Muffin let out a shrill bark and scurried under the bed, then ran out of the room with a piece of cloth clutched in his jaws. Harmony chased after him as he ran down the staircase and into the living room where Mrs. Clementine sat sipping a glass of sweet tea as the television played softly in the background.

“Abigail, Owen, and Mama Mary just left,” the old woman explained. “And I’ll be turning in for the night soon myself.”

“Oh, okay,” Harmony answered. It seemed mighty early for bed, but who was she to judge? Old people were just more tired, and while her new landlady didn’t seem exceptionally old, she did appear to be worn down by life more than her fair share.

“Mind if I give you the grand tour first?” Virginia asked with a slight raise of one eyebrow.

“Yes, please do.” Harmony waited as the other woman grabbed a thick coaster with a cartoon pig dancing on its front and set her tea down on top of it.

“All right,” she said, rising to her feet and drifting in the direction of the kitchen. Muffin ran after her, still carrying the cloth in his mouth and shaking his tiny head every few steps as if he could kill what wasn’t even living.

Harmony sped up and grabbed the dog, then took what turned out to be a lace doily from his clutches.

Virginia laughed. “Oh, let him have it. I have a million and one spares lying around this place. God never blessed me with children to call my own, and instead of getting mad or sad, I just picked up a needle and thread.” My, she did reveal the source of her pain right up front. Harmony was never so bold when meeting new people. Did it mean Mrs. Clementine trusted her, or was this simply her way?

“The quilt on my bed is beautiful,” Harmony said with an encouraging nod. “You do great work.”

“It beats sitting around wondering why the Lord chose not to bless me with one of life’s greatest gifts. I figured I might as well find some other way to make the world a nicer place, and so I added a bit of beauty.”

Harmony didn’t know whether to smile, apologize, or reach for a change of topic. Luckily, Virginia shifted into tour guide mode, freeing her from the burden of figuring out an appropriate response.

“Cups are in there.” She pointed to the cabinet next to the fridge. “This drawer is for silverware.” She pulled a drawer in and out demonstratively. “This arrangement is for room and board, so please eat and drink whatever you want. I always have way more than I need just for me.”

“That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Clementine,” Harmony said. She felt like she was back in school. Yes, Mrs. Thank you, Mrs.

The older woman waved Harmony off. “Call me Virginia, or better yet, Ginny. Some folk even call me Gin. C’mon, now let me show you where all the bathrooms are.”