Peace and Love

Chapter six - House hunting

Luke's POV:

I can't believe my brother has been in town for a week and hasn't called me. I know why he did it, but I wish he had come to see me. I could've helped with something. It's not like I can do much. At least we saw each other. I'm glad that he wants to move back here. I don't know in which part of the town he and Sarah prefer to buy a house, but I'm sure we can see each other often. That will be his make-up. I mean, for the time during which he was in another city. After all, he is on my side. I haven't talked to my parents. That's why I feel like we'll meet again. I'm not excited about that. Well, I did my brother a favor and asked at work if someone knows houses for sale in good condition. I got three offers, which Sam and Sarah will check this weekend. Abby did the same and got two. My brother wanted us to go with them. I have no problem, but the final decision is theirs. I don't need a new house. Thanks to my grandparents, I have a place to stay. Sometimes, I wish they were here. I would love to show them how much I have earned. I don't mean money. I have a lot of experience. Also, thanks to Abby, I have changed a lot. Maybe I have to say that she changed me. Honestly, it was for good. She is a great person, and I'm happy to be around her. Probably that's why my granny liked her so much. She could've sensed if someone was a good person or not. I mean, I trusted her with my girlfriend. My grandparents were never wrong. Not when it came to people. I learned a lot from them. One day, I wondered what would've happened if they hadn't given me anything. Well, I wouldn't have a place to stay. The other thing is that I had to stay with my parents for god knows how long. That's why I'm glad for everything I have. I hope that I will be able to show my grandparents how much I appreciate everything, even if they are not here with me.

It's the weekend. We have to go house hunting. Abby and I have asked at work if someone knows a house for sale for that past week. We had some luck. Let's see if it's worth it. I don't understand much when it comes to buying. That's why I will leave the decision to my brother. It's not like that is not his. After all, he will live there, not me. I like my house. Mostly it's because it was a gift. I didn't expect it, but I was happy about it.

I woke up and looked next to me. Abby was still sleeping. Sometimes, I lay and watch her. Look how many things had to happen. I mean, so we can be where we are today. That fact she is still with me is like a dream to me. I carefully got out of bed and went to make breakfast. When I was ready, I put the food on a tray and walked to our room. Luckily, she didn't wake up. I know how much she loves to do it with me. I pretended to be sleeping to see what she would do. Soon, I felt her moving.

- I don't deserve you, but I don't want to let you go. I love you. - Abby said and kissed my cheek.

- I love you too.

- Oh. I thought you were sleeping.

- Didn't you sense the smell?

- What smell?

- Turn around.

- When did you make breakfast?

- I won't tell you. It's a secret.

- Can we eat it, or that's a secret too?

- What you said makes no sense, but yes. You can eat it. - I said, chuckling

- I want to lie down all day.

- We can't. It's house hunting day.

- Remind me why we agreed to this.

- Because we are good people who can't say no.

- Sad, but true. At least I will have breakfast before I go.

- They didn't say an hour so you can enjoy it.

I was about to take a bite when I heard the front door. You have to be kidding me. All I wanted was to enjoy my breakfast. Is it that much? I went to open it and saw Sarah and Sam.

- We are ready. - Sarah said

- Ok, go. - I said

- I'm sorry. She made me wake up early.

- We have a lot of work to do. You can't sleep all day.

- Little brother, why are you in a pajama?

- Because I woke up ten minutes ago. What do you expect? Abby is still in bed.

- Tell her to get ready. - Sarah said

- She will do it after breakfast, and you need to calm down. No one will rush after you.

- That wasn't nice.

- But it's true.

- Ok, I will wait for both of you.

- Thanks.

I went back to our bedroom. Abby wasn't happy. I guess she heard who was here. I'm sorry, but I can't do anything about it. Both of us finished our breakfast and went to get ready. Later, we walked out with Sam and Sarah. She probably left the kids with my parents. That way is better. We don't need kids here. Soon, we arrived in front of the first house. You have to be kidding me. What is my mom doing here? Please tell me they didn't invite her. I don't want to be in the same place as her. She is a terrible person and doesn't treat my girlfriend well.

- Mom, what are you doing here? - Sam asked

- I had to come. I want to see your new house.

- Where are the kids?

- With your dad. Both of them were sleeping when I left. I told him what to do. I'm sure he can handle them.

- Sam, I don't want to be with her. - I said, whispering

- Leave her to me.

- Let's check this one. - mom said

- Hi, I am mister James. We talked on the phone. I am your broker.

- Good.

We walked inside. The house is good. For that price, you can't expect it to be made of gold. Of course, my mom was complaining about everything. I mean, as if she will leave here. This woman is playing on my nerves, but I will keep my mouth shut. We'll see how long I will be able to do it. Mom didn't like the house. Sam and Sarah, either. They had an eye on some things but not on everything. That's why we went to see the next one. Mom started complaining again. I don't know what is wrong with her. She is not the one buying the house. I got annoyed and walked out. Abby followed me.

- Are you ok?

- No. I'm not!

- Hey, don't get mad at me. I had no idea she would be here.

- I know. The problem is that she is annoying.

- I am here to help.

I looked up to see my mom. I guess she didn't like this house either. What a surprise! Sam and Sarah came as well. The plan is to see all of them and then choose one. I don't think I can survive.

- I don't think you are helping.

- I won't be so sure.

- You are complaining about everything. Sam and Sarah will live in the house, not you. Please, stop trying to make them do everything you want. That's not how it works. You had your time and made choices. Now it's their turn.

- I want what is best for them.

- You don't know what is best for them. Neither do I. Honestly, I came here only because they invited me. I planned to spend the day with Abby.

- I see you still use the same old napkin.

