The “For Sale” sign goes up on my front lawn. I watch from my living room window, my eyes tearing up. After another missed payment and more notices from the mortgage company, we made the decision to sell. Knowing this is our best option, doesn’t ease my sense of failure.
I look over at my mom sitting on the couch and know she's feeling the same. Neither of us wanted this to be the outcome, but after talking it out, we knew this was our next step. Mrs. Thorne knocks on the door, and I let her in. She gives us both hugs.
"What did the Realtor say?" she asks.
"He thinks it will sell quickly; the market for lower-priced houses is high. It shouldn’t have a problem selling for the asking price. The bones are solid, even if it needs updates,” Mom answers.
"Sounds good. Do you know where you're going to move to?" she asks me.
Mom will be moving in with Stacy because it makes the most sense. With her consistent nine-to-five work schedule, she can be there more for my mom than I can. That leaves me scrambling to find somewhere for me to stay. The third bedroom in Stacy’s house isn’t an option, with all of Cole’s stuff still occupying it. Finding a place with rent that I can afford feels impossible.
"I’ve looked at a few studio apartments that are closer to the city. The neighborhoods aren’t the best, but they're affordable."
"I'm sure the perfect thing will come along," Mom encourages.
I wish I could have her positivity. I’ll likely have to find another job by winter to keep up with my expenses.
"If you get desperate, you and your mom can double up in the bedroom. I'd let you take Cole's room, but he will need it soon."
Cole's NHL team in New York went out in the first round of the playoffs, swept in only four games. Talks about renewing his contract with them broke down. His professional career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows over four seasons. His rookie season was spectacular, but this last season was not good.
"It's okay. I’ll figure it out," I assure her.
I know there’s somewhere I can go, but I’m unsure how comfortable that living arrangement would be. Talon and I have been talking almost daily since his visit last week. He’ll be coming home from LA tomorrow. He has a rental house lined up and is more than willing to have me occupy one of his spare rooms there rent-free. It’s a tough offer to turn down, but I refuse to be a freeloader.
Aside from the financials, living with Talon might end up a disaster. He wants to rekindle our relationship, but I’m hesitant to want anything more than casual with him. Living together might make this a total nightmare, but it’s the best choice I have right now. He says the house is enormous with lots of room, which would be easy to avoid if needed. How bad could it be?
I place my grocery bags in the trunk of my car when I feel someone walk up behind me. I check to ensure my purse is secure and turn around to meet smiling brown eyes.
“Hey Foster, what are you doing here?”
He gives me a deadpan look, “Grocery shopping.”
I roll my eyes, “Obviously. I meant being in Springbrook. I thought your parents moved away a few years back.”
“They did. I have some business to take care of.”
“Business?” I can’t imagine what business he’d have to handle here.
“Yep, nosey. Something that might keep me in town more often, but I can’t talk about it yet. Would you like to have lunch with me?”
“I need to get these home, but lunch afterward would be great. I need to leave the house anyway because we have a showing this afternoon.”
“Great. I need to grab a couple of things from the store. How about we meet at Buster’s for burgers in twenty?”
I nod, “I’ll be there.”
It takes me almost all of that time to run home, put all of my groceries away, and haul my ass to the small hole-in-the-wall grill that Foster picked. I walk into the dimly lit place and see him sitting in a booth to the left. I slide onto the seat in front of him and grab the menu waiting for me. I don’t really need it. Buster’s burgers are legendary around here. I know I want mine with onion rings. The waitress comes over quickly, and we place our order.
“I can’t wait. I’ve missed this place so much,” Foster says when she leaves.
“Your job is all about training and healthy eating. This doesn’t seem like your kind of place. ”
“So, you’ve looked me up, huh?”
I eye him over my glass of coke, “I’ve kept tabs on you from time to time.”
“Good to know. Healthy eating is great, but sometimes a greasy burger is needed to hit the spot. Indulging occasionally keeps me sane.”
