Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
Julie turned in the driveway as a car pulled in and she scowled when the person exited the vehicle. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, and sighed in relief when Scott returned to stand by her side in a united front.
“Please, hear me out,” Alex, Boom-Boom Garrison said as he approached her with his hands held out in front of him. “I’m here to apologize for all the shit I’ve given you over the years.”
Julie waved her hand in the air dismissively. “I don’t care all about that, the only thing I care about is why the fucking hell have you implied that I was your girlfriend and that I was the one playing hard to get? Alex, you do nothing for me, and I would never date you, not even if you were the last man on earth. I’m not being mean, I’m being real. One, I don’t like you nor your family. Two, I would probably have to kill your mother because I would never allow her to dictate to me like she does your sister-in-law. Three, just eew.”
“I know. I said what I did over the years because Mom told me the only woman I would ever marry would be you so she could get her hands on the house that you stole from her.” He immediately shook his head and raised his hands further. “Stop, don’t say anything. After you guys left, I contacted Nelson and asked to meet with him. I didn’t allow Mom to see me talk to him. Anyway, we met and he showed me what was on that drive. I helped him do his research and when I realized Mom has lied all these years I realized what a bitter woman she’s become.”
“If you know the truth, then tell me what happened?”
“Grandpa, Mom’s father, had a gambling problem and he went to your two grandfathers to try to borrow money from them to pay his debts. It turned out that your family had my grandfather sign the deed over to them as collateral. He did it with no qualms. He lost the money he borrowed, and then lost the house. Your grandfathers were smart in getting the deal in writing and even had a contract drawn up with a lawyer. It was all on the up and up.”
“So why do you look confused?” Scott asked.
“Because for the life of me, I can’t understand why Mom is so pissed and has spread the lies she did when she didn’t even live in this house. She lived on the other side of Phoenix with her mother.”
“I have absolutely no clue about that. All I know is that I was told that both my grandfathers owned an investment company and they purchased this house for Mom and Dad as a wedding present. There was a very small mortgage on it, enough to establish credit, and have the mortgage holder pay the taxes. After Mom and Dad were killed, we paid it off, and just paid the taxes when they came in. Mom told me it wasn’t until your mother arrived in town as a new wife to your father that she started her smear campaign against my family. That’s all I know. When I was older, and before they were killed, both Mom and Dad sat both Sara and me down to tell us the history of the house. I suggest you go to your mother and ask her why she hates our family so much.”
“I will, I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for how I acted over the years. I know I was a bastard, but after what happened out at The Oasis last week, I got a wake-up call.”
“About?”
“About how my family and friends have been manipulating me over the years. Once I spoke out loud as to why I faked that injury, it was an eye-opener.”
“How?”
“I didn’t realize it until Jimmy lied about you being a grunt in the Army, but I think if I would have joined the NFL then they would be made my life a living hell with having their hands out asking for money. I realize they do that now, but it would have been worse if I had become famous.”
“Can I make a suggestion?” Julie asked gently after she saw the anguish on his face.
“What’s that?”
“First, get to the bottom of your mother’s hatred. Second, tell your so-called friends that the well is dry, don’t foot the bill for your nights out, and see how many friends you have when you close the wallet and unplug the ATM machine. I can’t say whether you’re a good person or not, Alex. All my interactions with you have been when you’ve been acting like an asshole to impress your friends. You need to wake up and smell the coffee. Life isn’t like what you’ve been living over the years. There are people really struggling in the world, and you being an asshole doesn’t help them. I wish you well, Alex, but I have to ask you to leave now. I’m expecting company, then I’m going on a trip with my boyfriend.”
“The two of you are really an item?”
“Yes,” both Julie and Scott replied, and stood there as a united front before Scott turned around and went back to his vehicle.
“Thank you for being honest with me, Julie. I think you’re the only one in my life that has been.”
“That’s not true, Sara has been honest since you met her. You were the one that failed to acknowledge the truth she was telling you. That’s on you. Now, please leave.”
Alex hung his head, but did as asked. He hadn’t been gone for five minutes when three more cars pulled into the driveway.
“Now what?” Julie asked in frustration. She stayed where she was when the driver of the first car stepped out carrying a clipboard.
“Julie?” the woman asked, and rushed forward with her hand held out. “I’m Leslie with Sunshine Realty. I’m here to walk through the home before we list it. However, I took the liberty of doing something first.”
“Which is?”
“I have a couple that have been wanting a large family home they could grow into. They are newly married and their parents want to look at the homes with them because it seems like the parents will be paying the downpayment. I told them about this home and they asked if they could tag along. The younger family is only visiting before the husband has to get to his military base. His wife’s family is here, so that’s why he wants to purchase a home in the area.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“I guess I’m saying that if you agree, I’d like the people I brought with me to walk around and talk about the house with you. I’m giving them first dibs on it before I even list it.”
