“Madison?”
“Hi, Bailey. You just caught me. I’m on my way to a showing. Did you and Keston like any of the apartments in the listings I sent you?”
“We’re still going through them. I’ll make this quick. I’m going to put my father’s house on the market. Can you do the listing?”
“Hold on a sec, my car is here… Yeah, I can. It’s outside my normal area, but I don’t see why not. What’s your asking?”
“I’m thinking five hundred? Maybe five fifty?”
“When you mentioned it, of course I did a comp run. Let’s do six fifty, and we’ll see where it goes. Listen, I gotta run, but I’llreach out later, okay? I’ve got a few more great places for you and Keston to check out. I’ll email you.”
“Sounds good. Talk soon.”
That was the easy part. It was the second call I had to make that made me wish I kept a bottle in my desk.
“Hello, Jennifer.”
“Bailey? To what do I owe the honor of a call?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. It wasn’t that I hated giving her what she wanted.Dammit. Yes, it was. I was being petty as shit. But Keston and Dr. Sharpe were both right. There was no reason to hold on to a house when the memories of my father would always live in my heart.
“I’m going to put the house up for sale.”
As executor of my father’s estate, I was the person to initiate the sale, but since Jennifer was half-owner, she also had rights.
“Thank God you’re finally listening to me. How much?”
“Six fifty.”
“What?” Her shriek nearly took out my eardrum. “That’s not enough. Any apartment where I’m looking to move is much more expensive than that.”
“It’s what the real estate agent and I feel is appropriate, considering it’s not updated. If there are multiple offers, the amount could go higher.”
“It better,” she responded.
I couldn’t resist a dig. “I’m sure one of yourfriendswould be happy to help you if you needed money. Or a place to live.” She didn’t answer me, so I gave her the facts. “It’ll most likely start being showed next week, so I suggest you clean it up to make it look its best.”
“I’ll hire someone,” she said airily, as if she were queen of the castle.
“Fine. I’ll deduct the cost from your portion. I’ll let you know when the first showing is so you won’t be there.”
“Bailey, wait. I was so glad to see you’re doing so well.”
“You were?”
My lips twitched because I knew what was coming. Maybe the fact that I hadn’t hung up on her immediately allowed her to think I cared. As usual, she didn’t disappoint.
“Oh, yes. Your secretary told me how busy you are. Obviously, you must be making enough to live in a fancy apartment in the city, or you’d join a big firm and make even more money.”
“Was there something you wanted? Because I really do have to go.”
“Wait. Bailey, please. I think you should consider giving me a greater portion of the money we get for the house. After all, you have a high-paying job. I-I have nothing. I’m an older woman, with no man to take care of her. Please.”
My head hurt, most likely caused by my eyes rolling so hard in my head from her bullshit. I drew in a deep breath, calming myself.
“Then may I suggest you get a job? The will states fifty-fifty, and that’s all I’m prepared to do. Once we receive an offer, I’ll let you know. I have to go.” There was no need to continue the conversation. Anything further would be more of her whining and crying.
“Bailey, you selfish—”
