That brings us to Mr. Christopher Dumphrey. Getting a read on him will take me longer than the other two did. He is doing the same thing that I am. He is reading everyone and projecting a false front. He is someone I will have to watch.
As she introduced us Beverly assigned accounts and divided the work load. Everyone seemed to know exactly what was expected of them except for me. I sat there looking attentive. Just before we broke and almost as an afterthought, Beverly introduced me and said that I was her intern and stated she “Will be giving me assignments on a case by case basis.” She also stated that I “was still in school, so they should not expect too much from me.”
My smile almost froze on my face. ‘WTF…Did I screw up?’ When we got up to leave Beverly asked me to come to her office so she could “Help me with my homework.”
When I followed her in she told me to “Close the door so we wouldn’t be disturbed”. I did that and turned around to have a seat.
“Comments? Questions?” She said this all the while looking at me. I know when it is only the two of us that she expects me to be totally honest and forth right. So I was.
“Who moved the chair from the table?”
“I did.” Still staring at me.
I thought about how to phrase my next question. “If you did not want me to sit in at the meeting you would have told me, true?” She nodded yes.
“You moved the chair before the others showed up. That means you wanted them to see me move the chair to the table.” I thought about it for a minute and realized it’s subliminal message.
“You wanted them to see me claim my place at the table?”
“Well done Sarah.” Big smile now. “You are young and female. Those are two things that lead people to disregard you, and think of you as inconsequential. Never let that happen.” She is definitely in Mentor Mode now.
“Your next set of classes start tonight and you know what I expect.” Yes Mom. “You will come here to do your school work and research. However I want you to use your own lap top computer and not the office ones. Understood?
“Yes ma’am.”
“I still expect you to come here every day but, unless I tell you different, you are to concentrate on your classes. Any questions?” I shook my head ‘No’.
She paused a moment before going on. “I am interested in what you think of our colleagues.”
So I told her. She seemed to slightly nod to herself as if I had confirmed what she was thinking. When we were done I gathered some things from my office and left without saying good-bye to the others.
Classes were to start at 7:30 PM (whatever that is in military time) and I had to get a base pass at the La Salle Street gate. Things went pretty smoothly there.
I arrived an hour early, but since I had all of my paperwork including my student ID, it only took ten minutes to get a pass that was good for the semester. There was one other woman there who was also getting a pass that was good for St. Leo. I started a conversation with her.
Her name was Charlene but she said to call her “Charlie”. She was once married to an Air Force guy but that didn’t work out so she dropped him. However since she had started on a degree in Sociology, and was almost halfway through, she decided to stay enrolled in St. Leo’s on the base.
I followed her to the St. Leo class building on the far side of the base and parked next to her in the parking lot. Having someone to talk to helped sooth down the butterflies in my stomach. This was the first time I have actually sat in a class room since I was kicked out of school at 16.
Charlie made sure I knew where to go and what to do before heading off to her own room. The previous class was still in session so I cooled my heels while waiting outside the room and tried to look nonchalant. Yep, just like high school.
Finally the other class was over and those of us who were waiting went in. I preferred to sit in the back by the door so I could leave as soon as possible, but I need to get everything I can out of this class. So I changed to a seat with a good view of the front of the room.
Most of the first hour was devoted to explaining the syllabus and defining what was expected of us. We were only going to concentrate on about 20% of the text book. I had previously gone over the entire thing and repeatedly worked out the problems in the instructor edition. Unless I got cocky, I should do fairly well in this class.
When leaving school I sent Ann a text to see if she wanted me to pick up anything on the way home. I also talked to Dave who was finishing up in Emporia and hoping to head home the next day. This job lasted longer than he planned. He said he was tired of sleeping in the same hotel room with the other guys who snored and farted all night. Which is something I can appreciate.
Ann was full of questions when I walked in the door. I didn’t have the chance to answer one of them before she would ask another one. She had cooked some mac-n-cheese for dinner and I was scarfing it down like a forgotten refugee. She waited until I finished then showed me a letter that the city of Hampton sent to all the duplexes.
Just looking at the official envelope I knew that this could not be good.
The City of Hampton has decided to revitalize the corridor along Mallory Street from Phoebus to Buckroe. Reading further past the gobbledygook hype I found why Ann was upset. Part of this wonderful masterplan had to do with buying up some of the adjacent properties (such as my duplexes) and constructing ‘Affordable Housing’.
I can see why Ann made sure to feed me first before showing this to me. I feel like somebody punched me in the gut. Sitting there looking off into space I could feel Ann staring at me, waiting for my response. “Did all of the units get the same letter?” Ann nodded yes, and I reread it again.
They were going to claim ‘Imminent Domain’ and pay the owners for the property they seized. The city seemed to think that was fair and everyone would be happy and compliant with their offers. Inside my head I was screaming. Everything felt like it was closing in and I knew Ann was worried about my silence. There was no timeline attached to this plan so it might take a while. Maybe even years. I worked very hard to get the tenants I have and that work helped guarantee me a steady source of income. With this letter going to everybody they could just pack up and leave tomorrow.
