29. Beau
29
BEAU
“ A re the sellers motivated?” my client asks. She’s a young woman with a toddler clinging to her leg and a large pregnant belly. Her husband glances around the room with a look of disdain, even though this house is everything they are looking for.
“Very.” I gesture for them to follow, leading them down the hallway toward the bedrooms, giving lots of information on all the updates the sellers have done. “It’s all within your budget, and has plenty of room for a family,” I say with a gentle smile. The toddler stares up at me with wide green eyes, his bright blonde hair matching his mothers. “What do you think, buddy?” I ask him.
He doesn’t reply, just burrows into his mother’s leg. I chuckle, fully expecting that response. I haven’t been around many kids in my life, only Lennie. I’m sure having two at once will be a rude awakening, but fuck, am I excited. I get a little giddy anytime I see a parent pushing a stroller down the street, because soon, that will be Marley and me.
She’s officially in the second trimester now, and I’ve been living with her for over a month. She tried to put up a bit of a fight about it, worried about the fact that my house is empty across town, but she’s gotten used to it now and isn’t complaining much. I think she secretly likes having me around. She’s still nauseous, but not nearly as bad as the first few weeks. She’s keeping food down now and has a bit more energy. I was getting worried when she was sleeping so much, but when I brought it up at her last appointment, Dr. Ness said I had nothing to worry about.
I still worry, though, not because of the sleep, but everything in general. I can tell she’s getting sick of me hovering around her, but I can’t seem to help it. I have this urge to be at her side as much as possible. Hell, if I thought I could get away with it without seeming like an utter creep, I’d sleep on the floor in her room just to watch her sleep and make sure she’s okay.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I discreetly pull it out while the couple converses about the house.
Marley
Hey.
Me
Hey. What’s up?
A giddy excitement bubbles in my chest while I wait for her response. Seeing her name on my screen has always given me a burst of excitement. On a second thought, I ask how she’s feeling.
Me
How are you feeling today?
Marley
Good! Finished up a few sessions and Andrew stopped by.
Ah. What did he have to say?
My favorite band is going to be at Blue Ox tonight. Can we go?
You don’t have to ask permission to go, Marley.
I know that. I wasn’t asking permission, weirdo. I was inviting you.
Can’t say I’m mad about that. Does this mean we’re making progress toward her letting me back in?
Me
Oh. Yeah, I’ll come. No showings after this last one, so I can swing by and pick you up from the studio if you want.
Marley
Nah, I can drive.
Would make more sense to have just one car, though.
Fine. But I am capable of driving myself.
Never said you weren’t. What can I say? I want to spend time with you.
Oh okay. Text me when you’re on your way.
I pocket my phone, checking the time as I do.
The couple is still looking intently around the kitchen, the toddler giving me side-eyed glares.
“How are we feeling?” I ask. This house is literally everything they’ve been looking for, so I’m curious to see if they’ll make an offer.
“I love it,” the woman replies, her eyes full of light and ideas.
“Do you have any questions for me?” I ask, starting my process of finishing up the showing.
The woman asks a few more questions, clearly invested in this process. I answer them and then, thankfully, a few minutes later we are saying goodbye at our vehicles. They leave before me, but I sit in my car and stare at the house.
It’s cute, a two-story house with four bedrooms and two baths. Tucked away in the woods, it has more privacy than what can be found in town. It has plenty of room for kids to play and grow up. An idea starts to form in my head, though I know Marley will never go for it.
I type out a few needs and wants in a note on my phone, and then I’m heading off to pick Marley up.