wait until she left the office. He finally looked up and said, Since you'll be eighteen tomorrow, I'm giving you this last chance to co-operate with us so we can do what we can to help you. Once you leave we can't do anymore for you. Now, tell me your plans, if you have any.

Resentful of his assumption that she might not have a plan she said, I have somewhere to go, and even if I didn't you can't stop me from leaving. I won't tell you my plans and I don't ever have to tell you anything again.

Glaring red-faced, he continued, I can tell you right now, young lady, you won't get far with that attitude. You've been protected in here, but it's a cold world out there.

While he ran down a list of things he was obligated to tell her, she was only half listening, wishing it was over and tomorrow was here. Since the closing date had been set attorneys had informed the residents of their rights and she was clinging to one now.

They could keep all their organizations set up to help the poor orphans leaving Garoth House; she was done with everyone else deciding what was best for her. Walking out of the office she stopped at a waste-basket, opened her hand and watched the papers fall in.

The next morning long before time to leave, Zeah was dressed and waiting. There was no one left she cared to say goodbye to. At long last the clock struck the appointed hour and she pulled on her jacket. With fifty dollars in her pocket and a cheap bag containing underwear and care packages, she walked through the gates.

An old wreck of a car was parked at the curb and a young man emerged from the back seat to load her bag into the trunk. They embraced, climbed into the car and it noisily pulled away.

In a not so nice neighborhood the car eased into the driveway of a neat, well-kept little house. Rob's mother apologized for the lack of space as she opened the door to his bedroom; tonight Rob would sleep on the sofa.

After lunch they sat in the living room trying to get acquainted. No one forgot Zeah's birthday; it was mentioned and passed over for the upcoming event.

The day slipped away and Zeah was alone in Rob's room. She opened the closet to look at the dress he bought her for the wedding. She stood before the mirror stroking the plain white dress against her; trying to imagine how she would look to him. She sighed and rehung the dress and turned to her bag.

After all these years she finally had a whole tube of toothpaste to herself. Deodorant, toothbrush, mouthwash, shampoo, and soap completed that package. A comb, brush and nail kit was in another. A third held tampons and the last one had birth control pills.

Zeah repacked her things, washed her long, straight hair, and did her nails. Having nothing more to do she went to bed but couldn't sleep because of her shifting emotions.

In Garoth House someone else made decisions for her, always making it seem like she had made the choice. Now she had to make decisions for real and worried that she wouldn't make a good wife for Rob. All the stuff they fed her about married life was based on outsiders; people with normal lives from normal homes and normal families. She had never tasted any of that and only heard kids talking about it in public school; real life, not the TV version.

There was no stopping the tears; she was afraid and needed a woman to talk to but couldn't talk to 'Mom' about her son. She cried into her pillow until she felt ashamed and fell asleep assuring herself everything would be okay because Rob loved her.

Zeah woke suddenly and sat up in bed to take a moment to remember where she was. While eating a late breakfast she wished aloud that some one had wakened her but Rob said there was no hurry unless she counted his hurry to have her all to himself.

They all dressed and drove to the Icon City courthouse where in a matter-of-fact ceremony Zeah Boyd became Zeah Klausen and Rob placed a gold band on her finger. They drove to a middle class neighborhood and parked before a brick house. Mom gave Zeah a pen and black and white speckled notebook, saying, If you keep a diary you'll always have someone to talk to. Both parents hugged the couple and drove away. Rob and Zeah walked the length of the driveway to the garage where steep stairs led to the apartment above.

Rob carried Zeah over the threshold of their first home. There was a bed and a table with two chairs; the stove and fridge came with the place. Zeah was proud of the start Rob had made for them.

They were shy together, not having spent much time alone in the past. Zeah wasn't allowed off Garoth House grounds unaccompanied and mostly met Rob in school for stolen moments. Throughout the years their friendship had remained steady and she felt bound to marry him when he asked. Thinking she loved him made her turn away the many who pursued her in high school.

Pulling Zeah into his arms Rob said, I'm sorry you didn't have a formal wedding with all the trimmings. I'll make it up to you with a house and a normal life. You're so beautiful and I love you with all my heart.

She barely had time to say she loved him when he pulled her closer and kissed her firmer than ever before. His hands moved on her back causing a stirring in her body and she responded with a passion she didn't know she had. Their kisses became demanding and as he reached to unzip her dress, a knock startled them.

