Every House Has a Secret - 8

 

"Did you buy out the home improvement store?" Ken asked when he saw what was still in the van.

 

"Sure felt like it," Brady replied. Everyone took an armload to carry inside.

 

"You got your work cut out for you," Ken said, peeking into the living room.

 

"Don't we know it," Rand agreed. "When we're finished, though, it'll be a beauty."

 

"Great. I hate to say it but at the moment the house is an eyesore. Why they just took off and left it vacant is beyond me. Not that it was a beauty when I moved into the neighborhood, but…"

 

"How long ago was that?" Brady asked as they returned to the van for the last load.

 

"About seven years ago. It was already beginning to show its age despite the previous owners, or because of them. They were only around on the weekends as far as we could tell."

 

"Really?"

 

"Yep. Two guys. We figured they were either fixing it up, the way you two are, or using it as a weekend getaway—until they stopped showing up and a 'For Sale' sign appeared in the front yard for a while. It's really gone downhill since they left. I'm glad it finally sold, although whatever possessed you to buy it." Ken shook his head. "Several other people looked at it, but didn't bite."

 

"The price, to be honest," Rand told him. "The basics are good, according to the inspector. It just needs a lot of work."

 

"You taking off your jobs to do it?"

 

"No. That's what evenings and weekends are for," Brady replied. "We promise we'll try to keep the noise level down at night."

 

"What are you doing first? Sorry, I'm a nosy old coot."

 

Rand laughed as he set the carton of dust masks on one of the kitchen counters, while Brady and Ken did the same with what they were carrying. "You're what, fifty if that?"

 

"Fifty-five. My wife, who's out shopping at the moment, is a year younger. You'll like her."

 

"I'm sure we will," Brady replied. "To answer your question, we're turning the two small closets in the big bedroom into a larger walk-in one."

 

"That's what the sledgehammer and pry bars are for," Ken said. "I should have guessed. Is that the only demolition you're doing?"

 

"Yes. Well, other than getting rid of those." Brady pointed to the kitchen cabinets. "Hopefully that won't be noisy."

 

"When are you starting?"

 

"Tomorrow, on the bedroom. The drywall's being delivered later today."

 

Ken nodded. "You really know what you're doing?"

 

"We built a wall in his office to make it two rooms, so yeah, we know the basics."