Memories

Chapter Six

"So, about the treehouse."

"Right." Rhynn cleared her throat and ate a fry. "So, we need to discuss things. Size first of all. Then number of rooms, facilities, how we're going to manage things. The like."

"What do you mean, facilities?"

"Like... if we want a toilet or a sink or whatever."

"Is that even possible to do?"

"I assume it is. But I'm not sure."

"Okay... Brainstorm with me. How would we manage to get running water out in the middle of the woods? We aren't drilling a well, Rhynn."

"Well... Yeah, I know that... It was just a thought. We could... um...."

"Well, we could get one of those big water things."

"The ones that you hook up the tank to that you can fill at Kroger?"

"Exactly. And... Well... If you really think about it, I know it's gross and all, but technically a bathroom isn't needed."

Rhynn wrinkled her nose. "Okay, yeah ew."

Brett laughed and took a sip of his milkshake. "I'm just saying."

"Well, how about you don't 'just say'."

"Sure thing." he chuckled. "Anyway, electricity is a thing that we might want, but again there's the question of how. It's not as if we can buy a generator."

"True. I mean, there's always solar panels, but those things are hella expensive, and I highly doubt that we could get ones that are capable of creating enough power for our purposes. Battery powered appliances it is."

"Appliances? What sort of things do you think we're going to have?"

"Well, a minifridge for starters. Fans. Lamps. In theory, we can get models of all of those things that are battery powered. We would just need the money. And the batteries."

"Okay, fine, but what about your phone?" Brett arched an eyebrow at her. "How exactly are you planning to charge that?"

"Already got a portable charger. One for my laptop too. One perk of having a sex worker around your house all the time is that they get paid well. And he wants to win me over, so why not have him buy me stuff?"

Brett narrowed his eyes at her. "That does not sound like a good idea."

Rhynn shrugged. "It probably isn't, but I don't give two shakes of a rat's rear end. He gives me an allowance of fifty bucks a week, and buys me whatever I want, so I'm not complaining as of yet... Well, I'm not complaining to his face, anyway. I'll bitch about him all I want behind his back, but, hey, if he thinks that bribing me will get me to like him, I'll let him keep thinking that."

"Rhynn... That's not right."

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, Mister Moral Compass. I won't tell you about it in the future. Geez, man. Lighten up."

"Look, I may have a stick up my butt, but at least I don't steal from people."

"Brett, sweetheart, it isn't stealing. Not if he's giving it willingly. Is there some manipulation involved? There sure is. Is it so much manipulation that he's signing over his soul to me? No. I wouldn't want a soul as tainted as his anyway, not with the way he's got my mom wrapped around his pinky. So, really, it isn't doing anything to him that he hasn't done to me. I'm just earning back my mom's money."

"It still doesn't feel like something you should be doing."

"Well, it isn't something that you're doing, so really you shouldn't worry about it."

"Fine." He sighed. "So, rooms. We'll want something with a bed, yeah? Just in case one of us... needs it at any point. Probably something with a television sort of thing. Can we get those battery powered?"

Rhynn shrugged. "Dunno. I'd have to look it up when I get home. If not, we can always use my laptop. I could get you one too, if you wanted."

Brett frowned. "Not with-"

"No, of course not. I do have a job. I'd just use the money from that."

"You have a job?"

"Every summer." Rhynn nodded, stealing a sip from his shake and grinning at the glare he sent her. "My cousin has a fireworks store. I work from ten to ten and get paid about ten bucks an hour."

Brett's eyes grew wide and he whistled. "I don't suppose you could hook me up with a job like that?"

She cackled. "Probably. There's never much to do for the first two weeks or so, but I don't suppose you'd mind?"

"Not for that kind of money."

"On slow days, we don't get paid full hours, just because it isn't fair to pay us that much if we're just sitting around, you know?"

"Yeah, that makes sense. I wouldn't want to get paid for work I'm not doing anyway."

Rhynn tilted her head and just looked at him.

"... What?" he asked, after the silence had stretched for several moments. "Is there something on my face?"

"No, sorry, I just... I was kidding about the moral compass thing. For the most part, anyway. You have a ridiculous moral code. Like, seriously, what the hell, man?"

"I- um... sorry?"

"No, it's not- that isn't a bad thing. It's just weird. A little off-putting, to be completely honest with you. Who doesn't want free money?"

"Well, I just- it wouldn't be right. If it's money that the man could be putting toward himself for food and housing and such, rather than me, a kid who hasn't done much to earn it, and doesn't need it to survive off of, why should I get it instead? Doesn't it make more sense for your cousin to have it to provide for himself and whatever family he might have?"

"I never said my cousin was a guy," Rhynn teased lightly.

Brett's cheeks instantly flushed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Calm down, Brett, he's a guy." she laughed when he scolded at her.

"Rude." he muttered, stealing some of her fries.

Rhynn started to look offended, then caught herself. "Yeah, okay, I guess I deserved that. Anyway, do you want to text me anything else you come up with? I'm guessing we can get furniture and stuff at IKEA, even if that place is a nightmare. I need to head out, but... text me, yeah?"

"Of course. Have fun with whatever you're doing."

Rhynn huffed out a laugh. "Fat chance. Anyway, I'll see you.... when will I see you?"

"You wanna meet at Weathertop on Thursday?"

"Sure."

"It's a date then."

"You wish." Rhynn teased him with a grin. "I'll see you." She bent down to give him a peck on the cheek.

He smiled up at her. "Catch you later."