Page 42 of Demons

“Those two keys are to the front and back doors. The smaller one is for the bolt on each door. Now, there is a locked metal door you’ll find behind the house on the other side of the porch if you go looking. But it’s covered by a rose bush for the most part. It’s got some paints for touch-up in the house, maintenance equipment, and the like. There ain’t a key to unlock it. It’s not available for use. Inside, there is a similar door that will be locked up. Just more maintenance equipment. But everything else will be yours.”

I nodded as my fingers wrapped tightly around the freedom in my hand.

“I … thank you. I am just … you don’t know,” I gushed, not finding the right words to say. “Thank you,” I finally blurted. It didn’t feel adequate enough, but I didn’t think there were words that would be.

Her gaze softened. “I’m happy to help. This house needs a tenant, and you need a house. It helps us both out.”

I thought about pointing out that there were tons of people who would pay double what she had quoted me for the monthly rent. But then maybe she didn’t know that. A sick knot formed in my stomach. What if she thought this was the best she could get for the house? She wasn’t old as in elderly, but she might not be savvy with money or finances. Could her husband have passed away, and now, she was left dealing with things and didn’t know the money she was losing by leasing me this house?

My buoyant mood fell. That made more sense. This house wasn’t a stroke of luck for me. This sweet lady just wasn’t aware how much homes rented for these days. She was dressed well, her hair was in a stylish bob, and there were diamonds on her fingers and her ears. She’d been taken care of by her husband. Now, she was trying to navigate this new life.

“I’m sorry, Maeme,” I said, trying not to show the disappointment on my face. I didn’t want her to feel bad about this. “I should tell you that you can rent this house for three times what you are asking. I can’t pay that, but there are many people who can and will. You’d have it leased today in fact. I could pay you three hundred more a month, but I can’t in good conscience lease this house from you. Not when you could make at least seven hundred more dollars a month on it.”

The older lady chuckled and patted my arm. “Oh, honey. It ain’t about the money. You’re right. It would lease out for much more than I’m quoting you. But I don’t want just anyone living here. This house needs a good tenant who deserves it. That’s why I called you.”

Again, how had she known about me? I’d been so excited about the idea of somewhere else I could live that I’d not asked her.

“And how did you find out about me looking for a place?”

If eyes could twinkle, then the woman’s eyes just did. I blinked and stared at her, wondering if I’d imagined it.

“Those of us in real estate in this town talk. Word got around.”

Oh no. What if it was Mrs. Bellhaven? What if she told my mom? I had to warn her about my mother, but then she might think I was a bad kid. She wouldn’t lease it to me if she thought my mom didn’t approve.

I opened my mouth to attempt to explain when my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket to silence it when I saw my mom’s name on the screen. Crap! Not what I needed. I hit Decline and looked back up at Maeme when it started to ring again.

Dang it, Mom!

I forced a smile at Maeme, wishing she’d leave me alone for five minutes.

“Sounds like someone needs you,” she said, glancing down at my phone.

The fact that she’d more than likely saw the words Birth Giver on my screen made me cringe. I pressed Accept quickly, hoping she’d not had time to read it or that her eyesight wasn’t good. Both of which I highly doubted.

“Hello?” I replied.

“WHERE ARE YOU?!” she shouted into the phone, and I winced. There was no way Maeme hadn’t heard her.

“I had some errands to run,” I explained.

She was going to ruin this for me. Dread pooled in my stomach. I was going to be living with my mother for the rest of my life. I’d never get free.

“Stop whatever you are doing and come get me! I am stranded at the service station off I-20!” she said frantically.

She was often dramatic, but this was over the top.

“Okay. I’ll come get you, but where is your car?” I asked.

“It’s gone! I went inside to use the restroom and get a Diet Coke. Then, when I came back, it was just gone!” she cried.

I gaped. “Someone stole your car? Did you leave the keys in it?”

“NO! I did not leave the keys in it. I locked it up. I don’t know how they got into it. But it is gone, and your father isn’t answering his phone. The police are supposed to be on the way, but they’re taking forever. Just come here, so when I am done with them, I can leave,” she wailed hysterically.

“Yes, of course,” I told her. “I’m on my way.”

“Hurry!” she shouted, then ended the call.

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