House Warming
 

Richie having completed the purchase of his house wasted no time moving out of Millie’s. He hired a couple of the work gang members building the butcher shop to help him move his things from storage out to his house. Miss Peeg was off to Sydney with Michael Stanley and after clearing his calendar for a couple of days he closed his office.

The house was strewn about with boxes that needed unpacking but at least all his things were there. He left the satellite TV guy hooking up his TV and set off for The Glen, March was working at Andy’s and Richie already knew he could get a pizza to order from him. That’s what he wanted , a pizza and beer, so he stopped off at Jessup’s for the beer and stashed it in his car and walked up to Nonnie’s.

“You hardly look like a prosperous solicitor today, not working?” she asked as he walked into her shop.

“Oh I’m working alright but not at the office today. It’s moving day.”

“You got in your house?”

“I’m in that’s about it…look um I got a pizza and two six packs in the car I don’t know how busy you are right now, Nonnie but I’d really like to share them with you.”

Nonnie smiled and checked the antique clock ticking by the counter, “for you, I’m not busy. Give me a few minutes to close up. It’s my place I can close when I want to. Can I just meet you there, I think I remember the way?”

“Yeah, that will be fine, I got a guy out there hooking up my TV so I need to get back.” He smiled, “Thanks Nonnie.”

Richie drove back to his house with a smile on his face, he couldn’t think of anyone else he wanted to share the first evening in his new home with. He had no idea she’d accept the invite, he never knew with her from one moment to the next.

He was writing the check for the technician who was about to leave when Nonnie drove up. She left Wuss in the van much to his displeasure but took Pippin in with her.

The front door was open so she walked in, “Hello the house?” she called out.

Richie walked the technician to the door, “hello yourself,” he gave her a quick kiss.

“Hope you don’t mind Pippin.” She held onto him just in case.

“Not as long as he’s house trained,” he closed the door behind the technician and followed her in.

“Pippin would be appalled at such a thought. You’ve got quite a mess here solicitor.” She looked around his lounge room.

Richie grinned, “yeah but the TV works.”

“First things first I suppose.” She gave him a sideways look, “You mentioned pizza and beer.”

“Yeah it’s out on the deck, you can put him down I don’t think he’s gonna get lost.” Richie had a tall table and chairs on the deck and they sat down. He offered her a paper towel for napkin and they ate from the pizza box and drank their beer from the bottle.

Nonnie took a drink from her bottle and closed up the pizza box, “this is really nice out here, Richie. It’s quiet, only cows in the distance for company, you might get lonely out here.”

“If I do, I’ll give you a call.”

“Do you think I’ll come running out here to keep you company on off days?”

“Yeah I do…all my days are off days.”

Nonnie met his eyes and looked into their blue depths for a long time. “I could help you unpack.” She finally said.

They walked into his kitchen, “not much in here,” he said.

“What happened to all the things you and Toni had?”

“Um, she donated it to charity. Neither of us wanted anything, she took her heirlooms and I took my den stuff.”

“Well what have you got in this box?” she indicated a single box on the counter.

“Coffee pot, a couple of mugs that were in my office.”

“Honey you need to go shopping.”

“Yeah I guess I do would you help me?”

Nonnie opened the box and took out his coffee maker, “you are pulling me deeper and deeper in aren’t you?”

“I’m tryin’ like hell.”

“I know you are…I’ll go up to Barrett’s with you and help you furnish your kitchen and bathroom, I don’t suppose you took any towels did you?”

“Actually I did, I took what I could find in one of the guest bathrooms, stuff we never used as a couple.”

“Do you miss her, Richie?”

“Sometimes, I think living at Millie’s made me realize what coming home really meant. So maybe this will be good having my own place again, it won’t be like it was but it will be something different, something mine.” He almost jumped when she slid her arm around his waist.

“I’m glad you came by and asked me to come over.” She dropped her arm, “let’s get your lounge sorted out, you can’t be serious about leaving that sofa where it is.”

“It faces the TV.” He followed her in.

“So does every other piece of furniture in here,” she walked around the two chairs and an ottoman.

“That’s about all I do.” He sighed, “Where should it go?”

Nonnie helped him place his furniture, plugged in his lamps. He pushed the boxes against the wall and found his CD collection.

“Find something to listen to,” he said handing her the zipped up case.

Nonnie looked up at him, “Okay but if I’m going to be here awhile do you mind if Wuss comes in, I hate to leave him in his carrier box.”

Richie grinned, “nah, bring your whole family in.” He brought the little esky in with the beer and plopped it by the sofa and sat down.

Later he and Nonnie with Wuss and Pippin were all on the sofa, she leaning in his arms.

“I should go home, you’ve kept me after dark.”

“You could stay.”

“No I could not, Richie.” She was quiet for a moment, “I was wrong about you…you aren’t a black leather and chrome and glass table person. You’re a brown leather and wood person.”

Richie chuckled, “is that a step up or down?”

“Oh definitely up, you’re coming up quite nicely.” She turned in his arms and kissed him lightly on the lips.

“Nonnie…”

“Don’t say it, don’t say anything.” She place a finger on his lips

Richie’s hand slid up to the back of her head and pulled her in for a solid satisfying kiss, her hand went into his hair.

“Now see what you’ve done,” she said softly pulling back. “I’m going home now,” she sat up and slipped her shoes on. “Come by tomorrow and we’ll go shopping.” She smoothed his hair down where she’d mussed it up.

“How dead to I have to be, Nonnie?”

“Cold.” She smiled and stood up, “come on children,” she called her animals and they followed her to the door. Richie walked with her out to her van.

“I’ll come by tomorrow, I’m taking the day off. Thanks for coming out,” he leaned her against the side of her van. “Will you come back?”

“Yes I will,” Nonnie placed a hand on his face, “good night, Richie.” He kissed her again and let her get in her van.

Richie watched her going down the drive and went back inside…dead…cold…he was beginning to stiffen up, he adjusted his jeans to a more comfortable position.