Page 2 of One Lustful Summer
Maggie
Sun shines in through the cracks in the curtains and I roll to my back, taking it all in. The small addition on the back of the house was nothing I had envisioned.
When Lauren led me behind the house yesterday, I was unprepared for my discovery. Fairly new and inviting was the twenty by twenty room. Newly painted, the white wood siding was crisp and clean. The windows shined clear, a complete difference from the front of the house.
Every accommodation you could possibly need was in the small room. A kitchenette that included a mini fridge, a hot plate, and a microwave filled one corner of the room. There was a small bathroom built out in the opposite corner of the room. Was it a smaller version of what I was used to? Sure. But it was mine, and it was more than I was expecting after I saw the house in person yesterday.
When I asked Lauren about this room and why it was up to date when the rest of the house wasn’t, she explained to me that the house had been in the family, and her cousin Rowan had fixed up this room for their grandmother. The home was too much for her to take care of and the family wanted to move her out, but she wanted to stay on the property, so he gave her a safe place to live while he worked. He was going to begin the renovations on the rest of the house, but after her passing, the uncle who was over the estate put the houseup for sale. Lauren alluded to Rowan being frustrated that he couldn’t bring his family home back to its former glory.
After Lauren gave me a tour around the house and property, she said her goodbyes with an offer to reach out to her about anything I needed. Whether it be home questions, recommendations of stores or restaurants, or even small town gossip—she was my girl. Her words, not mine. But they settled me; gave me a person I could lean on when I needed advice in my new town.
I spent the next few hours giving my new home, or really the room I would live in, a good clean. Between dusting, sweeping and washing the surface areas, I made list after list in my head.
What needed to be done to refurbish the entire house, what I needed to accomplish first, and how much I thought everything would cost. While I had some in savings from a recent inheritance from my grandmother, I had used a sizable chunk to purchase this home. I would have to look for a job sooner than I had expected.
I made a simple dinner of soup and crackers, enjoying the simplicity of it while I sat at the small table between the kitchen and living room area. The space was small, only enough room for a two-seater table.
With my stomach settled, I removed the bedding that was left on the bed, surprised and happy to see that the mattress was clean. I grabbed my bags from my vehicle and returned to make my bed and settle for the night.
With a new day started, I need to get going. There were a lot of things I needed to accomplish and they wouldn’t happen if I lollygagged around in bed. With a new pep in my step, I drag myself out of bed and take care of my morning business.
Showered and dressed, I grab a yogurt out of the mini fridge, sprinkled some granola on the top, and leaned againstthe counter as I take everything in and debate my next steps.
According to Lauren, she submitted all the paperwork, and the property and home officially belonged to me. So I could take on this project, which was more than the TLC that I expected, or I could sell it and try to start over somewhere else.
The stubborn part of me wants to see that I can bring this home to fruition, that I can complete this. But the other part of me asks if it’s worth the hassle?
I pull up a couple of home renovation YouTube videos while I sit and nibble on my yogurt. My mind wanders as I think about what I can do myself to eliminate some of the cost. What kind of budget am I looking at?
Putting the money debate aside for the moment, I finish up my meager breakfast and throw away my yogurt cup and plastic spoon. Ready to start the day, I slip on my shoes, then grab my purse and make my way to the door.
Finding the local hardware is the first thing on my list. For today, I can go ahead and tackle something that I know I could handle, which is taking care of the bushes and overgrown weeds around the house. With my mind made up, I load up in my hatchback and set off for town.
The drive into town is quiet and relaxing as I drive down the county road. Mature trees cast a shadow against the pavement line on one side of the road. Pastures extend along the other side of the road as far as the eye can see, while driveways emerge from the tree line every couple hundred yards. Some pastures hold cattle, young and old, while others are empty.
The drive is the complete opposite of what I am used to when I would head out to the store. There is no honking, drivers riding the back of my car, or stop lights every half mile down the road. It’s open and free; there are only a few cars on the road until I get closer to town.
My phone rings through the speakers of my carand I groan when I see my mother’s name appear on the radio screen.Mom Calling. The words filling me with dread. My finger hovers over the red decline button, my emotions not ready to deal with her disappointment. But then I remember this is a new me. It’s time to stop living in the shadows and man up. Or well, is it lady up?
Determination on my side, I press the green accept button. “Hello, Mother. I have just a moment to talk. I’m headed into the store.” I may not be there just yet, but she doesn’t know that.
“Magnolia, dear. I’m calling to see how you are settling in. I got your text last night, but you know me and texting. It’s so impersonal.” Her sigh in the phone instantly makes the hair on my forearms stand. It’s the disappointment in her voice. The old me would be quick to placate her, but I am channeling my new self.
“It was a busy night, but all is well.” The less I tell her, the less I have to hear her disappointment. “I would love to talk, Mother, but I have to pick up a few things for the house. Do you mind if I call later tonight?”
“Oh yes dear, work on furnishing your place. It’s important to always have your home guest ready. You never know who could pop by. Let’s plan to talk tomorrow afternoon. Your father and I have dinner with the Dean’s this evening. I have tennis in the morning at the club, so I will have some down time later in the day. Call me?”
“I’ll call. Bye, Mother.”
“Talk tomorrow. Bye, Magnolia.” Just as abruptly as it began, the call ends. The radio playing through the speakers, when moments earlier it was my mother.
This has always been my life, so the lack of excitement or mystery in my new life shouldn’t bother me as much as it does. If my life choices aren’t putting the family name out there to be seen, there is no interest granted. With the callover, I focus ahead as the town of Paulding comes into view.
The courthouse sits in the center of town, the three-story red brick building is squared off by roads on all sides and businesses across the streets on all sides. Slanted parking spaces line around the building; parallel parking on the other side of the street in front of the businesses.
On one street, there is a coffee shop and a bakery side by side. From the windows, they look to be connected inside as there is no wall separating the two businesses. I envision making a trip to town early tomorrow and splurging on a breakfast of sweet treats and a fancy coffee, something with extra foam and an extra shot of caffeine.
Next door is a hair salon and a cute boutique that’s two storefronts. Decorated windows with home décor and dressed mannequins catch my eye and I add another outing to my list. Rounding out the first street is The First Bank of Paulding. It’s a small, white building that’s attached to the row of business on one side and a single drive thru lane on the other. Small and quaint; a different view than the city.
