Billy and Paul looked at each other, then the house, then sighed. Paul took action first, beginning to pick up random things that had been thrown on the living room floor. Billy followed, strolling into the kitchen and using an old tee shirt to wipe off the dingy counter top and windows. Room by room, they cleaned the best that they could without using tools of the trade like Windex or a broom. They couldn't afford stuff like that and did without. They skipped the entire upstairs, thinking that she wouldn't be up there so it didn't matter. Then came the biggest task of all: the bathroom.
"I pay the bills okay, I think maybe you should do it," Paul said, handing a ripped up, old beach towel to Billy.
"No way in hell are you throwing that in my face, okay. I'm too young to get a job," he replied, tossing the towel back at Paul.
"I cleaned two more rooms that you dude, clean the fucking bathroom," Paul said, raising his eyebrows and draping the towel over Billy's shoulder. He smirked at what he thought was a victory over Billy. He turned and began to walk away, but was pushed to the floor when Billy tackled him. He landed with a thud, and he felt Billy's arms place him in a headlock.
"Look, big bro, your supposed to take care of me…don't you feel bad making such a small, innocent child clean a war zone?!" he screamed, giving Paul a noogie. Paul laughed hysterically. "Also, I think I have an advantage over you, anyway."
Paul twisted his face in confusion, trying to wriggle free. He was now standing up, Billy swinging freely on his back with his arms still wrapped around Paul's neck. "And that is?" he replied.
"When she comes over, I'll just tell Ashley about how cute and nice smelling you think she is…right in front of everyone. Boy, I guess that would be embarrassing, huh?" Billy squealed in a smart-ass tone.
Paul dropped him to the ground, and folded his arms. He knew he had been defeated. "Fine, I'll do the stupid bathroom. But you breathe a word, and I mean a syllable to Ashley about anything I've said about her, you're going straight to the adoption agency, got it?" he bellowed. Billy nodded and let out an evil laugh. Paul muttered some obscenities as he picked the towel up off of the floor and proceeded to clean. After a few minutes, Billy entered the bathroom. He grabbed the towel out of Paul's hand as he was wiping down the sink, ripped it in half, and gave one piece to Paul. Together, they cleaned the bathroom into a shade it hadn't seen in awhile…white. They threw the rags away, being too saturated with filth to clean anything else, and again sat down on the sofa. The place actually looked presentable.