Page 45 of Structure of Love

“Because the plywood’s the structural support to this room.”

I stared, waiting for a punch line. Kinda praying for a punch line, truth told.

“We are the only studs in this room,” Cohen informed me.

“How do we keep coming across this problem? So many rooms don’t have studs.”

“I know, it’s crazy. And somehow, they stand.” Cohen made a face at the floor. “At least for a while. Andy nearly went through the floor three times just getting the linoleum up.”

“Shit. So that’s what those holes are? Someone’s boot going through it?”

“A-yup. On top of this addition not having the proper beams or support, they didn’t do any kind of gutters, so the rainwater just poured down the walls and into the floor. It’s a hot mess.”

That explained the water-stained plywood. “What you’re telling me is this whole thing has to go.”

“It can’t be salvaged. Literally nothing can.”

I blew out an exasperated breath. “Insane. This whole thing’s insane. Well, I’ll call Riggs and explain we’re going to have to start from the ground up on the kitchen, and the schedule needs to be adjusted. You called the clients yet?”

“No, not yet. I can do that, though.”

“Team, break.”

I called Riggs while carefully stepping back outside, because I didn’t want to talk on the phone and stand in a death trap at the same time. Seemed a poor life decision.

Riggs answered on the second ring. “Speak.”

“We got issues over here, man.”

“That tells me nothing. You’re at the Lafferty house?”

“Correct. This kitchen is a lost cause. The whole thing isn’t structurally sound. In fact, there’s not a single stud in it. The floor is a rotten mess, and poor Andy’s already had a boot go through it multiple times just removing the linoleum.”

“Ouch. That does sound bad. So basically, we’re building an entirely new addition off the back.”

“Nothing to salvage on this one. I want you to reach out to the Laffertys and set a time for a meeting. If we’re doing an addition,I need to know if they want it to be the same size and layout of the previous kitchen or if they want to do something new. They’ve got the opportunity here to make this space functional, maybe add a mudroom entrance going into the kitchen.”

“Ooh, that’s a good thought for sure. Have you spoken to them?”

“No, Cohen’s talking to them now.”

“Got it. Then I’ll text and ask for a sit-down meeting. Maybe pull Asher in as well so he can give them an outline of designs and such.”

“Sure, let’s make it happen.”

“I’ll pencil in another two weeks to add the addition. I still think we’ll have this done before winter hits.”

“Here’s hoping. Thanks, man.” I hung up and poked my head back inside since Cohen still stood in the kitchen, and from the way he held his phone, he must have been doing a video walk-through with the Laffertys.

“Ah, he’s back in,” Cohen said, waving me to come in.

“Must I?” I asked, put-upon. “One wrong step and I’m express shipped to Jesus.”

“Just step on the tape. You’ll be fine.”

I made grumbly, unhappy noises but did as bid. Cohen turned the camera to face me. “Just walk them through what went wrong and what it’s going to cost to fix it.”

“Basically, everything is wrong.” I waved toward the walls and floor. “I mean, this kitchen is already so wrong. I had a feeling this room wasn’t supported because of all the sagging, and I was more right than I realized. You can’t salvage anything. The wood’s so saturated with water it’s still damp to the touch. The floor, as you can see, is a minefield, and the roof isn’t right, either. Part of why this room is so waterlogged is because of the roof. You’re better off just tearing this all down and starting fresh.”