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“He’s a great guy. He just can’t be monogamous. It’s sad, because he’s a good dad and a nice man.”
“He must have been fun to have as a son-in-law,” I said, watching her reaction.
“Oh, yes, a barrel of laughs.”
I’d find out later from Dan himself that he had dated Pam right after her husband died. I was in shock with that bit of news. She had to be at least fifteen years older than Dan. But then, when I saw them together, that old sexual chemistry was there for the world to see.
The next morning, we met the real estate agent, Rhonda Evert, at the cottage. She put the key in the lock and had to shove the door with her shoulder to get it open. The stench of mold, decay, and unflushed toilets hit us in the face.
“Jeez, this is awful,” Pam said, grimacing.
I pulled my sweater up over my nose.
“Yeah, it’s been vacant for a while. The owner used it as a vacation rental, but I’m not sure they could do it last year because it didn’t pass inspection by the village.”
“I can see why,” Pam said.
The door led into the kitchen. It had the original wood cabinets, painted white, with harvest gold appliances. It was filthy, but I could see beyond the dirt. There was a large entryway into a living room with a stone fireplace and a huge window looking out at the Atlantic Ocean.
“How much is this place?” I asked, standing at the window.
She mentioned a price that made me flare my nostrils.
“For a tear-down? Who are they kidding?” Pam asked.
“It’s what the oceanfront lots go for now.”
“Well, we’ll take it,” she said.
“Pam, for Christ’s sake!” I shouted. “What are you doing?”
“You want it. I can see the look on your face. You’ll save the old place. Your father will want you close, I want you close, so it’s an easy decision.”
“Make an offer, Mrs. Braddock. There’s room for negotiation,” Rhonda said.
“Make an offer? What does that mean?”
“Offer them less,” I said. “Don’t you watch House Hunters?”
“No. I don’t watch TV. Okay, offer them less, then.”
“How much less?” Rhonda asked. “You have to make the offer.”
“You do it, Laura,” Pam said.
“Okay, offer them fifteen percent less.”
“All cash,” Pam said, winking at me.
I almost fainted then.
“That’s a great start,” Rhonda said, excited. “I’ll go back to my office and draw up the offer and present it this afternoon. What number can I reach you at?”
“My cell is fine,” I said. “Pam, give her your landline.”
“Don’t you want to see the rest of the place?” Rhonda asked.
“I’m afraid to,” I said.
