The Ground Below

Chapter Ten

I want to discuss my job with Amy, and see how soon we can get started. I give it a few minutes to make sure Karter is gone and not thinking I’m stalking him, before I head out the door.

I knocked on the back door. I wasn’t sure if anyone was up yet. Five more seconds I wait. I count them, but no one answers.

Who would be up at this time anyway?

Me.

Karter.

We were awake, but I’m not normal. I’m not entirely sure Karter is either.

He’s a jackass that much I’m sure of.

I walk away and the door opens. “Teach?”

Great. I turn around to see a smirking Karter.

“Hey,” I smile, but we both know it’s fake. “I came to talk to your mom.”

I move back to the door, but he’s still standing between me and the kitchen. “Okay,” he laughs.

“Um, are you going to let me in?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.” He’s still smiling.

“Fine,” I say backing down the steps.

“Karter, who is at the door?” I hear Amy’s distant voice.

“That chick I live with. She heard you were busy, and said she’d come back later.”

Glaring at him didn’t seem to knock that stupid smile off his face. I didn’t have to worry long before Amy knocked him out of the door way.

“I’m not busy. Come on in, Parker.” She gestured me in, but I had to squeeze by Karter. “It’s a lovely morning isn’t it, dear?”

“I hadn’t really paid attention. I wanted to talk about my job details.”

She waves me forward, “Coffee?”

“No, thank you.” Caffeine interferes with my medication, but I wasn’t about to tell her that.

“Well I know Kaylie is very excited. Lessons will be given in the study. It’s not convenient, but we didn’t have anywhere else to put a piano at the moment. Though it’s private, I don’t think anyone will interrupt.”

I had a hard time believing they had any lack of space in the house, but where the lessons take place doesn’t really matter to me.

“As you know we will also pay you three hundred dollars a session. Have you decided what days you’d like to give them? We would like at least three sessions a week, but that is also up to you.”

“Three days? No problem, how about Monday, Wednesday, and Friday? I also need to know when Kaylie is available.”

Amy nods and places her fingers to her pouty lips. “Those days are fine. Maybe four O’clock? She has soccer until two on most days. When school starts back, we’ll have to up the times to later in the day, maybe weekends.”

“That sounds do-able.” I inhale quickly and tell her, “Thank you for this.”

She smiles, “Sure, Sweetie. Do you have anything you want to do today?”

I shake my head, “I don’t know anything about this place.

“Karter,” Amy yells. He’s in the dining area in seconds. “Take Parker in the car and show her around.”

His smug smile is gone, but a look of irritation takes over. “No,” he says shortly.

“Why?” Amy ask simply.