The road to happiness

Chapter 2

Still a bit shocked by my sudden change, Eadlyn nods and reaches for her purse to take out a notebook. "First of all, if I don't like it there or if there is any trouble of any kind, we switch back. No matter what. Since I don't really want to move everything back and forth the furniture stays where it is. I will get you a bed for Sammy so he can sleep here, but with his bed at my place he can also come over when you want the night off. We will need to meet with a lawyer to legally switch places and stuff, but we'll do that some other time, good?" Eadlyn nods, visibly relieved that she can take some nights off from now on, without having to worry about getting a babysitter. "You can't fire the staff working in the house", she adds to my statements. "They have been working there for years now and are very kind people. They helped me a lot with Sammy and the bills, promise me you won't fire them." I nod. "Pinky promise, I know what they've done over the past few years. I will try to keep them for as long as I can pay their salaries." Eadlyn nods and hands me a pen. "If you sign this we can already switch places. We'll make it a temporary agreement until we can meet with the lawyer to make things official", she says. I sign and she gets up to leave. "When do you want to make the switch?" I ask, knowing it could take a while to get packed. "How about 3 days from now? That way we both get the chance to pack the essentials and maybe also sort out some stuff from our closets? I know that Sammie needs some more clothes as well, but I can only get those if I have made some space in his closet." I nod, agreeing with my sister on the sorting out part. I have quite a lot of clothes that I don't wear anymore, and they could easily get a new life in a second-hand store. That way I can also look for some more informal clothes, since I own almost no casual clothes. That's why I feel often overdressed when I'm out with my friends too.

A few moments later we see Sammie rubbing his eyes, so Eadlyn decides to head back home to put him in his bed. I wave them goodbye and head to my room. I will already start sorting out my clothes, since I have to work tomorrow, meaning I won't have much time to pack in the next few days.

I start by taking everything out and putting my clothes on my bed, that way I'll have to finish before going to bed. I decide to make three stacks: one to keep, one to give away and one to throw out if they are ripped or anything. Suddenly, I hear my phone ringing. "Where on earth did I put that thing?!" I yell, hurrying towards the sound. Or at least where I think the sound is coming from. I see my phone flashing, and am just in time to answer. "Good evening, this is Cassandra Summers. What can I help you with?" I ask using my professional voice, trying to mask my exhaustion. "Hi Cassie, you got some free time tonight? Maybe come over for a glass of wine and dinner? Or have you already eaten? I didn't interrupt something, did I?" Of course, the only person calling me at six in the evening would be my dearest friend Eleanor. She is sometimes a bit overenthusiastic, but we met in kindergarten and have been inseparable ever since. "I'm sorry Eleanor, but I have agreed with my sister to switch places, since she can't pay for the mansion anymore. I've got to sort out my clothes, if you want, why don't you come over and take the ingredients and that wine of yours with you? That way you can do something useful and help me with the clothes," I answer her, knowing she hasn't cooked anything yet, hoping I would help her. "I can indeed do that. But you'll have to help with the cooking as well, promised?" "Of course." I chuckle. "I'll see you in a bit. You can come straight up, ok?" "Alright, see you."

I sigh in relief, at least now I'll have some help and I don't have to order in for dinner. And with Eleanor's incredible sense of style, I'll probably be the best dressed psychologist in the city.