Gum on the Sidewalk

Chapter Six: The House

Samantha called her parents and they allowed her to have a sleepover at my house.  They were a bit hesitant at first, but when I told them that she would be helping me make adjustments to the dress, they said that it would be okay.  I still didn't understand what their objection to me was or why they thought I was a bad influence one their daughter.

Since I didn't actually call anyplace home, I just picked a random one and told her it was mine.  Deceitful, maybe, but it was better than telling her that I ran away from foster care because I didn't feel loved and all that mumbo jumbo.  She was already all over me trying to get me to open up to her.  Like that was ever going to happen.

Even as we entered the house, I was thinking that I should have picked a different one,  it she was already convinced that I lived here.  But it was so messy, I mean, it literally looked like a tornado had swept through.  It was too late to turn back, though.  She was eyeing the place with a stinky look on her face, like the one you get when you smell old cheese.  The furniture was covered with dog and cat hair, which could have worked for other people, but certainly not me.  Some of the furniture was flipped over, and the refrigerator was lying on its side, being used as a coffee table and it was leaking water.

Samantha glanced at me and smiled with false enjoyment.  I could always tell her that it was my uncle's house and that I was just staying here.  But I doubted that she would have believed me.

"Um, let's make ourselves comfortable," I suggested.

"I'll try," I heard her mutter.

I was making myself look like a fool.  Maybe I could clean it up a bit, make the place look presentable.  I could set some of the furniture upright and that would definitely help a lot.  First, I shoved the refrigerator, which was currently occupying the living room, toward the kitchen.  To be honest, not my best plan, yet.  It didn't budge, it just rattled and shook a lot, causing a loud ruckus.  From outside, dogs could be heard barking and howling like wolves at the noise.  I remembered my last encounter with a dog and shuddered.

Thinking quickly, I ran outside to the open shed and grabbed the two-wheeled cart from inside.  Noisily, I drug it in the door, earning a look of confusion from Sam.  Shrugging at her, I pushed the metal of the cart under the edge of the bulky appliance and wheeled it into the other room.  Using my vast knowledge of leverege, I lifted it into the pantry and slammed the door once it was safely inside.  Happy to be rid of it, I wiped my hands on my pants and walked back into the living room, where Samantha still stood, looking positively befuddled.

I decided to ignore her as best as I could while I continued on my spree.  After the fridge, I wondered what could be next to go.  I righted a couple of deceased plants and continued through the room.  With the fridge off the carpeting, I pulled the folded up rug away from the fireplace and laid it over the stain that it had left behind.  I grabbed the chairs and set them aright.  The house certainly looked ten times better already.  Samantha smiled at me, this time it was genuine, not put on.  I had done something right for a change.  She sat in the nearest seat to her, which also happened to be the least hair-covered.

I thought the place looked good enough for now, and even though Sam was still looking at me funnily, I could get used to that.  She started to get up and look around.  That's when I noticed the phonograph sitting in the corner next to an old box of records.  I went quickly to it and switched it on to see if I still worked.  It did, but I didn't know if there were any good records or not.  I ,mean,I can dig some rock 'n' roll or rhythm and blues, but country and western wasn't in the cards right now.

Samantha smiled at me, seemingly happier now.  I was glad; I didn't want her to hate me.  I had done it, we were having a good time.  I knew then that it was true, what they said.  Music is food for the soul.  We danced in circles and lines and rings for the rest o the night.  She even taught me something: sometimes you don't have to get into trouble to have fun.  You just need the right state of mind.