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“Take care, Rachel,” I murmured behind her.
After locking the door, I pulled out my scrunchie and fingered my hair. The simple act brought bigger hands to mind. He enjoyed playing in my hair. An ache lanced my chest. I missed Tobias so much. We hadn’t spoken much since I left Jersey, but this felt different from our breaks in communication after homecoming. Yes, Tobias was upset with me, and I’d been embarrassed. However, we were…together. I knew this from my urge to send him lines from a Nyles Adams poem while in a directors’ meeting at ten in the morning a couple of days ago.
“My love for you is
All of me and none of me
It is all of you”
Within seconds, Tobias texted back, “Seventeen syllables, three lines of five, seven, and five. A Haiku for You. Sending it right back to you.”
Another example would be when Tobias landed inKarsyn Coveto record more records with Dale. He sent me a picture of the water. He also sent a picture of the sun setting over the palm trees. I understood the sentimental value in his sharing. But we were right. I’d messed up bad with Elia. I honestly didn’t know I’d been holding on to that anger and regret. It was disgusting and, in between work and research for my move, I’d been trying to think of ways to amend for that nasty behavior.
In the dining room, I sat in front of my laptop. Sure enough, there was an email from Jaquana. She had agreed to help me find a place in Jersey. That was another daunting issue. I’d have to fly up there to actually see these places. When would I find the time? The realtor I’d finally began working with to sell my house had already begun her work. I didn’t want anyone in and out of here while I was away.
I spent the next few minutes clicking on images of three townhouse rentals. None thrilled me, but two could work. They were all three-story high structures. I didn’t want to be hiking up and down the stairs. Then, there was one in Edgewater that was well beyond my price range. I took a deep breath, reclining into the seat. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want the task. Then, I listened hard around my home and heard…nothing. There was no energy here. The place was dead. When good energy doesn’t exist in a home, it’s time to go.
Sighing, I sat up and clicked on the link for the next prospect. It was a standalone house. My brows furrowed. InSamsara. I yanked up my phone from the table so fast it fumbled in the air. Thankfully, I caught it. Then I dialed up Jaquana. She answered almost right away.
“Hi,” her feminine voice cultured with charm.
“Hey—” mine was not. I was beyond confused. “I’m looking at theSamsaraproperty.”
“I thought you’d like that one.”
“Idid—do. A lot!” I blinked successively. “But how is this place only one thousand dollars a month? It has five bedrooms, two of which are masters with en suites. Plus, it sits on an acre and a half with a pool in the back!”
“Yes,” she crooned. “All new appliances, a miniature wine cellar, and the furniture is included.”
Again, I blinked. “For one thousand dollars?”
Her laughter was breathy. “Yes. One thousand eight dollars a month, to be exact.”
“How does this happen? The other prices are north of three thousand without these amenities, the size, the included furniture, or the privacy!”
More laughter. I wondered if I sounded as feminine to Tobias when he made me laugh as this woman had to me. “It’s called a pocket listing. The owner’s given me exclusivity with this listing, which means I get first dibs. And I’m offering it to you. When do you think you’d be able to come up and take a look at it?”
“A look?” My eyes went wild. I didn’t want to tell her I’d stayed in this plush home two months ago. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“No?”
“No. I’ll take it on sight.” Then I went back to the computer screen. “125 Nirvana Lane in Samsara, New Jersey will be my new home.” Until I could afford to buy again.
“Oh, my! That’s what I like to hear.” Just when I thought she’d caution me about taking the place without having seen it, Jaquana shared instead, “I’ll have my assistant draw up the paperwork.”
“Easy peasy!” I squealed.
“Byeee!” she sang.
“Ba-byeeeee!”
Then I shot to my feet and did a praise dance. I didn’t think; I only allowed my body to move celebratorily, the way it wanted to. The last time I’d danced like this was to mock my grandmother!
But I did vocalize, “Thank you, God!” at the top of my lungs. Hehadto be moving on my behalf. These “ways” weren’t being “made” on their own.
My phone rang, and when I saw the name on the face, I began to repent right away.
“Hey!” I answered, resuming my seat at the table.
