by Robyn M Ryan
“Let me understand this,” she broke in. “My father has contacted you to sell my home?” Andrew leaned back against the headboard and rested his hand on her shoulder. “I know it’s in the company’s name. No, today’s not a good time to come by.” She glanced at Andrew as she listened to the response, then sighed. “Whatever he wants. Give me an hour. I’ll be here.”
She disconnected the call and angrily tossed the phone across the bed. “Typical. Not subtle, is he?”
“Selling the townhouse?”
“Goes on the market tomorrow. The agent’s coming by in an hour to see what needs to be done to ‘ensure a quick sale.’” Caryn pushed back the sheet and started to stand, but Andrew grasped her arm and pulled her toward him.
“You don’t have to do this today. They can come when you want.”
She smiled slightly. “I might as well get it over with. Today, tomorrow, it really doesn’t matter. It’s just my dad’s way of trying to get what he wants.” Her eyes misted, and impatiently, Caryn swiped at the tears with the back of her hand. “He’s not going to get to me. It’s ‘the company’s property,’ as I was reminded. He can do what he wants with it.”
Andrew pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. “You want to get out of here for a while? I’ll deal with the agent.”
“No, I’m not going to let him intimidate me. That’s what he expects, but I’m not going to let him.” She pulled back and brushed the hair away from her face. “Did you have lunch? I forgot all about it.”
“What are you serving?”
“The usual: salad or sandwich, or maybe some soup?”
“How about all of the above?” He took her hand and nodded toward the bathroom. “First, let’s enjoy our first shower together.”
***
The doorbell rang as they were clearing the dishes and wiping the counter. Andrew handed Caryn the last plate to place into the dishwasher. “Want me to get that?”
Caryn shook her head. “I’ll greet our real estate agent. Can’t wait to see what conditions Dad has put on this transaction.”
Andrew heard the sarcasm in her tone and squeezed her hand. “I’ll finish up in here.” He grabbed a bottle of water and leaned against the table, watching as Caryn greeted the woman, opening the door and waving her inside. He suppressed a smile as Caryn stood to the side, arms folded across her chest, making no attempt to hide her irritation.
“This is just lovely,” the agent said. “Care to give me a tour?”
Caryn pointed toward the stairs. “Bedroom, sitting room, and bath in the loft. Everything else is on this level. Go ahead and look around.” She looked at Andrew and rolled her eyes as the woman climbed the stairs. “I didn’t make the bed,” she said in a whisper when she reached his side. “Or clean up after last night.”
“That could be a good strategy to discourage potential buyers.”
“Want to help me trash the kitchen?”
He laughed as he glanced at the spotless counters. “Nah, take too long. We can do that after we finish that chapter you were working on.”
“The one that put me to sleep? No thanks. This brain is done for the day.”
He looked past her as the agent stepped off the stairs and started toward them.
“You have a lovely home, Caryn.”
“I think so.” Her voice was quiet and Andrew slipped an arm around her shoulders as he introduced himself to the woman.
“Gloria Worthy. Our agency does quite a bit of business with The Stevens Company.” She handed her card to Andrew, who dropped it into his pocket without replying. She turned to Caryn. “If you need help finding a new place…”
“I don’t. What else do you need to see?”
“The kitchen, patio, downstairs bath. Won’t take me long. Then we can discuss what you need to do to properly show this home. Staging, as we call it.”
“Take your time. We’ll be in the living room.”
Andrew squeezed her shoulder as they walked toward the sofa. “Remind me not to get on your list.” His voice was low and he suppressed a smile when she looked at him.
“And what list would that be?”
“The one she’s on.” Andrew kissed her forehead. Caryn laughed softly as she leaned against him. They watched as Gloria completed her tour and walked toward them.
“Why don’t we sit down, and I’ll outline our process and timeline?”
Caryn indicated the chair and sat next to Andrew on the couch.
“This really is a beautiful home, Caryn. It will not be on the market long at the price range we received. I expect there will be several offers the first day we list it. There really isn’t that much you need to do. You’ll want to put up any personal items, photos, mementos, anything that identifies you personally. Fresh flowers daily is a nice touch, especially this time of year. You’ll need to keep every room spotless. You won’t always get a phone call before an agent brings a prospective buyer.”
“So, have you made arrangements to send the flowers daily and a cleaning service?” Caryn did not try to keep the sarcasm from her voice.
Gloria looked at her in surprise. “I suppose we can do that.”
“I’ll take care of my personal items, but that’s it. I’m not lifting a finger to help this sale.” She felt Andrew’s hand grasp hers, squeezing it.
“I’ll have a photographer out tomorrow. Don’t worry, he knows what we need for the listing.”
Caryn nodded, not really listening, tightly gripping Andrew’s hand. He glanced at her before speaking.
“When will you enter the listing?”
“Oh, we’ll have it in the system before the end of the day. The photos will follow. It’s possible you’ll have interest this evening, but I’m thinking definitely by tomorrow.” She nodded toward the textbooks. “Don’t worry about being here, Caryn. I’ll install a coded entry system before I leave. I will just need a copy of your door key.”
“Could you show by appointment only?” Andrew asked.
The agent shook her head. “Our instructions specified access eight in the morning until nine at night. Most agents will call ahead, but some will just show up or stop by when they see the ‘For Sale’ sign.”
“So much for privacy.” Caryn stood. “What else do you need?”
Gloria glanced through her notes. “Just the door key.”
Caryn grabbed her purse from the table and pulled the keys from the pocket. Her fingers trembled slightly as she slid the key from the ring, and then held her hand toward the agent. “Anything else?”
If Gloria noticed the sharp tone, she gave no indication. “No, this will be just fine, Caryn. I’ll get the lock set up, then be on my way.”
Caryn turned her head, and Andrew stood, touching her shoulder briefly before walking the agent to the door. He followed her outside and watched as the entry system was installed.
“What’s the asking price?”
Her response surprised him.
“I would think this location would have been higher.”
Gloria shrugged. “It’s priced to sell. Like I said earlier, this won’t be on the market long.”
Andrew stepped inside and watched as Caryn pulled photos and decorations from the shelves, tossing them on the couch.
“Cary, you don’t need to do this now. I’ll get some boxes and help you.”
She turned toward him, anger and frustration tinting her words. “You heard her. People could knock on the door any time. I don’t want strangers looking at my pictures, my personal things.” She impatiently swiped at her eyes. “If he wants me out of here, I’m not going to wait and be forced out.”
She turned back to the shelves, her shoulders shaking slightly, and reached for another framed photo. She cursed softly as it slid through her fingers, glass shattering on the hardwood floor. Andrew caught her arm before she could lean down to retrieve it.
“I’ll help you with this,” he said as he pulled her away from the broken glass and wrapped his arm
s around her. “We’ll get everything packed up before the first person comes through that door.”
“It could be tonight or tomorrow morning.”
Andrew nodded toward the interior locks on the front door. “Not if we don’t unbolt those locks.”
In spite of her anger, Caryn laughed softly. “Barricade?”
“If that’s what it takes. I told you that no one comes in until you are ready.”
Caryn leaned her face against his chest with a sigh. “Part of me wants out of here right now. The other part…” She shrugged. “This is my home. I can’t even start to think about finding a new place.”
Andrew kissed the top of her head. “You don’t need to decide anything today. Why don’t we get out of here for a while? We can take some things over to my place, then get boxes and take care of the rest later.” He hugged her tightly. “I’ll get this glass cleaned up. Why don’t you grab some clothes for a few days while we sort things out?”
She pulled back until she could see his eyes. “I don’t want this all dumped on you.”
He brushed his hand across her cheek. “Not a chance.” He tipped her chin and leaned to kiss her. “We’ll figure this out together.”
***
By the time Caryn had tidied her bedroom and gathered some clothes, Andrew had wrapped the personal items she’d tossed on the sofa and placed them in cloth shopping bags. He glanced at her as she set her overnight bag near the door. “Did you get what you wanted from your room?”
She shook her head with a bitter laugh. “Can we just get out of here for a while? If I stay here much longer, I might start throwing things over the balcony at the door.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Andrew eyed the open space above his head. “Got your textbooks?”
Caryn grabbed her backpack and shoved her texts, notebooks, iPad, and laptop inside, then pulled her flash drive from her desktop and slipped it into her pocket. Andrew took the backpack and nodded toward the cloth shopping bags.
“If you grab those, I’ll get your suitcase. I assume you have an extra key to lock the door?”
She reached into her pocket and handed it to him. “Hang on to it. It’s the only duplicate I have.” She reached for her coat, turning toward Andrew with the hint of a smile crossing her face. “Would hate to have to change all the locks.”
He laughed softly and nodded toward the door. “Let’s get out of here before you get any more ideas.”
They stowed everything in the trunk, then Andrew opened the passenger door, seeing Stevens’ “proposal” as Caryn picked it up before sliding into the seat. “Just toss that in the back seat, Cary.”
By the time he’d joined her in the car, she held the bound file toward him. “I recognize the cover. From my dad?”
Andrew sighed as he started the car. “It’s nothing important. I’m shredding it when I get home.”
“So, Dad gives you ‘this’ while my mom eases her conscience by bringing me money. What did he offer you?”
“Nothing that interests me.” He reached for the file and dropped it on the floor behind his seat.
“How much?”
Andrew glanced at her. “Doesn’t matter, Caryn. I told him I’m not interested.”
“The answer to any problem—buy the outcome he wants. I can’t believe he’d do that to you. I’m sorry you’re in the middle of this.”
“I’m not. This time your father can’t bully, intimidate or buy what he wants.”
***
Andrew helped her get settled in his apartment, asked for a shopping list, then grabbed on his jacket as Caryn pulled her finance text from her bag. Her mother’s envelope fell to the floor, and with a sigh she picked it up and handed it to him. “You’d better take this. The way I feel right now, I’d just as soon throw it in the fireplace.”
He suppressed a smile as he shoved the envelope into his pocket. “Got a deposit slip handy? I’ll take it to the bank.”
