by V. M. Holk
"Hey woman, are you done with those strawberries?" Jaylah asks, interrupting my thoughts.
"Yeah, just dipped the last of them. I want to drizzle them with pink, white and red chocolate."
"Can you box up a dozen for an order, please." she says and rushes back up to the front.
We had a lot of orders for our homemade chocolates, dipped strawberries, cream puffs and cannoli's. We only do some of these for this time of year. I pack up the order and bring it to the front, along with some to fill the case. I step in line, helping make coffee orders and boxing up sweets.
We are winding down for the day, the bell chimes above the door. I turn to see a man walk in with a huge vase of roses, its beautiful.
"Is Jaylah here?" he asks.
"Yeah, just a sec."
I find Jaylah in the back getting more coffee cups to fill up front.
"Hey woman, something is here for you." She turns and smiles.
"Really?"
We walk up front together. Jaylah gets a huge grin on her face when she sees the flowers. She signs the paper, the man turns and leaves the shop. She fishes to find the card, to see who its from.
"Who the hell would send me flowers? I am not a flower, kind of girl. I hope its not pussy boy. I haven't talked to him in forever."
"Your killing me, Jay. Read it." I smile at her.
"Okay...damn. Did you send them?"
"Really....NO, not that I don't love you," I say as I roll my eyes at her.
"This is weird, it says....Loved watching you dance to Tootsie Roll! What the hell?" she says confused.
Jaylah looks over at me for answers. My heart drops. I am hoping that its not Ben, but I know better. I was trying to forget I ever saw him and he would disappear again. I recover quickly, I don't want her to think anything is wrong.
"You must have a secret admirer," I say, as way of explanation.
"Yeah, I guess. But who?"
"I don't know. I was to drunk to remember who was at the bar."
"Yeah we were," she smiles and laughs with me.
Jaylah puts her flowers on the counter, with the rest of our Valentine's decorations. I get back to cleaning, yet I can't shake that bad feeling I have. It has to be Ben, I will have to really be on high alert. I don't know what to do, I can't tell Jaylah. It will make her worry and I don't want her going back to that place.
Once we are done for the night, I decide I don't want to let Jaylah out of my sight. At least for tonight. We both have tomorrow off, being so crazy today. We knew we needed it off.
"So Jay, want to have a girls night tonight?"
"Yeah, sure. What do you have in mind?"
"Let me grab a bag, some wine and movies."
"Okay." She smiles at me.
We walk up to my place, so I can grab all my stuff. I can tell Jaylah is lost in thought, I hope that she doesn't connect anything back to Ben. I am sure that it is hard on her, Ben is always in the back of her mind. I go into my room and pack an overnight bag, then grab a couple bottles of wine.
"Let's go." I say with a smile.
"You got enough wine?" she says with a laugh.
We walk out to Jaylah's car and hop in.
"Hey how does Chinese sound?
"Great, I will head over there first."
We order our food and wait for it, they are really busy. I pay for the food when it is done and we get back in the car and head to Jaylah's house. We don't talk much in the car both lost in thought. I can't understand why he can't leave her alone. My thoughts are cut short when we pull up to her house.
I get out of the car, grab my bag and start walking up to the house. I hear a rustling in the bushes on the side of the house. I start to pannick, when a rabbit jumps out of the bushes.
"Holy shit!" I yell.
"What's wrong?"
"Damn rabbit jumped out of the bushes and scared the shit out of me."
Jaylah laughs at me, as she unlocks her front door. As she walks in, I see a car drive slowly down the street. I hurry up and get my ass in the house. I really have to stop acting like a scared little girl. Jaylah is going to know something is wrong, she has a way of making me talk when she wants to.
~~~
Ben
I drive slowly down my Jaylah's street. I see her laughing at that fucking bitch of a friend, Anne. God, she is beautiful, my Jaylah. I hope she liked the roses I sent her. I use to send her black orchids, but I'm not ready for her to know it's me.
