Chapter Twenty-Two
Libra
It turns out,later meant four days.Four days and twelve hours, to be exact.
What?They gave me five business days.
I did it.I called.Finally.
I turned them down.
And it’s not because they were going to tear down the old place.Well, at least I don’t think they were planning on doing that.The thing is, they wouldn’t tell me.They said the offer was the only information they were going to provide me, and legally, they didn’t need to tell me diddly-squat.(Not in those exact words.)
I thanked them for their kind offer but turned them down.Flat.
Since then, I’ve received two additional registered letters, each offering slightly more money than the last.In the end, they were up to nearly six hundred thousand dollars.
And before you tell me how foolish I am, let me remind you, I love that house.It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a child.It’s not about money.Not with this house.
The good thing that came out of all the drama with the letters (because everyone in town heard about it) is that people are now interested in the restoration of the Little house, something they haven’t been in the past.I’m not sure how they found out, because Dad swears he didn’t tell a soul, and Bella knows better.So, they had to hear it from someone.
No matter.I don’t care that they know.Because now the town believes there’s something extra special about the Little house.There is.Several people have asked me to “be sure to tell them when I’m all done so they can see it.”
Even Mona heard the gossip.Of course, she had something to say about it.“You’re a fool.”Those were the first words out of her mouth the other day when I bumped into her at the farmers’ market in town.
I had a snappy response.“Thank you, Mona.”I said it was snappy, not clever.What else could I say?“Fuck you, Mona” didn’t seem appropriate.It would have been nice but….
She wasn’t finished, though.“You have no idea what you’re up against, do you, Velma?”
She didn’t even bother adding Lou on the end.And what was I going to say in response?“No?”Definitely not.So, I merely raised up my shoulders and my hands in a big old shrug.“Guess not.”
“You think you’re so clever, don’t you?”
Not really.I’ve always considered myself to be average in the brains department.Below average in everything else.Except for my skills related to my job.That, I’m well above average.
“One of these days, you’re going to get what you deserve.”
Um.Wow.That was a loaded statement, right?Surely, she wasn’t threatening me.Over a house?Maybe she meant it in a nice way.I snort at that ridiculous notion.No matter.I answer the only way I could think of in that moment, with optimism.“I sure hope so.”
“Stupid girl,” Mona snapped as she walked away.
Back to the letters.I’ve got to say, the biggest thing those letters have done is help me take my mind off you-know-who and allow me to refocus all my energy on the house.I’ve made huge progress in the last couple of weeks.The kitchen is nearly done.I’ve just finished the backsplash, and I chose handmade tiles that cost much more than I’d usually spend, but the house warranted the expense.
“Velma Lou?”
I feel my body being shaken gently.“Honey.Velma?”Dad repeats.“You need to get up.”
“No,” I groan.“What time is it?”
Dad’s quiet for a minute but then he answers, “After five.”
“In the morning?”I sound like a lazy kid.Then it hits me.“Are you okay, Dad?What’s wrong?”I sit up fast and throw my legs over the side of the bed.“Do you need me to do something?Should we call 911?”
“No.But, you need to get dressed and come downstairs.”
Oh.Shit.“Is Mom here?”
“What?”He practically gags on the words.“No.Just shut it and get some clothes on.Sheriff’s here.”
