no place like home

 

Honestly, Casey didn't know what he was doing, but still, it felt like the right thing to do. He didn't need a big house when it was just himself, and of course, Lynsey wasn't taking his calls these days. He'd made the offer and Chance and Rosie took him up on it. They would change homes.

Of course, this meant putting a few things in storage. No way could he fit it all in Rosie's tiny house. He would be in their bed and they would have all his furnishings. After all, they would be newlyweds soon. 

Actually, he felt out of his element. To be here in a new environment. Not that he was going anywhere. He would be confined to such a small place. Yes, it was a fact he knew he'd miss his backyard and the flowers most, but he didn't need that right now.

His parents were a little put off with his sudden move, but they were happy that Chance and Rosie would be closer. They wouldn't have to get on the freeway to go into the big city. They loved being in the burbs. Naturally, they thought a condo near them would be much more suitable.

But he had no intention of spending all his time with them. He knew Rosie wouldn't give up the tiny house. It was only temporary. He intended to move it to the backyard and make it more of a guest house when the time came, but not at the moment. He would not live there either.

He hoped he could somehow make his own home out of storage units. He'd watched plenty of videos on the subject. He just needed more time to study the venture. Also, he needed to prepare himself for living in a small space. Well, that was the plan, anyway. And since he was such a disappointment to most of the family, he wasn't going to worry about it anymore.

So here he was getting used to his surroundings. Yes, he stayed outside on the deck for a good portion of the day trying to visualize a garden, but it would be of veg instead of flowers. What was the point? He sat and drank a pot of coffee while pondering what to do next, but suddenly his daydream was interrupted by a rather friendly face.

Naturally, Casey stood up as if he needed to be somewhere quick. He couldn't remember the last time he said anything aloud. Of course, he'd said some nice things to his little brother and his bride to be just a few hours ago, but that was different. They were people he knew. His eyes intensified. And a lump lodged in his throat no way could he speak.

"Oh, you must be Chance's brother," she said and came right up on the deck as if she was here all the time. Casey cleared his throat. He felt a little faint. But she kept smiling.

"I'm Katie," she beamed and pointed to her place across the way. "Rosie's so lively. I'll miss her." Katie told him they talked every day.

"Every day?" He winced as if that would be just impossible, but of course, he smelled the casserole she'd brought.

"It's just an egg dish," Katie told him it had broccoli and cheese in it. She'd just gotten it out of the oven.

"Oh," he made room for her and opened the door. She brought it straight to the little kitchen corner.

Casey just watched her as if he wasn't used to birds coming into the house, but before he knew it, he asked if she'd like to stay and have the casserole with him. He was afterall, famished even if it were only four in the afternoon.

"Sure." She mentioned they liked to eat together. "Rosie is always so tired, and I've been working from home since the pandemic."

He got out the plates and reached for some canned drinks in the fridge. 

"Do you really like ..you know, living here?" He wanted to know as they were waiting for the casserole to cool and he was looking to see if there might be carrots and dip for a side dish. Rosie had left him quite a few handy snacks. He found the celery already cut and ready to eat.

"At first I was afraid," she nodded. "But not anymore."

Casey did his best to smile. He hoped she was right.