The Wedding Guest
Chapter 6
Hannah had picked out a dark gray, almost black for her room. To Mike, it was depressing but she had also voiced wanting white woodwork and white wood furniture. A coworker of Christine's was sewing curtains and Mike built the bookshelves, a desk and nightstand.
Mike and Christine took a Saturday and set the bedroom up. Christine had also been scavenging and found some cloth covered books, that Mike suspected Hannah would really treasure. Finally, Christine got her from Katie's bedroom and led her to her old bedroom.
"Oh! I love the shelves…and these books…and this quilt and…" Hannah said as she looked around the room.
"So…my boss gave me the quilt. She makes them. Sally made the curtains. Your dad made the shelves, desk and nightstand." Christine explained.
"I love it!" Hannah said. She gave Christine a hug and finally, hugged Mike.
"Now…just because we made this room up for you, doesn't mean we never want to see you out of it. I've enjoyed having you help me with the furniture and picking things out…and we will go out weekly for breakfast. You just pick the day." Mike said.
"Okay. I really do like our breakfasts." Hannah remarked.
"Good. Me too." Mike replied; kissing her forehead.
"And the next thing we're going to work on is your wardrobe. I don't care if you wear comfy clothes around home but I want you to have some stuff for when we go out." Christine said. 'Going out' was news to Mike but he would agree with anything she said. Mike waited on Hannah to argue but she just nodded her head.
"Okay." Hannah replied.
"Alright…junk food night and let's find a movie?" Christine said.
"Sounds good to me." Mike agreed. He put an arm around Hannah and pulled her out of the bedroom with him.
"Mike–are you going on the shopping trip with Hannah and me?" Christine asked and then laughed at the face Mike made. Even Hannah laughed.
"Take that as a no, Mom." Hannah remarked.
"I'll fund it and carry in the stuff when you get home." Mike offered.
"Mom–maybe…that secretary at your office could come? I always like her clothes." Hannah suggested.
"I can ask." Christine said. She put a frozen pizza in the oven and wiped off the counter.
"Hannah; why don't you pull your laptop out and bring it in here. You can look at websites to see what sort of clothes you like." Mike suggested.
"Okay." Hannah replied. She headed back to her room.
"Clothes?" Mike asked.
"I think it might help. And she didn't argue." Christine replied.
"I'm totally fine with new clothes but I would like to do Katie's room before she comes home for Christmas." Mike said.
"Let's give it just a bit. I want Hannah to feel special for a while." Christine remarked.
"Okay." Mike replied. He gave her a long kiss and smiled into her hair.
"And this is fun." Christine said.
"Oh, you'll have more fun later tonight." Mike replied.
"Yuck, Dad." Hannah said, making the same face Mike had made earlier. Christine started laughing in response.
"I'll look forward to it." Christine said. Hannah made a gagging noise and they both laughed at her. It made her seem like a totally normal teenager disgusted by her parents.