“Okay,” I exhale steadily. “What else?”
There’s nothing else I can do but listen to it all. Nothing I say or do can change the damage already done, so there’s no sense in panicking. I’ll save that for when I get home…preferably in bed with a glass of wine to accompany my tears.
“Although the leaking has caused damage to the flooring, the main problem is much bigger than even I anticipated. I still don’t know the cost of this job. I’ll need a trusted structural contractor to take a look and give us a quote.”
“Structural?” I sigh, my chest growing tighter and tighter.
That sounds major.
Tom nods. “Long story short, because of the high groundwater levels after the storm, leading to sandy soil,you’re looking at some serious damage to the foundation of the home. Now, I know your mom’s home runs off a septic tank since it was built in the early seventies. That’s likely a key indicator. Hence, the water inside, gurgling plumbing, and sewage smell near the drain field. Again, all things that will be further inspected.”
I…I…this can’t be happening.
My mind is on autopilot, feeling completely devastated by this news.
Mom has modest savings, but nowhere near the cost I imagine this to be. I don’t have this kind of money, either. We may not know the exact number, but I’m educated enough to know it’s a fucking lot. My mom barely gets by as is. She works overtime and lives paycheck to paycheck. But she chooses that life because to her, not having extra spending money or savings means she gets to keep the one piece of independence she bought on her own.
Her home.
But you can’t keep a home if there isnohome.
Tears fill my eyes, my mind racing with questions. “But how? How did we not know all this right away? After the storm, I mean.”
Tom shakes his head, and I know he hates to be the bearer of bad news. He’s been our go-to handyman for years, always giving us honest feedback and helping my mom out whenever he can.
I always thought he had a thing for her in secret.
“These things have a mind of their own, Ms. Davenport. Time isn’t always on our side. Over time, soil can erode and shift, causing cracks to arise throughout the slab. These things are not always factors we can see with our eyes. It could have been much worse had you not found it now or sought help.”
Worse than this? I can’t imagine that.
“Okay,” I sigh. “I understand. Do we have any updates on the mold in the bathrooms, or is that tied to the same issue?”
“The mold remediation specialist was able to come out yesterday and scope out the problem. Luckily, he found less than ten square feet of black mold occupancy, and he was able to resolve the issue. It’s been fumigated, and your mom has been informed to refrain from entering for at least seventy-two hours. Give it time to settle without exposing her to toxins.”
I nod. “She’s actually staying with my aunt temporarily, so that’s good. I’ll make sure she stays away, although that stubborn woman never does what she’s asked.”
Tom smirks, understanding my mom’s strong-willed nature well. “That sounds just like Camille.”
I fold the invoice in my hands and close my eyes for a moment. These are the times when it’d be really great to have a man in my life. A boyfriend. Husband.Father.
Anyone with a skill set to help. It sucks doing it alone, and I speak for my mom, too.
“So, now we just wait for the quote and see what happens?”
“Yes.” Tom nods. “Start getting your funds in order, and be prepared to start right away. And Cove?”
“Yeah?”
“You must start right away. It’s critical for your mother’s health and to prevent the damage from getting worse. She’s lucky to have you.”
What Tom doesn’t know is that it’s the other way around.
I’m the lucky one.
“Thank you, Tom. And thank you for getting here so urgently. I know how busy you are.”
He waves me off before standing and heading towardthe sidewalk, exiting the porch. I’ve been here for less than fifteen minutes and keep getting a whiff of mold from where we stand outside. There’s no way Mom could ever live in these conditions.
