2. The House.

******** three weeks later********

Creature hangs his head from the window, tongue flopped out and slobber is blown about the side windows as I scold him about the dangers of hanging his head out. Paying me no mind, he yawns open mouthed and sneezes as the wind goes up his nose.

"Gross! Gross boy." He tilts his head and I laugh at him. I search for the bank as I approach a red light. It'll be up ahead, on my left he said. I sold my car just last week, and bought this one off Mariam at the bed and breakfast I was staying in. It's burgundy, with peeling clear coat and a cracked side mirror. Low miles for a 90s model Corolla though. Cheap on gas and runs like a Singer sewing machine. Now I own it outright, and have no car payment though. A huge plus for me as I have no idea how long it might take me to get a good job here. My old one would be too far to travel. I'd expend nearly as much in gas as I'd clear after taxes. Adulthood is a serious rip off.

Unsurprisingly, Dallas's family offered me twenty two grand, just to sign peacefully. I refused to be near him and asked his mother to meet me with the paperwork. I wasn't after anything, I only wanted freedom from him and what I came in with, but she insisted I take the money for her son's behavior. While the rest the family applauded his behavior, she didn't. She seemed sorrowful and told me we would always remain friends. If I ever love again, I hope my next mother in law is this genuine.

I added that money to what I had saved and immediately started looking for a small house. The appartment complexes in my hometown are scarce and all full, trailer parks full as well. Majority of homes on the market were too out of budget or completely unlivable unless I wanted to shell out to renovate. I smash my fingers just looking at a hammer, I'd never be up to demolition by myself if I wanted to live in that house. After all the searching though, I found a quaint tiny cottage style home. Little porch, pale yellow with wooden shutters. One little dormer on the roof leading me to imagine a tiny upstairs. Three bedrooms. A few hostas and overgrown shrubs on the outside where a flowerbed must've once been. Perfect! I knew then it was in budget and I could definitely work with it. It was also basically isolated and with only a sole neighbor. A huge improvement from the close, nosey neighbors I had before.

I waste no time whipping in and stalking the real estate agent to the location of the house. I sing and tap the steering wheel, with the windows cracked letting in the fresh spring air. The sunlight felt so good. If this house checks out, I will definitely sun myself in the back this summer. I smile. That might be the pick me up I need! I'll sun, get my hair done, hit the gym again, find some good sales and update my wardrobe. He'd regret everything then! In my daydream, I nearly miss the turn signal. Come to think of it, I don't recall much of town after meeting the agent. How did I even make it here? How the hell am I still alive?

He pulls onto a one lane side road, it extends about two miles and we pass a huge cabin. It's gorgeous. Completely rustic, even down to the rails of the porch, mailbox and piney shrubs in row along the front. About a quarter mile on up, I spot the cottage. I bounce in my seat as I take it in. If the inside and deal is right, I can see myself living here!! I stuff that down though so the realtor doesn't catch on. I park and step out, Creature's leash tight in my fist.

"This is it. It's not much. If you'd like there are others slightly higher that are very promising."

"This one is above budget for me. I'm very limited in funding right now with the divorce happening. I'm afraid if this one doesn't cut it, that I'll have to check in Florence." As we near the door, I secretly admire the cracked stones of the walkway and tiny freshly bloomed dandelions. I bite back a squeal of excitement, this being the best thing that's happened since I left Dallas. I feel so light in my hometown with the sun shining. Its managed to melt away some of my gloom.

"These stones are in bad shape. The yellow has definitely got to go. That will cost me. It definitely needs to be sage." I'm good at this! I even sound shallow and whiny to myself. I smirk as I tag along behind him. Once inside, I grin widely. Neutral colors! No holes in the walls. Open floorplan and a natural wood beam makes an archway between the kitchen-dinning and living area. No carpets. No muddy Creature to ruin my floors. The bedrooms are quite roomy. Nice little closets and the master bedroom has great lighting from the windows.

"If you insist, let's see the master bath..." He huffs. He was excited about having me as a client, until I chose this house. Maybe he doesn't enjoy low budget sales. He dramatically rolls his eyes and swings the bathroom door.

