Some Things, page 5
Are you for real, man? An email?
“What is wrong with me?” I looked down and asked Archimedes. “Why has this girl got me all riled up?” Archimedes wagged his tail and looked intrigued at what I was asking him as if he wanted to hear more. “She’s beautiful… man, is she beautiful. She has the most incredible eyes and…”
Archimedes barked softly encouraging me to continue.
“She has this way about her that makes me want to hold on tight to her and not let anything harm her. Because, I don’t know how, but she’s been harmed.” I reached down and scratched behind Archimedes’ ear. I stood there for a minute, thinking about Briar, wanting so desperately to know where she was and what she was doing. I shook my head. “I haven’t been this mixed up about anyone in a long time, huh, Arch?”
He followed me back to the table where I looked at the email again. “I’m making a bigger deal out of this than it needs to be. Write the damn thing.”
Archimedes huffed his approval, made a small circle, and laid down next to my chair.
Cracking my knuckles, I placed my fingers on the keyboard and began to type.
Hi Briar,
It was such a pleasure meeting you yesterday. I put together a proposal for you to take a look at. I offered some different options which change the prices, but they are starting off points, and we can discuss further design choices.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments.
If you would like, we can also head to some warehouses to get an idea of specific materials.
Thank you for your time,
Dustin Springer
I attached the spreadsheet and paused before I hit send quickly. I threw my hands up as if the keyboard was going to electrocute me.
“There, Archimedes! I did it. Done.” He lifted his head up, and I could see he was proud of me. Or annoyed for waking him up.
I felt a thousand times better, though. It was like the connection between us had truly been made. The initial communication had been completed. I desperately wanted to send her a text but stopped myself. There was no need to bombard her. Hopefully, she would respond soon.
But what if she hadn’t even gotten the place? What if I sent her a proposal to a property that couldn’t be hers? I may have made a grave mistake in my excitement to get in touch with her. I usually made sure it was a definite deal before I hit the send button, but in my haste of wanting to be able to talk to her again, I may have pushed her even further away.
Damnit, Dustin!
Standing up, I opened my back door to let Archimedes out and to give myself some air. I paced back and forth on my patio, calling myself a few choice names in the process. How could I have been so stupid? It was what the prospect of looking into those color-changing hazel eyes did to me.
In the end, what was sent was sent. I vetoed the idea of sending another email apologizing if she hadn’t bought the place because that would have made it ten times worse. I was betting on Leslie’s confidence that it was a done deal.
“Come on, Archimedes. Let’s get some dinner.” He followed me inside as I tried not to check my email every five minutes to see if she had responded.
Chapter eight
Briar
Dustin,
Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together for me. I am excited to let you know that my offer has been accepted, and we are closing in ten days. I was hoping to have you come out and do an actual inspection on the place to make sure we haven’t missed anything major. Are you available to come early next week. Please let me know.
Thank you again,
Briar
After hitting send, I leaned back on my couch, the soft cushions supporting my back. It was early in the morning; the sun was starting to rise. I was relaxing and enjoying a cup of tea before the girls woke up, and my morning actually began. The first hour was my quiet time. My time to wake up by myself, to get ready for the day without having Leah and Adelaide in my face.
Leslie had told me the next step was to get an inspection, and she mentioned Dustin would be a great resource. I looked over his proposal and was amazed he did all that work in such a short time. It was incredible. He listened to what I had said and really understood what I wanted to do to the property. I thought about contacting more contractors, but Dustin seemed to be wanting the project and who was I to deny him the pleasure of working on it.
Thinking about the complex, I turned my attention to the open area in the middle of the units. Reconfiguring it into a grassy area was still my top idea. When I was a girl, my backyard had the most amazing swing set. My dad built it himself. His uncle owned a lumber yard, and he picked out the wood carefully, finding just the right pieces. Creating beautiful pillars that withstood the elements, my dad made sure he didn’t skimp on materials. It had a yellow swing, a tire swing, and a slide off a small fort. As a finishing touch, we carved our initials into one of the beams. I was insanely proud of my dad and his craftsmanship. Many childhood hours were spent playing on it. When I got older, and didn’t play with it anymore, my dad decided to give it away to a friend of a friend who lived up north. They took it down and loaded it on a large truck, and away it went to make another girl and her family happy.
I had a dream of finding a similar structure and putting it on that grassy area. Having my girls play on it would bring me so much joy. I wouldn’t be able to get the same exact one since that was probably long gone, but finding a similar one was a good possibility. I knew I had a picture in our old photo albums. My dad didn’t take a whole lot of pictures of my childhood, but I remembered there being several of me on that play structure. Maybe Dustin knew a guy who could make it for me.
I took my laptop and placed it on the couch cushion next to me allowing me to stand up, my new mission fresh in my mind. The photo albums were in the small garage connected to our apartment. I could picture the storage bin as I opened the door to the garage. I propped the door open in case the girls woke up so I could either hear them or they could find me.
