It's the middle of a Monday workday and I'm thinking to myself will anything go as planned today? I arrived on site and caught the concrete crew just in time to correct the shape of drive and sidewalk forms before they were about to be poured. Had I arrived an hour later would have been a major fuckup.
As I'm walking back to my truck to go and grab a quick lunch my cell phone rings. My first thought is "crap" not another issue to deal with and let it ring a few more times until I open the door and get half seated with the door still open.
"Hello, this is Andy" I answered in what must have sounded a little disinterested.
"Hi Andy, this is Jill from the realty office!" She spoke in her typically upbeat professional voice. Jill is an admin at the local realtor office that handles my home listings,
"What's up" I asked.
"Have you got a few minutes to talk? Her voice now had a bit of seriousness.
"Honestly, this isn't the best time to discuss business, can I get back to you later?" I just wanted to go grab a burger and a few minutes to myself before heading to the next jobsite and any issues that might await.
"Well, just let me ask." There was a brief moment of silence. "Were you in anyway serious with your offer Friday?" Uncertainty and worry were evident in her voice.
"I'm not sure what you are asking" Trying my best to understand.
"Oh my, I'm so embarrassed" she said softly. "Please, never mind, my mistake." Her voice had a slight quiver.
"No, no, wait Jill, are you talking about what I think you are?" I'm thinking oh shit, I do know what she's asking.
"Andy, I'm so sorry I called, I'm finding myself getting a little desperate and should have known better. please forgive me." Her voice sounded as if she were holding back tears.
There was a brief silence.
"Listen Jill, I have a lot going on with work this afternoon. Give me a little while and I'll shoot you a text, ok?" And as soon as that came out of my mouth, I'm thinking why I didn't I just accept the apology, be done with it, and move on.
A simple "OK" was her reply.
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Sitting off in a corner of the local fast food Burger joint, my usual "in a hurry" lunch spot, my mind is fixated on that Friday conversation and how to deal with it.
I met Jill 3 years ago at a Derby Party the real estate office held every year. She was there with her daughter that looked to be in her early teens. There were about 60 or so people there and it was nice out for that time of year so about half of us were mingling inside and the other half outside. Everyone was having a good time, drinking, gambling on the races getting a good buzz and enjoying the company all around.
I remember like it was yesterday seeing Jill and her daughter Ashley sort of off to the side, not really mingling so I approached and introduced myself. I estimated Jill to be in her early 30s, maybe 5 or so years younger than myself. As she stood to shake my hand, I found her attractive, and I could clearly see that she had a touch of Asian ancestry in her facial features. Me being 6 ft tall and having to look downward to talk with her allowed me to take in the full view of her petite 5ft 4 frame, sporting somewhere between a C and D cup that perfectly suited her body. Her ruffled, puff sleeved top was unbuttoned low enough to display a peak of her cleavage, I just wished I could see her backside as well. My first impression was a reserved yet friendly mom type, but I couldn't contain the thoughts of what a hot babe she could be in a skimpier outfit. Her daughter Ashley who looked to be maybe 14 didn't speak at all. avoided eye contact, and seemed like she was feeling the awkward, skinny, shy little girl she was, sporting braces and dark frame glasses that looked too large for her face.
We chatted for 15 minutes or so as she asked my relationship with the realtors, which I explained I was a local home builder and Rachel handled my listings. Jill informed me she had been hired 2 weeks previous as the realty office admin/receptionist. She told me she was excited for the opportunity, but only knew a couple of the realtors at the party and felt a little out of place.
Jill leaned into me so her daughter couldn't hear and with a "yikes look" on her face said, "had I known there would be this much drinking and carousing I would have left Ashley at home". I chucked at that, stood and said, "nice to meet you, I suppose I will be seeing you from time to time now." With exchanged smiles I moved back to the party group and noticed it wasn't long before they had left. Later in the day when I asked Rachel why she had left so early, she told me home life with her husband was not good and she probably wanted to get back to avoid any confrontations.
My mind shifted forward to the conversation we had on Friday. Jill was keeping me company in the office board room as Rachel was running late to our meeting, Jill always dressed so nice, a real flare for fashion. We rarely had opportunities like this to talk about personal, rather than business and our conversation ultimately ending up with her sharing her troubles. She had just come out the other side of divorce, they had sold the home per settlement agreement that had zero equity. With little money on hand, she wasn't sure where she and Ashley would be moving to.
Her job at the real estate office was only 30 hours a week, but she needed to keep it for the insurance and other benefits. I attempted to be sympathetic and assuring and suggested things would work out. The upside was she was fairly confident she was about to secure a 2nd part time job at a local hotel where she could work 3 hours a few mornings on weekdays doing odd work cleaning rooms and laundry, before having to show up at the realty office at 11am. Saturdays and Sundays would be all day at the reception desk. The 2 jobs would be pushing a 60-hour week, but they could get by on that.
"Oh my, will you have any time for your daughter?" I asked.
"Without this 2nd job I won't have enough income to rent a place to live. I will do what I have to do until Ashley graduates' high school. That's really as far as I can see right now" she replied.