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Chapter 48 – Faking It
Ruby
Sunday morning, after breakfast at West End Diner, I escaped to my bedroom and called Gus. He picked up immediately.
“Everything alright, Ruby?”
I fiddled with the cuff of my sweater.
“Yeah, Gus. Everything is okay. Can we meet to discuss selling Vander’s house?”
“Uh, he already called me, Ruby. He told me to look for a buyer for his house. He told me he’s moving in with you.”
I blew out a breath. That made it both harder and easier. Harder because he made it difficult to resist. Easier because he gave it to me so freely.
“That’s just the thing, Gus. I’d like to keep this a secret for now, but do you think you could show me some houses in the area? I don’t want Vander to know I’m looking, but I’d like to see if I can find something new for us. A fresh start for us and the boys together.”
Gus was quiet for a moment. “I can absolutely do that for you, Rubes. Tell me exactly what you’re looking for.”
Gus assured me he’d get back to me the next day or two with the best he could find.
True to his word, he called me just after the lunch rush died down on Monday afternoon.
“Hey, Rubes. I’ve got three for you to look at, two of which are move-in ready and have everything you wanted.”
“So soon? That’s awesome, Gus! When can I see them?”
“I’m going to forward the listings to your email. Take a look and call me back.”
I flipped open my laptop excitedly. Huh. I thought I’d be dreading this whole process, but my brain buzzed with excitement!
The first house seemed like an excellent prospect. The second house I eliminated immediately, but the third was perfect. I called him back.
“Gus, have you been in these homes? Are they as perfect as they look?” My voice rang loudly with excitement.
He laughed. “Two of them are, one needs some work.”
We determined that the one I eliminated needed too much work, and I asked if we could go see the other two.
“One is empty, we can go see it after you close today if you want. The other I’ll have to see if it’s available. Want to meet me over there?”
“Yes, definitely, and if the other one is available, can we go see it after?”
“Absolutely.”
My stomach flipped and spun as I pulled into the driveway of the first home. I told Vander I was going to visit Minty and would be home late. Then, because I felt guilty for lying, I called Minty and asked her to go with me.
Gus’s car was already there when we got there. Walking through, the house was perfect, just as I suspected, and I hated it.
“You don’t like this one, Ruby,” Minty commented.
I threw my hands up. “I know! And there’s zero reason to not like it! It’s perfect. You agree, don’t you?” I asked them.
Feeling discouraged, I started questioning the wisdom of what I was doing. Then I remembered the hollow sound of George’s voice.
“It lacks the character you’re used to, Ruby,” Gus commented. “It’s a new home and doesn’t have the quirks and idiosyncrasies you’re used to.”
“Let’s go see the other one, Gussie,” I said.
