Conjurer & The Sacred Lemons

by Prakash

  Sandra’s nonstop sell pitch was going on. However both Patrick and Ursula were busy checking the conditions of the rooms and the facilities.

  “Is the heating and cooling system is in order? “Patrick asked Sandra.

  “Yes, perfectly in order. The system is only 10 years old “Sandra replied.

  Meanwhile Victor and Alice were running all around the home, front lawn and the backyard. Ursula time to time was shouting on them to stop running around the house and sit at one place.

  Ursula checked the kitchen including the sink and the gadgets. The pan and the Gas stove were in good condition. However she felt that lot of efforts would be required to make it spic and span.

  “Sandra, what about the Bunker? “ Patrick enquired

  “Let me show that ...Come in “Sandra Replied.

  They all went inside the bunker. The bunker was smelly probably due to the fact that it was shut for a long time. The light was dim and there was some old furniture lying there in broken condition.

  “Sandra, how often the menace of tornados experienced here? “ Ursula asked.

  “Not very regular but yes there are 3-4 on an average in the season “Sandra replied back.

  “This Bunker would require a lot of cleaning “Patrick commented.

  “Well, before handover to you, I would arrange for cleaning agency to the clean the entire house. It is on me.” Sandra assured Patrick.

  “Sandra, who is the owner of the house?” Patrick asked.

  “The property belonged to Smiths. They left the town couple of years back. Now their cousin Paul smith is the owner but he is settled in Washington” Sandra provided the details.

  “Where are the Smiths now?” Ursula asked out of curiosity.

  “No idea but Paul said they had migrated to Canada couple of years back “Sandra Replied.

  All of them came back to the living room now.

  Patrick was ok with the house. Ursula already was in love with the house.

  However both wanted to check some more details before starting the pricing negotiations.

  “How about the neighborhood?’ Patrick enquired.

  “Oh nice one, this lane has around 10 such houses. The ones which are near to you include Watson’s, Wang’s, Brown’s, Right’s and one Indian family “Patel’s” Sandra was well prepared with all the details.

  “How far are the school, church, market and hospital from this locality?” Patrick enquired.

  “Oh... All these are available very nearby. Hardly miles “Sandra replied.

  “The wall mart is about a mile from here, there are 4 churches within a radius of half a mile and there are 3 public schools and one district school about 1.5 miles from here “Sandra was quick to answer.

  “Patrick and Ursula, this locality actually falls in the suburb of Mandeville ... The community is well to do and generally a very peace loving community “Sandra added more details.

  “What about the garage, we have not seen it “Patrick asked.

  “I do not have the garage keys with me right now “Sandra told

  “However what we have seen in the backyard is the garage and it is pretty spacious “Sandra provided the details.

  Victor and Alice were still busy in running around in every nook and corner of the house. Both of them liked the house as compared to their rented apartment in Jersey. This was big with ample playing space in the front and the backyard.

  “Sandra, we are done with the visit, when can we meet in the evening?” Patrick asked.

  Sandra looked pleased. She knew both Patrick and Ursula liked the house.

  “Can we meet at my office around 6 pm? “ Sandra enquired.

  “That is ok for us. We want to leave tomorrow morning for Jersey “Patrick replied.

  Sandra was happy. She was trying to sell this property for last 3 years. She had shown it to 8 to 10 prospective customers so far. However none of them responded after seeing the house. There were several reasons for this. Some families wanted a swimming pool; some were interested in bigger living room and so on. Paul smith was continuously in touch with Sandra for last 3 years to dispose of his uncles’ property. But Sandra couldn’t materialize anything in last 3 years.

  While they were leaving for lunch in the town from the new house, Ursula could see an old man with worn out coat and similar hat moving around the area.She had noticed the same fellow when they came with Sandra in the morning to have a look at the house. The man was loitering in the neighborhood at that time.

  Ursula was always worried with such people especially with beggars and strangers due to having 2 kids in the home.

  “Ursula ...Looks like we are in a good locality “Patrick asked while driving his GM SUV.

  “I am in love with the property but one thing I was worried about some beggars or strangers loitering in the neighborhood “

  “Come on Ursula ... these are homeless creatures wondering around or quietly sitting at one place. What they expect is some money or charity at the most. Mostly harmless “Patrick

  “Yes... I was worried. But forget that ... let us go for this house. I liked the house and the neighborhood “Ursula replied.

  .

  Probably both were impressed by the serenity of the area and a big house. In Jersey they had spent years together in the rented apartment. The apartment was good but was a smaller one and was situated in the bustling market area. It has put lot of restriction on them, especially for Victor and Alice as they had little space for playing.

  Patrick stopped the car near the Big Mac. Children faces immediately changed into joy seeing the Mac.

  “Alice… look we are at Mac “Victor exclaimed

  “Yeh……” Alice replied.

  Patrick and Ursula knew that both the children were a big MAC fans.

  At Big Mac Children had a lot of fun while having their meals.

  William’s retuned to the motel. It was late afternoon by now and they wanted to have some rest before meeting Sandra in the evening.

  Sandra was waiting for the William’s in her office in the town. William’s were late as they couldn’t locate her office easily. Seeing them coming towards office Sandra had a sigh of relief. She initially thought whether William’s have changed their mind and may not come to the office.

  “Hi Patrick, Ursula & little angels …” Sandra greeted them.

  “Good evening Sandra “Ursula greeted back.

  Patrick immediately opened the topic of the price. However he also told Sandra that the property is old and requires some repair and maintenance. They would also like to make some changes in the living room and the kitchen. Patrick knew if he puts some problems before Sandra, she would not ask for unreasonable price on behalf of her client. Higher the price higher the commission for Sandra. However after trying for last3 years Sandra was more interested to get into deal rather on harping on more and more commission.

  Sandra Smiled at Patrick and Ursula.

  “What is important to me that you liked the house… “Sandra quipped.

  “My client expects at least 140000 USD for this property “Sandra directly came to the point.

  “It is too much for us. It is on higher side “Patrick told Sandra.

  “What is your quote?” Sandra asked Patrick. Ursula was just listening.

  “I could pay only 110000 USD for this...” Patrick replied.

  “Oh... there is a wide gap…I will have to check back with Paul “Sandra replied.

  “We can wait for a week…” Patrick replied.

  “If it does not go through for some time we will opt for a rented house “Ursula added

  The thought of the old man loitering in the neighborhood in shabby clothes and hat was still on Ursula’s mind. She could not hold it back.

  “Sandra, I had seen one old shabby fellow loitering around the neighborhood today. I am a little nervous …You know we have small kids “Ursula asked hesitantly.

  “Oh… you are referring to Rag Peter. He is a jobless and homeless
person who is staying in a small abandoned house in the locality for last 10 years. Entire neighborhood knows him and supports him on his meals. He is harmless “Sandra replied.

  Ursula was relieved to hear that. If the fellow is living in the area for last 10 years that means he must be a harmless person otherwise people around would not have tolerated him for such a long.

  The meeting lasted barely for 30 minutes. The William’s left Sandra’s office and straightway headed for the evening dinner.

  Next day the William’s left for Jersey.

  Chapter 4

  Settling down in Mandeville

  “Hello Ursula…good morning “Sandra was on phone from New Orleans.

  “Good morning Sandra “Ursula Greeted from the other side.

  “Where is Patrick?” Sandra enquired.

  “Patrick had gone for some work outside “Ursula replied.

  “Listen I have some good news for both of you. Paul is ready to sell the property at 115000$” Sandra broke the news.

  “Sandra, we are ready to pay up to 110000$ only. We have lot of expenses lined up after purchase of the property “Ursula replied.

  “ Ursula , Paul has come down from 140000 to 115000 , so I suggest Please increase your limit by another 5000 bucks and this marvelous property is yours…” Sandra pleaded.

  “Sandra …let me talk to Patrick and I would call you back “Ursula replied.

  When Patrick returned from the market he could see Ursula waiting at the entrance.

  “Hi Ursula, Anything to be anxious about?” quipped Patrick.

  “Yes Dear … Sandra rang up. Paul is ready to have the deal at 115000$” Ursula informed.

  Patrick had a smile on his face. He knew that with his remarks on current state of the house, Sandra would convince Paul to come down on the price. Exactly the same has happened.

  “What do you say, Ursula?” Patrick enquired.

  “Let us go for it Honey…” Ursula replied.

  Patrick nodded in affirmative.

  Ursula was in the seventh heaven. Finally she got her dream home. A home which has a lawn in front, a big backyard with big garage, plenty of room for children to Play and a serene and peaceful neighborhood. The last 10 years they spent in a rented apartment was also quite good but there was less space and no avenue for making own garden or Lawn.

  That afternoon, Patrick called Sandra and accepted the offer of 115000 USD for the property. He also indicated that the legal paperwork for the same could be arranged on coming Friday and Saturday.

  Till late afternoon, Patrick and Ursula were discussing the things related to the relocation. Plenty of the things were listed down by them. The major one being the packing of the household items. In last 10 years in Jersey they had accumulated lot of household things including furniture, cookware and house appliances. They had also decided to hire the professional packers and movers to do this job so that the household items are transferred to Mandeville location without any damage.

  They also decided to check with Sandra and asked to start the cleaning of the house as promised by her on priority without waiting for the legal paperwork which was planned at the end of this week. They both also discussed the minor repairs and painting that needs to be done after the cleaning was over.

  In the night Patrick and Ursula had a long call with Sandra. Patrick asked her to proceed with cleaning of the house as promised by her as early as possible. He also specifically mentioned about repairing some of the broken logs of the front fence. They also enquired with Sandra about the local carpenter, Plumber, electrician and the painter who are good so that they could engage them for minor repairs and painting. Sandra promised them to do the needful.

  William’s started for Mandeville on Thursday itself as the drive to New Orleans was almost 9 hours. Victor and Alice always enjoyed the long drives so they were bubbling with energy. They reached by 6 pm and stayed in a motel for the night.

  Friday morning as planned Paul smith was there in Sandra’s office waiting for the William’s to arrive. It did not take a long for William’s to join them. The legal paperwork was ready with Sandra. Patrick had issued the demand draft from his bank to Paul smith. The ownership change agreement was signed and registered by the noon. William’s were now the owner of the property.

  In the late afternoon Sandra along with William’s visited the property. The cleaning agency was already on the job for last 2 days. Patrick and Ursula could see the difference in the living room. The window panes were clean, the carpet was thoroughly cleaned and the walls were looking bright due to cleaning. They took a complete round of the property. They estimated that it would take another 4-5 days for the cleaning agency to finish the entire cleaning of the property.

  Next Day Sandra had arranged for the local home repair agency which used to provide all the required services under one roof. William’s along with the repair agency owner took a round of the property. Patrick and Ursula discussed the repairs required by them including electric connections, Plumbing work, carpentry repairs and painting. By evening the repair agency had given the quote. It was slightly on the higher side as compared to the William’s expectations however they did not have time to negotiate so they agreed for the quote and gave advance amount to the agency to start the work. Sunday mornings the William’s started back for Jersey. Plenty of work at Jersey was waiting for them.

  Patrick estimated that it would take another 2 weeks to complete the repairs planned in the new house. Accordingly both of them started planning on multiple things. They had hired a professional packer and mover company in Jersey. They had gone to the children’s school and collected the transfer certificates. Patrick had closed 2 out of the 3 bank accounts he was having at the banks in Jersey. They were also busy meeting their close friends during this period. The two week time passed rapidly for the William’s.

  Sandra rang up after 2 weeks to intimate Patrick that the cleaning and repair work of the property is completed. She also baited that the property is almost shining brightly and William’s could Plan their relocation either current week or next. Patrick and Ursula decided the relocation date. Real final preparation started now. The packers and movers arrived one day before and started packing the household items in standard boxes. Victor and Alice were running all around while packing was going on in the apartment.

  Next day morning the entire household was packed in a container loaded on the trailer and William’s bid goodbye to the apartment in Jersey. It was an emotional moment for Ursula especially as she was more attached to the home. Victor and Alice were too young to understand the same. Patrick however was practical and did not evoke any emotion while leaving jersey.

  The William’s reached their new home in New Orleans before the trailer reached there. Patrick and Ursula looked satisfied with the cleaning and the repair work done by the agencies. The house was looking nice now as the dirt on wall, window panes, doors, carpet was thoroughly cleaned. The repair and repainting was also giving a house somewhat new look. Victor and Alice started running around the living room and kitchen.

  Welcome to Mandeville.. A great community “someone shouted from outside.

  When Ursula came to check at the gate she found the same old man shouting and welcoming them.

  “Thanks sir, what you want “Ursula asked the old man.

  “Nothing daughter ...Just welcoming you to the neighborhood. I am peter “

  “They call me Rag peter... I just enjoy living in this beautiful neighborhood and good community “

  Then he suddenly started walking away towards the other end of the neighborhood.

  “Who was there honey “Patrick Asked?

  “Same old fellow . . . Rag Peter… Welcoming us by shouting to the belly “Ursula showed her displeasure.

  “Forget it. We have lot of pending work today “Patrick

  The packers and movers unloaded the trailer carefully and started unpacking and arranging the stuff in different rooms. In next 3 hours they had unpacked a
nd arranged each and everything in the room. The William’s went for an early dinner .They were all tired due to travel and arranging the house in order so they slept early.

  Patrick was ready early next morning. He had started his lawn mower and started leveling the lawn in the front. The voice of the lawn mower was enough for the Kids and Ursula to get up and come out of the house. Patrick waved at them while handling the lawn mower. Victor and Alice started following their father walking behind the mower.

  “Anyone for a nice cup of Coffee?” Ursula yelled at them.