Conklin's Blueprints Read Free Page B

crossing a line with his employer.  But I didn’t care, I loved him, and he would always have to put up with it from me.
    “How was your flight Miss Stine?” He asked formally, as he started to pull out of the parking space.
    “It was alright; a little bumpy in the middle, but we made good time.” I shrugged.
    He smiled at me through the rear view mirror. “Well we will arrive at your new condo in about 20 minutes.  The movers should be near finished.  Mrs. Stine insisted they unpack all of your belongings apart from your bedroom and bathroom boxes.”
    This infuriated me.  I didn’t need someone to unload my things.  Thank God she told them to back away from my personal belongings.  I would hate the thought of someone pulling out my lacy undergarments.
    “She still doesn’t know when she is overbearing, does she?” I grumbled.  I saw Roger smirk in the mirror.  He knew my mother was crazy over protective and controlling.  He had to endure listening to her comments about my siblings and me.  I normally got the negative comments, whether they would be about my weight or my drive.  She never straight out said I was fat, it was always just little comments like, “You look a little heavier in this picture,” or “Don’t worry honey, most of the girls in your grade are just really skinny.”  What kid wouldn’t think of this as being called fat?  The worst was, “You will slim down once you hit middle school, don’t worry.”  I don’t think I had ever expressed to her that I was worried; she was the one who had to have the perfect child.
    All in all, my mother did love me and wanted the best for me.  She just had a roundabout way of showing it.
    We arrived at the River House Condos in the timely matter that Roger predicted.  It was at least 30 stories high, and my father had insisted on gifting me my first year’s rent.  Little did I know he actually had purchased a two bedroom, two bathroom lofty condo versus one of the apartments. 
    I grabbed my bag before Roger could get to it and made my way to the entrance.  Roger followed me to make sure I made it to the 28 th floor and wanted to be sure I felt comfortable.
    “Can I help you with anything, Becca?” He said with his hands held behind his back.
    I searched the large condo and sighed.  This was too much.  I wanted to do this on my own, but my parents were already controlling the situation.  As soon as I was settled into my job, I would sell the condo and find something on my own.
    “No Roger, I’m fine.  You can go ahead and leave.  Go do something fun, I will tell my parents you stuck around and helped me out for a few hours.”
    Roger smiled at me and turned to leave.  I’m sure he was going to head straight home.  He loved doing whatever my family asked of him.  Fortunately my parents were always wonderful to their staff and did everything they could to make them feel comfortable and a part of the family.
    I explored the condo once Roger left.  It had 15-foot ceilings throughout the space and was very modern.  Sleek, light gray walls covered the living room with a large white brick electric fireplace.  The floors were a very dark black hardwood with a large area rug in the middle of the white leather furniture.  The kitchen was just past the living room painted with red walls and black cabinets and stainless steel appliances. There was an island counter that had white and gray speckled granite and four black bar stools.
    Just past the kitchen there was a dining area with a large glass table with eight black chairs surrounding it. In the middle of the table there was a large bouquet of lilies with a note:
     
    We are so happy you are back in Grand Rapids. Congratulations on the job.
    We love you.
    Mom & Dad
     
    The card made me smile.  They really did mean well.  They were okay with having things done for them.  My mother was fine with hiring people to move her things and clean up after her and drive her around; I