Appliances Included - A book by Mark Souza
Author:Mark Souza
AppliancesIncludedMark SouzaCopyright2011 by Mark SouzaSmashwordsEditionThank you fordownloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with yourfriends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed fornon-commercial purposes provided the book remains in its completeoriginal form. If you enjoyed this book, please tell your friends,share it, and return to discover other works by this author. Thankyou for your support.This is a work offiction. Any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead,events, or locales is entirely coincidental.Tableof ContentsStoryAppliancesIncluded TidbitsAboutthe AuthorUpcomingTitlesFindMe Online“Cupid’sMaze” Excerpt
AppliancesIncludedMark SouzaCopyright2011 by Mark SouzaSmashwordsEditionThank you fordownloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with yourfriends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed fornon-commercial purposes provided the book remains in its completeoriginal form. If you enjoyed this book, please tell your friends,share it, and return to discover other works by this author. Thankyou for your support.This is a work offiction. Any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead,events, or locales is entirely coincidental.Tableof ContentsStoryAppliancesIncluded TidbitsAboutthe AuthorUpcomingTitlesFindMe Online“Cupid’sMaze” Excerpt
AppliancesIncludedBy MarkSouzaMaryGivens struggled to keep the excitement off her face so she couldmaintain the air of a skeptical buyer. She and her husband, Lou,followed the realtor room to room nodding and dwelling over everyflaw. Whenever Mary made eye contact with Lou, he’d arch an eyebrowand give a shrewd frown as a reminder of their powwow in the car.Outside the brownstone beforehand he'd warned, “The happier welook, the more the price will go up. Keep your game face on.”Thereal estate agent looked trim and professional in her red blazer andblack slacks. Her smile came easily though it seemed overly rehearsedand never quite reached her eyes. She had a knack for knowing howlong to spend in each room and when to back off so Mary and Lou couldtalk. Thetour ended in the laundry room. It was spacious with high ceilingsand ample built-in cabinets. A large washer and dryer sat opposite awindow looking out on the alley. The agent turned and extended an armto draw their attention to the machines like a game show model. “Allappliances are included with the house.”“Howold are they?” Mary asked.Therealtor’s smile faded a bit. “I’m not quite sure. But they areindustrial quality and have been impeccably maintained.”Sheswung open the dryer door for Mary’s inspection. Mary bent down andpeered inside. The stainless steel drum sparkled. Her face reflectedoff the mirror-like surface at the back. Mary furrowed her brow. “Ido worry about the energy rating of such old machines. In fact, Ihave concerns about the plumbing and electrical in general. Olderbuildings have a habit of turning into a homeowner’s nightmare. Howold is this place and what’s its history?”
AppliancesIncludedMark SouzaCopyright2011 by Mark SouzaSmashwordsEditionThank you fordownloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with yourfriends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed fornon-commercial purposes provided the book remains in its completeoriginal form. If you enjoyed this book, please tell your friends,share it, and return to discover other works by this author. Thankyou for your support.This is a work offiction. Any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead,events, or locales is entirely coincidental.Tableof ContentsStoryAppliancesIncluded TidbitsAboutthe AuthorUpcomingTitlesFindMe Online“Cupid’sMaze” Excerpt
Theagent smiled and seemed eager to answer. “The building was erectedin the middle of the nineteenth century and has housed a variety ofbusinesses. About ten years ago, it was converted into a residentialdwelling. It was gutted down to the brick and built back up. All thesystems, windows and insulation are modern and up to code.” Hereyes darted back and forth between Mary and Lou. “Why don’t Igive you two a little time to discuss? I’ll be in the kitchen.”Assoon as the door closed and they were alone, Lou broke into a grin.Keeping his voice low he asked, “What do you think?”Marytried to restrain her glee. “It’s incredible, but it’s way morehouse than we need.”“Yeah,but it’s half the price of places half the size. We can grow intoit and we'll make a fortune once we sell.”“Growinto it? Are you saying we can have more kids?”Lounodded. “Do you want the house?”“Areyou kidding?” she said. “Yes.” Maryloaded plates and dishes from boxes into the kitchen cupboards stillin disbelief that this was their new home. Hank, her four-year-old,played with Taffy on the floor. The boy ran in circles dragging asmall truck on a string and the orange tabby chased behind. Hankburst into giggles whenever the cat pounced on the truck. The catwould gaze at its prize confused that it was no longer alive. It wasTaffy’s confusion that tickled Hank.Laughtercame easily to her son, something she was sure he inherited from hisfather. The resemblance was remarkable, the dark curly hair, theolive complexion, the dimples. He was daddy’s little boy. The onlyparts of herself she saw in him were his blue eyes and quick, Germantemper. Hankran out of the kitchen and the cat darted after him swatting at thetruck.
