When I woke up the next morning, I thought about the funer before I got dressed and went downstairs to get a cup of coffee. I found a note from Aunt May that she left early to go to school. I went to the truck and drove over to Mrs. Gardneys house to work on the basement while its still cool out.
As I went to go inside Matt pulled up and said, "Oh good you are here."
Smiling I said, "Yeah I was gonna work in the basement while its still cool out. I was hoping I could work down there for at least an hour."
Pulling a cart out of his truck he said, "Well I grabbed my cart to leave here for you to stack boxes on and bring out in piles. Leave your truck locked unless you bring things out. I am going to work on all the security cameras for both houses."
Going inside I headed to the basement to work on going through everything. After the first hour I dragged the cart outside and loaded the sell boxes in the back of the truck and a box of crafting items and keep items to bring to the cabin. Going to the basement again I batted the heat for another house until I could not do anymore and then headed to Pete's closet and continued on. When my alarm went off I brought the filled boxes to the truck after placing a basket for Nancy to sort.
When I was ready to leave Matt said, "Leave the cart in the kitchen and your security cameras are set up as well. How did the basement go?"
"I made a big dent," I said. "I will work on more of it this week. All boxes that are sorted are already pulled so if you go down there and move things around it will be alright as the half boxes are in the master bedroom. But I am going to go to the house and work on adding more to the truck for a while."
Going back to the house I backed my truck in and opened the small section of the garage which my truck filled the door. Adding the boxes to the truck that I filled last night I went to the master bedroom and worked on Dads closet. After another hour I finished cleaning out Dads closet and loaded the items into the truck closing Dads closet after making sure everything was empty. Going into Mom's closet I I started packing everything I could. When I filled the truck I brought out a few boxes to take to the cabin. Heading to the store to drop off items I saw that there was a car following me.
I drove back to the store Larry came over and asked, "Whats wrong Abbie?"
"Larry," I said. "I know this is going to sound bad but I think someone is following me."
He took my arm and said, "In the store now."
He led me to the office and Grace looked up and she said, "Abigail is everything okay?"
Larry sat me down and said, "Abbie thinks that someone is following her truck. Let me see the security cameras."
Grace said, "Oh my."
She got up and Larry sat down asking, "What type of car Abbie?"
"It was a white car," I said. "Black stripe down the middle of the hood."
Larry searched for a few minutes and said, "Here we are. I have a picture of the driver look."
Looking I said, "Oh you have got to be kidding me. That is Mrs Gardneys great nephew Mitch him and his Mom are angry they were left out of the will."
I pulled out my phone and called Nancy and when she answered she said, "I was going to call you, what is up?"
"Mitch is following me." I said. "I noticed when I left the store after dropping off items. I am worried that he followed me out to the cabin. Larry who works here has him on camera in front of the store waiting for me to leave."
She said, "Let me call you back in a few minutes."
Hanging up Grace said, "Let us see what Nancy does. Until then I wanted to let you know you are selling so many things in your store. You have made a small fortune. So let me know what you are going to do with the money."
Laughing I said, "Not much. I have been saving it and using it to pay my grounds person at the cabin. He has done so much and he will be getting a nice bonus when he is finished."
A few minutes later Nancy was bought into the office and she said, "The police are waiting at your house and when we get there the police will be watching for Mitch. They are also going to issue a restraining order and they will need the address of the cabin as well. Grace can you send me a video where he is here and follows Abbie when she leaves."
Larry said, "Give me ten minutes."
He worked on the video and a few minutes later got Nancys email. She checked her email and confirmed she had it. We checked the cameras and saw Mitch waiting across from the store again. Grace said, "We will send you the next video after you leave."
We left the store with Nancy lying on the back seat in the truck. I asked, "You good."
She chuckled and said, "Its good to lay down for two minutes. Its been crazy doing things since Mom passed."
Looking in the mirror I said, "Well Mitch is behind me so lets see what happens."
As I drove home Mitch kept up behind me. When I got to our road all hell broke loose. Pulling into my driveway mitch pulled in behind me jumping out of his car. Nancy jumped out to confront him and the police pulled in blocking him from getting out.
He started yelling, "I am due from them and I have proof that he was not Nancy's cousin but her brother."
Nancy said, "Mitch you tried this when my Dad died and you had a DNA test done. You know that the test showed we were cousins not siblings. Your Mom lied to you so the truth would not come out about who your Dad really is."
His head shot up and said, "Your mom had the test doctored."
