SHIFT EXCHANGE

Chapter 3

The weekend drew to a close. At last Kara's guests retreated down the driveway after effusively assuring her they had had a most enjoyable stay. Kara remained and waived until the shiny red car turned onto the highway. The yawn she'd been battling all day finally broke free.

A quick glance at her watch told her she had just enough time to clean the guest rooms and take a short nap before work. If she didn't get the nap, it was going to be a struggle come 3 a.m.

Too soon, the sharp piercing shriek of her phone alarm told her it was time to wake up and prepare for the night. Deep shadows swept through the house. The washer had long since stopped. Kara trudged down the hall and transferred the linens to the dryer before backtracking to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. Leftover chicken salad and an apple went into her lunchbox as she patiently waited for her dark, rich, liquid burst of wakefulness.

A sharp knock on the door startled her fuzzy, sleep logged thoughts. With a longing look at the half full pot, Kara trudged to the door. Her Aunt's longtime handyman and friend, Marvin, stood on the porch with his floppy felt hat in his hands.

"Hi Kara! Everything go all right?" He stared past her into the dark home as if the sisters were still there and might need something. "Anything you need help with?"

"It was fine. They said they hadn't had a more welcoming or comfortable stay. Come on in Marvin," She stepped aside and the old man ambled into her home. "I have work tonight so I was hoping you could make sure Merle and the ducks get put away in the barn for me?"

Marvin nodded. "Of course." The old man walked with a slight limp, the result of stroke he'd suffered five years ago. He liked to boast that it had only kept him down for a week and put a little hitch in his getty-up. He ambled down the hall to the brightly lit kitchen. "I was also thinking we should pull out the tractor and make sure it's serviced before the snow falls. Wouldn't do to have it refuse to start when the driveway is blocked in with 2 feet of snow. I can do that tomorrow while you sleep."

Kara followed Marvin into the kitchen. "Sounds like a solid plan. I appreciated it Marvin. Would you like a scone?" She offered him a plate of the maple scones and watched his eyes light up under his bushy gray eyebrows.

"Lord save me, I do love your scones!" He took one of the pastry wedges and bit into it. He chewed with enthusiasm and hummed appreciatively as he swallowed. "I'm going to outgrow my pants working for you."

Kara smiled. She enjoyed watching Marvin savor her confections. She turned and began to assemble a dish of the remaining baked goods to take to work with her and a to-go mug of coffee."I really appreciate all of your help Marvin." She could feel the man beaming with pleasure behind her.

"It was a gift to help Lucy follow her dream and it has been a gift to help you in following yours."

The man's simple declaration moved Kara to the brink of tears. There had been too much emotional upheaval in the last few days. Kara bit lightly on her lower lip and turned to face her friend.

"That means a lot to me Marvin," he patted the older man's arm. "I have to get to work now. Can you lock up when you're done?"

Marvin had taken another bite of scone, he nodded in answer as he chewed.

"Thanks again!" Kara picked up her lunch bag, mug, and plate of goodies. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon." She left the house and hustled through the cold air to her Nissan.

It was a twenty minute drive to work. Most days she didn't mind the long winding road that transitioned her from home to work mode. It was even more appreciated on the return trip when she often needed to decompress from the chaos of the night before going to sleep.