Chapter 12

“Old habits die hard,” he said, laughing a little. “Bathroom is on the other side of the kitchen, even got a washer and dryer up here. You can see how I like to do laundry.”

“Doing it doesn’t seem to be the problem, getting it back in here seems to be what’s fouling up the process,” I said.

“Are we talking about laundry?”

“What else could we be talking about?”

“I don’t know, but how ‘bout we go get another beer and see what comes up.”

He left me standing there, unable to move.

“You coming?” Ned called out. “I thought we could sit out back, if you want.”

“Sure.”

“Just kind of stuffy up here, forgot to open the windows.”

“Huh?” I called as I made my way back to the kitchen, stopping for a second to stare again at the art that covered the walls.

“What are you doing?”

I turned suddenly. He was standing close to me, close enough I could have touched him. “Nothing, I was just looking at your artwork. It’s really—”

“Bad?”