There is also the not so inconsequential matter of how I acquired these units and if all that effort would stand up to a close government scrutiny.
I took a drink of water and sat there thinking.
* * *
Ann was perched on the couch nearby staring at her best friend and self-adopted sister. She hadn’t wanted to show Sarah that letter but knew that bad news needed to be faced sooner rather than later. When Sarah got quiet and concentrated on something like this, a ‘worry line’ would show on her forehead. She could imagine the thoughts whirling around inside Sarah’s head but knew she didn’t have a chance of following them. Sometimes Ann didn’t think they even spoke the same mental language. Due to her upbringing Sarah may have had less than zero domestic skills, but this is something she would understand. Right now Ann knew that the only thing she could do was sit there and be supportive.
* * *
I am going to need some help. There is too much at stake and too many variables that I simply do not understand. It is obvious who I need to talk to.
But first, before that, I need to reassure my renters that the wrecking crews are not going to be here tomorrow to tear everything down.
The next morning I made it a point to meet my next door tenant Maria when she went out the door on her way to work. I asked if she would talk to her friends who also rented from me. I said I was worried that the others might misunderstand the letter everybody had gotten. She looked suspicious at first but was clearly thinking about this and trying to come up with an angle that she could use. Good, I like that in a person.
Since this might take at least a year to go through I didn’t want to lose
my cash flow now. My only other option would be to rent to whoever else I could find, and take my chances that there wouldn’t be any problems with them. Not exactly good odds.
Then I thought of a sweetener she would like.
“Of course I would talk to everyone myself but my Spanish is lousy and I don’t want to say something wrong, or be misunderstood. You understand.”
She just nodded so I went on. “I have already cleared it and if you could do this for me, and no one moves out. Then I am authorized to reduce the rent that you and Salina pay every month.”
“How much reduced?”
“By a hundred dollars each month. But this is just for you and no one else.” I knew I had her interest so I kept going. “Besides if you do move I don’t think you will find a nearby place any cheaper than here. Not a good one anyway. While this letter from the city is full of grand ideas they didn’t say anything about when this was going to happen did they?”
She thoughtfully shook her head. “I understand, but the others might not.”
Crap, here it comes. Everybody wants a sweetener.
“If you could reduce their rent just a little then it might help. Not as much as ours, but a little.”
“I will see about reducing it by fifty dollars each but no more than that. Agreed?”
“Si, we have a deal.”
I got into the office, dropped my class books off at my desk and went into see Beverly. She was on the phone but could tell something was wrong. Wordlessly she motioned for me to close the door and have a seat.
When she finished her conversation I handed her the letter and waited. When Beverly finished reading she sipped from her cup of coffee and stared out the window for a moment before focusing on me.
“You have problems.”
“I know, that’s why I came to you.”
“Did all of your renters get the same letter?”
“Yes, I believe so.” We were both looking at each other now.
“This will cost you money when they move out.”
“I have already taken steps to handle that. I will not make as much as before, but it should stop that particular problem.” I can see the beginning of a smile when I told her that.
“Good. You always need to get ahead of things like this, that way you can guide the course of events instead of being run over by them. I am only surprised that it took the city so long to tell you about it.”
“I saw some surveyors from the city but I just thought…” Suddenly I caught on to what she had said. “You knew this was going to happen didn’t you?” I can see that radiant smile she gives when I figure things out.
“Yes, I have known for a while now. In case you forgot, I told you that you would need to know Mr. Wendell. Did you think it was only so he could co-sign your scholarship application?” Oh crap.
“How did you know? There was nothing about it in the paper or on the cities web site. I made sure to check them and specifically look for anything like this.”
“The question is not how I knew, but why you didn’t. That question will wait for a different time. Since your ownership of these three units might raise some…. Well, let’s just say questions, you really need to engage Mr. Wendell’s services. Shall I set up an appointment for you?” Sometimes her smile infuriates me. On the other hand I am so glad she is on my side.
“Yes, Beverly. I would really appreciate that.”
“All right, I will let you know when he can see you and I shall brief him on the particulars of the case. Whatever he asks for as a fee, accept it. If he offers to handle everything for you, accept it. If he tells you to do something, do it. Do not try to bargain or make any side deals. Understand?”
“Yes Ma’am.” Hesitating a moment “It would probably be good if I began to hit the books in my office now.”
“What a wonderful idea.” She was obviously trying not to break out laughing as I walked out the door.
Nothing happened for the next few days but I knew that if there was a problem then Beverly would let me know. I tried to put things out of my mind as much as I could. Dave’s job had been extended once again in Emporia. I could hear the frustration in his voice when we spoke at night or talked on the phone while I was driving to work in the morning. The latest projected completion time has them winding things up late Friday afternoon then heading back here right afterwards. I told him about my class on Friday being scheduled from 5-10 so we agreed to get together on Saturday.
