Chapter Eighteen #2
The house is all on one level and has a finished basement with a separate area for the hot water tank and heating unit.
I’ll upgrade that so it’s central air. There are four bedrooms, a large kitchen, dining room, a massive living room with a fireplace, laundry room, and three bathrooms. Two are in bedrooms while the last one is in the hallway where the laundry room is.
The kitchen has been updated and everything is brand-new.
All of the appliances come with the home as well.
When I say they’re brand-new, they still have the wrapping on them for protection when they’re in the store or during delivery.
I can see myself painting a few of the rooms to better colors that suit my tastes and I’ll turn one of the bedrooms into an office for myself.
I want to get an entirely new set-up for myself so things are easier if I choose to work from home.
“Janice, this is the one. I want it. I’ll do a cash offer for ten thousand over the asking price,” I announce as I enter the living room where Janice is waiting patiently for me.
“I had a feeling this would be the house for you. It’s perfect for a starter house and is different from your previous home,” she says with a large smile on her face as she pulls out the paperwork I need to fill out.
With my name signed on the dotted line, Janice assures me she’ll call the homeowner as soon as she gets back to the office and alert them of my offer so they can either accept or decline it.
I’m hoping they accept it without hesitation so we can get this taken care of and I can move in immediately.
Janice is hopeful and believes they won’t turn my offer down.
Especially since it’s a cash offer and I’m willing to pay ten thousand above their price. It puts the cost above market value.
Leaving Janice, I drive back through town and stop at the diner for something to eat because I didn’t have lunch.
I notice all of the bikes parked on the edge of the lot and almost second guess my decision to stop here for food.
However, I’m not a scared little girl and can handle the possibility of seeing Rex for a few minutes.
I wasn’t planning on eating my meal in the diner anyway.
I want to go home so I can work on the paperwork for a while before going for a ride on my brother’s bike.
It’s a nice day and I want to feel as if he’s with me today.
Taking his bike out always makes me feel as if he’s riding next to me.
Parking away from the bikes, I grab my purse and head in the diner. There’s a line of people waiting to be seated on the main floor as I bypass them and head for the register to place my order. A young girl greets me with a large smile.
“Welcome. Can I help you with something?” she asks me, her voice soft and melodic as I hear Rex begin talking to someone.
“Um, yes. I’d like to place an order for takeout,” I respond, turning my body away from the direction of his voice so the temptation to see him doesn’t overtake me.
“Certainly. What would you like?”
“I’d like a cheeseburger with mayonnaise, ketchup, tomato, and light lettuce.
Can I have French fries with that and a small container of brown gravy?
I’d also like a hot fudge sundae and an orange soda,” I give her my order and wait for her to gawk at me like waitresses usually do.
I have a healthy appetite and won’t starve myself no matter who I’m with.
“Okay. I’ll have that right up for you. Would you like your drink now while you wait?” she asks me, never once losing her smile.
“Please. Can I actually get two sodas? One for here and one to take with me?” I ask, adjusting my order because I am thirsty after walking around all day. I should probably have my walker, but I forgot to bring it with me.
“Of course. I’ll get that drink for you and your order will be ready shortly,” she says, turning and leaving me to take a seat at the counter between an older couple and two older men. None of them pay attention to me as I look around the diner.
Rex is sitting in the back of the diner with a large group of men.
He’s already staring at me as I quickly look away from him.
I’ve seen more than enough of the jerk over the last few weeks and he constantly seems to be turning up when I least expect it.
Today has already been long enough and I don’t need his shit on top of it all.
Rex is a pain in the ass when he wants something and for some reason the conversation we need to have is at the top of his list. I understand why, but he needs to realize I’m not ready and I don’t know when I will be.
At some point, we will talk but it won’t be today.
For now, I just want to get my food and go home where I can once again be alone before going for a long ride.
It will be the first time I’m on Bhodi’s bike after TJ’s attack and I hope it can be a long ride.
That my body won’t hate me for doing something I miss and love.