When A Plan Comes Together Read Free

went to the yard shed. It was indeed locked. The first thing she noticed was that, though everything was neatly put away, almost every square inch of space was taken up, just like in the greenhouse, with the yard tools only accounting for a fourth of it, if that.
     
    The shed and greenhouse both had power to them for convenience. Though, really, the power in the shed was more than just convenience. Though they didn’t use it any more, the pump on the well for irrigating the garden and greenhouse was electric. Jay hadn’t wanted it to freeze in the winter. He didn’t want the things like touch-up paint and other things freeze, either, so the shed had a small HVAC unit to keep it temperature controlled, to about the same degree as the garage. It was just above freezing to just under eighty degrees in the summer.
     
    She didn’t bother cleaning in the shed. Jay was in it often and it was spic and span. She headed back for the house after locking the doors to the shed and then the greenhouse. She’d start on the basement after a bite of lunch. As she passed one of Jay’s projects, she didn’t even pay attention. The old truck he worked on from time to time was up on blocks and covered with a canvas cover he’d had an awning maker sew up for him. Even the tires were covered with protective covers.
     
    Kathy hesitated after cleaning the small family room, spare bedroom, and bath. All were in the finished portion of the basement and part of her responsibility. The unfinished section was Jay’s to do with as he wished.
     
    She opened the door and went into the second section of the basement. She tried to remember when she’d last been in this section. It was before Jay had finished it. Not quite to the expert level her part of the basement was, but very nice. It was a bit hard to see some of the finish work, as there were boxes stacked chest high along the wall in heavy duty shelving.
     
    There were more shelves suspended from the full height basement ceiling, creating a floor to ceiling shelving system. He’d told her he was putting in shelving, in case she needed the room, but she had all she needed in the big closets every room had, plus the one dedicated storeroom Jay had insisted the house had when they approved the plans, a few weeks before their marriage.
     
    She’d been finishing up her schooling at the time the house was built and had only been there a few times to look things over. Jay had handled most of the construction, with her input, and she’d decorated it, buying quality items as time passed and both began to make better salaries.
     
    Kathy noticed one of the shelving units was lightly loaded, where all the others were fully loaded, but didn’t think too much about it. She went upstairs thoughtfully. She knew in her heart that Jay had never lied to her or misled her about his preps. She’d simply shown no interest in them in all the years they’d been married. She was disappointed in herself. Even if she hadn’t been an enthusiastic participant, she should have given Jay more support in his activities.
     
    Her thoughts turned to the children. They both spent time with their father when Kathy was at work and doing her hobbies. When she would ask about what they’d done when she got back, she got the normal answers for children their ages. “Aw, nothing. Just hanging around with Dad.”
     
    Both pretty much gave Jay the same answer when they spent time with her when Jay was occupied. She and Jay had even laughed about it a couple of times. They didn’t get away with those answers when they were asked about hanging out with friends at and after school. They both made a point to know what their children were doing, and with whom. But neither gave a second thought to question about what they did when they were with the other parent, especially Kathy.
     
    After warming up her tea, Kathy went into the living room and turned on the television to check the weather. Rex had football practice and