Cross Your Mind (An Emerson Novel Book 3)

by K L Finalley

  She thought of the technological marvels of her building. She had an individually-controlled elevator and motion-sensing lights, but she wasn't certain that her condo ever felt like home. She wasn't completely sure what that meant. She had possessions she was proud to own. She was proud of the building, of the part of town, to be part owner of the building, and an investor in the area, but she wasn't positive what it meant to say that it felt like home. What she did know is that despite the thirty-two hundred square feet and the three bedrooms, the penthouse didn't feel large enough for a family. She knew the cultivated parks and the world-class marina wouldn't prepare Zoe for college. She knew that carrying groceries for one from a parking garage across the street into a skyrise building was reasonable, but it was unimaginable for a family of three. She knew that her penthouse just didn't work for them. It wasn't designed to work for a family; and, it was time to find a place that felt like something she'd never felt before.

  As they crossed Old Tampa Bay, Mallory questioned, "Do we want to live in Tampa?"

  Jacqueline did a double take. "Um, is that a problem?" Turning to look at her she said, "We should've discussed this before we headed here this morning?"

  "No, I don't have a problem with it, but when we first met, we were talking about the Rays and you said you'd never live in Tampa, because there was too much traffic between Tampa and the stadium."

  She erupted in laughter. "I can't believe you remember that."

  "That's what you told me. I was telling you how I wanted to move outta Clearwater and into Tampa or Brandon, and you said you'd never do it, because of the traffic to get to the stadium. Now, look at us. We're headed into Tampa." Mallory pointed outside the window.

  "I don't even remember saying that, but it sounds like something I'd say," she wiped her face. "That's craziness."

  As they cruised through the commercial area of Westshore Palms, she said, "Well, what would we do?"

  Jacqueline thought as she bisected West Tampa. She was careful to head south before she entered North Hyde Park. "If we find the right place, we'll drive to the Trop. I can't believe you thought I'd pick the Trop over a house."

  "I thought you might have us move into the Trop." Turning away from the hospital, Jacqueline drove through Hyde Park Village. Mallory looked out the window. "This is nice, huh? It's like a little shopping center, but without a club." As they passed by it, they weaved back into a residential area. "Was there a little movie theater there?"

  "I think so." Jacqueline was looking around as well. She had forgotten about Hyde Park. It was a historic district that had been infused with new developments. Unlike her part of St. Petersburg, Hyde Park hadn't built everything new; it had added a new, upscale neighborhood shopping areas with boutiques, restaurants, and cafes to its historic homes that already had parks and gardens. It was the opposite of where she lived. They were heading towards Bayshore Boulevard, a curvy, scenic highway that boasted the world's longest sidewalk. Bayshore was the area's eastern and southern boundary. The northern edge was marked at Kennedy Boulevard, most of which was taken up by the University of Tampa; and the eastern boundary was SoHo or Howard Avenue, the perfect place for date night – an area full of bistros and fine dining options. All in all, as they drove through, Hyde Park, they stared out their windows and felt the world become a perfect walkable, livable village.

  Jacqueline slowed as she neared Bayshore. She was trying to read the numbers on the houses as she passed them. Then, she stopped.

  "Which one is it?" Mallory asked looking around.

  "Can't be that big one that Vicki's parked in front? Can it?" Jacqueline said.

  "It's gorgeous," Mallory murmured. It was blue-gray two-story house with a wrap-around two-story porch. The house was trimmed in white with a red brick front porch. It was stunning from the street. The street light, that sat out front, still had its red Christmas bow on it.

  Jacqueline didn't park the car behind Vicki's SUV. She pulled into the driveway and drove along the side of the house. It was a behemoth. As she entered the driveway, she expected to face a garage. Instead, she pulled under a porte-cochere. As she drove under the tall porch-like structure, a smirk drew across her face. Immediately, she liked that architectural feature as much as she liked the anteroom of the penthouse and imagined that she pulled a carriage up to the side entrance of their mansion. Gazing around, she looked out of the passenger's side and saw the detached two-story, four car garage. It made sense sitting apart from the house on its own. Quietly, she turned off the ignition but didn't open the door. She sat still in the driver's seat.