“You can do that?”
“I can, if you agree, and they want to purchase, then it will never be listed and no one will even know that you left and they moved in. Not unless you have nosy neighbors and they see the moving vans.”
Julie looked at Scott and he only shrugged. “It’s up to you.”
“Can I make a phone call?” Julie said as she pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed, not even waiting for permission.
“Sara, I need to talk with you,” Julie said, and went on to tell her what the agent had said. She stayed on the phone for about five minutes before she hung up with a grin. “That was my sister, we’re selling this together. As long as we can keep it out of the hands of the Garrisons then I’ll walk around with them.”
Julie and Scott stood there as Leslie went over to the people in the two cars and watched as two couples exited. One couple was older, and one younger. They approached and stuck out their hands.
“Thank you for allowing us to view your home,” the younger man said. “I’m here on leave visiting my in-laws, and were talking about what we’re going to do once I get out of the service.”
“Which branch?” Julie asked.
“Navy,” the man said, and looked taken aback when Julie and Scott grinned at him.
“I’m Julie, and I served almost eight years with the Navy. I lost my leg when our ship was attacked by Somalian pirates.”
“Wow, it’s a small world after all,” the man said, then shook his head. “Sorry, I’m Ensign Buddy Jackson. I was on the ship that came to your rescue.” He named the ship Julie had been on and she thanked him for helping them. Buddy turned to Scott. “Did you serve?”
“Yes, for sixteen years. One year on a ship, hated it, so halfway through that tour, I applied to the SEALs. I got in and have been a SEAL for the last fifteen years. I’m retired now.”
“Holy shit,” Buddy said, and looked at his wife in shock. “You remember me telling you that a SEAL’s job was to go into places no one else wanted to go? That they were the bad of the bad, but in a good way?”
Scott and Julie exchanged smirks at his description of Scott’s former profession.
“Yes.”
“This guy was one of them.” He looked at Scott with hero worship.
“Scott,” he said, and shook their hands.
“As I said, my name is Buddy Jackson, this is my wife, Amelia, and her parents Bob and Mary Day. I’m here on a thirty-day leave before I have to return to Norfolk. I ship out in six weeks, and when I come back into port, I’m done with my career. We want to get Amelia settled in a house while I’m out to sea. It will be a lot of work for her because she’s got to pack up our apartment back home, and move here, but it should be worth it. If we can’t find a home before we have to go back, Bob and Mary will continue to look for us.”
“What are you looking for?” Julie asked.
“Something we can grow into. We’ve only been married for about nine months, and I have to ship out for a year to eighteen months, but when I’m done, I want to be able to come home and settle in with getting to know my wife again, and working in the house we eventually find.” He looked at Amelia with a smile. “I’d like to wait about a year before we start a family, because Amelia still has a career to think about.”
“What do you do?”
“I work for a trading company, but I can work remotely until I settle, then I may be able to transfer to the office here. That’s why we’re looking in this area. I can be near my parents, and then I can get the house settled while Buddy’s out to sea. It will be a lot, but it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on.”
“Good for you.” Julie nodded, then drew in a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “This house was a wedding present for my parents decades ago. After they were killed in a crash, my sister and I continued to live here. We’re only moving because we were both offered phenomenal jobs in a different state and they were too good to pass up. You just missed our friends that left with the last-minute things we had here. The house is empty. We were going to get a hotel room for the night, then head to my new home, Scott already lives there, tomorrow.”
“Did you do any upgrades?” Leslie asked.
“No, I painted everything a neutral color based on what you said, and deep cleaned everything. I have booties just inside the door because we shampooed the carpets this morning.”
“How big is the lot?” Bob asked.
“Five acres,” Julie answered as she walked over to him and had him join her. They all followed her. “Growing up we had a garden, but with just my sister and me, it was hard to keep one up every year. I was eighteen when they passed, and my sister was fifteen.” She went to where the shed had been and pointed out to the back yard telling them where the property lines were. Bob and Buddy started walking around and Scott stayed with them while Leslie suggest that Mary and Amelia go inside to look around. They went into the front door and slipped on the shoe covers.
“I don’t know if the carpets are still wet, but it will be easier with these on. They agreed and Leslie followed Julie as she walked around with everyone. Once Leslie did a pass through, she set up her laptop at the kitchen island and got to work. Julie took Mary and Amelia into every room and even into the attic and down into the basement. Halfway through the tour, the men joined her and she started the tour over again. It took almost four hours for all the questions to be answered and things like the furnace, electric panel, and the air conditioning units were inspected. They were back in the kitchen and Leslie spoke quickly.
“Julie, can I have a private word with you?”
Scott took the others out the back door to show them the BBQ area to give them some privacy.
“What’s up?” Julie asked.