I keep driving and take one last look at my loves house, for now. I have to think how I want to approach her. It will have to be when Anne isn't around, or anyone else for that matter. Her fun without me is soon to be over, I want my Jaylah back.
~~~
Chapter 17
I can't believe it has been three months since my divorce was final. It's been quiet, yet busy with the shop and my girls. I was thankful nothing strange has happened since Valentine's day. Jaylah and I never talked about the flowers, after that night. I think she has her suspicions of who they might be from. But we don't talk about it, or Ben.
We had such a hard winter this year, it's a breath of fresh air today. I can't believe its already May, but I am enjoying this sixty-five degree day. It brings my spirits up, I dreamnt of days like today when it was twelve below zero.
I have finally decided that this summer I would start looking at houses in town. I have enjoyed living in the apartment, but it's time to have more space. Plus, it's hard to get a break when you are always at work.
The girls will be done with school, in a couple of weeks. So really it will be the perfect time. We live in a small town, so there aren't a ton of houses up for sale. I am hoping I can find one that doesn't need a ton of work on it. I talked my dad into going with me when I start looking. So between Jaylah and dad, hopefully it will be fun and not too stressful.
Today I have the day off, so I am out doing my errands. I decide to stop at the realtor office and let them know I want to start the process. I know I have to get a pre-approval on a mortgage, but this is a start. I pull into the parking lot, then walk into the building.
"Good Morning.....Oh, hello Anne. How are you?" says Sue, from behind the desk.
"Hi Sue. I didn't know you worked here."
"Yeah, I started working here, about a month ago."
"That's great, how are things with you? How is Wyatt?"
She gives me a wierd look, "I'm good. I haven't seen much of Wyatt, we aren't seeing each other anymore." she replies, then looks down at some paperwork, avoiding eye contact with me.
"I am sorry to hear that. Wyatt is a nice guy, my dad really likes him."
"Thanks." She looks around the room, avoiding eye contact. "What can we help you with Anne?"
I can tell that she has no intention on talking any futher with me on the subject of Wyatt. I don't know why I feel guilty about that, I had nothing to do with their relationship. I haven't seen much of him at all. I realize whatever their issues are, I am not one of them.
I smile, "I need to talk to an agent about looking at houses."
"Okay, let me see who is available."
I nod my head and take a seat and grab a magazine to flip through. I don't know why things took such a turn with Sue. I peek at her out of the corner of my eye, she looks sad. I hope it's nothing I have done. I will have to ask my cousin, Lynette if she knows what is going on.
As I am pondering this, Mrs. Roberts comes out and greets me.
"Hello Anne," she greets me and shakes my hand.
"Hello."
"Let's go into my office and talk."
I follow her into her office, we begin the process of the new chapter in my life. I thank Mrs. Roberts for her time and she promises to get some showings together for me. I walk out and see that Sue is nowhere to be seen. That whole conversation was wierd, I hope there is nothing serious going on with her. I walk outside, smile up at the sun, then get into my car. I need to go to the bank and get the process of a mortgage started.
Later that night, after I get the girls into bed. I replay the converstation with Sue. It has been bothering me all day. I decide to text my cousin Lynette. They are best friends, if anyone knows what is wrong, it will be her.
Anne 8:25pm
Hey you.....got a sec?
Lynette 8:26pm
yep…whats up?
Anne 8:26pm
Saw Sue today, is she upset with me?
I start to wonder what is going on. Lynette is not texting me back, she must be talking to Sue. I don't want to be the cause of anyone being upset, especially when I haven't seen her since the Winter Fest. I don't know how I could of made her mad at me.
Lynette 8:35pm
Hey sorry...was talking to Sue...she said sorry, not mad at u
Anne 8:36pm
K....thanks Lynette....is she ok?