  Noticing that Jacqueline hadn't moved, Mallory ask, "Are we gonna get out?" as she unbuckled her seatbelt and checked her hair.

  "Before we go in there, let's remember to play it cool. Okay?"

  Mallory was shuffling her feet. "What makes you think I won't?"

  "Just try. Okay?" Jacqueline leaned to kiss her, but Mallory had turned to her door and was preparing to exit the car. Jacqueline sighed as she opened the driver's door.

  "Do you love it or do you love it?" Vicki said as she walked around the house to greet them.

  "Good morning, Vic.." Jacqueline started to say.

  "I love it," Mallory said.

  "We haven't even been inside," Jacqueline pointed out.

  "Let's start around front," Vicki said as she led the way. Passing under the porte-cochere to the side brick steps, she continued. "I racked my brains thinking of a place that'd work for you two. You needed professional and progressive. You needed close to town with good schools, good entertainment, and access to travel. And, it came to me. Hyde Park!" Holding up one finger, she continued, "But, then, I needed to find a house that fit your needs. A house that was big enough for everyone to have space," she said.

  They were standing on the front porch. Jacqueline examined the windows. She looked at the railings. She looked out at the street. She stood and realized that the house was two houses away from Bayshore Boulevard. She could stand at the edge of the porch and see the Hillsborough Bay. She imagined how nice it would be to have furniture on the porch. As she was decorating the huge, barren brick porch, Vicki continued talking, "but, comfortable enough to feel like home."

  Standing outside on the porch, Vicki pushed the double doors open for the two to enter. Looking up and mumbling to herself, Mallory darted inside and wandered away. Jacqueline slipped between Vicki and the one of the two front doors. Standing in the foyer, she allowed her eyes to travel around the house. She looked at the light brown carpet that covered the floors. Her eyes travelled to the right and noticed the bench seat that sat in the foyer on the opposite side of the landing for the stairs. Inching forward, she looked into what she supposed was a sunken formal living area. Off to its right was the open kitchen that included a large island work area and breakfast nook area. She leaned forward and saw the far corner of the room had a keeping area. She stood imaging it as a wonderful place for Mallory to sit and read in the evenings as she made dinner. She was turning to investigate the other doors off from the kitchen when she heard Mallory return from her wanderings.

  "There's room for two offices and a formal dining room. Come see."

  Being pulled away, she tried to calm her. "Remember, play it cool."

  "Vicki's on the phone. She's not paying us any attention. Come look." Heading away from all that she had briefly explored, they stopped in a room with a raised ceiling, which was left of the foyer. "This can be your office. I knew you'd like that ceiling," Mallory declared.

  She was right. Jacqueline did like it. The room had wood paneling and a built-in bookcase that filled the right side of the room. As they stood inside, she imagined how to decorate it. Dark wood. A new desk. Leather chairs. The salon at the Country Club came to her mind. Drifting off into her thoughts, she was returned to reality as Mallory pulled her out of that room. They passed the foyer and walked past the staircase. They entered the room to the right the stairs. It was a plain room - simple and understated
, but its window looked outside onto the porch and down the street. Jacqueline walked to it and peered out of it. She stared at the neighborhood, imagining children riding bikes. Mallory said, "I would want this one for my office."

  "I wonder what this is supposed to be," Jacqueline pondered. "The dining room?"

  "No, that's the next room," Mallory pointed.

  Jacqueline looked in the direction of that room as if she could see through walls. She squinted her eyes, but it didn't help. Mallory yanked upon her shirt sleeve and led her next door. The long, thin room had three thin floor-to-ceiling windows. It was very certainly the dining room. Jacqueline chewed on the side of her mouth and nodded. "Feels like everything's downstairs. I wonder what's upstairs. Have you found the bedrooms?"

  Mallory walked over to her. She spread her arms wide and proclaimed, "I've been upstairs. Every room has its own bathroom. There's room up there for an exercise room. I can quit going to the gym at work. And, there's a nook for the piano and your dad's stuff. It's heaven. And, oh my God, there's so much closet space. I want this house. I want it all. I love the whole thing. All of it. Don't you love it?" She was barely breathing. There were words mixed with gulps of air.

  "I haven't even looked at all of it," Jacqueline admitted.

  "Why don't you go look around? I'm gonna go look again," Mallory was bathed in excitement.

  "With a calm head?" Jacqueline pleaded.

  "Yes," Mallory said with stars in her eyes.

  Jacqueline kissed her forehead and the two parted ways. She ventured from that end of the house and went in search of the master bedroom. Beyond the foyer, on the left side of the first floor, the master suite was the entire left side of the house. She entered the room and her mind thought of changes to be done. Windows. Tile. Carpet. She rummaged around the bathroom. While the bathroom at the condo was large, this was expansive with dual sinks and dual toilets. There were separate dressing areas. She understood why Mallory was in love.

  She returned to the office to stare at the ceiling. Then, she saw that there was a space across the hall she hadn't seen. It shared a pass-thru fireplace with sunken living room. Its rear wall was a sliding glass window that overlooked the backyard. She walked to it searching for a door. When she did not find one, her mind made note to have one added. Placing her hand in her pockets, she walked from this den to the formal living room to the kitchen. She looked out the windows of the keeping area at the backyard porch. Turning her head, she saw the doorways that littered the eastern side of the room. She went to each and opened them. Behind them, she discovered the walk-in pantry, a mud room, and the laundry room that led to the door next to the porte-cochere. And, she found an extra room. She wasn't sure what it was intended to be, but she stood still in there and imagined them entertaining in it.

  Walking from the kitchen to the foyer, she exited the house. She walked off the porch, outside to the sidewalk, and looked back at the house. She was staring up and down the street when a man approached her.

  "Good morning," he said. He was tall. Six feet or more. He was wearing a blue and white plaid shirt and dark brown pants with the same leather loafers Jacqueline wore.

  "Hi," she shook his outstretched hand.

  "I'm Mike. Michael Bellamy." He pointed to the smaller house next door. "I live next door. Did you buy it?"

  "Hi, Mike. I'm Jacqueline. That's the question of the day." She rolled forward in her loafers, then back again. "We're thinking about it."

  "Well, she's a beauty. It'd be great for someone young to buy it."

  "I don't know if we're that young," she teased, hoping the friendliness would cause him to share something worthwhile.

  "Well, the people who lived here before were old. Nice, but old. You know. It would just be nice." He didn't finish his sentence. Instead, he stood beside and stared at the house. "You got kids?"

  "I know this is gonna sound odd, but we got one. A girl. Eight goin' on twenty."

  "We've got an eight-year-old girl. Sarah. And, a boy. Twelve. Isaac. Nothing but warring. All my wife, Rachel, and I do is referee. What'd you guys do?"

  Here it was. Here was the moment when she'd wait to see how he'd respond to their family. "Well, I'm the Managing Editor of the Tampa Sun Tribune. The newspaper."

  "Sweet," he said. "I'm in IT at an insurance company and Rachel works for City's Travel and Tourism department."

  "And, Mallory," Jacqueline pointed to her up in window of a second story bedroom, "is a Program Director at Channel Four."

  "That's awesome," he said. He didn't hesitate. He didn't change his proximity to her or his demeanor.

  She thought it was a good time to ask. "So, why hasn't anyone snatched this thing up? It's an amazing place."

  "Last two people couldn't get financing. I hear he wants a fortune for it. He had to move, because his wife got sick. He had to be closer to family who could help take care of her. He couldn't pay the mortgage, so he wants to make a profit to help."

  "Hmm," she said.

  "Last I heard, he'd screwed himself. He ran off potential buyers with such a damn high price that now he's stuck with it. And, it's nearing foreclosure."

  "Interesting."

  "Think you want it?" he asked.

  As he awaited her answer, Mallory appeared. "Honey, have you seen the backyard?"

  "I was on my way when I met Mike. Mike, this is Mallory. Mallory, this is Mike," Jacqueline said pointing to her.

  "Hi, Mallory." Mike waved.

  "Mike and his wife have two kids and live next door." Jacqueline waited on Mike to hesitate, to flinch, to act uncomfortable. Again, he didn't.

  "My wife. Rachel. She's already dropped the kids off at school, but like I was telling, Jacqueline, we have an eight-year-old girl, too. Her name is Sarah. She's a handful."

  "See, it's perfect," Mallory said with giddiness in her eyes.

  Mike laughed. "Looks like you've got some tough decisions to make. I'll let you guys get to it. I wish you all the best and I hope to see you around a lot. Like a whole lot. Best of luck." And he returned to his yard.

  "Did he pass your test?" Mallory asked, holding onto Jacqueline's arm.

  "He did," Jacqueline said looking in his direction. "Now, let's go look at the backyard."

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  As Jacqueline backed out of the driveway, Mallory asked, "What'd you tell Vicki?"

  "I asked her to get all the info she could and to be on standby for my call. I told her that you and I would talk in the car and I'd call her on my way to work."

  Reaching for her hand, Mallory nuzzled against her. "Honey, I love that house." Jacqueline looked over at her. Her eyes were squinted. Her smile was thin. "I think we could be happy there for a long time."

  Jacqueline agreed, but she wanted to be rational. Someone had to be the level-headed one. "There's things I'd want to do." She looked at Mallory and looked at the road. "Windows. Doors. Paint. Flooring." She counted off projects on her fingers.

  "I know about all your gadgets and upgrades. We talked about all of that before we ever found a house. I exchanged those things for furniture, drapes, and blinds. But, tell me you don't like it and I won't mention it, again."

  "I like it."

  "It has everything we want," Mallory went on. "The big kitchen, the two offices..."

  "I know, baby. I said I like it. I like the house, too."

  "But, you don't seem excited."

  "Just don't want to get my hopes up."

  Mallory looked at her with disbelief. "Do we not have enough money to get it? Did Vicki show us a house we couldn't afford?"

  "No, it's in our price range."

  "Then, why wouldn't we get it?"

  "I dunno. What if someone outbid us?"

  Silence. Mallory slipped back into her seat. "Could that happen? Could someone outbid us? We have cash."

  "Well, I was just being hypothetical. I don't know. I would say if we wanted it, then we have a good chance at being successful, but things happen," Jacquel
ine was trying to be realistic, but, in sparing her emotions, she was unsettling Mallory. As she pulled into the parking lot for the television station, she tilted towards Mallory and said, "So, we want it?"

  "Yes, please," her face lit up.

  "Then, kiss me," Jacqueline closed her eyes and waited. After a few minutes of bliss, she felt Mallory remove her hands from her face and pull away. "Start looking for furniture."

  "This is exciting," Mallory opened the door and jumped out of the car. After adjusting her clothes, she stuck her head back into the car with her laptop bag on her shoulder. "I can't wait to build a home together. Let me know how it goes," and she was gone.

  As she closed the door, Jacqueline rolled down the passenger's window and said, "Have a good day. I love you," then watched as she walked away. Once she was inside the building, she had the car call Vicki. "Hey, Vicki. It's Jacqueline. What have you found out?"

  "The owners want eight hundred and fifty thousand. They're looking to make a profit. It's sat unsold, because of what they're asking."

  "Did anyone do an inspection?"

  "Only two. Let's see," Vicki rustled the papers. "Here it is. Roof needs to be replaced. Uh...blah blah blah…there's mention of gutters and downspouts, too."

  "Okay, what's the appraisal look like," Jacqueline asked.

  "It's been appraised five times in four months. There are no significant differences in the appraisals. The range is from seven hundred thousand to nine hundred thousand."

  "So, they aren't asking too much, but they can't get what it's worth," Jacqueline thought.