#debukefarmhold

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Earl seeks Zara out

Zara is holed up in the grotto again, peopled-out.

Earl goes into the spot he can fit "Got a moment? Hiss if no."

"Hi.:

"Hey. I think we solved a problem for Miriam and Jacob. Not sure you're in the mood to hear it so it can wait. "

"Not Baltimore?" Despondent. "She could stay there if she wanted. I'd go. I would."

"Good news, she's trying Poughkeepsie because we found a place she can stay pretty cheap"

"Yeah?" She brightens. "That's fantastic!"

"Yeah..." He says "Now her job search may go ruffer but we'll find something." Ahem "And she's got some great housemates"

"Aye..." A frown. "I do not know enough about job hunting."

"We'll work on it. I've done it before. Heck, we'll just share the newspaper if we have to"

"I think it's more online these days..."

"Yeah, but Miriam prefers the paper so while she's job hunting I may take a peek too"

"Well, fair enough."

"Good. Now uhm.. I told her you and I got the Garret, so I think she accepts that" Almost casually leading to it

"Ah... pardon?"

"Oh I admit, I was firmer on the second time. I think you'd be p roud of me. So she's not going to Baltimore, and she will be with you and you with her ... so... all's well that ends well so far"

"Earl, why do I feel like you are leaving something out?"

"Trust your instincts" He mutters then sighs "Because I'm trying, and you weren't there, and she thought I was nuts claiming you wanted to be with her... and.. I knew you did.. and the next thing I knew, I was agreeing to her and Jacob being our new housemates"

Blink... blink... "oh..."

"This is a good thing and we can make it work" He says

"Well... the downstairs, that's a different apartment?"

"Well, we may need to ..decide how we'll separate it somewhat, maybe some construction. But I think we might end up sharing a kitchen" He watches her "Unless we can make a kitchenette somewhere"

She draws up her knees. "That... I mean, being neighbors? That might be nice." A little smile.

"That's what I'm hoping" He says "We were looking for fellow renters."

"This... solves that, doesn't it?"

"Yes. We hadn't really approached Zenobia or others with anything solid or certain yet that i know of." He ponders "Now building a barn, I Have family that can help. That means they might also be able to make a wall if you want an extra one"

"I mean... if it's their space and our space, even in the same house..."

"That'd... that'd work, wouldn't it?"

"I don't see why not. I mean, yes, we'll have some personality clashes, but we would with anyone" A smile

"And, Jacob gets his big sister AND his mom, so he should be happy. You have Vasar to study at, and maybe even hide at for a time.. you do love that library, when you need a break. I can flicker flash now. We can still work on the Shakespeare trods"

She chews on her lower lip and nods.

"And, you know, Mama might freak out a bit less about you being there..."

A sigh "Yes well.. uhm.. I admit I am not looking forward to certain activities possibly being curtailed." A blush

She turns pink. "Well, we've figured it out now, it has to be easier there...."

"Yes well.. ahem" yes sheepish

"Aye. So. Best, mayhaps, for the house to be two apartments?"

"I'll see what we can do to adjust it, but that kitchen problem? "

"Well, aye. Two kitchens. I... mayhaps better if I keep my own?"

"Kosher, and sluagh... Jacob would need accommodated, also."

"Okay..." He ponders "That might take work, and I'll be sure Caesar is okay with it."

She nods. "That way.. aye... their space, our space, but... neighbors. I like that."

"Yeah, it could really work" he says. And it COULD. He's got to think positive. It's the best he can do and the first time he ... "Oh snot. I just thought of something. Oh well, they'd probably visit anyway"

"Thought of what?"

"Your family, pretty much all of them are going to want to visit eventually aren't they?"

"Aye."

"It is about an hour's drive..."

"Yep. I think I'm going to need earplugs too"

"I don't think they'll be out that often.. but, aye, they will want to meet Jacob, I'd think..."