Meanwhile I was studying my little head off going over everything I could. I need to do well this semester. Since I got a ‘B’ on a test in one of my remedial classes the first semester I felt driven to improve and perfect my GPA. I want this not just to show others I can do this, (others meaning mostly Beverly) but to show myself as well.
I grew up in a trailer park and quit school at 16. I know what people think of someone with that kind of background. Mostly they’re right. But I am not going to end up as some poor T.P.T. (Trailer Park Trash) who is knocked up by a random guy she met in a bar. Steadily growing bitterer each day as I get older seeing my life slip away. In short I was never going to end up turning into my mother.
The others who work here are obviously trying to figure out how I fit in. Beverly told them I was her intern but didn’t assign me any specific duties. I know they are going to test and poke at me until they can assign me some pigeon hole in their minds.
Thursday morning Beverly had a meeting with a new client at their office and told us that she would come in late. Guess the others didn’t want her in the office when they tried their first little test. As soon as I came in, and was settling down for some serious studying, Charles walked into my office and laid two dollars on my desk. I looked up and waited for him to speak.
Where I grew up in Savannah offering a woman two dollars had a very ugly connotation. One that I know he wasn’t aware of. I was also doing everything I could to keep my temper in check. (Maybe I do get angry too easy.) I simply looked at him and kept a blank expression on my face. He opened this game so it was up to him to speak first.
He looked at me, but not in my eyes. “Here you go, I thought I would chip in and have you make a morning donut run for everybody.”
Really?
“Why would I do that?” Doing my best to sound puzzled and not perturbed.
“Well since you brought them in here Monday I thought that was part of your job. I like the crème filled ones with the chocolate sprinkles on top. You’ll have to ask the others what they like.” From my office I can see out into the receptionist area and knew from the set of her shoulders that Katie had taken all of this in and was smirking.
In my head I could hear Beverly’s admonishment about not letting others either ‘disregard you or treat you as inconsequential’. I am not some empty headed ‘office girl’ or ‘gofer’, and they are not going to treat me like one. I am also going to begin handling things like this more diplomatically then I am used to doing.
“No thanks Charles. I’m not hungry or I would chip in too. But I do appreciate the offer.” He got a puzzled look on his face. My reply was not in the script he had mentally made up in his head. Since I knew Katie was enjoying this so much I decided to include her in this little mini office drama.
“I’m sure that if you watch the phones for her that Katie wouldn’t mind going for everybody. After all it is in her job description. I know because I helped draft it with Beverly.” I could see her stiffen at her desk. “I don’t want anything but tell her to be sure to ask Christopher what his order is as long as she is going.”
Charles looked at me in total surprise. He then picked up his money and quietly walked away. I guess he didn’t want the donuts that bad after all.
No one spoke to me for the rest of the day. Although strangely enough the vibe I got from Christopher was that he found it amusing. I didn’t mention this to Beverly, it
simply wasn’t that important. Meanwhile, back to the books. Damn, I miss having Dave here.
Friday morning Beverly told me I had a 10:30 appointment the next Tuesday with Mr. Wendell and to be sure I was there on time. She admonished me once again not to quibble with him about the cost for his services but simply to agree with whatever he asked. Knowing Beverly there are side deals going on that I will never really know about. Deals that I am somehow a part of.
That night was my first one for a Friday night class. The professor might have been able to be a little more boring, but I don’t know how. His voice was a perfect monotone with no inflection what so ever. He was not instructing as much as he was reading straight from the book. Looking around the room all I could see was blank faces with glazed eyes that were trying as hard as they could to stay awake. My one consoling thought was that this is the type of instructor who would take the test questions directly from the samples in the book. I didn’t think that he would have enough imagination to think of new ones.
During a break I received a text from Dave that he was beat and on the way home. I told him to drink lots of Red Bull to stay awake and we would get together tomorrow when he woke up. From now on I intend to bring at least one can of some kind of energy drink with me so I can stay awake in these classes too.
Ann almost always works on Friday night so I crashed when I went home. It was raining so I hoped that Dave had made it back all right. I imagined him resting in his own bed, in his own room and hopefully dreaming about me.
The next morning when I woke up I texted him:
ME: You up?
HIM: Yes, still lying in bed.
ME: I am in my bed. You are in your bed. One of us is in the wrong place.
HIM: I am going to put on my shoes. Maybe some pants. Be right there.
ME: The door is unlocked.
This could be a good day after all.
My poor baby was still tired from working and being with me hardly gave him a chance to rest. He was happy, but beat. Dave is working tonight at one of the clubs so I let him sleep while I went over to talk to Ann. It has gotten to the point that if we don’t talk face to face at least once a day we both get nervous.
Opening the Door Page 11