Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
I went to the other side and did the same thing, beyond excited my idea was going to work. Once I had the armoire on the movers, I stood back, panting a little. It was a heavy piece of furniture, and it had taken all the strength in my hands to get it off the floor.
I sat on the sofa and drank the water I had poured earlier, planning my next move. I had to pull the armoire away from the wall, turn it slightly, and push it back to the end. It was the turn I was unsure about. I didn’t want to cause any rocking or pull it the wrong way, triggering it to topple. I thought about waiting for Jesse to come home and asking him for help, then decided I would try on my own. But if it didn’t go well, I would wait. I was feeling hot and sweaty, so I pulled off my shirt, leaving my cotton camisole in place. It was old, thin, and stretched out of shape, but the cool air felt good on my overheated skin.
I approached the armoire and checked the balance, pleased to see it felt fairly solid. Moving it took everything I had. Inch by inch, I pulled it away from the wall. One side, then another, then back. Once it was far enough away, I slipped behind it, ignoring the dust bunnies and dirt buildup under it, and used my legs to help push it away. It took a long time, but I finally got it far enough from the wall that I could try turning it. Slowly, I managed. Then again, inch by inch, I slid it toward the back, only to realize that while it fit perfectly, I had no way to lift it off the sliders I had it on.
I frowned and decided one of two things. I could leave it on the rollers so it could be moved. There was a locking mechanism so that it would be safe. Or I could use the jacks on the front and hope to wiggle the sliders out. I blew out a long huff of air and decided I needed to sit down and let my energy build back up.
I got more water and a protein bar and sat on the sofa looking at the now-empty wall. It made the entranceway look so much bigger and brighter. Once I painted it to match this room, it would be perfect. I’d have to ask Jesse if he had any more of this paint.
Once I didn’t feel as exhausted, I got the broom and swept years of dust from the floor where the armoire had been. Jesse was right—the wood was indented where it had sat for years, and I wondered why that had been chosen as the spot. Even another ten inches to the right and it would have looked better. I got the mop and washed the spot I had swept, pleased to see the floor was in good shape. The baseboards needed touching up, but—
I stopped, frowning. There was a long gap of about three feet with no baseboards. I stepped back, studying the wall. I traced what I had thought was a crack, realizing it was too perfect. I narrowed my eyes, peering at the wall. The crack ran up the wall on one side and right where the baseboard was missing, down the other side. I could discern an interconnecting line at the top.
“It’s a door,” I breathed out. “There’s a door here.”
I recalled Lou telling my mother the family who’d originally owned the house had lived here with their daughter until she married later in life. They must have had a door that opened to both sides here. When it was closed off, they put the armoire in place to hide that fact.
Where did it lead? Was there a wall behind the door? Did it lead into a closet at Jesse’s? Did he know about the door?
I was so excited, I almost missed it. A flat pull that extended slightly from the edge of the door. I gripped it, but it stuck. Unfazed, I went to the kitchen and grabbed a pair of pliers, returning and pulling on the tiny piece of metal that stuck out. It was barely noticeable since it had been covered with paint, but once I tugged on it a bit, I could make out the old brass.
I pulled and pulled and was about to give up when the door opened with a low creak. I fell on my ass, staring at the now-open door. It led to—
Nothing.
A blank wall met my gaze.
I frowned. “Why cover this up if it goes nowhere?” I asked, disappointed.
I leaned forward, feeling around the wall. My fingers found a slight indent, and I got excited again. There was another door. I hesitated, knowing it must lead into Jesse’s place. I should probably go and see if he was home and show him.