Page 21 of Mixed Connection
There’s no reason for me to have to see the hair on his toes. I’m calling the police.” I chuckle. “We need to send out an email to everyone reminding them that they only take direct orders from you or me. This could have been a non-issue if he was even a little bit competent.”
“I’ll write it up and get it out. Good idea. Bigger question is, how did you and I miss this?” he says, agreeing with me but pushing back.
“This is my fault too. I shouldn’t have believed he could take on a project this big solo. I didn’t want to be out of Cypress Lake for longer than this weekend,” I reply. I’m really enjoying getting to know Cassidy and spending time with her. I worry if I’m gone too long we will be over before we even get a chance to begin.
“You know what? Call Keya. She’s just getting started but I have worked with her for multiple properties in the area and she just finished up her most recent project. She’s a self-starter and quick, she knows what she’s doing. I trust her. Actually, I will just call her and give her your location. Cool?” I was going to ask him why he didn’t tell me about her sooner until he finished the last part of his thought.
“Yeah, it’s cool. Thanks, Anders.” We end the call and I already feel better, I’m hoping she’s as great as he says because I would love to catch my confirmed flight tomorrow night.
Now to go fire someone I have indeed given too many chances to, and then wait for Keya to get here. I run my hands through my hair gathering it up; I wrap a single loc around the rest and knot it to tie my hair back in a low ponytail. Firing people is my least favorite thing of owning a business but as I make it outside I know it’s the right choice.
During the past few hours, Keya has met me at the house and we’ve gone over plans to do a simple flip, one a new family could fall in love with.
“Thank you both for this opportunity. I worked on houses with my dad when I was a kid, this is a dream. I’ve really enjoyed all the projects Anderson has given me and this one will be the second flip I manage from start to finish.” Her excitement for the project energizes me after what I walked into this morning. She reminds me a lot of Anders and me when we first started.
“I know you’ll do great work. Anderson speaks highly of you and seeing your work on the last few remodels, I know you have the eye this house needs. I want to keep it simple and homey for new families. Think, just married, or one to two kids. Add in some modern touches like those pocket baby gates and a great backyard.
“Keep it simple with a few modern luxuries that young families need. Say less!” I already feel better about this project. After the lack of work that was done, I will need to add two more weeks to this house’s timeline, but it’ll get done.
I watch as Keya gives a debrief of the needs of the house to her small team. She then discusses design with the few folks who will go out to purchase materials.
I told Keya I will be here today and tomorrow to assist in getting the demo done inside the house. Landscaping the backyard is going to be easy, I want to design something really nice for a potential family. I am already envisioning a play space for kids: a rocking swing for parents to watch their littles play and maybe a few garden beds near the small patio, one I can see needs some tending to, now that I’m standing on it.
With the team busy working, I jump in with them and dream a little bit more about what this house will become for a family.
9
*J-babe changed group chat to General HOES*
J-babe
Get me General Tso’s chicken and lo mein.
You’ve got no sense. *crying laughing emoji*
Lo, I want wings and fried rice.
B
LOL Holding down the fort, but order me something, send it down here.
Lo
I’ll drop it off before I go up babe!
Tonight is Janelle’s last in Cypress Lake before her leave is up. We opted to stay in and order Chinese as an easy, going awaydinner, not that we need an excuse to be in our pajamas with lo mein and bourbon chicken.
Paloma placed the order and picked it up on her way to my place. We are waiting on Janelle as I grab a few drinks from the fridge before a knock echoes.
“I’ll get it!” Paloma yells from the living room. “It’s Janelle babe, grab an extra drink.”
“I’m just going to bring out glasses and the pitcher.”
Giving Janelle a side hug, I set everything down on the coffee table. “Sweet tea with lime, of course. We know you have an early flight tomorrow and don’t want you sweating about alcohol.”
Glancing over my shoulder with a smirk, I can see both the girls’ gaping mouths at the thought of not having cocktails. Holding in my laughter, I toss an ice cube at them and make my way back to the kitchen. “Calm down you lushes, I’m grabbing the sangria from the fridge!” I yell as I dip into the fridge, grabbing what I need, along with a few extra orange slices for our glasses.
“That’s what I thought,” Janelle jokes before she continues. “I have an announcement! I have one more day, some things got shifted around and I leave the day after tomorrow.” She looks at the both of us, hope filling her eyes.
