by David Harp
Chapter 4
A New Beginning
Becky, Haley and Camille spent the rest of the day exploring the house and grounds. Haley found a concealed stairway in one of the turrets, a secret room in the other. Camille who was an accomplished rosarian located several rare cultivars in the garden. Becky discovered her name carved into an ancient oak tree near the dock. When she went to help Ms. Shelby prepare supper that evening, Becky noticed the kitchen appliances were new.
“Didn’t you say Mr. Weston kept the house the way it was when his daughter lived here?”
“It is for the most part, but J. Alfred wouldn’t expect you to live in a museum,” Ms. Shelby answered. “He installed a new roof, bought modern appliances, replaced the heating and air conditioning, added energy efficient windows, upgraded electric, and installed new plumbing fixtures. The house looks the same as it did in 1975, but a complete functional update has been completed.”
Becky shook her head and sighed, “all the more reason I can’t afford this place.”
Supper was served at the kitchen table which provided a clear view of the boat dock. The pretty little caretaker’s cottage was also visible. Becky found herself wondering what it must have looked like when Mr. Weston married Angela.
The ladies sat down to a traditional southern meal of country fried steak, turnip greens, mashed potatoes and fried okra. After clearing the table, they talked for another hour before Ms. Shelby showed them the contract. It was a complicated document that didn’t look anything like a real estate contract.
In fact, it was an employment agreement defining the process necessary to acquire the home. Ms. Shelby told Becky to take the document to any lawyer in Hernando County for review.
“All legal fees will be paid with funds set aside by Mr. Weston.” Then she explained the basics of the agreement.
“You’ll be paid a generous salary for living in the house. Your wages will come out of a trust fund and will be held in an escrow account until sufficient to cover the appraised value of the home. The time estimated is twenty years, but that depends on the real estate market.”
“So you’re saying I can live in the house for free, but I can’t sell it? Will I have to refund the money to Mr. Weston if we decide to move?” Becky asked.
“No, you can walk away without penalty at any time. The best part is that if you stay here for at least a year, you’ll be entitled to any salary accumulated in the escrow account.”
“It sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? Becky asked.
“There are a few minor conditions,” Ms. Shelby continued. “You may not sell, give away, or dispose of any of the original furnishings for a period of one year from the date of closing.”
“I didn’t realize it came furnished. That’s wonderful! Anything else?” Becky asked.
For the first time in the conversation, Ms. Shelby sounded cautious.
“There is one additional stipulation. Dr. Richard R. Rogers has a rent free lease on the caretaker cottage for as long as he wishes or the remainder of his life, whichever comes first.”
“Who is Dr. Rogers,” Becky asked.
“A gentle soul,” Ms. Shelby assured her. “Until seven years ago he was a happily married family man and a respected professor at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. That was until a drunk driver crossed into oncoming traffic, killing his wife and daughter.
He quit his job, defaulted on his house and ended up destitute. Mr. Weston became aware of him when he showed up at a Weston Foundation homeless shelter. I think Mr. Weston understands Richard better than anyone because they suffered similar tragedies. They’re kindred spirits of a sort. Dr. Rogers agreed to move to Florida and live in the caretaker cottage under the condition he be allowed to earn his keep.”
“Where is he now?” Becky asked.
“He’s in the cottage.” Ms. Shelby replied. “I took some food to him while you were setting the table. I swear that man would starve to death if I didn’t feed him. He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. The work he does around here is worth much more than his room and board. When he isn’t busy he likes to help folks down at the pier.”
Becky remembered the old man on the pier. “Does he ever use the name Renee?” she asked.
“Well yes, that’s his middle name. He started going by Renee after the accident. He doesn’t like to be called Dr. Rogers because it reminds him of the family he lost.”
Becky confessed, “I’m afraid I made a terrible first impression. We saw him on the pier today. He tried to be friendly, but my maternal instincts took control and I was less than pleasant.”
“Don’t worry. He’s an odd bird and he knows it. Everyone is a little wary of him at first, but they soon learn to love him. He looks tough, but I think he’s a lot more fragile than people realize.”
After dinner Becky decided to follow her heart. This was a dream come true and a desirable distraction after her husband’s death.
She took the contract to two different lawyers for review the next day. They both confirmed it was the equivalent of winning the lottery. It was the most impulsive thing she had ever done, but Becky signed the papers.
The whole transaction took less than a week. It seemed like someone was looking out for them, as it did when Haley was left in the motel room and her adoption paperwork was mysteriously completed.
Becky and Haley packed their belongings and moved to the house in Bayport, Florida.
They decided to use the long glass-enclosed porch as a seating area for a “breakfast-only” restaurant, and Haley quickly made friends with some of the customer’s children.
Ms. Shelby agreed to help with the new business while continuing to live in the house. In honor of Mrs. King’s late husband, the restaurant sign read “Benjamin’s Breakfast,” but most people called it Becky’s.