2
The next morning, the sun rose in a clear blue sky. After the buffet breakfast in the dining room, Ivy washed the dishes by hand and put them away. She’d been thinking about installing a dishwasher, but one wouldn’t be enough anyway. Besides, this old house had plenty of other repairs that took priority. Fortunately, the twin refrigerators in their vintage turquoise glory were still humming along. Gert and Gertie, she’d named them. She swiped a rag over their handles. Gratitude, that’s what she needed more of.
Although a new dishwasher wouldn’t hurt either.
Voices floated up from the lower level where Pages Bookshop had landed after the earthquake a few months ago. Remembering that Paige, the proprietor, liked her morning tea, Ivy filled a kettle with water and put it on the stove.
W