Pulling apart as if caught in a forbidden act, Rob answered the door. Mrs. Solomon, please come in. He introduced Zeah to their landlady.

What a pretty name and you are stunning with those blue eyes and black hair. Now, I've fixed a nice meal in honor of the occasion, if you don't mind eating with an old woman.

Zeah carried the thin woman's cane while Rob helped her down the steps and gently admonished her for climbing them.

Mrs. Solomon kept urging the couple to eat more. They glanced longingly at each other often and remained quiet, not that it stopped the lonely woman from rattling on. They politely stayed to do the dishes and she was still talking, ...and I really mean it, I want you both to eat with me every Thursday evening. You do make a lovely couple and I hope I haven't interfered with your special day.

Rob told her she helped make it special and they would be proud to eat with her every week. They thanked her and rushed out before she could launch another monologue.

Zeah couldn't remember a thing Mrs. Solomon had talked about. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Rob's hands on her body and she was anxious to get back to that feeling. It was new and exciting; seeming so natural and right that it vanquished her doubts and worries over what to do. Not until reaching the apartment door when she looked back and saw Rob's wide grin, did she realize she had run up the steps pulling him in tow. Embarrassed, she rushed inside where he caught her in his arms and said nothing would stop them this time.

The rest of the world disappeared soundlessly and Zeah was aware of nothing but Rob's mouth on hers and his hands inside her dress touching her trembling flesh. He unhooked her bra and slipped her dress from her shoulders. The feelings grew more exquisite and she moaned when his mouth found her breast, and the room began to spin.

Zeah lay back on the bed as Rob lowered his naked body against her and she felt the hard throbbing of his manhood. Her legs spread wide and the initial pain of his entry was outweighed by her demanding desire. When he hesitated she wrapped her legs around him and rose to drive him deeper. He began to thrust feverishly and within moments she cried out followed by his guttural cry.

They slept for a while before Zeah extracted herself from his warm arms and pulled the bedspread over his muscled body, after looking him over. Easing into the bathroom she put on his pj's. At the kitchen table she began her diary as if it was the beginning of her life.

Jan.16...but it wasn't the act itself I feared. I didn't want to disappoint Rob and I don't think I did. Sex is great.

Hearing running water she pushed the diary aside. He wore a bathrobe and a grin to match the one she flashed him. Leaning behind her to wrap his arms about her, he kissed her neck and said, Wondered where my pj's went to.

Rubbing his arm she said, Do you want them back?

Nuzzling her neck he said, Um...very tempting, but why don't we have a bite to eat while we work up a budget so we can make some plans? All we have is sandwich stuff. Wish I didn't have to work tomorrow, but, it is payday and we can buy groceries Saturday.

While spreading mustard on bread she said, I didn't bring my pj's because I couldn't stand wearing what we called 'government issue' one more night. Year after year they were always the same; same color, same print, same style. She stomped her foot, Oh, I swore I'd never look back on anything.

Rob said, Holding things inside makes them seem bigger and worse than they are. Besides, I want to know how you feel about everything.

Placing sandwiches on paper towels before him she said he would grow tired of her complaints against Garoth House.

I'll take the chance. He took pen and paper from a drawer,Arrange things to suit yourself, I just stuck them anywhere

While eating they discussed hopes and plans. With compromises here and there, they created a single agenda for their life together; a home before children, Zeah wouldn't work unless she wasn't happy staying at home, not going into debt, a portion of each payday would go toward down-payment on a house, no TV or phone for a while. With sacrifices in the beginning they visualized greater rewards later on.

Holding a job as a skilled laborer on a construction crew, Rob made a decent salary but worried about his parents making ends meet without his help. Dad was sick a lot but wanted Rob to do better than him and said he couldn't if he carried them.

Zeah felt selfish for being glad they felt that way but if things changed she would accept it.

Rob stretched and said, It's been a long day and I have to get up pretty early. I'm going to bed and I want my pj's back.

With a straight face she took them off and threw them at him and ran to the bedroom with him laughing behind her.

The alarm startled Zeah awake and Rob hung over the bed to shut it off as it vibrated on the floor. Catching her arm as she threw the covers back he said, You don't have to get up, honey, I can manage. Go back to sleep.

Flipping her hair over her shoulder she said, That's it, I don't have to, but I want to. I'll fix breakfast while you get ready. She leaned over to kiss him.

