My phone is ringing again.
I had missed it the first time and there was no message.
It’s an unforgivable sin to miss a call when you are self employed. After missing that call, I kept the phone handy and, sure enough, it’s ringing again. I hustle to answer quickly.
Elyse is on the other end, something about Carson’s house.
“He’s selling?” I ask her.
“Yes,” Elyse whispers on the other end. “I’m selling it … well, I’m selling it for him.”
Immediately, I think the worst. Is he alright?
I am trying to contain myself. It’s true that he has not been around lately, but why hand it off to her? Is he leaving town? I’m betting that there’s more to this, a back story — and I’m dying to find out just what’s going on. I know enough to not ask about details over the phone.
“Shall we meet to talk about this? My office is always available, but I can come to your place if that works better for you?”
“How about if I come to your office, Shirley? The sooner, the better. First thing tomorrow?”
“That’s fine“, I say. But, unsaid, I’d really like to do it immediately. I need to know what’s up.
—
9 o’clock and I’m antsy, standing by the door, and looking out repeatedly. Elyse finally approaches.
“Good morning,” we both say, simultaneously. Why so nervous?
“Coffee or tea, I ask?”
Elyse ignores the question and sits. “Carson wants to sell his home.”
“No problem”, I say, and I venture to ask: “Is he not available at this time? Or at all? I mean, no one has seen him around recently, so … I assume Carson will join us later, right?”
“No,” she says. “It’ll just be the two of us.”
Elyse is very business-like as we discuss details, yes or no answers only.
I have done this a thousand times and foresee no problems. I will take control and can easily make it happen without Carson but I’m dying to know what’s up. I don’t want to risk offending Elyse and losing the listing by asking personal questions. That’ll come later.
For now, I have work to do. I assign Elyse a list of tasks and we agree to reconvene tomorrow. Hopefully we can get the house on the market this week.
I can’t wait to call Bitsy to relate and discuss these developments. I love to be the first to know but she’ll have her own take on what’s happening and I need that info. I expect that it won’t be long before Miss Comportment gets wind of this development and puts it in her column, along with speculation as to what might be happening in Middle Valley behind the scenes.
Jenny Page