Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
I smile at her again.
“So how can I help you?” I ask in a low and calm voice. “You mentioned that your mom lives in the Alastair Apartments, right? And she’s been there a while?”
Katie nods quickly.
“Yes, and Dinah’s been a great tenant for years. She usually always pays her rent on time, it’s just that she’s been getting more and more forgetful lately. I think it’s because her business has been doing really well, but that’s a good thing, right? Tenants with money can afford to pay rent.”
I nod, steepling my fingers as if in thought.
“That’s true, but many people are forgetful,” I say slowly. “Why should I give Dinah a break? Just as an aside, we keep a waitlist of hundreds of potential renters at the central office, and more than a few are willing to pay a significantly higher price than what your mom is paying for that same apartment.”
Katie stares at me with surprise. It’s clear she wasn’t expecting this interesting tidbit. I’m not sure what she expected, but to realize that there’s a line of other renters right behind you waiting for their shot must be unsettling.
“Well, I can make sure she pays you on time from here on out,” she says in a rushed voice. “I will personally make sure that Dinah walks her rent check in each month if it comes to that, and like I mentioned to Kenneth, I’m happy to make good on any back payments owed right now,” she says, fumbling in her purse for a checkbook. “Here,” she says, pulling out a piece of paper and holding it out to me with trembling fingers. “I already wrote it out. The three months she’s missed totals twenty-four hundred dollars, and it’s all right here.”
I take the check and look at it thoughtfully.
“Thank you, I appreciate this. We appreciate this,” I clarify. “But again, it’s not just about timely payments. There are people who are willing to pay a thousand dollars a month for your mother’s apartment, and that’s two hundred more than what she’s paying now. And as you know, we have every right to evict your mother. When a judge hears that she’s missed three months of payments, he or she will definitely side with Carlton Realty.”
Tears begin to pool in Katie’s eyes.
“I know, but you see, my mom has to stay in that apartment. It’s not that she can’t find another apartment; it’s that she can’t be bothered to, and I know she’ll just move in with me instead. You can’t let that happen, Mr. Carlton. I’m begging you with my entire heart. Please, you don’t understand. I live in a tiny one-bedroom where the tub’s in the kitchen, and there’s no way two people could live there without fighting all the time. Plus, you haven’t met Dinah. She’s so out there and spacey sometimes that living with her 24/7 would drive anyone crazy.”
I nod.
“That sounds bad, I admit,” I say. “I had no idea your mom was angling to move in with you instead.”
Katie takes a deep breath, still with tears in her eyes.
“It’s not that Dinah’s been planning to move in with me. It’s just something that’s going to happen if she loses her apartment because she’s too scatterbrained. She’s not going to secure another apartment in time, and I know she won’t even be able to pack by herself. I’m probably going to have to do it for her, and handle all the logistics because my mom is just that kind of person.”
Frankly, it sounds somewhat familiar because my ex-wife was also helpless to a fault. Honey had to have everything done for her, from her nails to walking the dog to a professional chef who made every meal for us, including breakfast. But at least Dinah’s helplessness is a result of her scatterbrained habits. By contrast, Honey wouldn’t lift a finger if you pointed a gun to her head because she was a pampered housewife.
But not anymore. Our divorce is over and done with, and it’s all for the better. In fact, I have a gorgeous young woman sitting across from me right now who might just be open to the DD / lg lifestyle. So I decide to go for it. I shoot Katie a dazzling grin and then put my drink down.
“Well, I can think of a solution,” I begin.
The beautiful girl sits up, her eyes still glistening a bit with tears.
“Whatever it is, Mr. Carlton, I can do it. Just please, please, please, don’t evict my mom. That’s all I ask.”
I smile again while surveying her dainty features and lithe, slim form. Hmm, she’s curvy while slender, with generous breasts, a narrow waist, and hips that are wide and made for child-bearing. In short, she’s perfect, and I can’t wait to put forward my proposition.