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It’s time to wrap this up. “Okay, once I get a bit more organized, I’ll have the office open again and hours posted. In the meantime, here’s a number to call if you have an emergency like your heat or power going out. You can leave a message and I’ll get back to you. Does anyone have any questions for me?” I ask, handing out the cards with the phone number.
The words are barely out of my mouth before the blond woman standing beside Maren pipes up. “Are you single?”
“Lila!” Maren snaps.
“And if so, do you have mommy issues?” Louise adds, batting her eyelashes at me. Dylan shakes with laughter as she sidles up next to me. She’s definitely older than my mom. “How long was your sentence? Six months? Is that how long you’re staying?”
“I’ll be here until the job is done.”
She stays close to me while I collect the clipboards. “Well, let me know if you’d like to add me to your to-do list.”
“Don’t mind her. A dog stole her last boyfriend.” That reassurance comes from the woman I saw walking her cats in a baby carriage last night and I’m not even going to try to figure out what it means.
As everyone begins to get to their feet, the group of teenagers approach me. “Are you going to fix the pool?”
“After we get the vital stuff done, I’ll have it assessed and we’ll see.”
There’s a grumbling among them and another adds, “Just leave it alone. It’s fine how it is.”
Karen intercedes instantly. “The deep end is a mosquito laden swamp every spring. Find somewhere else to smoke your illegal drugs.”
“Get out of my swamp!” one of them shouts in a pretty impressive Shrek voice.
Maren shakes her head, and a grin appears on her face despite her admonishment. “Alright, go. There’s no reason for you all to be here.”
“You’re not the boss of me,” the boy teases, jumping around in front of her like a boxer. “I’m not scared of you.”
“Do you want me to call your mama at work?”
With a smile, he freezes, then throws his arm around his friend’s shoulders. “Okay, meeting’s over. Good job everyone. Bye.”
The others filter out too, looking a lot less disgruntled than when they entered.
Freda stops to talk to me. “You’d better be serious about canceling the rent. It might not be much to you, but six months to live rent free will be a lifesaver to some of these folks. Especially the ones with kids.”
“I am serious. I’ll get the letters confirming it out to everyone as soon as possible.” My palm rasps over my stubble, and she seems to read my mind.
“You’re in over your head here, aren’t you?”
“Is it that obvious?”
Chuckling, she slings her purse over her shoulder. “You have that deer in the headlights look.”
“I didn’t expect so much resistance when it comes to repairs. It’s going to be a struggle to get some to agree, I think. Legally, they have to let me inside to fix things.”
“Legally don’t mean shit to them. They don’t trust you. Why would they?”
Her brutal honesty is refreshing. “Do you have any suggestions on how to build that trust?”
“Nope, you aren’t one of us. You haven’t seen the struggle. If you want my advice, get Maren on your side. Hell, hire her to help you if she’s willing. You’re not going to be able to run this place on your own, and everyone likes her. She’s the one who dragged you all into court in the first place. There’s no one they trust more. Perfect intermediary.”
We walk out together into the cold night. A small group of neighbors are gathered on Maren’s lawn down the street. “There’s the real meeting,” Freda says, and gives me a pointed look.
Before I can respond, a boy walks by and glances back at me. “Hey, your tailgate is in the pool.”
CHAPTER
FIVE