Retrieving the pj's from the floor she hurried to the kitchen. After looking into the empty cupboards she put a coffee maker on a need list. Making do with what there was, she walked Rob to the door after breakfast.

Sticking a sandwich into each pocket he said, I don't know what time I'll be home because I've never ridden the buses on this side of town. You can bet I won't waste any time. His lingering kiss confirmed the promise.

Stepping to the window she watched him bound down the steps to walk the three blocks to the bus stop in the dark. She had a foolish urge to call him back and her fingertips rested on her mouth. When he was out of sight she turned to face the empty room; it was the awkward period before forming new habits. Her mind was blank and took a few moments to focus. With a feeling of slowed time she washed dishes and added a board and drainer to her list.

Gathering dirty garments she intended to wash them in the tub but opted for a bath instead. Unbidden memories materialized as she leaned back surrounded by hot water that threatened to spill over onto the floor. Behind closed eyes she saw a line of little girls at each of three tubs. Hurry, hurry, minimal water, never waste water, bathe, pull the plug and rinse the tub for the next one, hurry, hurry. Well, a long hot bath was going to be her vice; it was the perfect way to begin a day without coffee.

The laundry would have to wait because the hot water was gone, so she made the bed, lined things against the wall, and put her small stuff away in the bathroom. By then the water was warm so she plunged garments up and down in water soapy with dish liquid, then put them on hangers to drip down the shower curtain.

Hearing a noise outside she rushed to the window and saw Mrs. Solomon struggling with the garbage lid. Wrapped in Rob's robe she charged down the steps to help.

Startled, but pleased she said, You're up early, come in and have coffee with me.

Unable to resist, Zeah followed her into the kitchen to be engulfed by the smell of hot coffee. Settling across from her Mrs. Solomon said, I don't eat breakfast but I have to have my coffee and I see you like yours, too.

Yes, but Rob doesn't drink it so we don't have a coffee maker but it's on my need list. That reminds me, do you have a cookbook I can borrow?

Mrs. Solomon's face lit up, I sure do, Sweetie. Well, no you can't borrow it, but you can have it as a wedding gift. Now, where did I put it? Remembering it was stored on a high shelf from lack of use, she let Zeah fetch it. Now you can cook something nice for dinner.

Not until we get groceries tomorrow. I want the book to make a list.

Thoughtful a moment she told Zeah to ask Rob to stop by a minute when he got home. Promising she would Zeah thanked her and made a fast get away. She spent the morning and early afternoon between laundry and the book. When each garment stopped dripping and she couldn't ring anymore water from the bottom, she draped them over a chair before the heater; her jeans had to be dry for tomorrow. She chose recipes that yielded enough leftovers for Rob's lunches. By four she was restless and excited at the thought of Rob getting home.

She sat at the window hugging her legs as she propped her feet on the sill. She could almost feel his lips on hers and hoped Mrs. Solomon didn't keep him long, and anyway, what did she want? She made two trips to the bathroom before seeing him and sending him to Mrs. Solomon.

Much to her relief, he was only a few minutes and she rushed into his arms when he opened the door. He kissed her and dangled a set of keys, Mrs. Solomon asked me to drive her car tomorrow so it won't go down sitting. She can't see to drive anymore.

They ate, talked a while, and went to bed. No matter where Rob touched her his hand burned into her flesh to heat her passion. She was shamelessly bold and initiated some of their lovemaking. While she basked in the completeness the act afforded her, she reveled in the equal power they held over each other.

Pressed against his side she asked if he had ever been with another woman and he said no because it would have been a betrayal to her that he couldn't have lived with. She asked how he knew what to do and he said it just happened that way, but Mom did give him some advice; her exact words were be gentle and go slow before she turned red and ran out of the room. They laughed and he added that Dad said anything they did was okay if they were both comfortable with it. He asked what she was told.

Raising a foot and letting it drop she said, That was me stomping. All I got was clinical stuff laced with an overdose of warnings about disease and pregnancy; I followed your lead.

Jan.17...but if he had touched me in school the way he does now, I might have gone down with the ship dragging the anchor behind me! I am very happy.

There was no alarm to shatter the morning but they were both up early, excited over their pending day together. Rob wanted to eat out and and to Zeah that meant coffee.

Sitting at a small table, Zeah closed her eyes as she took the first sip of the steaming brew. As her eyelids lifted she was acutely aware of the words 'love hurts'. Rob said softly, The first thing we buy will be a coffee maker.

