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She gestures for me to join her at her desk. As she sits back down, she says, “My name is Anna Tanaka.”
“James Riordan,” I tell her.
“What kind of house are you looking for, James?” She taps away at her computer. “We have a smaller than normal inventory this time of year because a lot of tourists visit and then decide they want a summer place. I’m guessing that’s what you’re looking for.”
“I’m moving here full time,” I tell her. “I’m looking for a minimum of four bedrooms and three baths.”
“Do you have a preference for what part of town you want to be in?” she asks.
“We’d like to live on the lake if possible.”
Click, click, click. “Will your wife be wanting to look as well?” she asks.
“She probably would if I had one.”
Anna looks up from her computer. “Four bedrooms is big for one person.”
I explain, “I’ll need a room, and an office, my daughter will need a room, and my parents will probably visit often.”
“Your daughter?”
I’m not sure why she’s surprised I have a child. “Samantha is twelve,” I tell her.
“Sammy is your daughter?”
“You know Sammy?” I ask, sounding as surprised as I am.
She shakes her head, causing her box braids to bob along. “Not personally, but your daughter is working for one of my dear friends.”
Now it’s my turn to be surprised. “You’re friends with Melissa?”
“We both grew up here in Elk Lake.”
“Then you must know Paige.” I imagine things like this happen all the time in small towns. Everybody knowing everybody.
“Paige went to school with us, too.”
“Do a lot of people stay here after they grow up?” I ask in wonder. I jumped ship right after high school and never looked back.
Anna smiles, showcasing a line of perfectly straight white teeth. “Only the cool ones. Actually, I lived in Chicago for several years, but my husband and I moved back after we got married. We have a baby on the way.” She positively beams when she says that.
“Congratulations,” I tell her sincerely. “That has to be very exciting.”
“For everyone. There aren’t many Blasians around these parts.”
“Excuse me?”
“Black Asians. My husband is Japanese. So, this little guy will be a Blasian.” She rubs her belly protectively.
“Or Blapanese,” I offer like I’m playing a game with Sam.
She laughs. “Or a Jack.” She scrunches her face up at that. “Nah, too simple. We’re going with Blasian or Blapanese. I’ll talk to Chris and get back to you.” I like that Anna has such a laid-back sense of humor.
“Sammy and I moved here from Chicago, too,” I offer. “We wanted a slower pace, and we visited Elk Lake last summer. We were very impressed.”
She nods her head. “I get that. You want your kid to grow up with freedoms she doesn’t have in the big city. That’s why we’re here.”
“I also want her to grow up with kids who aren’t in such a hurry to grow up.” As in, no make-out parties.