"No she did not," Nancy sighed. "I can tell you who your Dad is but you will not like it."
"Who miss know it all," He growled.
"Mitch your Dad is your Mom's first husband Albert," She said. "Your mom did not want you to know because Albert was a good man and would not have left when your Mom left him and married Kirt. Kirt and your mom had an affair and your Mom decided to be with Kirt because he made more money. Albert knows the truth and wants to speak with you but you have to stop this Abbie is like my niece and I will not let you hurt her."
The police pulled him aside and started to question Mitch on why he was following me. Matt spoke with another officer and explained about Mrs. Gardneys death and her will. The officer took notes and she went over to Mitch and the officer. After she repeated what Matt told her Mitcv h started screaming,"We should have gotten everything instead of that brat! We will not stop until we get what she was given."
The officer turned him around and placed him under arrest for stalking and harassing a minor. He fought the officer trying to resist arrest. The officer came over to Nancy and I saying, "I am so sorry ladies yo had to deal with this. Especially you, Abbie. What I would suggest is, tomorrow morning, go to the jail and get a restraining order. That way he should stay away from you from both the homes, your cabin and the store. You can add school and anywheg re else you frequent as well."
Aunt May pulled in and called, "What the heck is going on?"
I said, "That is my Aunt, she is my guardian."
The female officer went over to her and explained the situation. When she finished talking to her my Aunt came right over to us and hugged me. She said, "We will go first thing in the morning and will go get the restraining order."
Nodding, I said, "I agree."
We spoke to Nancy for a while longer, and then we went inside our house. Aunt May said, "I cannot believe he thought he would get away with this. What are we going to do?"
I said, "Well for now I am going to work on Dads closet. Tomorrow we are going to get the restraining order then you are going to go to school, and I will be going next door for work."
She shook her head as she said, "Alright then. Well, I took chicken out earlier i will call you down when
i finish cooking dinner. Since tomorrow is Sunday, I know you will be loading the doorway with boxes for selling."
"Yes, and remember tomorrow afternoon I have a show," I said. "They picked up my crate even though it was not really full. I did talk to Jimmy, and he understands what I am doing. But I think I will be getting more time in my art starting after tomorrow's show. Also the doorway will be cleared as they accept donations on Sunday. The store is closed and they do set up and intake."
"Did they leave you a crate for this month?" She asked.
"Yes and I am working on a crystalized vase with flowers now," I said. "I have a few things planned for the next show so I am thinking I will be alright. It is not like I need the money with the sales from the items in the house."
"Do you mind me asking how much you made so far?" Aunt May asked.
"Let me check," I said. "I know today is deposit day."
I pulled up my cash app account and said, "Wow I will need to transfer money to my savings account. I have $6754 in cash app. I am going to move most of that is going to my savings account."
"Smart," SHe said. "Well go work on what you are going to do and I will call you when dinner is done."
Standing there I said, "I do not want to work on Mom and Dads room."
"Why not start the guest room closet? I have seen so much in there," She said.
"Good idea," I said. Grabbing a few boxes I went up to the guest room and set up three boxes. Then I went to Mom and Dads room and grabbed the boxes I had in there. Bringing the full boxes to the truck. I had a few for the cabin and a few for the store. Opening the closet door I said, "Mom and Dad you all were hoarders."
Grabbing a small table I placed the first tote on it and started to sort. Iwas surprised to find a tote of boys clothes. Then I remembered mom always had clothes incase she had a baby shower or someone needed it. I grabbed a few outfits that were cute for crafts and placed the rest in the sale pile. Since I wanted to stay organized and clean, I took each box to the truck as I filled it. By the time Aunt May called me down to dinner I had cleared out a bunch of kids clothes, items and toys, placing them in the sale pile. When I got down to the kitchen Aunt May smiled and said, "I made enough for leftovers. How did it go in the guest room?"
"I made a huge dent in the closet," I said. "I think I am gonna take a break from in thier room. To much to fast."
"Well," SHe started. "It's not like it's a small house. "I bet you will do better in there when you mentally cannot handle their room."
"Thats true," I said. "After dinner I am going to spend a few hours in the art room. I found some clay and decided to make some things for the next show."
"What are you thinking?"
"Decorative pottery," I said. "Then its going to get a shiney silver overlay to go with the crystalized flowers I am working on. I have flowers crystalizing now and I found two more boxes of fake carnations and roses to do. The clay is quick dry so I am going to do one where the flower are lose and a few that have the flowers secured. Wrapped in the clay. I also found some old flowers that are just the flowers no stems which I am going to make into a wreath. Those were done and dried already."
