Part 30 (1/2)
”Ground rules,” Claire told him, folding her arms and trying not to smile. ”First, no throwing things.”
”He started it.” Jacques nodded at the cat.
”If he took poison, would you?”
”What would be the point?”
She had to admit that under the circ.u.mstances it was a stupid question. Actually, under most circ.u.mstances it was a stupid question. ”Second, when you're in a room with either Dean, or me, or both of us, you must be visible.”
”And thirdly? There is always a thirdly, yes?”
”Thirdly, if we're all going to live together for a while, let's make an effort to get along.”
”I cannot go down there with you.” Jacques squatted at the top of the stairs to better watch Claire descend. ”Why not?”
”Because there's nothing of yours in the bas.e.m.e.nt.”
”Is it because he lives in the bas.e.m.e.nt and you keep us from fighting over who is most important in your life?”
”Something like that.” Claire smiled as she moved out of his line of sight. For the moment, it was surprisingly entertaining being the center of someone's universe.
”Cleaning is woman's work.” Sprawled on the bed, the ghost peered around the room.
Dean very carefully coiled the vacuum cleaner cord around the back of the machine. ”Is it?”
”Oui. Any man would know.”
”Like you know it?” He picked up his divided bucket of cleaning supplies.
”Oui”
”Why don't you tell Claire?”
”That cleaning is woman's work?”
”Yeah.”
”I cannot. She is in the bas.e.m.e.nt.”
Dean mourned the missed opportunity. Even after only three days he had a fairly good idea of Claire's response to a declaration of that type.
”I think you need to rub harder.”
”Don't you have something to do?” Dean growled, scowling up at the ghost. While searching for paint for the sign, he'd come across a can of paint remover and, although the dining room was still a catastrophe, Claire had decided he should spend the rest of the afternoon stripping the front counter.
Sitting on the countertop, Jacques thought about it, soundlessly drumming his heels. ”No,” he said cheerfully after a moment. ”I will remain here and watch you.”
”Don't.”
”Dean.”