- I might be a napkin, but my salary is higher than yours. - Abby said, and Sarah laughed

- Excuse me?

- You are not excused.

- Hey, that is something only I can say. - I said

- Well, I have to learn from someone.

- No wonder you two are together. I made a mistake with a second kid.

- Mom. That is enough. - Sam said

- Why don't you check on the kids? They might need you. - Sarah said

- I'm sure your dad will be ok with them.

- Don't worry. We'll leave. - Abby said

- You don't have to do it.

- Thanks, but being called an old napkin is not something I like.

- I'm sorry, Sam.

- It's ok. We understand.

I offered Abby to take her for lunch. It's not much, but that's what I can do now. I can't change my mom. What she said was rude, but I couldn't expect anything else from her. We ordered food, and soon, it came.

- Thank you.

- Hey. I'm sorry.

- How can she be your mother?

- I don't know.

- You two don't look alike at all. I mean, like personality.

- Well, I am perfect.

- I didn't mean that.

- I know. I was messing with you.

- Can we go home after lunch? I don't want to be outside.

- Sure.

We were eating when two people sat next to us. They were Sarah and Sam. Both of them ordered food and waited for it to come. I won't lie that it's awkward.

- Where is she? - I asked

- We sent her home.

- Ok, but what happened with the houses? Will you check the rest?

- Yes, but only if you two come.

- Why? Sam, you will live there, not me. I have a place to stay.

- True, but I trust you. I know you will pick something nice that fits our price range.

- I'm sorry, but I'm not doing it without Abby. She is my house-hunting buddy.

- No problem. We don't have to rush. I am working from home until I move to the office in town.

- Will she be there? - Abby asked

- If you talk about mom, no.

- Then I will come. If I see her, I'm going home.

- No problem. We'll make sure she won't come back. - Sarah said, chuckling

- Then we have a deal.

- Thank you.

After lunch, we went to see the rest of the houses. All of them looked great for their prices. If I had to buy one, it would've been the third one. It was not that expensive, and it looked good. Of course, it's not perfect. Honestly, if you paint the walls, they will look brand new. The furniture is not old. They can use it until they have money for a new one. Maybe they will want to keep it. I think the house looks good. Again, I'm not the one who will live there.

- Ok, which one should we get? - Sarah asked

- The third one. - both with Abby said in sync

- We should've done this earlier. - Sam said, chuckling

- It's the best-fitting one for your price range. - I said

- Also, it has everything you need. You can paint the walls. That will give the house a fresher look. The furniture looked good to me. I think you can wait before you buy a new one. - Abby said

- There is special paint which can make the furniture look shinier. - I said

- I know it's too much, but can you decorate our house? - Sarah asked

- What? Why? - Abby asked

- You know how to get nice things and save money. If not that, at least you can help us.

- Buy the house first. We'll think about the rest.

- Thank you. Both of you are live saviors.

- I will agree. You owe us a lot. - I said

- Little brother, you can tell me what you want. I will do it for you.

- Ok, I want one thing.

- What is it?

- Both of you to stop talking about kids with us. - I said, and he laughed

- No worries. That won't happen again.

- We'll see.

Abby and I talked with them for a while. Later, we walked home. I know she is tired, but we had to help. She would've been more excited if it had been something about her. Maybe I can take her on a shopping trip or something like that. My girlfriend will enjoy it. We walked home, and she went straight to bed. It was a long day. Well, she can rest tomorrow. We saw all the houses, so we don't have any more work. After all, we did what we could.

- Are you tired? It's a bit obvious.

- Physically, no.

- Mentally, yes.

- I got it.

- Is there something I can help you with?

- Why doesn't she like me? Am I that bad?

- Ignore her. She does it because of me. You have nothing to do with that.

- Yes, but it hurts me. I'm trying my best to make things work. What else do I have to do?

- Nothing. Leave her alone.

- I can't. I don't want her to call me names every time we meet.

- Don't do anything for her. She doesn't deserve it.

- But I do.

- What do you mean?

- I want to be a good person and fix things.

- You will be disappointed.

- I don't care.

- Don't say I didn't warn you.

- I know.

- Take a nap. I will make dinner. What do you want us to eat?

- Nothing.

- So it's my choice.

- Yes, it is.

- Cool.

I went to make dinner. I'm not hungry, either. Well, we have to eat something. That's when I got an idea. We can have homemade pizza. It will be a struggle, but I will do it. I found on the internet how to make dough. That takes too long. That's why I went to buy one. It will save me time. Then, I only put the ingredients on top. Later, I put the pizza in the oven. Soon, it has to be ready. I put some drinks in the living room. We can watch a movie while we eat. I went to check on Abby.

- I thought you were sleeping.

- Me too. It didn't work.

- I'm sorry.

- Did you go out?

- I had to buy something.

- Something smells good. What did you cook?

- Come and see.

- You don't need to say it twice. - Abby said and jumped off the bed

- We'll eat in the living room.

- Did you make pizza?

- Yes.

- Why don't you cook badly for once?

- Why?

- Because I will get fat.

- We have talked about it.

- I know. I like annoying you.

- Well, you are doing it successfully.

Abby and I ate our dinner peacefully. I'm glad she feels better. I can't change my mom, but I won't let her treat my girlfriend like that. After all, I am living with her, not my mom. Honestly, I don't see her problem. For some reason, my mom never liked me. Sam was the only one in her eyes. I mean, as if I have done something horrible. I try not to care, but it doesn't always work. Maybe I have to ignore her completely. That is not a person for me. I have no idea why she treats me like that, but it's her choice. She can't expect me to be different. I hope that things between us won't get worse. Well, if that is even possible.