"You plan on filling the crate?" She said.
"Yes and I have some blanket and doll sets that will be going into the crystalizing baths as well tonight," I said. "Then I have wood burning items. I think I am going to do art after dinner every night and clean out the house during the day."
"Do you think you will run out of supplies before you move to the cabin?" She asked.
"Probably not," I chuckled. "Most of the things I mentioned were in one tote. There are so many totes and boxes of supplies in there. I have enough supplies to last me a long time."
"Good," She said. "So everything you find while you clean is going to the new cabin?"
"Yes for both houses," I said, dishing up more chicken. "This is so good."
"I am glad you like it," she said. "Well, maybe I will come into the art room and do homework."
"I would like that," I said.
After dinner, we cleaned up and started our new routine. I cleared a spot for Aunt May, and she did homework as I worked on my crafts. First, I set up the bears with blankets. Once they were in and covered for crystallization, I added flowers to two bins. The first bin was carnations, and the second was roses. Gathering the crystalized flowers with stems, I added them to the table where I had a box of clay. I decided to do three and five flower bunches. I had three flowers left of each type of flower and I found satin ribbon and tied each flower in tissue paper, tying it with ribbon. Adding those to the show crate, I sat down to work on the first vase. We worked on everything for a few hours and then we both started to yawn.
We started laughing and cleaned up our mess. Saying goodnight, we headed to our room and went to bed.
The next morning I got up and went down to the kitchen. Aunt May walked in and said, "I feel like crap today."
"Have you been to the doctor?" I asked.
"Will you please go see one," I asked. "I don't want to lose you."
Her face softened and she came over and hugged me. She said, "Don't worry, kiddo, I promise I will go see the Doctor. I plan on crashing at the new cabin whenever I am in town."
"Good," I said. "Now I have a truck full of items to drop at the store and some things to drop at the cabin. After that, I need to get dressed for the show."
"Alright," She said. "I think we will have grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner because you never know how hungry you may be."
Climbing into the truck I dropped items off at the resale store and found James working on the property. He said, "Its coming along!"
"It looks great," I said. "You are doing a good job!"
"Will you be here long today?" He asked.
"Nah," I said. "Bringing in a few boxes and heading out. I have a show later today."
"Alright," He said. "I will lock up when I leave."
Taking the boxes inside I unpacked the clothes and books I had. Taking the supplies to the basement, I sorted all the supplies and went upstairs to lock up the house. Waving to James I headed back to my house. Showering, I got ready for the show and headed to the art gallery.
When I walked in I heard, "Abbie, there you are."
Jimmy came over and gave me a hug. I said, "Jimmy, I am so sorry I did not have a lot for today's show. I promise you there will be more next month."
Jimmy chuckled and said, "No worries, Abbie. I know you have been through a lot."
"You're telling me," I said. "Cleaning out two houses, one to be sold. Plus the funeral and art have me going crazy."
"Don't overdo it kid," He said. "I like it when you fill the crates, but I want you to be a kid still. Your mom would come back from the beyond if I treated you bad. Besides, the crystal art you have done has been selling. We sold the massive bear with the blanket before you got here. Any more big ones in the future?"
"I'm not sure," I said. "I have some small and medium ones going now. It all depends on what I find in all of my mom's old supplies. I am working through them now. So we shall see. I know there is wood burning and jewelry in the future. It all depends on what I find. I have also been working on a new sculpture. All in good time."
He handed me an orange juice and said, "Go eat something. Most of the usual buyers are here along with a few new ones."
Heading to the food table, I made a small plate and walked the show. Going to where my items were, I watched the people look at the items. An elderly man and woman were looking at one of the crystal animals, and the wife said, "I love the bear, but there is something about the rabbit that I like as well."
"Well, you go look, dear," He said. He signaled for a worker and arranged to purchase both the pieces. He looked up at me and winked. He looked over my shoulder and then at me. I turned to see my picture Jimmy had and winked at him. Walking through the gallery, I nodded to a few other artists. Getting another orange juice, I continued my rounds.
I was walking to the outdoor displays when I heard, "You really like to pretend to be an artist, don't you?"
The woman standing next to her asked, "A friend of yours, Chloe?"
"Definitely not," She said. "She is a freak at my school."
Her mother's nose flared and to me she said, "Well you must know someone who has a in here."
