She opened the door to find her real estate agent standing just inside the living room, wearing form fitting black pants with a matching black jacket over a white blouse. She looked all business in her suit without looking out of place. An older couple walked through the downstairs making quiet comments amongst themselves. Once they headed upstairs, the agent took a moment to greet Samira.
“Samira, it’s good to see you. You know you don’t need to be here, right?”
“Yes, Wendy. I know I don’t have to, but I couldn’t stand the thought of some strangers buying this house without me knowing anything about them. I want to at least get a look at the people. I know it’s silly,” she explained.
“Listen, honey. You don’t owe me any explanations. It’s your house; if you want to be here, no one can stop you.”
Samira nodded in silent agreement. It was her house. She could do what she wanted. That simple reminder made her feel less like she was trespassing. She still struggled with the idea that it was her house. Even when she was living the required amount of time in the house it still felt like her parents’ house.
The older couple left after briefly thanking the agent for her time. Before the front door had closed, another couple entered the house. They appeared to be in their early forties, and the woman practically dragged the man behind her as she enthusiastically made her way over to them.
“Hi! I’m Rosalyn, and this is my husband James,” she eagerly introduced before getting right to business. “I have been hoping this place would come on the market. It’s been empty for quite a while, hasn’t it?”
Samira stepped back allowing Wendy to take the lead in answering questions. She was there to be nosy, not to participate.
“The house has been occupied for the past few months. Before that, even though no one lived here, it was well maintained.”
Rosalyn looked at her husband pointedly. “I told you it would be in good shape. Let’s take a look around.”
Wendy glanced at Samira before gesturing for Rosalyn and James to go on ahead. Samira allowed them to get ahead of her before she casually followed just close enough to eavesdrop. Sheknew as soon as they walked in that they would be likely to put in an offer. She needed to know their plans for the house.
“It doesn’t even need much as far as updates to be opened up as a bed and breakfast. Maybe a new kitchen. Just look at the architecture,” Rosalyn said to her husband as she pointed to the picture window.
Samira froze. A bed and breakfast. That was the plan her mother had for the place before she passed away. They had even added on to the house in order to get closer to that goal. As the hairs stood up on the back of her neck, she told herself her mother would be happy that the house would end up serving the purpose she’d envisioned.
She continued to wander around the house, but this time avoiding the couple. She looked around and thought about what they said. It really wouldn’t need a lot to become a bed and breakfast. Having a full bath for each bedroom would be the only thing needed to make it perfect, but even that wasn’t necessary. She was able to see what her mother saw in the place. It was a shame she never saw her dream become reality.
“Do you work with Wendy?” Rosalyn asked, snapping her back into reality.
“Oh. No. Actually, I’m the owner.”
Rosalyn blinked. “Really?”
“Yes. Why are you so surprised?”
“Well, it’s just that I know an older couple owned it. I assumed it would be them selling, or eventually the executer of their estate or something. But with the possibility of a fast closing, I assumed it was one of them selling,” Rosalyn explained.
“Are you from here?” Samira asked while raising an eyebrow.
Rosalyn looked slightly flustered but recovered quickly. “No. Not exactly. James has a friend who moved out here several years ago, so we are familiar with the area. We’re from Annapolis. Why?”
Samira studied her for a moment before answering. Her shoulder length hair was styled in beach waves that were made to look carefree, but Samira could tell a lot of work was involved in getting the curls just so. She even glanced at her perfectly manicured nails. James was just as well put together as he stood quietly off to the side. He had plenty of money and didn’t likely tell his wife no very often. She would be surprised if the woman didn’t put in a cash offer.
“You just seemed to know a lot about this house. I was away for several years so I certainly don’t know everyone,” Samira answered.
“It’s a beautiful home. It was a pleasure meeting you. We’ll be in touch with Wendy soon,” Rosalyn said before she took James’s arm and dragged him toward the door the same way she led him inside.
***
Andy followed his mother into the courtyard where his dad was sitting in his wheelchair next to a bench. The courtyard was beneath a large pergola, beside a patch of trees. The bright sunshine was a nice break from the cold rain, but he was glad to see him in a heavy wool sweater to combat the chill in the air. He hadn’t been to visit his dad since the last time—which was a disaster that ended in his dad getting sedated. He was not looking forward to a repeat.
“Mom, it’ll only upset him if we tell him. Let’s just leave it alone,” Andy said quietly before they were within earshot.
“Honey, you’ll feel better if we tell him. The nurse said he’s having a really good day. He’ll understand and we won’t feel like we’re keeping anything from him. Just trust me.”
Eldon looked up and smiled as they approached. Andy was surprised when he raised a hand in greeting. “Sweetheart. Son. Hi.”
Andy’s steps briefly faltered before he was able to recover. It had been a long time since he’d seen his dad so lucid. “Hey, Dad. How are you?”
