Renting to Own

by Linda Rettstatt

  “Nina Cal…uh…Carson. Nina Carson.” She popped the tab on the soda can and stuck in the straw, handing it to Robbie.

  A closer look showed the girl to be in her mid-twenties close to Lily’s age. Lily noted that the last name seemed to change in mid-sentence. “What are you looking for in a home?”

  Nina’s eyes filled and her chin quivered. “I’m sorry. Things have been difficult lately. My husband…” She glanced to where Robbie sat, flipping through a magazine and sipping his drink.

  Lily did a quick assessment, determining Nina would rather speak without the older child present. “We have some videos out front that my daughter watches when she’s here. