by Joy Redmond
She imagined Abbie building castles in the sand and her heart warmed. Then she pictured Kati, strutting her stuff up and down the beach, bikini clad, and she shuddered. She noticed fisherman out on the end of the pier. Tony will love to fish off the pier. And so will I.
Mandy found a cheap motel next to a Waffle House. This is a flea bag motel, but it’ll serve the purpose for a few days. And I can have breakfast right across the parking lot and tank on coffee before I start house-hunting.
She dragged her suitcase up a flight of steps, inserted the door key and stepped inside. “Good Lord, it’s a hundred degrees in here,” she said as she wiped sweat from her upper lip. She turned the window unit air conditioner on high. She sat down on the bedside. She bounced up and down.
“Not bad. It’ll do.” She unpacked while the room cooled, then found a phone book in the top drawer of the night stand. She turned to the Yellow Pages, ran her finger down a list of realtors and on the sixth one, her finger stopped as if it were glued to the page. “Okay, I’ll take that as this is the one you, whomever you are, wants me to call.”
She un-wrapped a glass in the bathroom and filled it with cold tap water. She took a sip and spit. That’s hot and tastes horrible. I’ll fill the ice bucket. Maybe ice will give it a better taste. She walked down the steps, found the ice machine, filled the bucket, and then went back upstairs to her room. The ice made the water feel good to her throat, but the taste of the water was horrible. I guess I’ll get used to it. Hopefully the water will taste better at whatever home I find. Jeez!
She dialed the phone number for the realtor. An agent was more than happy to have a client. They agreed to meet at 8 am the next morning. The agent said she’d pick Mandy up and they’d look at every listing. He assured her that he’d find her the perfect home.
Mandy was tired and she stretched out on the bed, and as the cool air from the window unit blew over her body, she fell asleep. When she awoke, she glanced at the clock on the nightstand. She couldn’t believe she had slept for three hours. I’m heading back to the beach. I’ll eat something from the concession stand, walk the beach, then wait for sunset. I’m so in love with Clearwater.
She felt a gentle squeeze to her right shoulder, then she felt a push in the middle of her back. Hey, I’m going. I’m going. And thanks for being with me. Can you dance on top of the water when we get there? She laughed, then felt a hard slap to the back of her head. “I was joking. Jeez!”
The next morning, Mandy was up by 7 am. She dressed, had breakfast at the Waffle House, tanked on coffee, and then waited for the real estate agent to arrive.
Mandy was getting discouraged as the realtor took her from home to home. Nothing struck her fancy and most of them were out of her price range. Finally, they turned off Belcher Road, and on to Coachman Road. Three houses down, the agent pulled into a driveway. A warm glow came over Mandy and peace settled around her.
The house had great curb appeal with its beautiful flowers, and the green lawn looked like carpet. The water sprinklers were going. She was amazed at the tiny lizards running over the sidewalk. She felt her heart flutter as she got out of the car and they headed to the front door.
A nice lady answered the door, then said she would go outside on the patio while they looked at the house.
The realtor said, “This is what we call a split-family home. The master bedroom is on one end and the other two bedrooms are down the hall on the far end.”
Mandy went from room to room. The house had a large living room, spacious kitchen with a separate dining area on the far end, and a family room. The master bedroom had a full bathroom and a large walk-in closet. The two bedrooms on the other end of the house were large with spacious closets and there was a large bathroom mid-way of the hallway.
“This is absolutely perfect!”
The lady of the house came back inside. “Do you like it?” she sweetly asked.
“I love it. I just hope we can come to terms on a price. I love the way you have it furnished. That coffee table and those end tables with the smoked glass tops are extraordinary.”
“Thank you. I’m selling the furniture too. So if you’re interested in buying the tables, we can add it to the price.” She cleared her throat. “If we agree on a price.”
“Could you tell me about the schools? I have a child in grade school, one in middle school and one in high school.”
“We have great schools in this area. And the neighbors are the greatest. We’re all like family here on Coachman Road.”
Lord, spirits, hear me. She’s asking more than I can pay. Don’t let her laugh at my offer. Give her a push!
Chapter Thirteen
Mandy felt a gentle squeeze on her shoulders and smiled inwardly as the agent drove her back to the motel. I feel you. I don’t know if the squeeze means that she’s going to accept my offer, or if it means that things are going to work out for me even if she doesn’t, she thought. Her thoughts turned to the house and how much she felt wanted and comfortable just being inside.
The agent pulled into the parking lot, turned to her and said. “I think you made her a fair offer. I’ll get back to the office, fill out the paperwork, and take it to her. I do know that she’s anxious to move back up north and be with her family, so it just might work out for us all.”
“I sure hope so. But if not, I guess we can start over tomorrow,” Mandy said. “Thanks for your time. I’ll be in the motel for a few hours, but I’ll be on the beach when the sun sets. I can’t miss that beautiful sight.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I know. You have a good day,” he said as she got out of the car, but her mind was on the move and the beauty of the place.
Mandy looked out over the small town. She decided she’d walk around and take in the area and acclimate herself to Clearwater. She had only walked four blocks when the Florida heat and humidity was more than she could bear. I’ve got to acclimate myself to this weather too. Her clothes were sticking to her.
She went back to the motel and when she cooled down a bit, she took a shower. As she sat on the edge of the bed, towel-drying her hair, she realized she was hungry. She wanted to grab something to eat at the concession stand on the beach, but she didn’t want to leave the motel until it was time for the sun to set, and she didn’t want to take a chance on missing a phone call.
She picked up the phone, but hesitated for just an instant before she dialed 9 for an outside line. Then she placed a collect call to her parents’ number, dreading to hear the boo-hooing from Iris, but she badly wanted to hear Abbie’s sweet voice. And she felt it only right that her parents have a number to reach her in case of an emergency with one of the children. She was ready for whatever Iris was going to dish out to her and steeled herself as the phone rang.
Iris accepted the call, then handed the phone to Abbie. I guess she’s going to save the sermon until I get back to Kentucky, she thought, and heaved a sigh of relief. Then she heard Abbie’s sweet voice. “Hi, Mommy! Did you find us a new house?”
“Hi, sweetheart. Yes I did. And you’ll love it. You’ll love going to the beach too. It’s beautiful down here in Florida. You can get Grandmother to show you where Florida is on the map. Are you having a good visit?”
“Yeah, but I want you to come home. I miss you.”
“I miss you, sweet baby. Mommy will be back as soon as I can. When Kati and Tony come over to visit Grandmother and Granddaddy, be sure to tell them that I love them too. I need to go, sweetie. I’ll call again before I head back to Kentucky. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mommy. Bye.”
Mandy hung up the phone and Abbie’s sweet voice was still ringing in her ear. She missed all of her children. Tears came unbidden to her as she sat for a few minutes, letting memories tiptoe through her mind. The past two years in Missouri had been the happiest years of her life. But Florida was beckoning her to stay.
She had just finished dressing and was about to leave when the phone rang. “Oh, Lord. Is that Iris
on a crying spell? Or maybe it’s Kati and Tony. And maybe I need to answer it instead of standing here talking to myself. Hello?”
“Mandy. This is Brad Bentley. Ms. Schultz didn’t hesitate on the offer. She wants five-hundred as earnest money. Which means if you back out, then she keeps the five-hundred. Can you do that?”
“I sure can and I sure will. Do you mind to come back to the motel and I’ll write you a check.
“I’ll be right there.”
Mandy’s hands were trembling as she wrote out the check. “Step one,” she said, stood and danced a little jig. “Hot dayum, Sam! I’m gonna get my house and I’m gonna live in Florida and I’m gonna go to the beach every day.” She stopped in mid jig. “I pray that I’m gonna find a job as soon as I get settled in. I’m still flying on wings of faith. But faith has brought me this far. Faith will carry me onward.”
Thirty minutes later, Brad pulled into the parking lot and Mandy ran down the steps to meet him. “Is it okay if I go with you to deliver the check?”
“You sure can. Hop in. I’m taking the paperwork for her to sign stating she has accepted your offer.”
As they pulled into the driveway on Coachman Road, Mandy’s heart was racing. “My new home,” she whispered and a warm glow flowed through her.
Ms. Schultz seemed as happy as Mandy as she signed the papers, accepted the earnest check. She gave Mandy a hug. “I need thirty-days to get packed, then we’ll have the closing. Welcome to your new home.”
“Do you want me to give you a check for the coffee table and end tables? And if you’ll sell them, I’d like to buy the lamps on the end tables too.”
“You may have them, dear. But we can settle up at the closing. I’ll contact my lawyer and set a date. Please give me your phone number and I’ll give you a call.”
Brad interrupted. “I’ll handle all that, Ms. Schultz. You let me know and I’ll let Mandy know. We’ll all meet at the lawyer’s office when we get a date.”
“Do you mind if I take one more look through the house? I want to arrange furniture in my mind. That way I won’t drive the movers crazy when they get here.” Mandy looked at Brad. “Do you mind to give me a minute?”
“You sure can,” Ms. Schultz answered. She beamed as she looked at the check.
“Go ahead,” Brad answered, but he seemed a bit antsy.
Mandy went from room to room. Once she was sure she had the picture of everything in her mind, she came back into the living room. “I’ve got it all arranged,” she said, and Brad wiped his brow.
They walked back outside and Mandy laughed as she tried to miss all the lizards underfoot. “This will take some getting used to, but they are so cute and they have beautiful colors.”
“Just wait until you start dodging palmetto bugs. They aren’t cute and beautiful. Most people keep their houses sprayed and keep them under control,” he quickly added as if he thought he might have scared off a client, and she might run back into the house and snatch up the earnest check.
Mandy laughed. If only he knew some of the things that happened to her that were part of the spirit world. A few bugs and lizards were not going to scare her away.
When they got back to the motel, Mandy went across the parking lot and into the Waffle House. She didn’t realize just how hungry she was until she smelled the food. After she had eaten, she decided she’d drive back to her soon-to-be new neighborhood. Just by chance a few neighbors might be outside and she could introduce herself.
Mandy was amazed at how well she remembered what streets to take and where to make the right turns. It was as if she had lived in this town her entire life. She had a map of Clearwater she had picked up at the Waffle House, and the town was in block form. Streets either went up and down or crossways. All she had to do was memorize the names of the streets.
She pulled into the driveway of her soon-to-be new home. She knocked on the door and asked Ms. Schultz if it would be okay if she left her car there while she introduced herself to neighbors. Ms. Schultz said, “You sure can. And I’ll be happy to go with you. Now the house to our left, don’t bother. They aren’t too friendly. But the three neighbors on the right are wonderful people. Come on.”
As they walked across the yard, they had to dodge sprinklers. “That’s something else you’re probably not used to. If you don’t keep sprinklers going every day the grass will die. We all have a well for yard watering, and it doesn’t run up the water bill. They walked up to the door of the first neighbor. “Vickie lives here. She’s the carpool driver for grade school kids.”
Ms. Schultz rang the doorbell. A short, rotund lady, who looked to be in her early thirties, opened the door. Mandy smiled, extended her hand and said, “Hi. I’m Mandy. I’ll be your new neighbor this time next month.” Mandy practically beamed at her.
Vickie shook hands and Mandy thought she had one of the sweetest smiles she’d ever seen. “Nice to meet you, Mandy. Welcome to the neighborhood. We’re all like family around here. I’m the one who takes and picks up the children at Skycrest Elementary. Parents have to be at work before school is in session and they’re still at work when school is out for the day. So, I keep them until it’s time for me to deliver them to school, and I pick them up and keep them until their parents get home.” The young mom stopped to catch her breath when two small children ran to her side.
“That’s good to know. I have a little girl who’ll be in second grade this coming year. If you have room for one more, I’d like to put her name on your list.”
“I’ve got room, and Wanda, next door,” she said pointing to her right, “has a seven-year-old. They’ll be in the same class. Her name is Debbie and she’s a little sweetie. She’ll love having a playmate her age so close by.”
“Great! My daughter’s name is Abbie. She’s shy, but she’ll warm up quickly. Is Wanda home? I’d like to meet her and—”
Before Mandy finished her sentence, a car pulled into the driveway of the house that Vickie had pointed to. “Well, speak of the devil. There’s Wanda.” When the lady stepped out of the car, Vickie called out, “Hey, Wanda. Come over and meet our new neighbor.”
Mandy watched a tall, slim lady with flaming red hair, walking toward them. Vickie made the introductions. Mandy and Wanda shook hands and said it was nice to meet each other.
“You look frazzled, girl. Hard day at the office?” Vickie asked.
“It was maddening as usual. The phone never stops ringing. And patients asked me questions and I’m supposed to know the answers—like I’m the doctor.” She wiped her brow.
Mandy’s ears perked up. She works for a doctor?
Wanda continued. “I think everybody in the United States comes to Florida for plastic surgery. Dr. Barrow is booked up solid for the next year. He’s made three fortunes just doing boob jobs! I’ll be glad when he finally hires a new assistant, then she can answer a few of the questions that I’m supposed to know the answers to.”
“Assistant?” Mandy asked, her hopes rising. “I’ve had medical training and I’ve worked in the medical field in different capacities for a few years. I’ll be looking for a job as soon as I get moved in.”
“Then don’t waste any time. Get a resume typed up and get it to the office as soon as possible. I’m running myself ragged trying to do two people’s jobs.”
Mandy shuffled her feet and felt like a fool as she said, “I’ve never typed a resume. I’m not even sure how. But I sure would like to be considered for the job. I, er—”
Wanda laughed and gently placed her hand on Mandy’s shoulder. “Typing resumes for people is my moonlight job. I can get one done for you as soon as I cook, feed the kids, then get laundry started. Come back in a couple hours and we’ll get on it. And I know how to dress up a resume and really make you look good. No lies, mind you, just a little fringe around the edges.”
“Seriously? I can’t believe how things are just falling in place for me. I’ll be back. Thank you so much, Wanda. I think we’re going to be good friends,
and Abbie, my daughter, is going to be good friends with your daughter. Her name is Debbie, right?”
“Right. You’ll meet her when you come back.”
Ms. Schultz said, “Mandy, the man upstairs is sure looking out for you. He guided you to the right house, the right neighbors and hopefully the right job.” She patted Mandy’s arm, and Mandy noticed the sweet lady had tears about to spill down her face.
“He has always looked out for me. And the angels,” Mandy said. And the spirits, she thought and wondered if Mama had anything to do with guiding her to the right place with the right people.
Mandy bid them goodbye and told Wanda she’d be back after sunset. Dear God, this is too good to be true. It’s like everything just fell into my lap in one day, she thought as she headed back to her car.
She started the engine, her heart dancing and singing at her luck. She couldn’t make herself pull out from the driveway, so she sat for a minute and watched the lizards running up the sidewalk that led to her soon-to-be front door. She could have sworn one lizard was looking directly at her, blowing out its bright red throat, as if it was saying, Welcome home.
Mandy waved. “Thank you, big fellow. Tell all your friends I said howdy.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mandy drove back to the beach, and the white sand called out to her. She wanted to stick her toes in the sand and wade in the water as much as she could before she had to leave her newfound Paradise. She sauntered up and down the beach, watching the seagulls and marveling at how they would swoop down and grab food from the outstretched hands of people. She decided she’d buy a bag of French fries and see if they’d take them from her hand.
She felt like a gleeful child as she held out one fry at a time and a seagull would swoop down and grab it. She lost track of time and when she saw the sun descending, she sat on the water’s edge, stuck her toes in the water and watched as the sun, a bright red fireball, slid from view into a molten sea of crystalline water. “Breathtakingly beautiful,” she mumbled. She couldn’t bring herself to leave this beautiful spot.