Enjoying my morning coffee looking through the atrium door, I'm surveying the rear yard and there is an overnight wintry mix covering the ground. I searched for over a year to find this acreage that sloped ever so gently to set up the walkout basement, leveling out another 50 or so yards to a small brook running across the back where a thick growth of trees took over the other side.
I plan to dam up the brook on the left side enough to make a small fishpond and create a small waterfall, then on the right build a wide wooden arched walkway over the brook and clear out some underbrush to open up the tree line this spring. I have a lot of plans for this place but now I feel frozen in time...
After a good night's sleep, it was clear to me now that Jill nervously had intentionally displayed herself to me. Not that I'm complaining, she knew I was a bachelor, probably stayed horny all the time and I suppose if I were in her shoes I would do the same for my family as a last-ditch effort.
I chuckled at the way my mind had filled with visions of Jill traipsing around the house half naked all the time, but I know that was just what it was, a fantasy. Ashley would be living here as well, and Jill needs an answer tonight. The Jill I know is the definition of a lady and more conservative than what I experienced last night. I might catch a great view from time to time and still be nice to have her company, I try to convince myself.
Weather today sucks, so unless someone calls I'll just stay in, go downstairs to my basement office to do some paperwork and call Rachel later. I need to do some due diligence even though I've pretty much decided on taking the girls in. It's only going to be for a few months, and I've always been fond of Jill regardless of the events of last night. She really needs a helping hand right now, and that will be an evening to remember for some time.
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After a couple hours of getting little done as I am way too distracted with all that is happening, I figure I might as well call Rachel. Realtors work a lot in the evenings around client's schedules, but it's a little after noon now so I assume Rachel has started her day. I grab my phone and send her a text.
"Morning, you have a minute to talk?"
About ten minutes pass and she replies, "Sure, give me 5 and I'll call you".
Right on time, my phone rings. "Good morning, Andy, your listing went live yesterday and already has a first inquiry!".
"Thanks, that's great, but I wanted to ask you about Jill" I interjected.
"Oh? A problem?" with a touch of concern.
"No,no... You work with her every day so I'm sure you're up to speed on her living situation. How can I put this.... Um... Well... we have been talking and crazy as this sounds, I'm considering letting her and Ashley stay here for a couple of months till she gets her feet under her." My face is a little flush sharing this info for the first time.
There was a short silence
"That's interesting news. I was under the impression she had a second job lined up. Greg and I were going to give her a little loan to make the deposit on a one bedroom apartment she found and help her get by until she got her hotel paychecks coming in. I think Kim (the office manager) gave her Wednesday through Friday off to move. Andy, she can't afford anything right now, much less taking on rent. This is very noble of you, are you sure?" Rachel obviously sounded a bit startled by my revelation
"Yes, I am aware of the job, She hadn't mentioned an apartment, but yea, she seems such a sweet lady and told me she would be my private cook!" I chuckled a bit. "Rachel, I've been through divorce and I can tell she is under a tremendous strain. It's just for a few months and I have plenty of space, but I wanted to ask about Ashley." Attempting to control the conversation..
"A confirmed bachelor and workaholic moving two women into your house? You ARE a glutton for punishment!" She laughed, "You're a great guy Andy, and yes she has been under a lot of stress the past couple of months, her divorce was a nightmare and all of us here have been worried about her. What is it about Ashley?"
"I haven't seen or been around Ashley at all since I've gotten to know Jill. She said Ashley is a Senior now and some kind of honor student or something. I don't know anything about kids today other than they seem to live on their phones, but I'm concerned about teen drama I don't wanna deal with. What is your impression of her?" I curiously inquired.
"Oh Andy... she is the sweetest thing, really! Very quiet and noticeably respectful of her mother and yes, she is involved in school activities. I don't see her giving you any concerns." Rachel assured me.
"That's good to hear."
Rachel interjects over me. "Listen Andy, If you weren't taking this on, I would never tell you this, but you need to know about Marty, Jill's Ex. She started confiding with me once she started divorce proceedings. Evidently he was a real jerk, very dominating and controlling. Nothing they did ever suited him, always berating them both, Jill dealt with it, but it upset her badly how he treated Ashley."