CHAPTER 2

Saturday morning found Catherine dreading the mundane task of removing wallpaper. Moving with without purpose, she headed to the kitchen, desperately needing her morning cup of liquid energy. The renovations were moving exponentially, and after one week she was pleased with the progress. Luckily her room was habitable, so she'd decided to live in the house during the renovations. Waiting on her coffee to brew, her mind wandered to her neighbor. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd seen him somewhere before. He had made himself scarce, so it was safe to assume he wouldn't be bringing her a casserole to welcome her to the neighborhood. He could sulk and brood until he walked a hole in his floor, because this was her home, and she was there to stay. He could take his issues and roll them up and smoke them, until the filter burned his lips off, for all she cared. Filling her cup with steaming hot liquid, she headed to sit on the porch.

"Are you okay ma'am? My momma said that place is dangerous. She said all kinds of critters live there. Are you homeless? Old Lee Ray is and he lives under the bridge on Sanford Avenue. I take him food sometimes when I can sneak it out of the house."

Startled out of her reverie, Catherine turned to see a towheaded little boy on a bicycle.

She gingerly set her cup on the steps and walked into the yard. "I assure you, I've never been better. And who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

He got off his bike, promptly letting it fall to ground, and extended his hand to Catherine. "My name is Luke. I was named after my grandfather. He's dead now, but he was the closest thing I had to a daddy. I visit him sometime at the cemetery around the corner. Do you have a daddy?"

Catherine chuckled to herself. Luke was certainly entertaining and a gentleman as well. She wondered if he was a good swimmer, because he sure was loquacious, barely taking a breath.

"I'm Catherine. I guess we are both special, because I don't have a daddy either," she said, shaking his hand.

"Are you going to live there?" Luke asked, pointing at the house.

"Yes. I grew up here. My grandmother died and left it to me.

"Are you going to fix it up? My momma said it was falling apart."

Hiding a smile, she said, "Your mom is right, but when I finish it will be like new. I've actually started working on it already. You can even visit and see the new look when I finish."

"Can I help if my mom says it's okay? I'm a good helper and I'm out of school for the summer." Luke asked excitedly, with a sparkle in his eyes.

"I suppose it's okay if your mom agrees. I will need to meet her first though. Do you live on this street?"

"Yes ma'am. My mom runs the bed and breakfast at the corner," he said pointing to the left.

"Do you know the guy who lives next door to me?" She asked, anxiously awaiting his answer.

"Not really. His name is Vincent Keller. He doesn't talk to anyone and he hates noise."

"Ah, that explains a lot. How about I walk down to your house and meet your mom?"

"That would be great. You'll like her and she makes the best apple pie in the whole parish," Luke said, already mounting his bike.

"Well, in that case, let's get a move on."

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER. THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL REVIEWS AND I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP THEM COMING. THANKS FOR READING