"Actually," Jimmy said from behind her. "She is one of our most celebrated artists. Also your offer for the crystalized unicorn your daughter wanted has been denied as she thinks so little of the artist who made it."
Chloe's head snapped up and said, "You can't do that."
Her mother tried to shush her as Jimmy said, "Of course I can."
Smiling I put my hand on Jimmy's arm. I said, "Jimmy there is no need to do that. Let them purchase it and she can remember that the artists and person she hates the most made it. Chloe has always thought she was better than me and i take pleasure in the fact that I know I am not sleeping with the whole football team and have a future in the art world. Where she will have to latch on to a rich man because she has to cheat on every test she takes because she is to busy partying and doing drugs."
Chloe and her mom went to say something when I heard a man say, "Chloe what she said better not be true."
Chloes head snapped up and said, "Daddy she is a nobody."
"A nobody?" He said. "She is a great artist and we have so many of her pieces in our home. You and your mother are going to be cut off if you do not stop this nonsense."
Turning to me he said, "Abbie I am so sorry for thier disgusting behavior. Also the vase you made my mother absolutely treasures. She would have been here today but she caught a summer cold. How is the estate clean out going?"
"Slow and steady," I said. "It is a bit busier now. Mrs Gardney passed away as well and I have to have her estate cleaned out by next summer."
"Oh, I am so sorry to hear that," He said. "I will give Nancy a call to see how she is hanging in there. I still remember you in your stroller here with your mom. She taught you so well before she passed, and it's obvious you have her natural talent. Let me apologise for my wife and daughter, you do not deserve the way they are acting. They forget I worked for what we have and if I didn't work for it they would have nothing."
"Thank you, Simon," I said. "I will also let Nancy know you asked about her. My mom did teach me well before she passed, when she was working on a project, I was working on one as well."
Patting my arm he turned to his family and said, "I think we are done here. Jimmy am I allowed to purchase the piece? If you say no I will respect your decision."
"You may," Jimmy said. "If I hear your wife and daughter insult anyone else here ever again they will be banned from the gallery."
"Understood, "He said. Turning to his family, he said, "Let's go."
Jimmy sighed and said, "You good kid?"
"Yeah," I said. "I have been dealing with her since my parents passed. Jimmy, this has been fun; however, I am tired and will be heading out."
"No worries dear," He said. "I will send the payment to your savings account for today's show."
I walked out to my truck and headed home. When I walked in Aunt May was sitting on the couch with a guy. She looked up and said, "Hey, Abbie, this is Sam."
Sam got up and put out his hand. As I shook it he said, "Abbie, it is so nice to meet you. Your Aunt May has told me so much about you. How did your art show go?"
"It went well," I said. "A bit of drama. But a lot of my pieces sold."
"What happened?" Aunt May asked as I joined them in the living room.
"Chloe," I said. "But I told her hwo it was and her Dad, Simon, was there and he was pissed. I believe her attitude will be changing very soon."
Sam whistled and said, "Damn there is no need for her to bully. Abbie I was going to take May out to dinner, would you like to join us?"
"Thank you for the invitation," I said. "I peopled to much today and I am going to work on cleaning out the guest room closet and a few more projects."
His eyes lit up and Aunt May laughed as she said, "Abbie Sam is a Art history major at the college show him your studio."
Standing up I said, "Come on, you two."
For the next thirty minutes I showed Sam my art studio. He asked all the right questions and Aunt May looked very happy that we got along. When they were ready to leave I said, "Have a good night you two."
Aunt May hung back and asked, "Can he come back here for a while tonight? We never discussed guys in the house."
"I am alright with that," I said. "He makes you happy which makes me happy. Have fun at dinner."
When they left for dinner I went to get changed. I set a three hour timer and went to work on the guest room closet. As my timer went off I finished the last tote from the closet. Sighing I smiling and grabbed the vaccum to clean the inside of the closet. Moving the boxes to the truck I went to the kitchen and heated up the chicken from the night before. I took my plate to the art studio and ate as I worked on the wreath I was making. Remembering to take pictures to add to my instagram account I worked until I heard a knock at my door. Aunt May and Sam stood there and Sam said, "We bought you some desert. They had an incredible chocolate cake."
Taking the container, I said, "I will never say no to cake. Thank you. I will be going to bed soon. New routine starts tomorrow."
"Did you get anything done?" Aunt May asked.
