Chapter 14
“Sorry, I’m late.” I jogged up the driveway in my heels. “My other showing ran long and then I had to head back to the office for a closing.”
“Wait, you have other clients? I thought I was getting an exclusive service.”
“Ha, ha very funny. This place just dropped on the market, and it won’t be there for long. You are one of the first people to see this home.”
“Love the area.”
“Up until now we’ve been pretty conservative with staying within your budget. But I thought I’d show you what you could get if you bumped it up just a smidge.”
“How much more?”
“I want you to view it first …” Aldridge rolled his eyes.
“Keep an open mind and we’ll discuss price at the end.
” Typically, when people knew the price point right off the bat their financial bias kicked in.
We’ve all done it, you go shopping and you spot a beautiful pair of leather boots, but they cost two thousand dollars.
Knowing the price up front is like dumping cold water on the fantasy that you could be a showstopper on a night out with friends.
“Sounds expensive.”
“First look at this outdoor entrance. It’s impressive, opulent but understated.”
“It’s nice.”
“At night when it’s all lit up, it’s perfection.
” Unlocking the front door, we walked inside.
“Upon entry you are immediately greeted by this living room. The walls and floors are neutral which allows you to determine the direction you want to go in aesthetically. High vaulted ceilings lead to the dining room in this open floor plan.”
“I can see that.”
I went about ticking off all the unique and interesting features of the home.
It had been a long day and I was hoping to wrap up this showing, head to my condo and crawl into bed for the remainder of the weekend.
“The property is wired with surround sound throughout. The chandelier over the dining table is custom-made and imported from Italy. And you have these big, beautiful sliding glass doors which lead to the courtyard.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah of course. Why?”
“Because you’re being real formal, real professional right now.”
“I’m working.” Even after all these years it was difficult to fool Aldridge, he knew me.
When I was upset or worried, I tended to shut down and just stick to the facts.
Today was no different. If I could have canceled this showing I would’ve, but like I said there would likely be multiple bids on this house by the end of the weekend.
“Yeah, but it’s me and you’re over here pointing out wall sconces and surround sound.”
“I’m not here to entertain you.”
“I know that Danessa; the vibe is just off.”
“Are you here for the vibes or are you here for the house?”
“Look if you’re having a bad day we can pin this for another time.”
“I’m not having a bad day. I’m trying to do my job and you want a comedy show.” I dropped my purse on the dining table. “How many real estate agents does it take to change a lightbulb?”
“I don’t know.”
“None, the lightbulb and wiring are in perfect working order and bright enough to illuminate an entire city block. You could search a lifetime and never find a lightbulb brighter or more energy efficient.”
“That was a horrible joke.”
“Moving on to the kitchen.”
Aldridge grabbed my arm, stalling my steps. “Did I do something? Are you mad about the other night?”
“No, no, no.” I pushed out an exasperated breath. “I received an email.”
“Oh okay … like about … was it about me?”
Narrowing my eyes I searched his face. “No, it was from UNLV’s law school.”
“Are you in legal trouble?”
“No, I applied, and the email has a link that will determine my future.” I was serious about needing a change.
In the past few months, I’d submitted applications to several law schools.
William S. Boyd was my top choice because it was local.
After college, law school was my next step.
Aldridge was on board with me attending law school at the University of Missouri.
It wasn’t my top pick, but it would allow us to remain together.
We had it all planned out. We’d even been to Missouri apartment hunting. Our breakup stalled all those plans.
I’d already committed to Mizzou’s school of law and had to deploy plan B with zero preparation.
I ended up moving to Chicago to attend law school.
The first semester was tougher than I’d anticipated and when my grandmother passed, I used that as my excuse to leave, claiming I needed to be closer to family.
It was just supposed to be a year hiatus and then I’d apply to schools closer to Las Vegas.
During that time, I got my realtors license and started making really good money.
Then a year turned into two and the rest is history.
“Why would they reject you? You’re Danessa Fucking Irwin an icon, a legend, a fashionista.”
“I should have put that on my application. I’m Danessa Irwin. If you don’t know, you better ask somebody.”
“I’m just saying you had one of the highest GPAs in our graduating class.”
