Two days later, Lulu enters her brothers place with her spare key as usual.  Tim is not to happy to see her.  He decides it is time his sister learns where her boundaries lie.  

              "Look, sis, you cannot just barge in here whenever you please!  Oh, and right now you no longer have permission to have access to my home.  So, hand it over right now!"  Tim says.

             "I do not know what you are talking about Tim."  Lulu says. She rolls her eyes in annoyance at once. 

           "Hand over the spare key, now!" Tim says. He sees her drop it on the counter. He grabs it up immediately.

          "Ugh,was that really necessary?"  Lulu whines. She pouts even. She really can be immature at times.  

         "Yes,it is necessary!  There is no sense in this behavior! It is time that you grew up!  Besides, sister, you are married woman!  It hardly makes sense for you to be here so often. No go home and take care of  those children of yours." Tim remarks.

         "Fine, but believe me, you will regret this one day, brother!"  Lulu says. She leaves in a huff.  She is not to happy that Tim took her key away and made her leave.

         After Lulu left, Brenda says, "I have given it some thought.  I do not think I should work for you anymore."

        Tim scratches his head. He tries to think of all the possible reasons Brenda should quit her job, but can come up with none that makes sense. He shakes his head in dismay at her announcement. 

        "Oh,may  I ask why?"  Tim responds.

       "It just that you already do so much for me and well, it is not right that I should not find my own job. " Brenda says.

        "Oh, I see." Tim replies. He walks off.  He appears to be in thought.

           Brenda hopes whatever it is that she is not the cause of it. She hates to think, he might kick her out. Then, where would she be?  Right a square one again, that is what!  She shutters to think what might become of her, should he turn her away.

         Tim does no such thing.  He just decides not to speak another word about it. He remains quiet for the rest of that day. He is not sure how to take the news she wishes to work somewhere else. He thought he was a good boss.  Besides, he reasons, it is not like she knows how he really feels, right?

         Meanwhile, Lulu is furious. She cannot believe her brother would take the key from her just like this. She thought she was always welcome in his home. She felt like it was true until that new girl, Brenda came along anyway.  She does not know what Tim sees in this girl.  She just knows she cannot stand her, not one single bit.  She would not go so far as to say she hates her though the thought has come across her mind a few times. She thinks, she suffers from spare key,blues.

          Lulu, must be honest with herself though, it is not really about the spare key, not really.  She just uses this as an excuse to disguise what really troubles her.  She really is upset because her husband, works long hours at work.  She rarely sees him much anymore.  Why it is not often, that her children ask if Daddy will be home for dinner, only for her to say,  "Sorry, not today, kids."  She does not know much longer she can handle this. She wishes things were different.  She wishes her husband would get off earlier and come home for supper even if only for a few days a week like he did when he first got his job.  Now, she is fortunate to even see him before 4 am the next day,most days.  She worries for her marriage, but does not say as much.  Why let anyone else worry about such a thing that even she cannot bare?

        Back to Brenda and Tim...

           "Tim, I know your sister and I do not see eye to eye, but do you not think you were a bit hard on her?"  Brenda ask.

        "Oh, and what makes you say so?"  Tim replies. He really thinks, Brenda to be a woman full of surprises no matter how much he gets to know her.

       "Well, she is your sister.  I am sure she means well."  Brenda says.

       "Even so, she needs to learn to respect my privacy and to knock."  Tim remarks.

       "Yes, I suppose you are right on that end."  Brenda replies. 

           Tim says the blessing.  He and Brenda eat in silence . After the meal, Tim washes the dishes, while Brenda dries them and puts them away.  

         "Thanks for the meal, it was delicious. It is my turn to fix it tomorrow, though, okay?"  Brenda says. Her voice gives it is away that her remark is more of statement than a question.

        "Sure, whatever you say." Tim replies.  He is glad to have Brenda's help around the house.  

             Brenda goes to sit on the sofa. She curls her feet up under herself.  She reads a magazine, the title clearly reads "Birds and Blooms."   She is glad to be able to relax for a bit.  She does not notice when Tim comes and sits beside her.  

            Tim is glad to be able to keep Brenda company for a change.  He does not say as much, but he feels she is important to him.  He starts to work on a cross word puzzle while she reads a magazine silently to herself.  He is glad he has plenty of them around since she seems to like them so much.  

           Brenda looks up from the magazine article about the "Golden Finch" and notices Tim sits beside her.  She smiles. She thinks, good thing he does not know about my silly,immature crush on him.  She believes if he ever finds out that he will be angry and make her go. 

           Little does she know, how wrong she is about him.  

            Tim sees her nod off,and smiles. He takes off his jacket and gently places it over her bare shoulders. He can see she is cold. He gets up, finds a blanket and gently tucks it in around her.  He says, "Good night, Brenda!  Sleep well."  He goes to his room, and prepares for bed. He falls asleep and dreams about the girl downstairs on his couch.

           to be continued in Chapter  8  Painters?