Lynette 8:37pm
Yeah.....she is upset abt Wyatt, not u
Anne 8:38pm
k...thanks, lets try to get together soon...love u cuz :)
Lynette 8:39pm
hell yeah.....LU2 :) bye
Well that explains some of it, I am still not sure what's really going on. I can't let it upset me anymore, if she wants to talk to me, she has my number. I am sure Lynette will help her get through her break with Wyatt. I decide to enjoy the rest of my evening and not dwell on this. I make my self a cup of tea, then grab my kindle. I get myself comfortable in bed and enjoy the rest of my evening.
~~~
Well I got everything done for my mortgage, the pre-approval process is complete. Mrs. Roberts has been great, getting us in to see the houses that are available right now. Jaylah and I decided to also rent out the apartment once I am in my new house. So Mrs. Roberts has been showing it to potential renters.
Kyle has been really great through this for me. He has been taking the girls, on the nights we have been going to look at houses. It's been getting better between us, which is great for the girls. I don't want to be one of those divorced couples, that can't even be in the same room together. It's getting there, slowly but surely.
I am doing some inventory in the back, when I get a call from Mrs. Roberts.
"Hello."
"Hello Anne. I was calling to see if you are available to see a house tonight?'
"Sure, where?"
"Meet me at the office around five. See you later."
I hear the phone click, before I can ask again where the house is. Well I guess we will see when we get there. I call my dad to let him know that we are going tonight. Kyle arleady has the girls today, so I don't have to worry about them. I walk up to the front of the shop, to let Jaylah know.
"Hey JayJay. Mrs. Roberts called, we have a house to look at."
"Awesome. I really hope its a good one this time."
"Me too. I am getting antsy to get a house."
She nods and smiles at me. We get back to work, waiting for Amanda to come in for the late afternoon shift. Once she gets here Jaylah and I get ready to leave.
Dad meets us at the relators office and we all get into her SUV. As we are driving, I'm not really paying attention to where we are going. I am asking Dad how the shop is doing, trying to catch up with him.
"Hey, is this house on my street?" Jaylah asks.
I look up and notice we turn down her street. I start getting excited because I love the houses on her street.
"Yes, it is. I didn't want to say anything, I wasn't sure what you guys would think." she replies.
Jaylah looks over at me with a big smile on her face, I smile back. I am trying to not get to excited, I don't want to be let down. We pull into the driveway of the house. It's across the street from Jaylah's and two houses down. I would be able to look out the front window and see her house.
"This is Mrs. Hauff's house. She died last year, but the last I heard, her kids were going to rent it out." Jaylah says.
"Yes, that was the original plan. But they don't live close and decided against it." Mrs. Roberts, replies.
"I've only been in the house once, but it what I remember it's really nice." Jaylah says.
"I hope it's a nice house, I can tell on your face that you are falling in love with the whole idea of this house," Dad says.
"Yeah, I know." I reply with a chuckle.
The house is one I have always admired while at Jaylah's. It's a tudor style house like her's, but has a porch the whole length of the front of the house. It's perfect for a porch swing and wicker funiture. It has the same lovely windows, with lead glass and wood trim. Mrs. Hauff, obviously loved her flowers and someone has thankfully has been taking care of them.
The upstairs windows, have flower boxes, spilling over with them. This is a bigger house than Jaylah's, I can tell by the upstairs. As we walk up the path to get to the porch, it's lined with flowers as well.
Mrs. Roberts opens the front door and let's us all in. I have to catch my breath, I'm doomed, this is exactly what I wanted. We walk into the foyer, which the steps to the upstairs a few steps away. It's done in a cream color, with dark walnut trim, wood floors thoughout the house. Dad walks off and checks all the important things. Jaylah and I go and check out the rest of the house.
To the left of the foyer, is an office or den. Which have french doors that lead into it. It's not a large room, but big enough for what it's intended for. Across from there it opens up into the family room. It's a large room, with more room than I have furniture for. It has a large fireplace with a huge mantel done in the same walnut. The front picture window looks out onto the street and porch.
