AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Forgot to mention, you can close the office for your lunch hour.
Maren:
Already did.
Okay then. If she’s managed to get all the rent waivers ready and a list of tenants and addresses entered into the computer, I’ll have her start arranging maintenance and inspection appointments this afternoon. I don’t want to pile too much on her right at the start.
Dylan and I have lunch at a little barbecue restaurant in town. When we return to the office, Maren shoves a stack of rent waivers toward me. “Sign them so I can deliver them.”
Dylan gives me a sideways glance and smothers a smile at her giving me an order.
“Before you do that, I want to have the list of tenants completed so we can make sure we get everyone. And the plumber and electrician are waiting to schedule with tenants so that needs to be a priority.”
Without looking away from whatever she’s working on now, she replies. “The appointments are scheduled. The list of tenants is finished. I visited them to confirm names and addresses for the ones not at the meeting.” Looking up at me, she scoots the stack toward me again and holds up a pen.
Satisfaction shines in her eyes when I take the pen and pick up the papers. She thinks she’s won something, but I’m thrilled with how much she’s accomplished so quickly. This might work out. “I’ll go with you to hand them out.”
Her mouth opens, primed for an argument, but she reconsiders when I look her in the eye. “You’re the boss,” she mumbles.
Dylan breaks the tension. “Okay, since the dumpsters are here, I’m going to start getting some junk removed from the yards.”
It’s quiet once he leaves. There’s only the sound of Maren typing and the scratch of my pen on the waivers until the office phone rings.
Without looking away from her computer, she picks it up. “Happy Haven, this is Maren.” After jotting something down, she sits back. “Do you know how to turn the water off? No, it’s fine, look down by the floor. There’s a handle. Turn it and you should hear the water stop running. Go ahead and do it while I have you on the phone.” After a short pause, she says, “Good. You can still use it, just turn the water on every time you flush until it refills, then turn it off again, okay? Tell your mom that I have her on the list for someone to come and check it out. You can call anytime that you don’t know what to do, do you hear me? Alright, I hope you feel better.”
After she hangs up, she goes back to working until she feels me looking at her. “Was that a kid?”
“Theo. Lot fifteen. The toilet won’t stop running. I put it on the list.”
“He’s home by himself?”
The look she gives me is full of warning. “He’s twelve and responsible enough. He has neighbors he can go to or call for help. His mom has to work and he’s home sick from school today. Strep throat.”
“Are you going to be suspicious of every question I ask you?” It’s warranted, I guess. Some might judge the parents or even call to report them.
“We watch each other’s backs here.”
“I can see that. Look, I understand you all have your own way of living and looking after each other. No one needs to worry about me interfering with that.”
Her gaze is scrutinizing and ends with a nod. “I’m ready when you are to deliver the rent waivers.”
Before I can answer her, my phone beeps with a text from Dylan.
Dylan:
Tried to throw away the nasty toilet on lot seven’s lawn. Woman said, “Take my terlit and I’ll chop off your nuts and feed’em to the squirrels.” Please advise.
I admit I had little idea what issues might arise in this undertaking but having genitals threatened over the fate of a toilet never occurred to me. “Do you have any idea why the tenant in lot seven wants to keep a toilet in her yard?”
Maren’s lips flirt with a smile. “That would be Donna Kent. No idea but I bet it’s a good story.”
Me:
Leave it. I’ll be over there in a few minutes.
Him:
Better bring Maren.