“Normally, I would have done everything I was doing today before I brought anyone in to look at the home. I’ve assessed the home, and did some comps in the area. I have a price that I would like to put on the home.”
“You mean the selling price?”
“Yes.” Leslie pointed to her computer and Julie went over to take a look at what she indicated and whipped her head back to Leslie.
“Are you shitting me?”
“No, this is five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and five acres. The other homes in the area are only three or four bedrooms with one or two bathrooms. They also have two acres or less. I’ve been on the phone with other realtors who have sold in the area and we all agree on this price. If you accept this as a starting point, I can tell the Jacksons to see what they say.”
“Can I call my sister?”
“Absolutely,” Leslie said. “I’ll hold off telling them until you return. I’ll have the papers drawn up and you can sign them electronically if you agree so we can get the ball rolling.”
“I’ll be right back,” Julie said as she pulled her phone out and walked out the front door. The phone was picked up on the third ring, and because of the sound of her sister’s voice, she knew Sara was still driving, but had used the car’s Bluetooth to answer. “Hey, Sara, it’s me. There’s a couple here and they’ve walked through, and Leslie gave me the price she is asking, or going to list as, even if the people weren’t here.”
“What’s the listing price?”
“You have to promise me not to wreck the car.”
“I promise,” Sara said with a laugh. “I tightened my hands on the wheel.”
Julie drew in a deep breath and told her the price and grinned when her sister swore. “Holy shit, I never expected that.”
“I know, but Leslie’s been on the phone with other realtors for the last few hours, she said because it’s larger both in bedroom, bathroom, and acreage, she can ask that price. All I have to do is approve, and she can tell the couple that are here looking.”
“I agree, what do you think of the couple?”
“I like them, they’re young, and he has to go back to Norfolk to get on a ship for the next year, but then he’s done. Her parents live in the area, so she won’t be alone.”
“I trust you, Julie. You’ve never steered me wrong in the past. I’ll trust your judgement and if you can do everything with only your signature, then I’ll let you handle that. Who knows, maybe by the time they close, if they take the house, we can use the fax machine in Colorado. I’m hoping to be back in Denver then, but we can do everything electronically, right?”
“I believe so.” They talked for a few more seconds before Julie hung up. She entered the house, and the others were standing around, but she caught Leslie’s look and gave her a gigantic grin and nodded her head twice.
“Wonderful,” Leslie said, and turned her computer to the others. “This is what the asking price will be.”
Julie walked up to Scott, and at his shocked look, she only shrugged. She whispered, “Sara agreed.” They looked up in time to see Buddy and Bob approach.
“Are you going to show this house to anyone else soon?”
“I was planning on waiting a few days. I wanted to give you guys the first option.”
“Can we get back to you in the next seventy-two hours? We want it, but we need to go home and crunch some numbers. You know, talk with our bank and such.”
“I totally understand,” Leslie said, and turned to Julie. “Can you wait that long?”
“I don’t see why not,” Julie said as she looked at Scott. “I’m sure Erin would understand.”
“It shouldn’t take that long, we’ll go there now, but we just want to sleep on it for a day, you know, let it sink in.”
“That’s fine,” Julie said and the four of them quickly left, leaving Leslie, Scott, and Julie in the house.
“What do you think?” Julie asked. “Are they really going to talk to the bank, or are they just putting us off?”
“I think they need to convince Buddy more than anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is just between us but Bob told me he and Mary want to purchase a house for his daughter and Buddy. He, Bob, came to me about a month ago, and gave me the requirements, when you called me about wanting to sell, I knew immediately that this is what they are looking for. I think they’ll have to convince Buddy that they are not stepping on his toes, but want to secure their future for when he gets out of the service.”
“Ah, I know how that is,” Julie said. “I knew I was coming back here, so I didn’t have to worry about anything. Let us know if we need to do anything.”
“Can you stop into the office tomorrow morning? I’ll have the papers drawn up by then for you to sign saying that you’ll let me put this home up for sale. With any luck, maybe we will have an offer by then.”
“Nine o’clock okay?”
“Absolutely,” Leslie grinned, then gathered her things before she quickly left.
When they were alone, Scott turned to her to ask, “Doesn’t Sara have to be here to sign?”
“Technically, no.”
“What’s that mean?”
“It means that when Mom and Dad died, they left the house in my name because I was older. Sara knows this, and is fine with it. We have split everything fifty-fifty over the years. I only called her today because I wanted to know if she was okay with everything. Since she is, then they only need my signature, then if they come through, I’ll deposit half of the check into her account.”
“I understand. So, what do we do now?”
“I’m going to walk around and make sure everything is locked up and then I’m going to go get a hotel room for the next day or two. Is there any tourist attraction you want to see in the area while we’re here?”
“Not really, and I will be paying for the room.” He was firm in his answer and grinned when she saluted him. Thirty minutes later they were out the door to go find a room.