“Stayaway from those stairs, little man,” she called.Louwalked into the room proudly twirling a hammer on his finger like aclassic movie gunslinger. He caught the hammer head in his hand andpointed the handle at her like a pistol. “Don't you fret prettylady, he’ll be okay. I got yonder kid gate installed.” He leanedin and pecked her on the lips. Marywrapped her arms around his waist and pulled his body tight to hers.“You can do better, Sheriff.”“Howmuch better do you want?”“Idon’t know, something passionate and maybe illegal in Alabama.”Lougave her a crooked smile. He laced his fingers in her hair and drewher close. She tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Lou'sstubble singed her chin as he pressed his mouth to hers. He playfullytugged at her lips with his teeth and delicately probed with histongue. Her weight settled into his arms and it felt as though shewas floating. When he pulled away she gasped for air. “Better?”he asked.Maryopened her eyes. “Uh-huh. In fact, if you don’t follow up on thattonight, I’ll be awfully disappointed.” Shefelt a tug at her jeans. A small voice called, “Mom? Mom?”Shesmiled ruefully. “Are you sure you want another one?”“Mom,Taffy's gone.”“It'sokay, she’s just hiding. She’ll come out when she’s ready.”Hankjerked at her pant leg again. His voice rose in pitch and had an edgethat usually signaling the onset of a tantrum. “Taffy's gone.”Sheshot a look at Lou that was almost pleading. “Do you want to takethis one? If I don’t get all this put away, we don’t get dinner.
Loushrugged. “No problem.” He tousled his son’s hair. “So what’sup, sport?” “Taffydist-appeared.”“Igot that part. Why don’t you show me?” Lou reached out and Hankwrapped his hand around one of Lou’s fingers. Mary watched as theboy towed his father out of the room.Loureturned a few minutes later carrying Hank. The boy clutched onto hisfather like a starfish, his face buried in Lou’s chest while hesobbed. “Ican’t find the cat,” Lou said.“It’shere someplace,” Mary assured. “The place is a mess. It probablyfound someplace quiet to hole up for a while.” She searched throughthe boxes. “It's been a long stressful day for everyone,” shesaid. She found what she was looking for and handed the can of catfood to Lou in exchange for her son. “She hasn’t eaten yet. Openthat and see what happens.”Lousearched for the can opener while Mary soothed Hank and stroked hishair.Whiledoing laundry the next morning, Mary noticed the cat food wasuntouched and the litter box unmarked. She didn’t start to worryuntil that afternoon. It felt silly to bother Lou at work but shedid. “Youdon’t think Taffy might have found a way outside do you?”“She’sstill missing?”“Yes.Could you do me a favor? Stop by our old place just in case.Sometimes cats return to their old haunts if they get the chance. Idon’t know how she could have gotten outside, but it’s worth ashot. Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”WhenLou came home, Mary met him with expectant eyes. He subtly wagged hishead at her unspoken question hoping Hank wouldn’t catch on. He didand began to wail. “I want Taffy.”
Marypicked up her son and sat with him on the sofa. She tried to comforthim. She assured they'd find his cat and rocked him until he fellasleep.Afterdropping Hank off at preschool the next morning, Mary hit the streetwith an armful of posters featuring Taffy's picture and an offer offifty dollars for her return. Paper notices already sheathedneighborhood telephone poles like a calico layer of bark. Theyadvertised local rock band appearances, painting and cleaningservices, pleas for information on missing persons, and reward offersfor lost pets. Nailing up Taffy’s poster meant covering someoneelse’s. The first went up over a carpet cleaning service. Furtherup the block, a restaurant and grocery let Mary tape posters to theirdoors. At the corner she chose to cover a poster for a band namedPins and Needles. Maybe by spreading the pain, no one would get tooangry. She didn’t need anyone ripping down all of Taffy’s postersin retribution.Anold woman on an electric scooter wheeled up and eyed the poster. Acigarette dangled from her livery lips. Red ringed eyes shifted fromTaffy’s photo to Mary.“Yourcat?” she asked. “Yeah.”“Iwouldn't put it there. Kids in the neighborhood really love thatband. Cover Binky instead, the schnauzer. They found him on theparkway last week. Not a happy ending if you know what I mean.”Maryripped down the poster covering Pins and Needles and stapled a newone up over Binky. When she turned, she noticed a clear tube underthe woman's nose and the green tank mounted to the back of herscooter. “Is it safe to smoke on oxygen?”Theold woman cackled. “I'm ninety-two. At my age it's not safe to doanything.” She extended her hand, “Sadie McFadden.”Maryshook her hand gingerly. “I'm Mary Givens.” Sadie's spotted skinlooked paper thin with a web of brittle blue veins visible beneath.Sadie's grip was surprisingly strong.