Room by Room...

She watched him in the garden. He was completely focused on the raised beds in the back corner. Probably prepping them for winter as it wasn't really a growing season right now. Mulching? Is that what it was called? She thought so. Maybe. Gardening wasn't really her thing. 

But one of the nicest things about the kitchen was the view of the garden. There was a big window over the sink. She could stand there and look at the green while she washed dishes. There were French doors off the attached dining room. She could throw those open and make the back patio part of her living space. Room for barbeques or just drinks on the patio when it was warm. All while looking out at that wonderfully taken care of garden. 

She could hear music coming from the living room. Something classical. Just barely audible. She wasn't sure how anyone could play the piano that softly, she had never learned how to play. But it was lovely to listen to. The room was lovely as well. Built in bookshelves made it seem like a library as much as a standard by the numbers living room. It was lovely. There was plenty of room for a big television on the east wall, but she didn't think it was necessary, the fireplace and the books were enough. But maybe. Something to think about. 

She headed upstairs. The runner was a little worn out and she wasn't sure if she would replace it or just take it off and let the wooden stairs go bare. She knew they would end up wearing out like the runner did, but it would take awhile. Maybe she could keep them up and polished, but would that make them too slick? Something else she would have to think about. Not a decision she would have to make today. 

She peeked into the smallest of the upstairs bedrooms. The kids were playing with a train set. Wooden tracks on the floor of the room. Clearly a lot of thought had gone into the arrangement. There were some old shoe boxes and cereal boxes that had been colored and painted to look like buildings. This was a town, no a city. She tried to imagine the hours that had gone into creating all of it. And were they having more fun now or when they were planning it all out? She quietly backed out of the bedroom to let them keep playing without being disturbed. 

The upstairs bathroom needed some work. The sink was old and stained. A few of the tiles around the tub had hairline cracks. Those sort of things that just faded into the background. You would think to yourself, "oh this needs to be replaced" but there was always something more pressing that needed taken care of. Was it leaking? Then it wasn't a big enough deal. Something for later. But it really did need redone. 

The master bedroom needed a refresh for sure. While she was adding things to the list, she knew it really needed a top spot. Would she want a deep pile carpet or wood floors with a soft rug? The giant four poster bed that took up the space now was too much. Something sleeker would open up the space a lot. Maybe she should think about taking down a wall and using the other upstairs bedroom as part of this room? She could expand the master bathroom and closet that way. That other room could be used as smaller space. Maybe an office of some sort? She laughed to herself, more for the list!

As she reached for the door knob to the other upstairs room to look at how much space there was to use she felt a hand on her arm. Looking over she saw one of the kids had left their train game and come to get her. 

"I wouldn't open that door."

"Oh?"

"No. Not today. He's not happy. It's best to just let him be by himself when he's like this."

"Will he just stay in the room if the door is shut?"

Big wide eyes looked up at her. "Yes. But all the way shut."

"Does he never share the room with you?"

"No. And that's fine by us!" 

She placed her hand on the door. She was alone in the hallway then. If she was going to open it she was going to face him by herself. 

"So? What do you think?"

She almost jumped out of her skin. The realtor had made it up the stairs without hitting a single creaky one. Must be a talent they learn while showing houses. 

"It's nice. There is some work I would want to do but overall I like it."

"I do have a couple more to show you, if you are interested."

"Sounds good."

She would keep this place on the list. It needed some work and it was a little crowded, but she was getting a little tired of living alone.