She saw love in his eyes, heard love in his voice, and felt love so keenly that it was close to physical pain; it was almost beyond bearing that she couldn't hold him. That was the very moment that Rob, not what he offered her, became the center of her life. All the material things she wanted didn't matter anymore if Rob would always love her. She became quiet and her 'everything is fun' attitude changed to one of warmth and sweetness and Rob seemed to feed on the change in her.

They bought the coffee maker, items on the need list, and the jeans and sweatshirts Zeah wanted, before choosing the washing machine that became their first monetary goal. Rob showed her the matching pieces to their bed, and they spent a long time in the grocery store before dragging home.

That night their lovemaking wasn't the usual sweaty, exciting satisfaction of sex. It was a beautiful clinging to each other as if they couldn't get close enough, a mingling of silent tears, and the deep need to melt into each other to become one body, one heart, one soul.

Jan.18...leaving me with a sense of loss for the child we would have made but for the pill.

Sunday was lazy and the lovers slept late. Rob was going out to buy a paper while Zeah cooked. He was back in minutes having encountered Mrs. Solomon throwing her's away. They struck a deal that he would get her daily papers if he put the garbage on the curb twice weekly.

Rob stretched out on the floor to read it and broke a lengthy silence, Honey, here's an article on Garoth House. Want me to read it to you? She hesitated before nodding and he said,It seems to be written by an angry man.

"He says that Garoth House was conceived in a period when our foster care system was under attack by sincere reformers. It was sired when they focused on the evil side of the system, that is, the relatively few who abused the children in their care. A politician seeking a cause that needed a cure, fathered Garoth House. Voters grabbed the solution offered, thereby putting out-of-mind their duty to the orphans of Quade County and helped spawn Garoth House.

The result was blight in the history of Missouri. To deny a child the possibility of being adopted, to deny a child even a glimpse of family life in a foster home, all in the guise of a stabilized environment, was in itself abuse.

Voters should be thankful for those who fought fourteen years to correct that mistake. Garoth House should never be forgotten because the damage done to all the children who lived in the so-called ' home', can never be reversed. From the original thirty to the last child to leave Garoth House, none were prepared for the world they were dumped into at the age of eighteen."

Zeah burst into tears, We just wanted someone to love us. Rob held her until she stopped crying and helped her finish chopping vegetables. While the meatloaf cooked she joined him on the floor. They discussed articles, laughed over the comics, and grew hungry.

That night Zeah told Rob she wanted each of their children to have something that would become an heirloom they would pass down. As the son of Garoth House Originals, Rob agreed and understood. Dad once said he wished he had something that belonged to his father.

Jan.19...because I was laughed at when a girl said I was wearing my heirloom because she remembered the girl who wore my dress last year.

Monday, Zeah sent Rob off with his new lunchbox packed well for a man his size. Again she watched him from the window wondering if she would ever get used to him leaving.

Soon she leaned back into the tub of hot water, positive that it was the most soothing thing in the world. Later she held a pair of jeans to her face to take in the new smell. Always being reminded that waste was sinful, the girls learned to sew by mending clothes handed down until they were worn out and torn into cleaning rags.

Now it didn't matter that the jeans were alike and the sweatshirts different only in color, they were new and only she would wear them. Bouncing down the steps to take a walk, she met Mrs. Solomon who decided it was too early for that and the coffee was hot.

When asked if she had siblings, Zeah told about Garoth House. Do you know who the Garoth House Child is? Off and on reporters had tried to get that info from the kids who knew nothing but the facts written by those same reporters. Zeah repeated all she knew about it.

Two Originals married and died leaving a child behind who was sent to Garoth House. If one or both had been adopted, relatives might have taken the child. The case was the basis of the ongoing battle to close the place. No name or gender was revealed and all the files were sealed. Mrs. Solomon was disappointed but skipped along to ask how she met Rob.

Zeah told the story. Sounds like me and Saul, we couldn't stay away from each other. I miss him everyday. She blew her nose on a paper towel and shoved it into her pocket. How did the cookbook work out? Zeah told her and she said it sounded like a 'givers marriage'; they would try to please each other and neither would be happy in the end, but she could fix it. I'm going to give you my board and iron, but mark my words, he won't let you keep them unless he pays for them. Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you how to improve your marriage.

CHAPTER TWO

Struggling up the stairs with the iron and board, Zeah knew Mrs. Solomon was wrong; her marriage was fine. Bouncing back down she took her walk and discovered her neighborhood was a giant circle with streets crossing it. She picked up sixteen pennies where sidewalks were non existent and thought of them as seed for her heirlooms. Memories from Garoth House invaded her thoughts.

