"Actually, your father pays most of our bills."
"Well, that is going to change too. I want my father out. The hell he put my mother through,he wrecked my marriage."
Mabel stood there thinking to herself, "I should just tell him the truth. Maybe, if he knew the truth that his mother had been as ill as he is. Mabel decided against it. Her father-in-law had convinced himself that being the villain was his cross to bear for not saving his wife."
Mabel knew that Fredrick would make her move. She was well aware of the apartment house. It was across the street from the Kennebec river and Spencer's trading post. A green apartment building nestled in a Hodge podge of garishly painted tenement buildings built in the early 1900s along the railroad tracks. The ugliest building was centered with heavy wood and glass doors. It was a three-story. Mabel just knew that was the building.
Fredrick jarred her out of her thoughts," The rent is 36 dollars a month. It's a two-bedroom on the second floor, and all the utilities are included. We can move in immediately. I suggest you start packing."
"Fredrick, we can't move in the middle of the month. The landlord needs a month's notice. We won't get back our security."
"Mabel, we are giving up the security. I don't care, it was dad's dough. We are going to rent the two-bedroom second floor that is available now. We will put Becky and Sammy in the big bedroom. The baby will sleep with us."
Mabel decided that she would keep the bank account to herself that Gene had set up for her. Fredrick didn't need to know about it.
Resolved to accept the circumstances at hand, "Fine Fredrick, " Mabel whispered.
Fredrick called the current landlord. The landlord was screaming and swearing on the other end of the phone. Fredrick simply hung up. "Mabel, get packing, I intend to be out of here by tomorrow.
"Mabel, there is no need to pout. I will just leave your crap behind. This is going to make my life easier. I can hop on the train and get to Waterville. Now call your mother about the animals."
Sammy walked into the kitchen," I hate you, dad. I wish you never came home. You ruin everything. "
Mabel and Fredrick ignored Sammy. Mabel was on the phone with her mother." Mabel, you need to put your foot down. It won't be long before he takes off and leaves you with nothing. Don't let him know about the account Gene set up for you."
" Momma, I just can't do this right, I can't acknowledge that I can't lie down in the bed I made. Please, just come and get the animals."
"Okay, Mabel, we will get the animals at 5 am. "
Sammy came in as Mabel was holding her head in her hands. "Mommy, why can't …. Mabel interrupted him, "Sammy, I don't know you don't have it easy in life. I know you don't want to move. I am not even going to promise that life is going to get better. All I can promise is to do my best to do right by you. Please pack your things. We still have the packing things in the basement. Please bring them up."
Mabel knew they would be packed by morning. Mabel hated the sounds and smells of apartment living. It is one thing to live with your own unhappiness, it is quite another to be encased in the unhappiness of a multitude of people.
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