The needed storage bin was the third one down from the pile in the far corner. It took some muscle, but I was able to free it from its prison and set it on the ground. Opening it, I saw the nine photo albums that were my dad’s. There weren’t a whole lot of things I kept from my dad. Some T-shirts, tools, mementos, and of course, the photo albums.
He was never big on photos. With my mom having passed away in childbirth, it was only the two of us, so it was hard for him to remember to take them. Bringing a camera and making sure it had film in it was a feat for my dad. But he tried on the big trips, the important events, the notable milestones. He at least got the pictures he did take developed and put into albums.
I sat down on the cold concrete floor and began to take out album after album, casually scanning each page, trying to find the right time period. Looking through them brought back fun memories. My dad and I were two peas in a pod. He was my best friend growing up and my biggest supporter. He wanted the best for me, if the best was what I wanted.
Finding the right album, I flipped through it and found the picture I was thinking of. It was me at around the age of nine. I was wearing my favorite cut-off shorts and a Care Bears T-shirt. Sitting on the tire swing, I had the biggest smile on my face. The entire play structure was in the picture, and I was brought back to the absolute joy I felt when playing on that thing.
Taking the picture out of the album, I put it on the floor and tried to find the best lighting. I finally found a good angle and snapped a picture on my phone. Placing it back in the album, I could hear some rustling in the apartment.
“Mom, where are you?”
“I’m in the garage, honey!”
Leah and Adelaide both peeked their heads into the doorway and turned to see me in the corner.
“What are you doing?” Leah asked as she took a couple steps towards me. Adelaide followed along quietly, sucking her thumb and holding onto Pilly, her eyes inquisitively asking the same question as Leah.
“I’m looking at some old pictures. Do you want to see?”
“Yeah!” Leah hurried over and took a seat on my lap. Adelaide decided she didn’t want to sit on the concrete floor so opted to stand behind me and peered over my shoulder to look at the album.
“Who’s that?” Leah asked, pointing to the picture I was looking at.
“That’s me, silly.”
“That’s you! That doesn’t even look like you.” Leah put her face down to the page, almost touching it, to get a better look at the picture.
“Yes, that’s your mommy. I was about nine years old.”
“You’re pretty,” Adelaide said quickly before putting her thumb back in her mouth.
“Thanks, honey.” I reached my hand back and rubbed Adelaide’s leg. I then turned the page and said, “And that’s me at a school recital.”
“What’s a recital?” Leah asked.
“It’s like a performance.”
“Ohhh… what did you perform?”
“We sang songs. I think in this one we sang some Beach Boys songs.”
“I want to hear it,” Adelaide said.
“Um… oh, ok!” I pulled out my phone and googled the song I needed. Soon “Surfin’ USA” was playing from the phone. I turned up the volume and set it on one of the other bins.
The girls were soon bopping their shoulders to the music. I patted Leah’s bottom to get her to stand up, and I followed along. Grabbing Leah’s hand and then Adelaide’s with my other hand, we started to dance to the music. I twirled Leah and then Adelaide, each one taking turns, each one giggling and smiling. Adelaide loved music, and I could always pull her out of her shell when I played it. She let go of my hand and decided to dance on her own, turning and spinning, throwing her hands up and then shaking her little behind. Leah took this opportunity to grab both my hands, and we danced together, shuffling our feet as I sang along loudly.
The song came to an end, and I clapped my hands. The girls followed suit and jumped up and down cheering together.
“That was fun!” Leah said.
“I really liked that song.” Adelaide grinned shyly and grabbed her nightshirt to pull it down over her knees.
“It’s a really good song. Your grandpa loved The Beach Boys. He was excited when he came to my recital and that’s what we were singing.”
“Grandpa is dancing to Beach Boys in heaven.” Leah looked up at the ceiling, and I looked up with her.
“I think so too.” I ran my hand through Leah’s hair and then looked down at the girls. “Who’s ready for some breakfast?”
“Me!” they said in unison and ran into the apartment.
I bent over and picked up the album, taking one final look at the photo and placed it back in the bin. I put the lid on it and decided to put it back in its place later.
I headed back inside to get some breakfast when my phone rang.
Chapter nine
Dustin
Screw waiting until next week.
After reading Briar’s email, I didn’t want to wait that long. Next week wasn’t going to cut it. That appointment needed to be made for today. I wouldn’t be able to get any work done with the thought of seeing her lingering over my head for a few days.
The clock on my phone said 7:35am. I knew she was up because she sent that email, but it was definitely too early to call for business. But “definitely” was in a gray area for my current mental state. I figured it was okay to call because I was confirming possible plans.
Archimedes was lying on the bed next to me and glared at me every time I moved. My body couldn't contain the adrenaline that was pulsing through it making me shift every five seconds.