"A garden tub! Okay. Oh...there's a giant window right above it. Why do that?" I groan. I don't have to fa kn e this part. I do not see having a huge window over the tub. I don't want to have each bath become news to the neighbor. I couldn't afford to pay for their therapy. I don't even like me naked.

"Right. Pitiful choice really." He clears his throat. "Do you really want this house? I'm going to break it down for you before you buy. This house has been listed for ages. It's got it's charms, it's affordable, but you won't like the neighbor. This is actually the only time I've came out here that he hasn't tried to interrogate or creep out my clients. The original owner despised him so bad he went in debt in order to move."

"Wow. Is he really that bad? What does he do?"

"Long story short, he is abrasive and offputting. Too nosey." I'll put a fence up.

"I'll save for a privacy fence and tell him to fuck off." He laughs. "I would pick differently under other circumstances, but I'm sure I can get a good deal here."

"If you really want it, I'll be sure of it. Now, let's look out back before you decide." We go through the utility room and out the back door.

A little walkway leads us to a graveled area with a stone fire pit, iron patio chairs and an old swing. Several grown up shrubs close it in for the most part. I could definitely source this up! The old house had no backyard to it.

"There's a small pond too. To the leftt of the house." I follow him and I can see the pond in the distance, as well as the neighbor's gorgeous cabin. The agent starts to turn back around and motion me back when a man emerges from the cabin and stands on the porch. "We should go now."

"I like this house. He's not going to bully me out of it." I'm not sure where this determination comes from, but after all that I put up with from Dallas, I'm not letting some weird neighbor ruin my fresh start. This new start and new me is going to begin with me being assertive and standing my ground. I watch as the shirtless man comes into view.

If he weren't scowling, he might be decent looking. No six pack abs but nonetheless a very fit man. Broad barrel chest. Light salt in his peppered hair. I guess him about late thirties to forty. He's brown from working outdoors and his arms and shoulders are defined and swelled. He has a dark four o'clock shadow. I tear my eyes away, I can't check him out if we are about to confront each other. Even if I admit to having a thing for older men. He stops short looking from me to the agent and back.

"Another client" He deadpans. I clear my throat and step around the agent to address him.

"Soon to be owner, sir. It's nice to meet you." His eyes scan me top to bottom.

"Owner huh? I'm not fond of neighbors." He scoffs.

"Me either! I intend to put up a privacy fence. You'll never know I'm here. I noticed a lure by the pond. I take that you fish there?"

"I do."

"You are welcome to continue doing so. I don't want you to feel hostility towards me for moving in and messing with your fishing spot. Unless I walk by to look at the fish, I won't be using it."

"Your boyfriend alright with that?"

"I'm divorced sir. That's why I need this home and I need us to get along. I'm just trying to start over, I'll never bother your property or invade your space. You will not even know I'm here." I try.

"What's your name?" He asks.

"I'm Alina. Yours?"

"Mine don't matter. You'll back out soon." He laughs. "You know what, scratch that. I'm Trevor." He shamelessly watches my chest. "My last couple neighbors were not so easy to get along with. I have a feeling though that you and I will get along just fine." He bends down to shake my hand roughly. Dislocate my arm why don't you?

"I guess I'll see you when you move in."

"Thank you!" I beam at him, proud of myself. The realtor can't quite believe it. We watch his toned back retreat.

"Told you he was creepy!" I laugh at him.

"Definitely! I think the pond and privacy is the big issue though. Hopefully I reassured him enough that he'll be fine to live next too. I'm terrible at fishing anyways. I always snag tree limbs."

"I'm impressed you pulled that off. That is the most tolerable I've ever seen him! I'll definitely work with the owner to get you the best price. I doubt he will have any hits on this for a long time if he shoots you down." I grin and thank him.

I have to fight Creature to get him back inside the car. We follow the agent back to his office, where he makes the calls and we get everything situated and signed. I hug the man probably five times and thank him for the huge price drop he manager to get me. We head back to the bed and breakfast where we will spend a few more days. Major appliances were left behind in the house, but I make a list of essential pieces I'll need. I'm too excited to sleep, so I just jot down ideas and fantasize about move in day.