Among The Wolves

Manual Labor

Manual labor!? Why does this feel like Déjà vu?

Bertrand spoke up, "With aging it has been getting harder and harder for us to get up and down the stairs to our bedroom.

The woman nodded, "Lately, we've been sleeping in our recliners, but it has been causing a lot of aches and pains in our backs and hips. It's terrible for circulation. So if you could help us with moving our bedroom to the main floor we'd be so appreciative."

My first inclination was to deny them. I could just pay them and be on my way, but then I had a thought. There were some of Joinervetti's men out there looking for me. No doubt it would serve to my advantage if I had this abstract place to hide for a couple of days.

I stared thoughtfully at the folk, trying to decide how much time that would take. Surely, it would take more than twenty-four hours to complete the request. I scratched my forehead and nodded, agreeing to do it.

Bertrand smiled, and the woman clasped her hands together, "Oh wonderful! I will make us some lunch, and then we get going on it."

As the woman hobbled away, I went up to her husband. "You aren't worried about me? After all, I did just come out of the back of your car."

Bertrand chuckled, moving his hands to gesture my posture. "What would you do to us?"

I looked down at myself, smiling at his indications, he was right. Even though I could potentially outrun them, if I was set in a boxing match with him, he would have me knocked out before too long, if not after the first punch.

I walked into the home and the inside was just as quaint has the outside. Wooden floors, high ceilings, and a warm feel. Most rooms had soft pastel colors with white trim. I also enjoyed the fact that most rooms had a fruit theme. The sun room was lemons, the living room sported strawberries, the kitchen and dining room was decorated with grapes, and the main bath was brightened with apples. I absolutely loved the patterns.

While the missus cooked, Bertrand showed me what they hoped to accomplish.

In the study, the only non-fruit room was just off the living room and had wall-to-wall books,with a plush office chair and a hardy wood desk. They wanted to make this their new bedroom. After the tour of the study was done, he led me to the stairs. I could immediately see why they picked this request rather than accept a monetary payment. The struggle Bertrand was having to get up the stairs, I was hovering my hand behind his back, walking slowly behind him as I used to do with Grandma. Her cancer had debilitated her so much that getting her up stairs was a chore for all of us.

The master suite was the first room on the left. Stepping inside the floral room I looked around. A neatly made bed sat in the middle with a walk-in closet, two cushioned chairs and a small table were in the corner, and a door that I assumed led to the master bath was next to the closet door.

I nodded to Bertrand, "This is doable. Does the study have a dresser or something we could put all your clothes in?"

"There is a small closet in the study, but it will not be enough to hold it all. Of our clothes, we thought to put our shirts in there and then use the armoire from the living room for our pants and other items. Although the armoire needs to be cleaned out."

With that note, I smiled widely, "That's perfect! I can get started with cleaning that armoire out while we wait for lunch."

When Bertrand approved, we set out to go down the stairs. That endeavor was slower than going up. Bertrand told me that some mornings, they would get on their rumps and scoot down the steps. I felt bad for them but also glad that I would be able to help. I would just need to work diligently so I can get on the road again.