Once we walk through the living room, there is a half bath to the right and the dining room to the left. Which takes us into the kitchen. It's not as large as the one in the farmhouse, but will be perfect for me. I can fit a small table against the wall on the left, with the window that looks into the back and side yard. There is another set of french doors leading to a patio. I look out to see that it's a decent size yard for the girls to play. It has lovely gardens going along the privacy fence.
I look around the kitchen to see that they replaced the cabinets, with cherry wood with crown molding. The appliances are done in black, with black countertops. The floors have a grey large tiles, which matchs the backsplash. There is a door on the right, that leads into the two car garage. I've never had an attached garage, and think how wonderful it will be in the winter.
We walk upstairs to see the two rooms in the back that are connected with a jack and jill bathroom. The girls are going to love having their own. In the front of the house is a huge master bedroom, with it's own bathroom with a garden tub. I won't know what to do with all of this space.
"Oh my god, JayJay. I love this house."
"I know. This is perfect. How awesome will it be to be neighbors."
"I'm afraid to get to excited, like this is a dream. Pinch me." Jaylah chuckles at me and actually comes and pinches me. "Ouch."
"You told me to."
We laugh and find Mrs. Roberts, she explains that the appliances are included. The kitchen, living room and main bathroom have all been remodeled in the past five years. I am afraid to ask about the price, Mrs. Roberts hands me the spec sheet on the house. It shows the asking price and the yearly tax amount.
I go look for my dad, it's time to find out if there is anything wrong with the house. The price is perfect and it looks perfect, to this point. I find my dad in the basement, checking out the furnace.
"So dad, what do you think?"
"Well baby, you might need a new water heater. The furnace and roof look good still. I can't see anything else to worry about. They will do a more thorough inspection when you have it appraised."
He smiles at me and shakes his head, "You knew I wanted it. So you think I should do it?" I ask, smiling back at him. I am getting really excited.
"Hell yeah, I love this house, toots." says Jaylah from behind us. She came downstairs to find us.
"Yeah baby. Go for it," he says, shakes his head and chuc
kles at us.
We all walk upstairs, to find Mrs. Roberts waiting for us in the kitchen. She looks at me expectingly for an answer, I smile at her.
"I want the house." I say.
"Oh, I thought you would like it. It had just come on the market and we are one of the few that have walked through. I brought the paperwork, lets get it filled out and to the seller, dear."
I smile and nod at her. We all sit at the kitchen table and fill out the paperwork. Once we are done, we drive back to her office. I give dad a kiss and thank him for helping me through this process. Dad leaves and I turn to Mrs. Roberts and thank her. She tells me she will call as soon as she hears something. Jaylah and I drive back to the shop.
"Can you come up for a glass of wine, to celebrate?"
"Sure, toots."
We head up to my apartment to celebrate. Now hopefully everything goes well and the house is truly mine.
~~~
When they say time flies when you are having fun, they weren't lying. I got the call from Mrs. Roberts a few days after I put my offer in for the house. The Hauff family accepted my offer and now the ball is in motion. My dad is going to the house with the inspector, which I am thankful for. He will know better what to do, plus I didn't want to be there for any bad news.
Today is the girls last day of school, so I took the afternoon off. They only have a half day, so I am taking them to lunch and give them the news. It's Kyle's weekend, so once we are done with lunch, I will take them to his house.
Instead of fighting the traffic at school, I decide to walk the short distance. I think about all the things I will have to get done in the next few weeks. I want to paint, before I move in. I might need some more furniture as well, now that there is more room. I am happier than I have been in a long time.
I get to the school in no time and wait for the girls to get out of school. I wave to the few mom's that I know. I don't come up to school as much as I would like, so I am not part of the school mom group. I chuckle to myself, how crazy that there is still a click and I am not part of it. It's okay, I never really have been, not even in high school.