Mirror of Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

the pitch black. Even this little thing,” she said, referring to the cat, “made me jump out of my skin when she rubbed up against me in the dark. I guess I was just a little jumpy.”
    “I’m sorry you got scared. I knew I should have come here with you, it’s just you threw me for a loop when you called this morning about your falling out with your mother. So what happened anyway?”
    “I think you can guess. You’ve known my family longer than anyone else I know. She’d gone through the papers you left me while I was asleep and when I got up in the morning she already had a list of things she wanted to buy.
    “When I told her that wouldn’t be happening due to the stipulation in the will, she went ballistic and started bad-mouthing Grandma. I told her not to talk about her that way and that Grandma was responsible for everything she had. She didn’t agree, to put it bluntly, and told me to leave. There wasn’t even time to put on any clothes.
    “That’s when I called you from the car,” she finished.
    “Hmm. I see. Well, I guess the blow up about the money was going to happen eventually. I just didn’t think it would happen so fast. I brought the papers for you to sign. You know, you don’t have to do this if you think it’s too much of a strain on your relationship with your mother.”
    “I’m not worried about that. We’ve never had the relationship that Grandma and I had. My biggest concern is how big this place is. I feel so silly living alone in such a big place and there are so many things I need, it’s all a bit overwhelming.”
    “Like what, dear? What do you need?” Marlin asked.
    “Well, I’ve got about a million sheets,” she said as she pointed to the pile the kitten had now curled up atop, “but no bedding, like pillows, or blankets.
    “The washing machine in the mud room looks to be about 200 years old and there is no dryer. The refrigerator, well, I don’t know if it works, I didn’t check when the electricity came on, but it’s stinky and small. I also don’t think my car is going to be appropriate for going up and down this hill all winter. It barely made it up here this time.
    “Then there’s cleaning supplies, dishes, silverware, food…that’s definitely on the list. I could go on and on.”
    “You’re right. It does need some updating. I tell you what. I brought some cash for you since we don’t have a credit card associated with the account and your name yet, but I’ll give you a bunch of my business cards. You go into town and have a shopping spree. Pick out appliances, bedding, whatever you want, and give the store manager my card. I will cover the costs with your account until we can get things in your name. I suggest a small SUV with four wheel drive if you can find one.
    “There’s a box in the car with some milk, eggs, bread, toilet paper, toothpaste, paper towels, and a pan of lasagna from Meme. That woman’s a saint. She’s always thinking about others. Good thing she’s on my side; I might need a little of her karma when we get to the pearly gates.”
    “Don’t be silly. Tell Meme thanks for the food and the much needed necessities.”
    “I will. I’ll have my assistant set up an account for you at the grocery store in town as well as the hardware store for Jeremy,” Marlin said.
    “Who’s Jeremy?”
    “Your handyman. Didn’t he introduce himself?”
    “Only as the handyman, but then remember, our meeting was a little out of the ordinary,” she said and smiled.
    “Right,” Marlin chuckled. “Are you going to be okay up here all by yourself? At night?”
    “I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ve got lights now. ‘Course, I might sleep with them on for a while,” she said jokingly, but with a note of underlying truth.
    “Hmm…you do know that the power goes out a lot up here in the woods. That’s why there’s a generator in the back near the mud room.”
    “No, I didn’t know. I’ll have to figure out how to run that. Can I get