“Just stick it somewhere safe. Dad’s co-owner on all my accounts. He’ll probably close them before the end of the day.”
Andrew reached to brush the hair away from her face. “Think so?”
“That would be why my mother brought me cash.”
“Let’s open a new account for you, then.”
Caryn shook her head as she rested her hand on his chest. “I can’t even think about that now. Maybe tomorrow.” He saw the weariness in her eyes and closed his arms around her.
“Why don’t you get some rest, Cary?”
She leaned her head contentedly against his chest. “I could stay like this forever.” Andrew kissed the top of her head.
He hugged her affectionately. “Make yourself at home. Mi casa, su casa—or however that goes.”
She reached to kiss his cheek. “Don’t be long.”
“Not a chance.”
Andrew placed a call to his agent as he was getting into his car. He briefed him on the condo’s pending listing. “Can you get a contract in today without anything tracking back to me? Offer list price, close ASAP. Whatever you have to do. Just get the property and keep my name out of it, Don.”
The agent thought a minute. “Let me check with a friend of mine. We might be able to do the deal through him. We can transfer ownership to you after closing.”
“Make it happen. I’ll owe you.”
***
Anger toward her parents combined with Andrew’s love and support fueled Caryn’s energy and determination to continue each day as though the confrontation had not occurred. They settled into a comfortable routine at his apartment, stopping by her home only to pick up clothes or water the plants.
“Wonder who’s been in here?” Caryn said as she checked the refrigerator for spoiled foods. “This milk alone would be enough to make me run.”
Andrew took the carton and poured it down the sink. “Eau de Sour Milk. Guaranteed to prevent sales.” He grabbed a trash bag and held it toward her. “Toss everything in here—doesn’t look like there’s anything worth salvaging.”
Caryn glanced over her shoulder as she grabbed some wilted produce. “Maybe it’s why there hasn’t been a buyer.”
“Whatever works.”
As Caryn had predicted, her checking and savings accounts had been closed by the time she visited an ATM, and reluctantly, she opened a new account at a different bank, depositing the money her mom had given her. Enough for tuition and books through graduation, but not rent and food beyond a few months. She couldn’t stay with Andrew indefinitely. She knew he’d feel obligated to ask her to stay. But, it was just too soon.
She’d find a job so she could afford an apartment. She checked the job boards on campus, but this late in the semester and with the approaching holidays, found little available. Grabbing a couple of cards advertising jobs at restaurants and bars near campus, she dropped them in her backpack before heading for her next class.
TWENTY
Later that week, she sat on the bed watching as Andrew packed for a four-game road trip to the West Coast. Her stomach knotted at the thought of his leaving for eight days, but determined not to show it, she stood and smoothed the clothes he’d hung in the garment bag.
“I don’t think I told you I opened the new checking account.”
“Good, you finally got that cash deposited. Your mother generous?”
Caryn shrugged. “Enough for to cover tuition and books through graduation, then some to live on if I get a job. I really, really hate using any of his money.”
“Then don’t.”
“Not much choice.”
He stopped packing and turned toward her. “There are other options.”
“I know. I can take a semester off and work full-time.”
Andrew smoothed the hair around her face, resting his palm on her cheek. “That’s not what I mean, Cary. You don’t need to interrupt your schedule, take a job or anything else. I’ll help you.”
She shook her head.
“Why not?”
“I
can do this myself. It’s not your problem. I don’t want you to feel obligated because of what happened with my parents.”
“Obligation has nothing to do with it. I love you. I want to help you.”
“I’m not your responsibility, Andrew.” The words sounded sharp, even to her. He stepped back, his blue eyes steadily holding her gaze.
“That’s not how I see it.”
Suddenly the anger and frustration building over the past few days erupted. “I’ll deal with this, Drew.” He didn’t respond, and Caryn turned and left the room. She randomly grabbed a textbook from her backpack, along with her highlighter and iPad, and sat down to study at the kitchen counter. She flipped the book open and stared blindly at the page, fighting back tears of frustration.
Why does everyone try to control me? I’m an adult—not a helpless child—perfectly capable of making my own decisions. She’d go over to a couple of the restaurants later in the day; hopefully get a job, then start looking for an apartment—or check the university website for students seeking roommates.
She grabbed her iPad and logged on to the student portal, navigating to the housing options. A long list of roommate opportunities appeared, and she scanned the list quickly, looking for a familiar name. She took a deep breath, relief slowly replacing anxiety.
Andrew’s hand squeezed her shoulder and he leaned to kiss the top of her head. “I’m going to be heading out in a few.”
She looked up at him in surprise. “I’ll drive you to the airport.”
“No need.” He brushed the hair from her face. “I’ve got a ride.”
She averted her eyes. “I’m sorry about the way I acted.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Drew, I’ve never had to do anything for myself,” she tried to explain. “My parents gave me everything. Not counting summer camp when I taught tennis or when I worked at Dad’s headquarters during school vacations, I’ve never even had a job. I’ve never had to take care of myself.”