Read Online I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan - Free Book Online Page B

expected, he made it clear that it’s not just my home, it’s all of them. Including his.
    Percy, on the other hand, is irritating. I can tell he doesn’t like me, and I wonder if it’s because he’s not used to dealing with people who have taste—and in my case a black person—or because I’m tall and he’s short. Even with those loafers, he’s about five-six. I’m five-eight. He should think stripes instead of plaid, and those Dockers could stand to be hemmed. His blond hair looks like it’s so full of gel that a tornado wouldn’t move a strand. His big Burberry notepad is pressed against his chest.
    “So,” he says after he walks in like a CSI tech, “are we ready to take a walk and let me share some of my ideas—which, I would like to make clear to you once again, Georgia, you can reject any of if you so choose?”
    “Sure.”
    “Super. I’d like to start in the upstairs bedrooms and work my way down if you don’t mind.”
    “I don’t mind.”
    I follow the two of them up and down the three flights and get a kick watching Percy act as if he’s on a game show. He likes to point.
    “So I see your lovely ethnic pieces are still hanging, and I don’t see any of the blue tape I left to indicate which ones you wouldn’t mind storing. Of course, I know you’re a busy person.”
    “It’s on my list of things to do this weekend, Percy. But tell me, seriously, is this so a potential buyer won’t think someone black lives here?”
    “Absolutely not. We just want to think neutral and avoid themes with any cultural implications, because you want a potential buyer to fall in love with the home, not be impressed by your artwork or decorating skills.”
    “Really?”
    I can tell that Amen isn’t buying this bullshit, but he knows Percy’s good at staging.
    “As I said before, personally, I love your taste, but I’m not the one trying to buy your home, and although your decor is interesting and the kaleidoscope of colors is lovely, right now it feels more like a concert, and if you want it to sell quickly, we have to aim for a waltz.”
    Kaleidoscope?
    “And just how do I waltz?”
    “Well, chances are about three-quarters of the living-room furniture will most likely have to go.”
    “Go where?”
    “Into storage.”
    “And replace it with what?”
    “Rental furniture. We use reputable establishments that specialize in staging: everything from top-of-the-line bedding to sofas and lighting, plants, and even artwork.”
    I want to say,
No shit?
but instead I just say, “I understand, but can you at least give me more of a sense of what else you think I might need to do?”
    And this is when Percy becomes almost orgasmic. “We’ll need to dismantle all of the thematic rooms and make them more serene. We’ll get rid of all clutter—especially the knickknacks, as I said before—and replace them with beautiful orchids wherever possible. The dining room needs a more traditional look, not artsy like what you now have. We’ll group the rental furniture so that it’s more musical. We’ll shower the place with lighting—incandescent. I’ve noticed a few cracked windowpanes, broken doorknobs, and things of that nature. All of these items will need to be repaired. We’ll probably have to hire painters and definitely change some of the bright carpeting. And the hardwood floors would do well to be refinished. I’m just giving you a general overview but I’m sure I’ve missed a few minor details, but not to worry. Wait! I forgot to mention plants! Giant areca palms and ficuses can do wonders for any room.”
    “What’s wrong with the plants in here?”
    “Some of them don’t look as healthy as I’d like them to, and if you’re having problems caring for them, I can also bring in artificial ones, which I don’t recommend, or I’m sure the nursery we use would be happy to give you watering tips.”
    “About how much will all this cost me?”
    “I haven’t gotten to the outside yet. But