Candy was strictly limited, making it highly sought after. When younger kids went on outings, like movies or roller bladeing, they searched for coins to pool and save until they had the price of a bag of candy. It was a fun game of defiance passed down from the older kids and the reward was always sweeter than any they were given.

Time flew by and Zeah met Rob at the door and he swung her around, Please let this be the way you greet me for the rest of my life.

While he showered she put dinner on the table and he came in asking where the iron and board came from. She told him and he shook his head, No, we're not starting our lives on charity. Offer her twenty dollars and if she doesn't take it, give them back.

Jan.20...when I heard a woman refer to us as charity cases. Rob doesn't even know he hurt my feelings.

The next morning she sent Rob off and took a quick shower so she could get to Mrs. Solomon quicker. She sipped her coffee with her head down. Mrs. Solomon said, Do you want to tell me about it?

Zeah burst into tears and sobbed out the tale. Mrs. Solomon stood and tugged at her hand, Come here Sweetie, coffee and hugs are free at my house. Zeah clung to her. You stop crying and listen to me.

She handed Zeah a paper towel and warmed their coffee. He didn't mean it the way it sounded to you, remember, he's from Mars. The first thing you have to learn is not to take things like this personally. I gave you the iron and board, but you take the twenty so he can feel like the provider. You can help him in ways he doesn't know. Do you have a drivers license? Good, let's go shopping and save Rob a lot of money.

Zeah backed the car down the drive without telling that she had never driven anything but the school vehicle she learned in. At a thrift store Mrs. Solomon said, Today we're looking for lamps and small tables. If you find something you like, let me do the talking.

They found lamps Zeah liked the shape of but not the color or shades. Mrs. Solomon examined them before going to the cashier and pointing out several small flaws and getting the price reduced to seven dollars for the pair, and that she paid.

They found nothing at a second store, but at a third found matching end tables. Mrs. Solomon went into her routine and got them for ten dollars. On the drive home Zeah asked, What does this have to do with saving money? Rob won't let me keep used furniture, we have plans for what we're going to buy.

You just bought two high quality tables for next to nothing. The lamps aren't great but will do for starters. Rob won't see them until they are new.

I bought?

Mrs. Solomon sighed, Give me the twenty when you get it, trust me, he wanted to spend it foolishly. In the end if you don't like what we do, I'll give it back.

They stored the treasures in the garage and Zeah declined a lunch offer, ate at home, took a walk, and got home in time to fix dinner. Still a little hurt, it dissolved when Rob opened the door and she flew into his arms.

The next morning Mrs. Solomon's eyes twinkled and she was dressed when Zeah went down for coffee. What? They were going to start work on the tables.

Zeah sanded on a table as per instructions while Mrs. Solomon sat in a lawn chair talking ...and there's no need for me to keep all this stuff. I'm glad it's going to be used up and out of the way. I think there's enough polyurethane to coat both tables. This is so much fun. It reminds me of when R.J. was a baby. I used to put him in a playpen while I worked on my furniture. Of course, when he began talking I was afraid he'd tell Saul what I was doing so I begged my sister to keep him two hours every morning. It...

Zeah smiled at the 'we' working as she tuned Mrs. Solomon out to think about what to fix for dinner. After the chatter waned she gave an excuse to call it a day by saying she was tired.

Thursday evening Zeah and Rob ate with Mrs. Solomon. She gave them a figurine, saying, It's my tradition to give a small gift to guest at my table and an insult if you don't accept it. She winked at Zeah.

Mrs. Solomon talked more than she ate, mostly about her son R.J. Zeah and Rob did the dishes and with heartfelt thanks went home. To Rob it was like having a grandmother, but to Zeah it was like having a mother.

Every day Zeah worked on the tables, Mrs. Solomon talked, Zeah walked and collected coins in a jelly jar, and in late February Rob said they could buy the washer.

After paying for the washer they stopped at the furniture store to choose the piece they would save for; only to discover they stood to lose the matching pieces because the style was discontinued. The owner liked the couple and arranged to put the pieces on layaway, releasing one piece at a time if they paid a little more than the final payment as insurance of continued payments. While there Zeah looked at end tables and was astonished at the prices.

The day after the washer was delivered, Zeah and Mrs. Solomon shopped for carved trim, glass paint and squared lampshades.