"I finished the wreath and it's in my crate for my next show," I said. "With school coming up I know I will have to redo the schedule once I start. Jimmy's crew is going to bring me extra crates so I can stock up before then, and the items will be released one crate per show. He insists that I still be a kid."
"As you should be," Sam said.
I ate the cake as I crocheted a new blanket for the large teddy bear I found in my supplies. When I was too tired to continue, I lay in my bed to watch TV. Every once in a while, I heard Aunt May giggle. I was happy she found someone and wondered if I would be so lucky one day.
The next morning I woke up and got ready to go next door to work. When I came downstairs, I found Sam in the kitchen drinking coffee. I said, "Good morning!"
"Good morning Abbie," He said. "Listen can we talk while May is still asleep?"
Pouring a cup of coffee I sat down and asked, "What is on your mind?"
"I really adore your aunt," He said. "I would very much like to be a part of her life. However, I know she is your guardian, and you do not turn eighteen until right before graduation. I do not want to interfere with your life or make things awkward. But I feel like me and your Aunt can have a future and she waited so long to introduce us."
Smiling I said, "Sam, you make her very happy. I am happy she found you. You will learn I am very self sufficiant and I want her to have her own life as well."
He let out a sigh of relief and said, "Well, I appreciate that. She loves you like your her own and I never want to get between that. So she said you have a cabin you inherited and you started an art studio in the basement. I cannot wait to see that."
Smiling I said, "Yeah, it is peaceful and calm. So do you live in the dorms at the college?"
"Nope," He said. "When my Grandma passed away, I inherited her Airstream. I live at a local camping spot. It is cheaper then the dorms and I have more privacy."
"Smart," I said. "Well, hopefully after March, I will have the house mostly cleaned out and on the market. I know I have all the time in the world but I have two houses to go through so it may take longer."
He laughed and said, "Your a planner. I know some relators, so if you need someone, let me know."
Looking at my watch I said, "Crap I am gonna be late. Help yourself to breakfast."
Grabbing my keys I headed next door and went inside. Breathing in deep it still smelled like Mrs. Gardney. Heading to the basement since it was still cool I set my timer. My last hour it was to warm to continue to work down there. I headed back to the master bedroom and worked on her husbands closet. When I was finished I climbed into my truck to head to both the store and the cabin when Sam came out and said, "Abbie after the store go get the back tire on your side looked at. It looks rough."
Aunt May came out and said, "Abbie, we noticed your tires last night. Especially going out to the cabin, you need good tires on the truck."
Nodding, I said, "Will do."
At the store Larry came out and said, "Hey kiddo that back drivers tire looks bad."
"I promise Larry I am going to get it checked after here," I said. "Aunt May and her boyfriend mentioned it this morning."
"Good," He said and handed me a receipt. "Will we see you later today?"
"Possibly," I said."I am working on a guest room, and it is going to have furniture in it. So probably."
Abigail Langley- Main Savings- 323000
Aunt May- Secondary
Mrs. Crila Gardney- neighbor she works for (Nancy/Matt-daughter)(Pete/husband)
James lawn man
Grace- sales person* Mary intake* larry sales specialist
Jimmy's
mitch- nephew
Chloe- bully Simon- her dad
June 3S4 July 123S4 August 123S4 Sept 1***23S4 Oct 123S4 Nov 1S23S4 Dec 1S234 Jan 12S34 Feb 1S23S4 Mar 12S34 April 12S34 May 12S34 June 123S4
My home:
Basement, attic, kitchen, pantry, laundry room, Entry way, Front closet, Dining room, Kitchen, breakfast nook, office, library, downstairs hall closet, tv room, living room. downstairs hallway. Stair well 1, landing, stair well 2, master bedroom, moms closet, dads closet, master bath, baster bath closet, my room, my closet, my bathroom, guest room 1, guest room 2, guest room two closet, guest bathroom, top floor hallways, linen closet, top floor hall closet, art room, aunt mays room, aunt mays closet, aunt mays bathroom. garage
Mrs. Gardney Home-
Basement, attic, kitchen, pantry, laundry room, Entry way, Front closet, Dining room, Kitchen, breakfast nook, office, library, downstairs hall closet, tv room, living room. downstairs hallway. Stair well 1, landing, stair well 2, master bedroom, 1 closet, 2 closet, master bath, baster bath closet, my room, my closet, my bathroom, guest room 1, guest room 1 closet, guest room 2, guest room two closet, guest bathroom, top floor hallways, linen closet, top floor hall closet, Garden room, kids room, kids closet, kids bathroom. garage
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