The next week was absolutely exhausting.

Even though we thought we had the whole project planned out, to do exactly what I wanted, we literally had to tear the room apart.

We ripped out all the walls and the ceiling. Most of the wiring had to be re-routed and new wiring done.

I ended up renting a garbage bin, just for the drywall and tiles we tore out, along with wiring, fixtures and other parts and pieces, that I didn't even know existed.

.

Luckily, Bobby was not only a great carpenter, but a pretty good plumber and Jessie was a whiz at the electrical end of things.

We actually ended up tearing out the existing closet, putting up a wall and making an on-suite. It made the room a little smaller, but as Bobby commented.

"Will. Its supposed to be a spare bedroom. Its bigger than our apartment."

.

Bobby and Jessie were renting a small apartment over the general store. They had been finalizing the deal, the day I met them.

Since I had several spare bedrooms and even an executive suite, at the rear of the house, I offered them to stay with me.

They refused, of course, but several late nights, they did simply collapse in one of the spare bedrooms.

.

The amount of work that we had to do, was far more than we had initially anticipated and there was a fear, in my mind, that we would not finish.

.

"Shit on that," Jessie assured me, one afternoon, while we had a beer break.

"We said we would get this done and we will."

.

Sheila was a huge help.

I cannot remember how many times she drove to Corner Brook, getting supplies that we needed and how many meals and snacks she prepared for us.

She even offered a set of extra hands when we needed it and most days, she was with us, up until around 9 at night, when she had to go home and look after her son, Henry.

Henry spent much of his spare time at the house as well, helping in anyway he could. He was great at cleaning up and dragging garbage to the bin. I even sneaked him shot glasses of beer, much to his mother's chagrin. She would scold me, but it was always followed by a kiss, so I didn't put much thought in her anger.

.

I was really becoming attached to Sheila and her son.

Henry was a wonderful boy. Polite, smart and always positive. The complete opposite of what I was, growing up in foster homes. I was moody, withdrawn and prone to loud outbursts. The main reasons for my constant shuffling between foster homes.

As for Sheila, I was getting an overpowering feeling of love for her. Like her son, she was always smiling, always positive, always encouraging. And she was becoming more beautiful to me, every day.

I always looked forward to seeing her in the morning and her smile would always brighten up my day.

She was exactly what I needed in my life. I was even having thoughts of marriage, although I knew, sensibly, that it was far to early for that. But the comfort level I felt with her and her son, was such, that I could see a future with her.

.

Of course, there was one little stumbling block.

Whisper.

Although, as busy as I was, she often slipped my mind and I actually felt like I had a normal life, especially when all 5 of us were sitting around, sharing a sandwich and beer, joking around and being ...

normal.

But she was a part of my life and I knew, that at some point, if I was to have a future with Sheila, then she would have to know about my ghostly friend, who was also a huge part of my life.

.

By December 21, I was beginning to doubt that we would even finish the project.

Bobby and I were standing in the middle of the bedroom. All the wiring and plumbing was done. And all the special cables and outlets were all hooked up, but there were no finished walls or ceiling. And the hardwood floor was scratched and gouged to shit, by all the activity.

The fixtures were not even set up in the bathroom and there were no doors up.

.

"Shit," I sighed.

"We will never get this done."

I let out a long breath.

.

Bobby slapped me on the back.

"Will, my buddy. Don't be so negative, but I think we will need some help, to git it finished by the 24th."

.

"A lot of help, by the looks of things."

I was beginning to doubt myself, about even starting the project.

.

Bobby stood in front of me, putting his hands on my shoulders.

"Will, do you trust me?"

.

I nodded. I really did trust this man and his wife.

.

"Good."

.

At that moment, Sheila and Jessie walked into the room.

.

Bobby went to Sheila.

"Take Will here and the two of you get lost. You have to buy stuff for this room, don't you?"

.

Sheila looked at me, nodding.

"Sweetie? You do need furniture and such."

.

"I know, but ..."

I looked around.

"There is so much to do."

.

Bobby turned me around, toward the door.

"You and your woman get out of her. And I don't want to see either of you for a couple days."

.

"I can't do that," I stammered.

Whisper immediately came to mind, even though I had not seen her in nearly a week.

What would happen if she suddenly showed up?

.

Sheila kissed me.

"Sounds like a good idea. We have a lot of shopping to do and I would love some alone time with my man.

I could get John to look after Henry and maybe we could even spend a few days in Corner Brook, alone."

.

I had to smile. The awkward fear that I had, about being alone with Sheila, was gone and the prospect of spending some real alone time with her, was bringing a smile to my face, along with a pounding heart.

"Okay."

I kissed Sheila and turned to Bobby.

"Can you get this done?"

.

Bobby nodded, as he took his cell phone out of his pocket.

"You go. I will get help. We will get this done."

.

I shook his hand.

"Whatever it costs."

.

He nodded.

"Oh, it will cost you my friend," he laughed.

He looked to Jessie.

"Call Peter and see how many guys he can round up."

.

She nodded, taking her cellphone from her breast pocket of her jacket.

She looked at Sheila and me.

"Are you guys still here?"

She glared at us.

"Get the hell out of here."

.

Sheila kissed me.

"I will go home, pack an overnight bag and talk to Henry and John.

Meet you in an hour or so."

.

My heart was pounding so loudly, I could barely hear myself talk.

"Okay my love."

.

She kissed me again, whispering in my ear.

"I love you, Will Templeton."

She didn't wait for my response.

.

I picked her up an hour later and we drove straight to Corner Brook and straight to the Glynmill Inn Hotel.

We didn't start shopping until the next morning.