Sintown Chronicles I: Behind Closed Doors by Sr. David O. Dyer Page A

broadly when the external monitor glowed with the unfamiliar, icon filled, Microsoft Windows opening screen in rich, brilliant colors.
* * * *
    Both Tim and Sandra had hopes and, as Tim called them, plans for their lives. For Tim, planning required conscious thought, preparation, and the making of lists and schedules. Sandra's normal process was more subconscious. In the back of her mind, often not clearly defined, she knew what she wanted. Spur of the moment decisions normally prompted her daily activity. An outside observer would say that Sandra tended to act spontaneously, but that would not be technically correct. She knew what she wanted although her subconscious mind may not have yet defined it. Nevertheless, her subconscious desires brought her step by tiny step ever closer to definition and realization.
    Her second attempt to sort Jan's clothes was much more successful. She was delighted with the wardrobe. While everything did not fit perfectly, most were close enough, and, if she could get her hands on a sewing machine, she felt sure she could alter the few items that did not fit.
    While the second attempt at clothes sorting gave her pleasure, her mind would not release Tim's demand that she present him with a plan. Long-term plans just were not her thing, but she feared he might turn her out if she didn't come up with something. Of one thing she was certain. She wanted money, and lots of it. She had, without realizing it, ruled out earning it through prostitution and the rolling of drunks, as Silas Marner earned his through weaving. She could think of no way to steal it, as had Dunstan, because Tim's money was in a checking account. Gradually she came up with a short-term plan that she must convince Tim was long-term. First, she would find ways to please him—make him want to keep her around. Sex was good, but not enough. Next she would search for a way to get that money of Tim's out of the bank, but Tim must not suspect that.
    Sandra knew that Bobby had been moving piles of Uncle Pete's clothing from the master bedroom to his pickup, so she was not startled when she heard him say, “This all. Clothes fit?"
    “Tim will be pleased to have all that space for his things,” she replied pleasantly, “and yes, most of the clothes fit good enough for me. They actually belong to Uncle Pete's lady friend, don't they?"
    “Yes. No. Mr. Harlow bought. She wore but didn't like."
    “That explains why she went off and left them."
    “You sew?” Bobby asked looking at the small pile that needed alterations.
    “I used to when I was a girl. I may ask Tim to buy a sewing machine, but new clothes would probably cost less than the machine."
    “Singer in attic. Mrs. Harlow. Fix before leave."
* * * *
    Sandra stood at the study door for several minutes before Tim noticed her. He was playing some sort of classical music on the study stereo with the volume very low. He looks so happy playing with his computer and books spread out for reference, she thought.
    “Hi,” he said rather sheepishly, hoping she would stay where she could not see the monitor.
    She didn't.
    “Guess I'm wasting my time,” he continued when she stood beside him, looking at the playing cards on the screen.
    “What is that, solitaire?” she asked.
    “Yeah."
    “Doesn't playing the game help you learn to use the computer?"
    “I guess it does.” He felt a little better about himself.
    “I'm proud of you just for getting everything hooked up and working,” she said, beginning to execute her poorly defined plan.
    “To be honest, I wasn't sure I could do it."
    “Bobby removed all of Mr. Harlow's things from the master bedroom. I told him he could have them."
    “That's great. Do you think Uncle Pete's clothes will fit him? It sure would be nice to see Bobby wearing something besides army fatigues."
    “Bobby said Mr. Harlow had given him his old clothes before, so they probably do fit. I like Bobby, but I sure wish he would smile once in a while. He