The Last Genie: A Novella

Chapter 30

Grace directed Ithel to a mattress store because she knew, as we all know, that the mattress is much more important than the bed frame.

When they walked in, Grace asked, "What type of mattress do you like?"

"I don't know."

"Do you like a firmer mattress or a softer mattress?"

Ithel thought about the different beds he had "slept on and said, "Softer I guess."

"Well, let's go try some out and see what you think."

"I can try them out?"

"Yes," said Grace with a smile as she was pleasantly surprised by the look of wonder on Ithel's face. "Is this your first time going to a mattress store?"

"Yeah."

"Really?"

"It's not like these stores have been around that long, and I've never bought a mattress."

"Well, now I'm really glad I brought you here. Go try one out."

Ithel slowly walked over to a mattress and after receiving an encouraging nod from Grace lay down on it.

After he had lain there for a moment, Grace asked, "How is it?"

"Pretty good."

"Pretty good isn't good enough. Try another one."

Graced couldn't stop herself from smiling as Ithel moved around the store in an almost childlike joy trying out just about every mattress.

Ithel finally settled on a soft, full-size memory foam mattress that wasn't too expensive and its box spring.

After Ithel handed the salesman his cash, he asked, "Where would you like these delivered?" to which Ithel reply, "Delivered?"

"Yes, they will deliver them to our apartment," said Grace.

"But can't we take them now?"

"We can, but how?"

"On top of my car."

"What?"

Ithel turned to the salesman and asked, "Do you have any rope?"

"No, we don't keep rope."

"Ok, can you hold them until I get back with some rope?"

"Sure."

"Wouldn't it just be easier to let them deliver them?" asked Grace.

"Why should we make them waste their time delivering them to us when we can do it?"

For a moment, Grace was going to fight harder to let them deliver the mattress and box spring, but then she remembered how easily Ithel had moved all her furniture out of her apartment. So, she said, "Well, we do still need to get you a bed frame and some sheets and a blanket and probably a pillow."

"So, we're going."

"Yes, let's go."

Then, Ithel looked at the salesman and said, "We'll be right back." The clerk simply nodded, and they left.

A little while later, they came back with the rope and all the items Grace had previously mentioned plus a nightstand and lamp Grace had convinced Ithel to get. Ithel tossed the mattress and box spring on top of his car, tied them down tight, and drove them back to their apartment.

After they finished setting up his bed, and he had turned on his bedside lamp, Grace said, "Isn't that nice."

Ithel said, "It is," but it was more than nice. It felt warm and comforting. It felt like home, which Ithel hadn't felt in an incredibly long time.