“What do you think, Arch? Should I call her?” I scratched behind his ears and rested my head back on my pillow. Archimedes gave me a little moan and nudged me with his nose. “Yeah?” I looked down at him and grabbed my phone. “Calling her it is.”
Unlocking my phone, I sat up straight in my bed and adjusted the pillows behind me. Archimedes gave me another glare as he waited for me to get settled.
“There. I’m fine, now.”
He huffed and laid down slowly, knowing I was waiting for him to get comfortable until I called Briar, the little twerp.
I tapped on her name and heard the phone ring. My face became red, and I felt the heat radiating from it. It was as if the moment I hit “call,” my body decided to become a hot, sweaty mess. I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to hold onto the phone with such clammy hands. Moving my phone from one hand to the other, I wiped the first hand on my comforter.
“Fuck, man,” I said under my breath.
“Hello?” Her voice sounded like a woman’s morning voice; the pitch that was only reserved for those that got to wake up beside that woman. It hadn’t hit its daily register, yet. I hoped to someday be right next to her the next time I heard her talk like that.
“Briar, hi! It’s Dustin.”
“Hi Dustin. Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, sorry for calling so early. I, uh, got your email, and I wanted to see if you could meet today for the inspection? I know it’s short notice, but I have some time today, and it would be easier to meet now instead of early next week.” A complete lie, but I was hoping it would pay off.
“Oh, um… can you hold on a second?”
“Of course.”
The phone went silent as I was kicking myself in the ass for calling so early. I shouldn’t have done it. I knew I shouldn’t have done it, but I wanted to hear her voice. It was everything I had hoped for and more. I shrugged my shoulders and made amends with my decision. What’s done was done, and I waited patiently for her to come back on the line. Knowing she was only a mute button away was both calming and exciting.
“Dustin, sorry. I’m back. Today can work, but I haven’t gotten a hold of Leslie or anything like that.”
“Don’t worry about it, I can take care of all that. Let me know what time and I’ll be there.”
“I can meet you at 10:30.”
“That’s great! I’ll see you then.”
“Bye Dustin.”
The way she said that last bit had me pressing my ear harder into the phone. The sound of her voice was re-playing in my head, and I didn’t want to say anything for fear of losing that memory.
Archimedes barked and pulled me from my stupor.
“Arch, that was rude what you did, and I think you know it.” I looked over at him, his tail wagging. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. I’ll forgive you this one time.” I leaned over and gave him a hug, knowing good and well that I’d forgive him every time.
I decided to take a shower first and then call Leslie.
At ten-thirty sharp, Briar pulled up to the complex. I was stunned she was on time. In my experience, moms usually ran late—not that it was their fault. She didn’t have her kids with her, though, so that might be why she was on time. Either way, I was glad she was there.
She stepped out of the car and her hair… God damn, her hair. Images of it brushing across my chest, my hands running through it penetrated my thoughts, but I quickly removed that scene from my mind. I needed to focus and be professional. But fuck, I wanted to tangle the hair on the back of her head on a pillow.
She was wearing jeans, a flannel, and some Adidas sneakers. It dawned on me I didn’t know if she worked. Had she come from work? It certainly didn’t look like she worked in an office, but then again, she could have taken the morning off to meet my dumb ass.
“Thanks so much for meeting with me.” I reached my hand out, and she shook it.
“Thanks for wanting to do the inspection so soon. I thought it would take a while to get you or someone out here.” Her voice was skeptical as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I instantly had a feeling she didn’t trust easily, and I needed to be on my A game.
“It’s not a problem. I saw your email this morning and knew I had some time. Leslie kept saying you wanted to get things straightened out sooner rather than later, so here I am.” I made sure I sounded happy and non-bothered by anything, trying to make her feel comfortable.
“That’s awfully nice of you.” She looked down and then eyed me a little too questioningly.
I felt an urge to back off a little, to give us a little space and put some distance between us. The look she gave me was one of suspicion and concern. I didn’t blame her. She was alone with an almost stranger, and she had her guard up.
I took a few steps back and put my hands in my pockets. “No big deal. Why don’t we get started and see what mysteries we can uncover.”
“I would like it if we didn’t uncover any mysteries.”
“Me too, but there’s usually something.” I picked up my bag and walked over to the front unit. “Did you want to come up with me or hang out down here?”
“I wanted to check some things, so I’ll come up.”
She hung out behind me, though, and waved me to go ahead. “You first. I’m not so sure I want you staring at my ass up the stairs.”
I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or be offended so a weird sound came out of my throat—a mix between a laugh and a scoff. She lifted one eyebrow as if telling me I had told on myself. I wasn’t used to being called out by a beautiful woman, but I didn’t mind at all.
Once inside, I went to work, checking out the plumbing, the sinks, the drainage, the windows, anything and everything. The key places I wanted to check out were the roof and the plumbing. Those were the major ticket items and could make or break a sale. The electrical could also be up there, but that was usually with older homes. The place wasn’t too old and had updated panels so I was hoping that wasn’t an issue.
