Yes, but soon new problems show up

The following two weeks are very busy. You spend half of your day in university to learn what you missed during your hospital stay and get more information about the renovation. You also get in contact with a professor who teaches the stuff you need and is very interested in your project. The other half of the day you spend with your friends on different construction sites in the mansion.

Lilly is like a living wrecking ball and precisely tears down damaged wall parts to get to the pipes behind. She and Connor also managed to get a lot of unneeded construction material from other construction sides that would otherwise have been thrown away. According to Lilly she had to show her tits three times to get enough pipes and plastering material for all the bathrooms.

Gina surprises everyone when she and a small group of homeless people freed the whole backyard from weeds, scrub and waste in a single Saturday. And on Sunday she brought a lot of plant boxes from a local garden center. She says they would have thrown the boxes away because they got new ones and if she would pick them up herself she would get them for free.

After a week you got some rooms ready for moving in. Your parents are sad, but very proud when you told them that you will now live in your own house. Your sister also moves to you. You are not sure if it would be even possible to say no. Not long after you moved in, David moved in too and took care of the internet. You helped him choose a good offer and made sure everything is prepared. As soon as the company sends somebody you just have to connect a router and have internet in the mansion.

David also cleared out one of the office rooms and turned it into his own workplace. The desks, bookshelves and other furniture are perfect for a law office. You wonder if the previous owner was a lawyer or something similar. According to David, he kept most of the old books in the office because they match with his studies. And according to Connor, some of the books are very expensive.

Jenny and Alima help wherever they can. Alima takes care of cleaning and the kitchen. Most of the kitchen gear is damaged somehow and it took a whole weekend for Alima to make sure cooking there is not a risk for your health. But she seems happy. She is proud to be able to help and the kitchen is her kingdom. Still, she and Jenny needed some money to buy some modern, intact equipment. Most of the stuff is second hand, but cutlery, crockery and the small appliances they brought from their old homes.

And at Friday afternoon, two weeks after you left hospital, you sit with your friends in the dining room and eat Alimas delicious chicken curry while talking about the progress. Connor is there too and only Lilly is missing, since she told you that she has to work and will come later.

“We have successfully repaired all damaged pipes and furnishings in two bathrooms,” you explain and try to not drop food on the blueprint in front of you, “Lilly and I can tile it as soon as we have enough tiles. We can do something artful again or keep it standard.”

“The urban farm is in great condition,” Gina tells you, “the homeless guys work good I give my best to teach them well. I can help someone else this weekend. Allie, do you need help coloring the walls?”

“We get along, but Alima and I could need a pair of extra hands,” Allie mumbles, “and we need more color. We have no green lest and only one bucked with blue color.”

“We will see what we can do,” Jenny promises, “I thought since we are all here today and need to wait for new material, we could start clear out the basement. There are hundreds of boxes and I haven’t seen all of the room down there yet.”

“Or we use this day to take some time off,” Connor proposes, “you guys haven’t had a single day free time since we started this.”

“I appreciate your concern, Connor, but you told me lately that we are running out of money,” Jenny mumbles, “if we finally clear out the basement and attic, we will see if we can use some of the stuff. And the rest can be sold to help us financing the whole renovation. I’m sure if we all take a few boxes we are done in a few hours and can relax the rest of the day. Or study. No need to risk our future.”

While you all nod in agreement the doorbell rings. It is a melodic sound and one of the few things that worked already perfectly when you began to renovate. As the house owner you take the duty to introduce your guests. You open the door and find Lilly on the other side.

“Lilly, glad you made it, we were just about to start without you,” you say smiling and suddenly notice Lilly looks uncomfortable and has two large suitcases at her side, “what is going on? What are the Suitcases for?”

“My … my old landlord died last week,” Lilly says and looks embarrassed to the ground, “and … the new owner … hates what we do.”

“This can’t be true,” Jenny sighs annoyed, “why the hell has every landlord a problem with us? What has he done?”

“He is an 80-years-old conservative asshole,” Lilly suddenly shouts very angry, “he doesn’t like young people, especially when they are committed in any way. He has a problem with black people or people who befriend with them and he hates the thought that a woman like me lives alone or is allowed to work without the agreement of her husband. The first thing he did after buying the building was to double the rent. He knows I can’t afford this. And today after work I came back and the locks from my apartment where changed.”

“He can’t do that,” David replies angry, “no matter how much he hates you, he is not allowed to kick you out without serious reason and legal deadline. I can fill in a request at the court if you want.”

“No, this will not work,” Lilly mumbles a little embarrassed, “you know, after he did this, I immediately stormed into his apartment and requested the fucking keys. When he refused and called me a whore I … knocked him out and just took all keys. He lost a tooth. And maybe his nose broke. I was so angry, I told him I move out and if he dares to piss on me, I'll come back and finish him off.”

“Fuck, Lilly!” Jenny growls disappointed, “not again. Your fucking **** will be your doom. How often did I told you, you can’t solve all your problems with your fists?”

“Don’t lecture me, Jenny!” Lilly replies upset, “the fucker deserved it. Within the single week I know him we had several arguments and every time I hold back despite his racist and intolerant behavior. Now he overdid it. But I … I just need a place to stay. And … could you spare another room, Max?”

“Well, since you already help a lot with the whole renovation I see no reason why you shouldn’t profit from it as well. The room next to Jenny’s is free and I think we are already done with it.”

“Thanks, boy, you are great,” Lilly says and suddenly hugs you.

You are surprised. Lilly never hugged you before. She even threatened to kill you and present your dead body on a pale if you ever dare to touch her. You are not sure if she was serious, but you decided to not risk it.

“What about your stuff?” David asks as disappointed as Jenny, “your furniture, your clothes and everything?”

“I took what I could carry in my car, the rest is still there,” Lilly answers, “some of the stuff is worth a lot. I could need a pair of hands to get everything.”

“I will do this,” David decides immediately, “if your landlord is still dare or decided to call the police, you will need my help more than an extra pair of fists.”

“I bring your stuff to your room,” Alima offers.

“Fine, you can stay,” Jenny says as if it would be her house, “but at least two of you help me with the basement. Max, where do you want to help?”