Zeah wrestled with a feeling of deception mingled with wanting to help Rob. Lying to him was painful and she planned more lies. She tried to rationalize using Mrs. Solomon's thinking but it didn't lessen the awful feeling because she was sure he would never lie to her.

Zeah was back at her labor of love and listening, ...And I know those nails are in here somewhere, keep looking. Oh, and find a can of stain called Best Oak, I know there was a lot left and I know you'll like it.

Searching dusty shelves in the garage, Zeah wondered what she was supposed to tell Rob when the time came. Hoping something would happen to create an opportunity to tell him the truth, she didn't ask Mrs. Solomon.

Zeah stained and coated the tables and when they dried all her hours of sanding was reflected in the finished products. They looked so new and beautiful and were the most satisfying achievement of her life.

Mrs. Solomon said,You worked long and hard without taking shortcuts. Your labor is what makes them yours instead of castoffs. As long as your motives are noble, lying to Rob will get easier. Yes, I know exactly how you feel about that. Right now you're so proud of what you've done you think he will be too. You're wrong, never forget, he's from Mars. You give him a reason to work and come home every day. He's proud to be taking care of you; don't mess that up by letting him know you can do for yourself. Go on, take your walk and think about it, we'll start on the lamps in the morning.

Zeah's walk was double the usual distance. She added seventy two cents to the pile on the floor next to the filled jelly jar that reminded her she needed a larger one. For the second time that day she climbed into a tub of hot water. By the time it cooled she decided Mrs. Solomon was right. Rob once said that having her to come home to made a hard job easier to go to.

The next morning Zeah was spreading gold paint on lamp harps while deep in thought about what kind of design she would put on the lamps. All the porcelain pieces given to her on Thursdays were varied and a theme would be out of place. With that settled she opened up to what Mrs. Solomon was saying.

...so I invited R.J. to eat with us on Thursday. Now, I love R.J. greatly but he thinks he runs my life. Mostly he does, but some things aren't any of his business, like me renting out the apartment, which I did anyway when he said not to. You can't mention driving my car, eating here every week, things I've given you, or the washing machine.

Zeah stopped painting to stare, What can we mention?

Nothing. They burst into laughter.

Pushing the harps aside to dry, Zeah began flipping through old magazines while Mrs. Solomon went on, R.J. is a proud man and worries that I'll break my hip and have to go into a nursing home and people would say he didn't see to my safety. You know, his housekeeper brings my groceries. I don't like the woman.

You mean the only time you leave the house is when we go somewhere and you have to sneak out?

When you say it like that it sounds bad, but he loves me that much not to want me to get hurt.

Zeah said, Any time you want to go somewhere just tell me and we'll go.

That night Zeah told Rob and they agreed that for the sake of Mrs. Solomon they would go on Thursday to meet a man they already disliked.

The next morning Zeah found a pattern she liked and set about copying it onto paper. Mrs. Solomon pulled out jar lids and various objects to use as guides to get angles and arcs right. Using carbon paper she traced it onto the lamp fronts.

Thursday evening Mrs. Solomon served all of R. J's favorite dishes and he complained that she shouldn't have tired herself, he would have taken her out to eat. The man hardly acknowledged Zeah and Rob who tried in vain to start a conversation. It would have been a good meal if the atmosphere had not been so wrong. Once it was over Mrs. Solomon motioned them to go before they could offer to do dishes. Going out the back door they heard her ask, Can't you visit just a little while?

Once inside the apartment Rob said, That's the coldest man I ever want to meet. It's time we went to see my parents. Let's take them out to eat on Sunday, okay?

Friday morning Mrs. Solomon made a paste of glass paint and flour. With a toothpick Zeah began placing small dots along the outline on a lamp. The dots had to be the same size or she scraped them off and tried again. She wanted them perfect and the process was slow and tiring.

Riding a bus and walking a few blocks, Zeah and Rob surprised his parents Sunday morning. Rob gassed up the old car and took them out for breakfast and later to lunch. Zeah migrated to the kitchen with Mom while Rob talked with Dad. The day had been pleasant.

That night Rob began, I was thinking, maybe we could...

Zeah finished, Go see them at least once a month?

Exactly.

In March Zeah put the final coat of paint on her lamps. The following Thursday as Mrs. Solomon shoved a spoon into a casserole she said, "Rob, I have a nephew who owns a furniture store