Page 36 of Summer Heat
After lunch, we demoed the vanity, and I took down the mirror. Kinsley and Maya went swimming while I tore up the tile floor and walls.
When I was done, the room was empty. I cleaned up the debris and dust, making sure to close the door so that dust wouldn't travel into Maya's room.
We needed to pick the new tub and vanity next. I jumped in the shower, washing off the dust and grime from the day. Then pulled on my swim trunks, wanting a quick swim myself.
Maya was laying on a lounger with Kinsley next to her. I dived into the deep end and did a few laps before treading water where Kinsley lounged.
"Are you done for the day?" she asked.
I moved my arms in the water, noting the soreness. "The room is empty, waiting for you to fill it."
"I have a few ideas if you have time to take a look." Kinsley grabbed her laptop from a side table.
I surged out of the pool, the water rolling off my skin. I walked toward them, and Kinsley threw a towel at me. It landed on my chest, so I wiped the front of my torso, then wrapped it around my waist.
I was tan from so much time in the sun and lifted weights religiously. I wondered if Kinsley appreciated how I looked.
I sat next to Kinsley, who moved so that there was room for me. She tipped her laptop so that I could see the screen. She'd used a design program to install a vanity, mirror, lighting, shower, and a standalone tub. "Is this what you were thinking?"
"I wanted something a little fancier." This was a bit too modern, white and dark wood with clean lines.
"I thought you might say that." She swiped to a second picture, and my heart picked up. "How about this?"
The tub was slightly fancier with elegant claw feet, and the vanity had a few ornate details that made you think of elegance. "This is perfect." It was still dark wood and white tile, but it spoke to the vision that I had of the bathroom.
"What do you think, Maya? Is it good enough for a princess?"
Maya moved closer so that she could see, crawling into my lap.
She grabbed the laptop and zoomed in on every detail so that she could get a better look. It was impressive how good kids were with technology these days.
She finally nodded. "Perfect for a princess."
"This is your new bathroom." I was pleased I could create this space for her that would also honor the history of the house. The only thing was that this wasn't her permanent residence. She'd move out, and I'd be alone with five empty bedrooms.
Kinsley took the computer from Maya, worrying her lip. "I need to order everything. Hopefully it's available and in stock."
This was the hardest part of renovations. When something wasn't in stock, the owner had to pick out a replacement, and it was a difficult process, leaving a lot of people frustrated.
I was glad that Kinsley handled this aspect of the project. I never liked coordinating the purchase and delivery of fixtures within the renovation timeline. I inevitably got something wrong. Or more often, procrastinated for so long that I missed a deadline.
Kinsley had stepped in a long time ago to handle that aspect of the projects for me. Normally I didn't like help, but it had made things easier for me. I was much better at focusing on the physical renovation than the other details.
"Are you ready to go swimming again?"
Kinsley sighed. "I just got her out of the pool."
Maya wiggled off my lap, jumping in. Then she turned to me and cried, "Come on!"
"I'll play with Maya while you order the stuff we'll need for the bathroom." I stood and dropped the towel, watching closely as Kinsley struggled to keep her gaze on my face.
She shot me a grateful smile. "That would be helpful. Thank you."
I flashed her a grin, and then said to Maya, "I'm going to get you."
I ran and jumped, tucking into a cannonball. Maya's squeals of delight urged me on, and when I hit the water with a splash, I couldn't remember a time when I'd been more content.
I surged to the surface, wiping my hair out of my face. I looked for Maya, who held onto the side of the pool. Then I dived under the surface, aiming for her legs. She darted away from me, swimming underneath the water to avoid me.
