Free Vital Signs by Bobby Hutchinson Page A

left.”
    â€œYou hire people to do the work for you?” Roy was wolfing down his dinner, enjoying every mouthful, but he was finding the conversation just as satisfying as the food. Hailey impressed him. She’d decided what she wanted out of life and then gone after it, full speed ahead.
    â€œDon’t I wish.” She looked remorseful. “Nope, I can’t afford to hire anyone. I wish I could sometimes. The first thing I’d do is get someone to redo my bathroom.” Hailey shook her head, her curly red hair fanning out around her face. The overhead light struck sparks from it. “It’s a total disaster area. The floor’s rotting out, the bathtub needs resurfacing, the walls are peeling. I admit I don’t know where to start on that project, but for everything else, I do the work myself—at least as much as is humanly possible.”
    â€œDid you take a course in carpentry?” Nicole was obviously just as interested as he was, Roy noted.
    â€œNope. I just bungle through. I’ve figured out how to put up drywall and I’m not bad at painting.I’ve gotten pretty good at sanding. I’ve even done some minor electrical repairs.”
    She sounded proud, and Roy thought she ought to be. He didn’t know many other people, male or female, who’d take on what she had.
    â€œI’m going to build a deck out back as soon as I get the money saved for the cedar,” Hailey went on. “Although the first priority is that darned bathroom.”
    â€œBut how do you know what to do?” Nicole asked.
    â€œOh, I use instructional books and videos and watch repair shows on TV. And I ask the clerks at Home Depot—they’re really knowledgeable. But a lot of it is common sense and trial and error.
    Roy was fascinated and more than a little envious. “I’ve always fantasized about buying a rundown place and fixing it up.”
    Nicole shot him a surprised look. “Have you, Roy? You never told me that. How come you’ve never done it?”
    â€œNever had the guts.” He smiled at Hailey. “Would you do it again—buy the house, get into all the repair stuff—knowing what you know now?”
    Her face was the kind that held no secrets. Her feelings showed in her expression, and she looked amazed that he would even ask. “Absolutely. It’s fun most of the time. I’ve gotten used to living in chaos and putting up with drains that overflow and toilets that don’t flush, but at least it’s a challenge you can do something about.”
    Roy knew instinctively what she was talkingabout. As a nurse, Hailey watched sick kids get sicker, knowing there wasn’t much she could do about it. He often had the same feeling in his own work.
    â€œIt helps if you have buckets of money and lots of free time,” she went on. “Neither of which I have, so everything’s taking me a lot longer than it should.”
    â€œI’d love to see your house,” Nicole said.
    Roy was thinking the same thing, but he wasn’t brave enough to say it.
    â€œReally?” Hailey looked surprised. “Well, then, why not come over this Sunday. I’m off that day.”
    Roy accepted the dessert menu the waitress was handing him. “I’d like the berry compote with an extra scoop of ice cream, please. You two want anything?”
    They shook their heads and he handed the menu back and turned to Hailey. “Can I come see your house, too?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Around ten. I’ll make us all some brunch.”
    â€œOh, Hailey, that’s not necessary—coffee’s just fine,” Nicole began, but Roy interrupted her.
    â€œBrunch would be fantastic. We’ll be there,” he said in a fervent tone, and wondered why the women looked at each other, shook their heads and then burst into giggles.
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    T HE FOLLOWING DAY was Brittany’s birthday, and Hailey had arranged a surprise