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Authors: Marja McGraw
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months.”
“Yes, spring is beautiful around here.
Lots of great scenery. I really like this area. It’s convenient to several
different towns, but still away and by itself.” I was trying to sell him on the
area and wanted to play down the image of a snowy winter’s drive. “You should
have all the peace and quiet you want out here.”
“I don’t want too much quiet,” he
replied.
Whoops! “I’m having a tennis court and
swimming pool installed, and of course in an area like this there’s always
hiking. Within the next couple of weeks I’ll also have a library set up. The
library will include tables to play checkers or chess, or whatever suits your
fancy. I may even put in a pool table.”
“That sounds fine.”
“Additionally,” I said warming up to the
challenge, “if you’re interested it’s only about a forty-five minute drive to
skiing during the winter months.”
“I’ll pass on both,” he chuckled. “My
knees aren’t what they used to be. May I see the room now?”
“Certainly,” I said, standing. “Follow me,
please.”
I led him up to the second floor, to one
of the rooms near the stairs, and opened the door.
“This is basically what all of the rooms
look like. There are minor differences in each one, but this will give you the
general idea.”
“Hmm. I like it,” he said, looking around.
“This furniture looks authentic. Is it the original?”
“Most of it is. The house was built during
the Civil War period, and the furniture is almost as old as the house. It’s
been restored.”
“This is wonderful. I’m an antique buff.
I’d love to look through the whole house sometime, if you don’t mind. I’ll bet
there are some real treasures in this old house.”
“Yes, there are. I can arrange for you to
see the rest of the house whenever you like. You might be pleasantly
surprised.” I found myself still trying to sell him on the house, although it
didn’t seem necessary.
We discussed the cost of room and board
and I told him that it was to be paid on a month-to-month basis.
“I like the room and the price, Miss
Sanders. I’d like very much to live here.” I breathed a mental sigh of relief.
I could quit pushing.
“Please, call me Kelly. Now, if you’d like
to show me which part of the house you prefer, we’ll go from there.”
“Call me Josh.”
I smiled, liking my new tenant already.
We turned to leave the room and I had an
odd sensation of movement behind me, although I hadn’t heard anything. Glancing
over my shoulder, nothing seemed out of place, so I followed Josh, pulling the
door shut behind me.
He chose a room on the second floor next
to the master bedroom. He felt it would be quieter towards the back of the
house, and he’d have a little more privacy. I agreed with him.
I showed him where the bathroom was and he
said he really didn’t mind sharing the facility. The bathrooms were one
drawback I could do nothing about.
“What would be the earliest I could move
in?” Josh asked.
“You can move in at your own convenience.
Tomorrow or any time after that would be fine,” I replied.
“Since I’m staying at a motel, I may as
well make the move tomorrow. Living out here will be wonderful.” He glanced out
the window at the soon-to-be leafed out trees. “I’ve spent too many years
living in the city.”
We passed the first room I’d shown him,
and I noticed the door was ajar. I knew I’d closed it when we left the room.
Lucy must have been upstairs looking for something. I’d have to remember to
mention I wanted to keep the doors closed. I wanted the prospective boarders to
have a sense of privacy when I showed them the rooms.
Josh and I returned downstairs and he paid
me for the first month. Lucy stepped out of the kitchen and spoke to him for a
moment while I wrote him a receipt. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her.
“It’s been a pleasure, Kelly,” he said,
handing me the check. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
What a
“Yes, spring is beautiful around here.
Lots of great scenery. I really like this area. It’s convenient to several
different towns, but still away and by itself.” I was trying to sell him on the
area and wanted to play down the image of a snowy winter’s drive. “You should
have all the peace and quiet you want out here.”
“I don’t want too much quiet,” he
replied.
Whoops! “I’m having a tennis court and
swimming pool installed, and of course in an area like this there’s always
hiking. Within the next couple of weeks I’ll also have a library set up. The
library will include tables to play checkers or chess, or whatever suits your
fancy. I may even put in a pool table.”
“That sounds fine.”
“Additionally,” I said warming up to the
challenge, “if you’re interested it’s only about a forty-five minute drive to
skiing during the winter months.”
“I’ll pass on both,” he chuckled. “My
knees aren’t what they used to be. May I see the room now?”
“Certainly,” I said, standing. “Follow me,
please.”
I led him up to the second floor, to one
of the rooms near the stairs, and opened the door.
“This is basically what all of the rooms
look like. There are minor differences in each one, but this will give you the
general idea.”
“Hmm. I like it,” he said, looking around.
“This furniture looks authentic. Is it the original?”
“Most of it is. The house was built during
the Civil War period, and the furniture is almost as old as the house. It’s
been restored.”
“This is wonderful. I’m an antique buff.
I’d love to look through the whole house sometime, if you don’t mind. I’ll bet
there are some real treasures in this old house.”
“Yes, there are. I can arrange for you to
see the rest of the house whenever you like. You might be pleasantly
surprised.” I found myself still trying to sell him on the house, although it
didn’t seem necessary.
We discussed the cost of room and board
and I told him that it was to be paid on a month-to-month basis.
“I like the room and the price, Miss
Sanders. I’d like very much to live here.” I breathed a mental sigh of relief.
I could quit pushing.
“Please, call me Kelly. Now, if you’d like
to show me which part of the house you prefer, we’ll go from there.”
“Call me Josh.”
I smiled, liking my new tenant already.
We turned to leave the room and I had an
odd sensation of movement behind me, although I hadn’t heard anything. Glancing
over my shoulder, nothing seemed out of place, so I followed Josh, pulling the
door shut behind me.
He chose a room on the second floor next
to the master bedroom. He felt it would be quieter towards the back of the
house, and he’d have a little more privacy. I agreed with him.
I showed him where the bathroom was and he
said he really didn’t mind sharing the facility. The bathrooms were one
drawback I could do nothing about.
“What would be the earliest I could move
in?” Josh asked.
“You can move in at your own convenience.
Tomorrow or any time after that would be fine,” I replied.
“Since I’m staying at a motel, I may as
well make the move tomorrow. Living out here will be wonderful.” He glanced out
the window at the soon-to-be leafed out trees. “I’ve spent too many years
living in the city.”
We passed the first room I’d shown him,
and I noticed the door was ajar. I knew I’d closed it when we left the room.
Lucy must have been upstairs looking for something. I’d have to remember to
mention I wanted to keep the doors closed. I wanted the prospective boarders to
have a sense of privacy when I showed them the rooms.
Josh and I returned downstairs and he paid
me for the first month. Lucy stepped out of the kitchen and spoke to him for a
moment while I wrote him a receipt. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her.
“It’s been a pleasure, Kelly,” he said,
handing me the check. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
What a
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