wasn’t my fault, but I’m sure she’ll find a way to blame me.
She picks a scrap of carpeting up and tosses it aside. “Barely.”
I release a breath, both out of relief and fear. I don’t want to lose a potential sale, but I also don’t know how in the world I’m going to sell this. Ever. The only positive aspect is the neighborhood, despite the current circumstances. Crime is minimal in this area. The perfect client needs to be willing to put in work. Now I need to find someone who won’t find a total makeover overwhelming. “What happened?”
“What happened?” She throws her hands in the air. “I was robbed. Someone violated my privacy!”
Thanks for stating the obvious, Janice . “Well, I’m glad you don’t live here. At least no one was home.”
“Excuse me? You’re on thin ice here. It doesn’t matter if I live here, sleep here or just paint my nails here.”
Wait. Does she paint her nails here? I peek at her fingers and she definitely goes to a professional. I’m trying to spin this in a positive way, and I’m not surprised she can’t see that.
“The point is, someone forced his or her way in, and all because of your stupid ‘lock’ on the front. That thing is like a damn padlock I can break with my nail. I’m sure it didn’t take much.”
I don’t doubt what she says is true, but now isn’t the time to mention the broken window is more than likely how the thief gained entry. “I’m sorry, Janice. My boss said whoever broke in was probably on the hunt for scrap metal. People target houses like this. I’m just glad you weren’t here.”
“Me, too.” She grabs a hold of her hair and her face tightens. “You need to sell this house as fast as you can. If that means dropping the price, fine, I don’t care. I’m not even filing anything with the insurance company because I can’t deal with paying a deductible or anything. I’m not putting any money into my dad’s house. Just … “
“I can drop the price?” I pinch my arm. Nope. This is happening and may very well be the most exciting part of my day. At the right price point, I can get rid of this hellhole and move onto the next one.
“If that’s what you think is best, fine. Just take it off my hands. Please.”
I can’t believe she’s begging me. I’m slightly satisfied with the turn of events. The house being broken into may prove to be good. There was no way I was getting near what she wants. I need a top notch plan, though. I don’t want to list it dirt cheap, but I must be realistic as well. “Thanks, Janice. With your permission, I’ll go ahead and make the necessary adjustments.”
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get the hell out of here.”
She takes off so fast I can’t even say goodbye, and I’m left in a pile of dust on the floor.
Chapter
Sixteen
The night never seemed so dark. At eight o’clock the sun is only beginning to go down, but the cloudy skies dim the evening sooner. Fresh off the win, I’m so glad to be celebrating with my dad.
I tell him to go ahead. I’ll meet him in a minute. He can wait in the car and as soon as I gather my things, I’ll treat him to ice cream. It’s not every day he wins a big tournament with this much money. I wonder if he’ll call it quits with these winnings. He can find a recreational league to fill in his time. He enjoys himself, but after each game he needs a good fifteen minutes to recoup and catch his breath. These days he’s moving slower as well. He still can toss the ball like no one’s business, but I’m afraid soon he’ll strain himself.
Once my purse is around my arm, I wave goodbye to the owner, Dale, and step outside. The lot is practically empty already. After the game, many of the players headed home right away. I guess when you’re part of a senior league you just want to get home and in bed.
I’m parked at the far end. Why didn’t I park under a lamp post? A strong blast of air comes out of nowhere and blows
She picks a scrap of carpeting up and tosses it aside. “Barely.”
I release a breath, both out of relief and fear. I don’t want to lose a potential sale, but I also don’t know how in the world I’m going to sell this. Ever. The only positive aspect is the neighborhood, despite the current circumstances. Crime is minimal in this area. The perfect client needs to be willing to put in work. Now I need to find someone who won’t find a total makeover overwhelming. “What happened?”
“What happened?” She throws her hands in the air. “I was robbed. Someone violated my privacy!”
Thanks for stating the obvious, Janice . “Well, I’m glad you don’t live here. At least no one was home.”
“Excuse me? You’re on thin ice here. It doesn’t matter if I live here, sleep here or just paint my nails here.”
Wait. Does she paint her nails here? I peek at her fingers and she definitely goes to a professional. I’m trying to spin this in a positive way, and I’m not surprised she can’t see that.
“The point is, someone forced his or her way in, and all because of your stupid ‘lock’ on the front. That thing is like a damn padlock I can break with my nail. I’m sure it didn’t take much.”
I don’t doubt what she says is true, but now isn’t the time to mention the broken window is more than likely how the thief gained entry. “I’m sorry, Janice. My boss said whoever broke in was probably on the hunt for scrap metal. People target houses like this. I’m just glad you weren’t here.”
“Me, too.” She grabs a hold of her hair and her face tightens. “You need to sell this house as fast as you can. If that means dropping the price, fine, I don’t care. I’m not even filing anything with the insurance company because I can’t deal with paying a deductible or anything. I’m not putting any money into my dad’s house. Just … “
“I can drop the price?” I pinch my arm. Nope. This is happening and may very well be the most exciting part of my day. At the right price point, I can get rid of this hellhole and move onto the next one.
“If that’s what you think is best, fine. Just take it off my hands. Please.”
I can’t believe she’s begging me. I’m slightly satisfied with the turn of events. The house being broken into may prove to be good. There was no way I was getting near what she wants. I need a top notch plan, though. I don’t want to list it dirt cheap, but I must be realistic as well. “Thanks, Janice. With your permission, I’ll go ahead and make the necessary adjustments.”
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get the hell out of here.”
She takes off so fast I can’t even say goodbye, and I’m left in a pile of dust on the floor.
Chapter
Sixteen
The night never seemed so dark. At eight o’clock the sun is only beginning to go down, but the cloudy skies dim the evening sooner. Fresh off the win, I’m so glad to be celebrating with my dad.
I tell him to go ahead. I’ll meet him in a minute. He can wait in the car and as soon as I gather my things, I’ll treat him to ice cream. It’s not every day he wins a big tournament with this much money. I wonder if he’ll call it quits with these winnings. He can find a recreational league to fill in his time. He enjoys himself, but after each game he needs a good fifteen minutes to recoup and catch his breath. These days he’s moving slower as well. He still can toss the ball like no one’s business, but I’m afraid soon he’ll strain himself.
Once my purse is around my arm, I wave goodbye to the owner, Dale, and step outside. The lot is practically empty already. After the game, many of the players headed home right away. I guess when you’re part of a senior league you just want to get home and in bed.
I’m parked at the far end. Why didn’t I park under a lamp post? A strong blast of air comes out of nowhere and blows
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