Chapter 9
Violet
A month later
After spending the last month in Josy’s guest house, I’m finally ready to start looking for a place of my own. Now that things have calmed down, it feels like the right time for Adrian and I to find a home where we can really settle in. And today feels as good as any to meet my realtor, Melissa, at Josy’s Sweet Shop; she’s a regular here and is more than happy to help me on the hunt—she even has a few places in mind already.
Melissa greets me with a warm hug, and I hand her her usual order. She’s tall and elegant, with short, stylish blonde hair and an easy smile. “Ready to find your dream home?” she asks.
"Definitely," I reply, feeling both excited and a little nervous about the search.
We dive right in, touring several houses in different neighborhoods.
The first one that we stop at is a charming old Victorian with a wraparound porch. It’s beautiful, but it needs way more work than I’m willing to take on. The second is a sleek, modern house with huge windows and an open floor plan, but it just doesn’t have that cozy feel I’m looking for. The third one has a big yard—perfect for Adrian—but inside, the layout feels cramped and awkward.
After visiting a few more houses, I can’t help but feel discouraged. None of them feel right—not even close. I sigh, leaning back in my seat as Melissa drives us back toward the coffee shop.
“I just can’t find something that feels right,” I admit, a note of frustration slipping into my voice.
Melissa glances at me with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Violet. These things take time. Finding the perfect place isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it’s not about finding an existing house but about finding the right location. Have you ever considered building your own home?”
The suggestion catches me off guard. I hadn’t thought about that before, but the idea immediately intrigues me, though. With the money I got from the divorce settlement, building could actually be an option. A fresh start designed entirely the way I want it.
“I haven’t considered building my own house,” I say slowly, the words unfamiliar but exciting as they leave my mouth. “But it’s definitely something I’m open to exploring.” I shrug, trying to play it cool, but inside, my mind is already racing with possibilities.
Melissa’s eyes light up, as if she was hoping I’d say that. “Perfect! Let me take you to a few properties that are for sale right now. Maybe one of them will be the perfect spot for your dream home.”
“That would be amazing,” I say, my frustration melting into tentative excitement. My mind drifts to thoughts of what my dream house would look like—something that truly reflects me, not a compromise like everything else has felt so far.
Maybe building my own home is the better option. Instead of settling for something that doesn’t quite measure up, I could create something that’s exactly what I want.
I give Melissa a nod, my determination solidifying. “Let’s take a look.”
We skip returning to Josy’s and instead drive out to the edge of Honey Springs, leaving the familiar bustle of town behind. The paved roads give way to a winding gravel path that crunches under the tires as we approach the property.
Out here, the landscape unfolds into an endless stretch of beauty, as if the world itself decided to take a deep, peaceful breath.
The lot is breathtaking. Tall, ancient trees line the edges like steadfast sentinels, their branches stretching wide as if to embrace the open sky. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground, which slopes gently downward, creating a natural rhythm to the land. The grass is lush, dotted with wildflowers in shades of yellow and violet, swaying lightly in the breeze.
In the distance, the mountains rise like a hazy watercolor painting, their blue-gray peaks softened by a veil of mist. They feel protective somehow, like they’re standing guard over this little pocket of serenity.
The air here is different—clean and crisp, carrying the faint, earthy scent of pine and fresh soil. There’s a stillness that’s not silent but alive with soft sounds: the rustle of leaves, the occasional chirp of a bird, the whisper of the wind.
As I step out of the car, the possibilities hit me all at once. I can already see it—a cozy house nestled right in the center of this expanse, its windows catching the sunlight. A wide yard stretches out in my imagination, where Adrian could kick a soccer ball around or chase fireflies on warm summer evenings.
“This place is perfect,” I say, looking around and feeling a sense of peace. “I can see us building a home here.”
Melissa smiles, pleased with my reaction. “I thought you might like it. It’s a great location, and you’ll have the freedom to design your home exactly the way you want it.”
As we walk around the land, I start to envision the possibilities. A cozy living room with a fireplace, a spacious kitchen where I can cook meals for Adrian, a garden with flowers and vegetables, and a big backyard for him to run around. I can even make him his own soccer field with enough space for two nets where he can invite his friends and play on the weekends. Since moving here, Adrian has fallen in love with the sport and I am thrilled for him. I can also put in a pool for the summer months so Adrian and his friends can cool off in the water after playing under the sun.
As I stand there, imagining what this place could become, a wave of excitement hits me. This isn’t just a lot of land—it’s where Adrian and I could finally settle, where we’ll build our home, make memories, and start fresh. I can already hear his laughter echoing through the yard.
