'I need to know how far it extends and if so, if it's sturdy enough to hold up the weight of an addition. That's a serious matter of code regulations.'
Jack took lots of measurements and kept jotting down notes. Finally he said, 'I'll have to measure upstairs from this door to be sure, but I don't think the basement will be relevant. It doesn't go as far as the dining room is my gut feeling. But let's go back upstairs.'
He was well in front of them and went up the stairs faster than Jane had ever done.
After he measured, he said, 'I'll take this back to my office and my son will put it on AutoCad.'
'What's that?'
'A hideously expensive computer program that takes months to learn and is necessary to any architectural company. My son knows how to do this. Oh, and one more thing, where do the phone lines run in? I have to go outside and look. Mel, I assume you need a fast phone line for your computer and fax, and a separate line for telephone calls.'
'I do.'
'Where's the door to the backyard?'
T
he third Women's Safety meeting was earlier than the ones before — at ten in the morning — and was about foreign travel. It was shorter than the others. Miss Welbourne went through the rules of how to behave, dress, and protect yourself, especially if you were traveling to a Muslim country. 'Wear no jewelry. Don't even take it along, except for a cheap watch. Wear long sleeves, long skirts, and wear at least a scarf on your head.
'Don't meet the eyes of men. It's considered loose and trashy and you'll be taken for a prostitute. Eat daintily. Women aren't considered real people in the Muslim culture. Very few women are educated. Don't get roped into conversations about American values or anything political.
'You should really try to travel with another woman or if you're married, with your husband. You will be a lot safer. If you're with a tour group, obey everything the leader tells you. It's unwise to rent a car and go off on your own. If you get lost, you could put yourself in great danger.
'Try to learn a little of the language in advance. `Please,' `Thank you,' `Excuse me.' And how to order food. Don't order any kind of spirits. If you take some along in your suitcase, drink only in the privacy of your room and be very careful not to leave any empty bottles in your room. Keep a set of paper bags and throw the empties away without being noticed.'
Jane and Shelley tuned out. They had absolutely no plans to go to such hostile, dangerous countries. Miss Welbourne had a whole lot more advice. All of it was scary. Jane and Shelley were tempted to try to sneak out, but they'd be bound to be seen and didn't want to insult the teacher.
Jane occupied herself by thinking about the extra room she was adding for Mel's home office. It would raise her property taxes and probably her insurance rates as well. But there was no going back. Mel couldn't have worked in the sewing room, which was just big enough for one single bed and one small side table with barely room for a lamp, and had only one pitiful little window.
She hadn't even told Shelley about this. Shelley had been out and about shopping while Jack was there. She couldn't wait to tell her about it.
When the class was over, they went to their favorite
restaurant; they were early enough to get a booth where nobody could hear them talking.
Jane told Shelley about the house extension and Shelley said, 'That's going to be a huge, expensive, messy project.'
'But worth it, Shelley. Mel has a whole extra bedroom in his apartment with copies of his files, a computer, printer, two phone lines. He can't fit that in that extra room upstairs. He's going to move into my house and he deserves to be accommodated with all he needs.'
'I see that. But won't it cost the earth?'
'So what? My pharmacy money is increasing every year as it expands.'
'Speaking of the business, have you told Thelma that you're getting married?'
'Yes, and she chewed me out.'
'How dare she!'
'Because she's old and nasty. She resents me for getting Steve's share of the profits forever, which will be passed on to my children when I'm gone. That's what is in his will.'
Shelley asked, 'Have you ever had their bookkeeping audited?'
Jane stared at her best friend. 'No, I haven't. But I probably should. It would be like her to cheat me.'
Jane thought for a minute or two and said, 'But Steve's brother Ted is in charge of the finances. I don't think Ted would allow it. If she tried to fudge, he'd stop her because it might get him in legal trouble.'
Shelley nodded approval. 'Back to your extra room, how far along is this plan?'
'Uncle Jim added a room to his house and recommended an architect. A guy we're supposed to call Jack. He's already working on it. In fact, he insisted on visiting Mel's apartment to measure how much space he has there, so he could give him just as much at my house. He's an interesting old guy. Measured like mad. Went out in the backyard to see where the phone lines come in, checked out that there isn't any basement under where the new room will be.'
'Meantime, you want to shop?'
'For what?'
'The bride outfit for Mel's mother Addie's wedding.'
'Why not? I've thought about this a little. Mel wants me to wear that emerald suit that he likes so much in the real wedding before the showy one that Addie is trying to take over.'
'What do you want? Ivory instead of white?'
'No. It's too close to white and would look merely dingy with the groom and best man in tuxes. I'm sure Addie is going to insist on this.'
'Okay, let's go shopping again.'
'We're starting at a place that supplies tuxes.'
'Why?'
'Because I want to know if they have tuxes in a charcoal gray.'
'You want to look like the groom and his best man?' 'No, I want to wear a brilliant red blouse and a classy
matching red hat, and Mel and whoever he chooses to stand up for him can wear ties and cummerbunds to match my hat and blouse. We've already struck out on pink and taupe.'