“It’s been five years.”
“Doesn’t change the fact you were top of your class and are currently a successful business owner. Those are all positive desirable qualities. You’re working yourself up over an email you haven’t even opened.”
“Yes, because William S. Boyd is the only law school in Vegas. And if I don’t get in, I’d be forced to look outside of the state and that comes with a host of other problems.”
“What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“I don’t get into Boyd. I spiral into a deep depression. I stop showering and start to lose my hair. I become a social recluse whose only friends are a trio of birds who hang out on my balcony. Even though they are only there because I feed them nuts. And then—”
“Oh, there’s more.” His eyebrows climbed his forehead.
“Then my condo gets foreclosed on because I haven’t been working and now me and the birds are out on the street. I’m a twenty something single mother to three wild birds. Who’s going to take care of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore,” I yelled.
“Maybe you could put them up for adoption?”
“I’m all they have in the world.” How could he seriously suggest I abandon them.
“How about we just rip off the Band-Aid. Obviously, I’m not going to let you go unhoused.”
This conversation wasn’t about him solving my problems. I had a sizable savings and if I was ever in a jam, I wouldn’t ask my ex to bail me out. “It’s not up to you. It’s up to Wells Fucking Fargo.”
“Danessa, I’m going to hold your hand when I say this. You are deeply troubled.” I snatched my hand and swatted him away. “Let’s just look and if it’s a rejection I’ll read Boyd Law for filth and if it’s good news I tell you how amazing and dumb you are to ever think it would be any other result.”
I clutched at my midsection. “My stomach hurts.”
“Well this is a million-dollar home so you can’t shit here.”
I sputtered out a laugh. Aldridge was probably right.
I’d received this email hours ago and was too chicken shit to open it, instead allowing myself to obsess over the possibilities and ruin my day.
If I didn’t get in it wasn’t the end. It may feel like a chapter closing but there were other avenues I could pursue.
But not getting in would be a resounding confirmation I wasn’t good enough and perhaps this was all there was.
“Okay let’s just do it.” Pulling my phone from my purse, I located the email.
Aldridge stood next to me intently focused on the screen.
When I tapped on the email link I was directed to Boyd’s admissions website and had to provide my name and the last four of my social.
Pressing enter, a new window popped up and I read the message aloud, “We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted into William S. Boyd School of Law starting winter of next year.” The phone dropped from my hand as I squealed.
“I got in. I got in!” This moment felt momentous and waving my hands wasn’t enough.
I jumped into Aldridge’s arms wrapping my legs around his waist. His huge hand rubbed my back as he spun us around.
“Congratulations. I never had any doubt.”
I loosened my grip and landed with my feet back on the floor. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“I believe in you because you’re always a sure thing.”
Swallowing hard, the reality of the moment hit me like a ton of bricks. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“No, we’re not doing that. Today is about celebration. Tomorrow you can spiral into a new hypothetical doomsday scenario about your major, class size, and preferred professors but today we celebrate.”
“You’re right. It’s time to pop bottles, blow up balloons …” My face lit up. “Or get a cake. I could definitely eat an entire sheet cake.”
“So let’s go celebrate. Let’s make the rest of the day all about you.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear.
“Do you want me to call your sister to join us, or you could invite some friends?”
“No, I just want it to be you. You know, small, intimate.”
Aldridge’s smile faded and he stared at me as if he were solving a puzzle or connecting dots. “I’m so proud of you.”
His words tickled something deep within and tears fell from my eyes. “Thank you.”
He cupped my face wiping away my tears with his thumb. “Happy tears, right?”
“Happy tears.”
“Okay.” Aldridge let me go and clapped his hands. “Let’s get into some shit.”
Aldridge dropped me off at home with instructions to pack an overnight bag, and be prepared to leave in an hour.
That allowed for a quick shower, outfit change, and frantically tossing clothes into my weekender bag with zero clue what I was packing for.
We couldn’t be going far, maybe one of the casinos for a bit of fun and a spa treatment.
When he picked me up, we were in a premium RideX and Aldridge was sporting a goofy smile.
“Well, this is very covert ops. Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out when we get to our next destination.”