I turn to Melissa, my heart racing with excitement. “I want this land. Tell me everything about it.”
Melissa smiles, pulling her phone out to check the details. “Well, it’s been on the market for over a year, and the asking price is...”
She tells me the number, and my jaw drops.
“Wait, seriously? That’s...reasonable. I thought it would be way out of my budget.”
Melissa nods. “It’s a great deal. Land can be tricky to sell since most people want a move-in-ready house. This works in your favor.”
“I want to make an offer,” I blurt, unable to hide my excitement.
Melissa beams. “Do you want to do it now?”
“Yes! Why wait?” I grin, my excitement bubbling over.
She grabs her iPad from the car and starts typing up the offer. As she works, I stroll around the property again, letting my imagination take over.
After a few minutes, Melissa calls me over and hands me the iPad. “Here’s the offer. The price is as we discussed. Just sign here, and I’ll send it immediately.”
I glance over the document, double-checking the details, and then sign with a flourish. “Okay, it’s done. Now what?”
“Now we wait,” Melissa explains. “But I have a good feeling about this. The land has been on the market for a while, and I know the owner is eager to sell.”
“Well, lucky me,” I say, my grin widening.
“Definitely. In the meantime, if the offer is accepted, you’ll want to start meeting with builders. I’ve got a couple of recommendations for local contractors who can help you design and build your dream home.”
“That’s perfect.”
Melissa and I go over the next steps, and with every word, the idea of building my own home feels more tangible. As we drive back to Josy’s Sweet Shop, my mind is still out there on that beautiful stretch of land, already picturing what it will be like to call it home.
Just as we’re pulling into the parking lot, Melissa’s phone rings. She answers, her face lighting up as she listens. I step out of the car to give her some privacy, making my way toward the shop.
As I’m about to open the door, I hear her call my name. “Violet!”
I turn, and she’s walking toward me, her smile so wide that it’s contagious. “That was the realtor in charge of the property,” she says. “The owner accepted your offer!”
“What? That fast?” My voice rises with shock and delight.
Melissa nods. “Yes! The land is officially yours. I’ll head back to my office to start the paperwork, but congratulations!”
Unable to contain myself, I jump in excitement and throw my arms around her. “Thank you so much, Melissa! Let me know if you need anything from me.”
“I will. Enjoy this moment, Violet.”
I’m practically glowing as I step into the coffee shop. The familiar scent of roasted coffee beans and baked goods fills the air, and I spot Josy behind the counter. She’s busy but looks up when she sees me, her face softening into a smile.
“Josy, I found the perfect plot of land to build my house!” I gush. “It’s everything I’ve been looking for—big, beautiful, and peaceful. And it’s only twenty minutes from your house. I made an offer, and the owner accepted it!”
Josy wipes her hands on her apron and comes around the counter to hug me. “That’s amazing, Violet! I’m so happy for you.”
“I can’t wait to get started,” I say, the excitement bubbling up again. “For the first time in so long, everything feels like it’s falling into place. Adrian and I are finally going to have a home of our own, a place where we can make new memories and build a future.”
Josy smiles warmly. “You deserve this, Violet. I can’t wait to see it all come together.”
As I settle into the cozy buzz of the coffee shop, the reality of what just happened sinks in. My dream of a home, a place to truly belong, is finally within reach. And it feels incredible.
Later, as I tuck Adrian into bed, I tell him about the land and the house we’re going to build. His eyes light up with enthusiasm. “Really, Mom? We’re going to have a soccer field and a pool?”
“Really,” I say, smiling at him. “It’s going to be our special place.”
Adrian hugs me tightly. “I can’t wait, Mom. I’m finally getting my puppy! We need to start thinking about what kind of puppy. What do you think?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think I want a big dog. Are you okay with having a dog that is medium sized? Not too big but not too tiny?”
“What about hairy?” Adrian asks, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
“Let’s google some different breeds and go from there. We can also find a dog shelter and see what options they have. Maybe you’ll fall in love with an older dog instead of a puppy,” I tease him.
“I want a puppy. I want to raise it and watch it grow.”
“Okay, baby, whatever you want. But remember, I told you that it’s going to be your responsibility.”
“I will take care of him or her. I promise,” Adrian says.
We spend the next hour browsing through pictures of different dog breeds, discussing their characteristics and how they might fit into our new home. Adrian is particularly drawn to fluffy dogs with friendly faces. We laugh and bond over the different possibilities, imagining how each dog would fit into our lives.
“That one looks like a teddy bear,” Adrian says, pointing to a picture of a Samoyed.
