Violet swung her hips from side to side, enjoying the beat of a familiar song. It was one of those catchy songs that radio stations love to play over and over because they never get old. Violet sang along as she twirled through the kitchen with a fresh pan of her famous pecan-crusted salmon. She mixed together butter, honey, pecans, and breadcrumbs, and then lightly spread the glaze on each filet.
Violet felt slightly foolish for making so much food for one person, but in the back of her mind, she was sort of hoping that the girl from the library, Laura, might show up and take her up on her offer to be roommates. She kind of liked the idea of having a roommate, and she knew that Laura needed this too, after hearing her story at the library today. Violet was no stranger to domestic violence, having a sister who had endured similar circumstances to the ones Laura described. Violet also grew up with a father who was a mean drunk, and she knew what it felt like to be afraid and alone. Violet had few, if any, female friends, and perhaps she was being too idealistic, but she enjoyed the idea of a live-in female companion.
Violet slid the pan into the broiler and turned the radio up for her favorite part.
Maybe it was her feelings for Michael, or simply the airy smell of summer drifting in from the screen door, but she felt happy and free. She danced like no one was watching, and she finished the song with a clumsy twirl. She nearly jumped out of her skin as she came face-to-face with someone standing at the screen door.
“Ummm…sorry,” Lexi stammered. She burst into a fit of giggles.
Violet did the same. “Well, after that, you might as well come on in,” Violet offered, pushing open the screen door for her guest. “How long were you watching me?” she asked, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“I just walked up,” Lexi reassured her. “I’m sorry. The door was open, and I was just about to knock on the screen…”
“It’s okay. I hope my dance moves didn’t scare you away,” Violet joked, pulling out a chair to offer a seat.
“Well, I am a professional dancer, you know. I could offer some pointers…” Lexi joked back.
“Tempting,” Violet said with a smile and opened the refrigerator to retrieve a drink for her guest. “I’m glad you decided to come, Laura, I really am.”
***
Violet made sure her guest liked salmon before fixing them both a plate. She took a seat next to Lexi, and they both dug into their food. “This is delicious!” Lexi complimented her, and they proceeded to make small talk as they finished their meal. Violet talked about her book series and part-time work at the library, and Lexi shared a few funny stories about the characters she had dealt with at the Clamshell. Lexi had worried that coming here would be awkward, but she felt at ease with this woman, and there was a natural sense of kinship between the two.
“Well, now that I’ve enticed you with my cooking, let me show you the house so you can see where you would be staying,” Violet offered.
Lexi thanked her again for the meal and followed her into an extraordinarily large great room. “It’s beautiful,” Lexi commented, awe-struck by the size of the place, not to mention its exquisiteness. “Why do you want a roommate when you could have this place all to yourself?” Lexi inquired.
Violet told her about her recent separation from Alex, and explained that although she could afford the expenses on her own, it would be easier with a roommate.
“Like I said, this place is gorgeous, Violet. And I would love to rent from you, but I just don’t have any income yet. I mean…who knows? It may take weeks or even months for me to get a job. Wouldn’t you be better off finding another roommate that can pay you now instead of waiting around on me?”
“Honestly, I have no one else in mind,” Violet answered, “and I was thinking we could try it out, rent-free, for a couple months. If it doesn’t work out, or you can’t find employment, we’ll call it quits. But if you do find something, and do want to stay, you can just start paying on the third month.”
It sounded too good to be true. With the way her luck was running, it was hard to believe that Lexi had met such a thoughtful person who was so willing to do her this favor.
“Let me show you to your room,” Violet continued, and she led the way to the third floor attic space.
“Wow! This place is spectacular,” Lexi marveled as she admired a beautiful, canopied bed in the center of the room. Violet also showed her an adjacent bathroom and a roomy, wardrobe closet that occupied the space. It was such a neat little room, and Lexi absolutely adored it.
“My bedroom and office are on the second floor, as well as a few other bedrooms and a bathroom. If you need extra space for your personal items, feel free to use any of the additional bedrooms. I was thinking we could just share the kitchen and living room spaces on the first floor. We have our own bedrooms and bathrooms, so everywhere else can be sort-of like community areas for either of us to use,” Violet suggested.
“Sounds wonderful,” Lexi responded. And it did. She felt overwhelmed with excitement about her new living quarters.
“I almost forgot the best part!” Violet exclaimed. “You also have a balcony!” Violet used a small skeleton key to unlock a steel-framed door. It led onto an open balcony inside the turret.
“It’s like being inside a tower!” Lexi exclaimed, looking out onto the town of Oaksdale. “Marvelous!”
“In the old days,” Violet explained, “turrets were used to signify military fortification. Soldiers could mount their guns up here, and they were protected from returning fire.” Lexi smiled. “I feel safe here.”
Violet smiled at her new roommate and potential friend. “Me too,” she added thoughtfully.