Suzie’s House 523 : Shoes

“How much longer are they going to be here?” Miranda glared into the hall through which the old couple had exited minutes before.

“As long as it takes.” Suzie pulled a roll of cookie dough out of the refrigerator and started slicing.

“Takes for what? To worm they way into the house as permanent honorary members?”

Suzie didn’t bother to respond, which only made Miranda all the more insecure. She knew she wasn’t exactly being generous, but she felt like this old couple was taking her own tentative place in the household.

“Seriously, Suzie. Just how long are you planning on playing hostess to these leaches.”

“They aren’t leaches. For one thing, they paid rent.”

“For the den?! But that’s supposed to be a place for all of us!”

“Have they ever kept you from using the TV? Drew is in there all the time. So are the kids.”

“But…. how am I supposed to get comfortable when the old guy is snoring.”

“Trent. His name is Trent.” Suzie shoved the tray of cookie dough perfectly cut into delicious medallions into the oven.” “And his wife, who is doing her best to help Drew get back to the whole man he used to be, is named Sonoma. You’re good with names. Can’t you remember theirs?”

“I remember the names I need to,” Miranda muttered. “I didn’t know I was going to need theirs. My question stands. Just how long are they going to be sleeping in the den?”

“Don’t you want to see Drew completely recovered?” Suzie leaned against the counter with her arms crossed.

“Well… Yeah.” Miranda shifted uncomfortably from one high heel to the other. Her shoes had her standing tall, but in front of her best friend’s glare, she felt tiny.

“I love Drew dearly, but every time I look at him I can’t help but think about the way he used to be.”

“Is he really so…” Miranda didn’t bother to finish with “different”. Even she had to admit that Drew was only a shadow of what he used to be.

It was the self confidence. A lot of Drew’s appeal had come from his convictions. Now he seemed to question every step he took. Miranda guessed if she had the kind of hallucinations he claimed to, she might be like that too.

No. If it was her, it would all be a lot worse. She was just that way. Already not so sure of anything, if it had been her, she’d have gone completely around the bend.

“You think they are really helping?” She couldn’t help but ask.

“I do.” Suzie gave a decisive nod before crossing to the refrigerator. It was her turn to cook supper tonight. She wasn’t just cooking in agitation. She had a purpose for running the oven.

“Oh.” Miranda thought about it. If it was her instead of Drew, she’d probably need all the help she could get. “Alright, that settles it. I’ll move my shoes. So long as they pay the rent, they can have my old room.”

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