“Yes, but remember, fluffy dogs need a lot of grooming. Are you ready to brush your puppy regularly?” I ask.
“I’ll do it, Mom. I promise,” he says earnestly.
“We’ll visit the shelter in a few weeks,” I tell him. “And who knows, maybe our perfect puppy is waiting for us there.”
Adrian’s face lights up with a grin. “I can’t wait. This is going to be the best home ever.”
“Yes, it is,” I agree, feeling a sense of peace.
We’re on the brink of a new chapter, and with each step, we’re building the future we both deserve.
As I kiss him goodnight and turn off the light, I feel happy and that’s a what really matters.
The process to buy the land was very quick. Since I’m paying cash, I got the land in less than a week. Now, I’m meeting with a guy who owns a construction company in Honey Springs. His name is Noah, and he comes highly recommended by Josy and a few other locals. We arranged to meet at my new land to discuss the construction process and what I envision for my dream home.
Noah pulls up right on time, stepping out of his truck with an easy smile. Tall and broad-shouldered, he’s got this rugged, no-nonsense vibe that makes you feel like he’s got everything handled. There’s a confidence in the way he moves, like he knows exactly what he’s doing, and it instantly puts me at ease.
“Good morning, Violet,” he says, extending his hand. “I’m Noah. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Noah. Thanks for coming out today,” I reply, shaking his hand firmly.
“No problem at all. Let’s take a look at your land and talk about what you have in mind,” he says, gesturing for me to lead the way.
We walk through the lot as I explain my vision—a cozy living room with a fireplace, a spacious kitchen, three or four bedrooms, at least two bathrooms, a garden and a big backyard. I describe how I want to create a tiny soccer field and a pool for the summer months.
Noah listens attentively, nodding as I speak. “It sounds like you have a clear idea of what you want, which is great. The first step is to get a solid architectural plan. Do you have an architect in mind?”
“I don’t, actually. I was hoping you might have some recommendations,” I admit.
“Absolutely,” Noah says with a nod. “I highly recommend the Caldwell Architecture Firm. They’re local, and I’ve worked with them on several projects. They’re excellent at turning visions into reality. I can give you their contact information.”
“That would be perfect. Thank you,” I say, feeling relieved.
We continue discussing the logistics, timelines, and potential challenges of building the house. Noah is thorough and patient, answering all my questions and offering valuable insights. His confidence and expertise reassure me that I’m in good hands.
“So, once you have your architectural plans, we can move forward with the permits and start the construction process. Since you’re paying cash, things should move pretty quickly,” Noah explains.
“That sounds great,” I reply with a hint of excitement. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Noah hands me a business card with the Caldwell Architecture Firm’s details. “Give them a call, and let them know I sent you. They’ll take good care of you.”
“Thank you, Noah. I really appreciate all your help,” I say sincerely.
“It’s my pleasure, Violet. I look forward to working with you on this project,” he says with a smile.
As I watch Noah drive away, I feel that I am finally making something for myself and my son. The pieces are falling into place, and little by little, I am getting to the place where I want to be.
Back at Josy’s Sweet Shop, I take a deep breath and pull out my phone. I dial the number on the business card Noah gave me.
“Caldwell Architecture Firm, how can I help you?” a friendly female voice answers.
“Hi, my name is Violet, and I was referred by Noah. I’d like to make an appointment to discuss designing a house,” I say.
“Of course, Violet. We’d be happy to assist you. Let’s find a time that works for you,” the receptionist responds.
We schedule an appointment for Thursday at 10 a.m.
Next, I take the business card of the therapist that Josy gave me and call to make an appointment. I figure I can kill two birds with one stone and see if she has availability on the same day as my architect appointment.
The phone rings a few times before a soothing voice answers. “Dr. Bennett’s office, how can I help you?”
“Hi, my name is Violet, Josy shared your information with me. I’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bennett,” I say, trying to sound confident.
“Of course, Violet. Let me check her schedule for you,” the receptionist replies. There’s a brief pause as she looks through the calendar. “We have an opening this Thursday at 1 p.m. Would that work for you?”
“That works perfectly. Thank you.”
“Great! We’ll see you then, Violet. If you need to reschedule or have any questions before your appointment, feel free to call us,” the receptionist says warmly.
“I appreciate it. Thank you,” I reply, feeling a mix of nerves and relief.
As I hang up the phone, I take a deep breath. I hope that this therapist is great and that she can give me the tools to start loving myself after so much verbal abuse that is now ingrained in my mind. I need to get this out of my system so I can really start living.