Chapter 7

“You’re supposed to put sheets on your bed.”

“I’m washing them. They smell musty.”

“Musty?”

“Old. Gross. Like they have been sitting in a cardboard box that was hauled by sweaty men.”

“Gotcha. If I give you a few quarters, will you wash mine then, too?”

I outstretched my hand. “Gimme.”

He chuckled and pulled out a few quarters from his wallet. He then went into his bedroom and retrieved a massive gingham duvet. It was so fluffy, it blocked out his entire face.

“Those aren’t sheets,” I told him. “That’s a duvet.”

“Yeah, so?”

“So you have to remove the duvet stuffing—”

“Duvet stuffing…?”

“I can’t wash it with the stuff inside of it. You’re supposed to take it out.” I unbuttoned the top part of the duvet. He lifted the opposite end and I removed the insert.

Once that was done, I piled everything into my basket and walked out into the living room.

“What are you going to do about our bed?” Phillip called out after me.