And they both enjoyed a good laugh.
Later that night, her cell phone rang and she saw it was Rob Shandon. She clicked on Accept, but said nothing.
“You gave me your number, remember?” he said.
“Are you done laughing at me?” she asked.
“I should have been laughing with you,” he said. “You climbed up on a broken chair and fell headfirst into a Dumpster. You’re not even bruised and you were pulled out by a handsome man. Okay, that part’s fiction—you were pulled out by me.”
“I’m not going to tell you you’re handsome.”
“Fair enough.” He chuckled. “Can I pick you up at six on Sunday night? I’d really love to take you to dinner.”
“All right. Is it dressy?”
“Nothing in Colorado is dressy. I’ll probably trade my jeans for pants but anything is acceptable. You’ll love this place. It’s unique, delicious, there’s a guy who plays classical guitar and there’s always some new creation from the kitchen. It has a cult following—foodies who know what they’re doing. So, I’ll see you at six on Sunday. I hope the rest of the week is less adventurous for you.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Yours, too.”
Since Leigh spoke to Helen daily, she was well aware that the process of selling the house had been in full swing. The moment Leigh had said, “Let’s do it,” Helen had hired a team of three women her Realtor had recommended to help her sort through a lifetime of precious junk. She had over a dozen large plastic tubs filled with pictures, Leigh’s handmade Christmas ornaments from childhood, favorite books, special school papers, linens and dishes that had been handed down, everything she couldn’t part with. She also kept several boxes of her own books, mostly to give away. She was ready to lighten her load.
“I should come and help,” Leigh said.
“As much as I’d enjoy your company, I’m writing a check for this one. If you can think of anything you left here that you can’t live without, now’s the time to speak up. All those medical books are going to the library.”
“Everything I need is online now,” Leigh said. “Those books cost a fortune and will probably never be used again. Even medical records are all stored in the cloud now. We’re paperless. What about the furniture?”
“Is there anything you’re particularly attached to?” Helen asked.
“I brought the old oak dry sink and the two paintings I loved with me,” she said. “I bought a new bedroom set, guest room furniture and some living room pieces and just essential kitchen items for my rental. What are you going to do with the furniture?”
“Sell it or give it away,” Helen said. “It’s more than I need, and if I ever settle down again before the nursing home, I’ll buy what I need. Most of our furniture is deeply loved and quite old. If I decide to settle in San Diego or La Jolla this winter, I’ll rent something furnished. Our keepsakes are all packed up in waterproof tubs and I’ll have them shipped to be stored near you. If you move, it can also move. On lonely Saturday nights you can look at your old kindergarten drawings.”
“That sounds like wonderful fun,” Leigh said with a laugh.
“There’s something you can do, darling. Rent a storage unit—not a large one. Give me the address and I’ll have this stuff shipped. It’s all nicely labeled.”
Three weeks after the work of sorting and tossing had begun, the For Sale sign went up and in forty-eight hours there had been an offer. An excellent offer. Leigh had naturally assumed it would take at least a month to close and finish the moving process but she should have known better. With Helen in charge, delegating, the process moved like greased lightning.
It was only the day after Rob had asked her out when her cell phone rang and it was Helen.
“I’m just leaving work,” Leigh said. “Let me call you from home.”
“Yes, do,” Helen said. “I’ve finished everything and I’m coming.”
Leigh froze. “What?” She sat back down at her desk.
“I’ve disposed of the furniture, hired the house cleaners and painters, sold my car to one of the packers, signed my end of the paperwork, left the routing numbers for my account with the closing agent and packed my bags. I can be there in three days.”
“Helen! How in God’s name did you manage all that so fast?”
“I had very efficient help and have moved into a hotel. The buyers are in a hurry, had a walkthrough today and want to close as soon as the title office is ready. If anything is upset in the next couple of weeks I guess I’ll fly back here to straighten it out, but I have no business here. I’m going to have to buy a new car when I get there...”
Leigh laughed. “You are amazing. How do you do it?”
“There is no one to do it for me or to argue with me about my process. Therefore, I get it done. I’ll be there Saturday afternoon. Is that all right?”
Leigh just laughed. “Of course.” And she thought she would either explain to Rob that something came up or she would ask if Helen could be included on their date. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Shall I arrange for a rental car?”
“I’m off this weekend. I’ll come to get you. Will you be flying to Denver?”
“Yes, please. I have quite a load this time. I might have to make your house my base, taking over your guest room. How do you feel about that?”
She felt all warm and lovely inside. “Nothing could make me happier, Auntie.”
“Wonderful! I promise not to get underfoot.”
Whatever words we utter should be chosen
with care for people will hear them and be
influenced by them for good or ill.
—Gautama Buddha
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