Restoring the Past

Chapter 2-2

“I can certainly recommend a couple of good inspectors, but I wouldn’t wait to get started on the roof and the plumbing,” Josie advised. They had gone to high school together, and now she was working in real estate. Cal had suspected that he would be running into old high school friends a lot, but hadn’t imagined the former head cheerleader would be selling his house for him.

Josie either didn’t notice his mild perplexity or chose not to comment on it. “Here, these are my recommendations for a cleaning company, roofing, plumbing, and landscaping.” She handed over a stack of business cards. “If you’re thinking of doing any major remodeling, I can give you contacts for that, too.”

Cal ran a hand through his hair. “I was hoping to put in as little effort as possible, but I get the feeling that’s not possible. I should have someone look at the back porch, too.” His thoughts kept jumping from one thing to another. Maybe Dave had a point about writing lists.

“Did you see any termite damage? You’ll want to get an exterminator in if you did.” Josie paused. “You look a little overwhelmed.”

“I am a lot overwhelmed. I have a four-room apartment and a landlord to take care of all this stuff. Even when I lived here, I didn’t do more than mow the lawn, and sporadically at that.”

“Okay, here’s my best advice.” Josie leaned her elbows on the table. “Call the inspector first, get a list of what needs to be done. It’ll add more time up front, but it will also hopefully eliminate any surprises when your buyers have their own inspection. The roof is a safe place to start because you know that needs to be replaced.”

“I can start the landscaping in the back, too. A couple of those trees need to come down before they fall.” The small grove of trees lining the back edge of the property was heading toward unsightly and dangerous with more than one dead tree ready to topple.

“They landscaper should tell you this, but save the fancy decorative stuff until the end. The last thing you want is the roofers or carpenters accidentally damaging something you paid hundreds of dollars for.”

“Good advice. Got any recommendations for someone who can do both the fancy flower bed stuff and the heavy duty tree cutting?”

“Of course.” Josie handed him another business card. “They’ll work with you to do as much or as little as you want. Curb appeal is important, though, so you’ll want to have them put in some decorative plants, maybe some shrubs along the front porch.”

“Right. I think there used to be some, a long time ago, but Dad stopped keeping up on that when I was a little kid.”

“It’s a lot of work, especially if you’re like me and kill everything you get near.” Josie stood. “I think I’ve given you enough to think about for now. Call me if you have any questions.”

Cal walked Josie out to her car and let her give him a hug before she got in. “You know Mrs. Hennessey’s watching your every move, right?” she whispered.

“Of course she is. It’s one o’clock; that means it’s time to sweep the sidewalk.”

“I thought she was old when we were kids. She must be pushing eighty.”

“Eighty or not, she doesn’t miss a damn thing that goes on in this neighborhood.” Maybe he should have called her for information on his dad’s health. She’d probably known more than he did. “I’ve already had visits from her, Mrs. Rooney, and Miss Arbuckle. I can’t tell you how many casseroles I’ve got in the freezer. I’ve already lost track of who gave me what. They’re going to have to fight it out if they want their dishes back.”

Josie giggled, sounding more like the cheerleader he remembered and not the high-power Realtor he met this morning. “Better go make nice, or she’ll try to frighten away potential buyers.”

He watched Josie drive off before turning and casually greeting his neighbor. Mrs. Hennessey watched everyone like a hawk, but she wasn’t much of a gossip, as far as Cal knew.

“Hello, Calvin. Was that a real estate agent?”

“Yes, ma’am. She was giving me some pointers on what I need to do to get the house in shape to sell.”

“Oh, that’s a shame, Calvin. I’d hoped you’d decide to move back. It just isn’t the same with so many new families in the neighborhood. I’m getting too old to listen to all these children.”

Cal smiled indulgently. “I’m sure they’re better behaved than we were.”

She gave him an appraising look. “I do recall you and your friends getting into quite a bit of mischief.”

“Yes, ma’am, we did.” Cal smiled, remembering some of the trouble he’d gotten into as a kid. He and Andy had been particularly good at wreaking havoc.

“Well, as long as your no-good cousin doesn’t decide to move in, I guess new neighbors won’t be so bad.”

Cal remembered that tone of voice from when his football landed in her hydrangeas. “You mean Bert? I don’t think that will happen.”

“I know he’s your family, and I don’t like to speak ill of anyone, but that boy never was up to any good. He was here every day taking care of your father, but he never said a word to any of the neighbors. And he never lifted a finger to help take care of your yard.”

Cal resisted glancing at the sad-looking landscape. “I’m going to make sure that gets taken care of soon. I think it just got too much for Dad, and he hated to ask for help.”

“Oh, I know all about you men and your dislike for admitting you might not be able to do everything on your own. Your father was stubborn like that. I hope you’re a little more reasonable.”

He forced a smile. Her assessment of his father wasn’t very far off the mark. “I’m completely willing to admit I need help getting the house in shape. Josie, the real estate agent, gave me a list of contractors to get estimates from. There are some things I can do myself, but not very much.”

“Sounds like you’re being sensible. I won’t keep you. Have a good day, Calvin.”

“You, too, Mrs. Hennessey.”

Cal walked back inside, wondering what Bert had done to get her ire up like that. Of course, it could have just been his surly nature. Just another thing Cal was in the dark about.