Sharing Space PG (Champagne Challenge #113)

[cassysj]

Here is my offering for francis' Spring Cleaning Challenge


I do not own any recognizable characters no copyright infringement is intended.


March 21st, 2010


Mick had asked Beth to marry him and she was going to move into his apartment the end of the month.

“Mick you have to get rid of some of some stuff. I won’t be able to bring half my things here.

“I need everything in this apartment.”

“Mick you have fifty Henleys can’t you make do with twenty-five?”

“I need all of them.“

“Mick you have ten leather coats. You like the cold why do you need that many?

“I bought that coat in 1984 when the Los Angeles Raiders won the Super Bowl.”

Beth put it in the out box. “Then you got your money’s worth.”

I’m not asking you to get rid of anything. Mick complained We can put your furniture in storage and some of your clothes.”

“Why can’t we put your furniture in storage?” Beth shot back

“Because I’ve created an ambiance here. You said you loved my apartment.”

“I did. I mean I do but this is going to be our apartment and we have to make some compromises.”

“Beth, we’re fighting over things. I’m letting you bring your bed.”

“Letting me???? You know what, keep everything in its place. I’ll keep my apartment and when you’re ready to share your life let me know. Beth slammed the door on her way out.


Two hours later.



Ding Dong!

Josef smiled. “Mick, buddy. I brought refreshments.”

“Josef, I’m not in the mood.”

“Really? I wasn’t in the mood to have Beth interrupt my dinner and massage but it happened. I heard you won’t share. Mick if you didn’t want her to move in why did you propose?

“I want her to move in. I just don’t want her to change anything.”

Josef laughed. “Mick every time a new freshie moves into the mansion things change.”

“Oh do they tell you to throw out your Armani suits to make room for their clothes?”

“No, but they aren’t moving into my bedroom. If they were I’d have to make some room or build another closet. Don’t tell me this is about clothes.”

Not really. She was talking about furniture too. I’m letting her have the bed.”

“Letting her? Do you want her to sleep on the floor?”

“No.”

“Then what is this “let her” nonsense?”

“She slept with Josh in that bed. I’m going to smell it.”

“Did you tell her that?”

“No.”

“Tell her. Now what’s the real reason you don’t want her things here.”

“Josef, when I got married we moved into Coraline’s house. Everything was hers. I couldn’t buy a couch or a freezer without her consent. She sneered at my clothes, my books, music. If I let Beth take control of my surroundings, I’ll lose part of myself.”

“I don’t believe this. Beth is not Coraline.

“I know that. Mick said. “I just don’t want to be controlled.”

“Do you know that she thinks Coraline bought everything in this apartment and that’s why you don’t want to get rid of it?”

“Where did she get a crazy idea like that?”

“I don't know maybe because you give the lamest excuses known to man "I bought this when the Raiders won the Super Bowl".

“I really did. All right. I’ll go find her and tell her she can bring whatever she wants.”

“Actions speak louder then words. Go upstairs and pack some things up. Let her see you’re opening your heart and home to her.”

“You are a genius. I’ll call her tomorrow.”

“Good. Now if I’m done playing marriage counselor I’ll be having dinner and entertainment.”

“Good night Josef.”


Three hours later.


Beth came into Mick’s apartment and saw several boxes marked storage.

She ran over and hugged him. “Thank you.”

“Beth, I’ve been on my own for a while. I’m not used to sharing but I want to share my life with you and that means sharing my closet.”

“I’m willing to put some things in storage too. I just wasn’t sure if you were changing your mind about us living together.”

“No, but if we're going to be honest I am a little bothered by your bed.”

Beth laughed. “I’m not sleeping in a freezer as long as I’m human.”

“It was your bed with Josh and I understand if you don’t want to throw it out but can we put it in storage?”

Beth gasped. “Mick, I never thought about that. Let’s go shopping for a new bed tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. This is going to be our home. “Let’s get to Spring Cleaning.”

[allegrita]

Aww. They're compromising. Two strong-willed, damaged people... but they're trying.

Josef is very good at getting people to see reason, isn't he?

[lorig]

I really enjoyed that...

[Lucy]

Josef K, the Solomon of the 21 century.....

[francis]

I love compromises, especially when they are that hard-earned. They are both stubborn and not able to talk about feelings. Now Josef would make a great career as a counselor. Lovely!

[cassysj]

Alle - Living together is one of the hardest things and compromise is necessary. We should all have Josef to settle our arguments.

Lorig -Thanks for reading

Lucy - Josef likes the comparison.

francis - They are both very stubborn. Beth does forget that Mick isn't really 30 that he has a whole lot of baggage and Mick needs to learn compromise.

[jen]

They are trying, making adjustments and moving closer together.

LOL! I love that comment upthread that Josef is the Solomon of the 21st century.

[cassysj]

Josef certainly gets to the heart of the matter. It's hard as a relationship evolves, compromise is always necessary.

[Moonlighter]

Awww, a little pre-marital tiff. Thank goodness Uncle Josef is around to run interference. With these two strong-willed people, it will probably become his second job.

Cute one, Carol!

[cassysj]

I agree Josef will have his hands full with the two of them.

[jen]

Josef multitasks well.

And this was lovely, again.

Thank you!

Jenna

[maggatha3]

Well, living together is all about compromising...well, not all, but ...first of all. And vampires can be as stubborn as humans in that domain, as I see, maybe even more, though Mick has said he should be accustomed to change after all these years of living...then again he has been alone for more than it is healthy..! A beautiful reading, cassy.

[cassysj]

maggatha3 - Thanks for reading. Living together is hard especially when you've been on your own for a while.

[coco]

Everyone should have a Josef to learn the act of compromise.

A fun read, Carol.

[cassysj]

Josef is an expert negotiater. Especially when you're not talking about his closet speace.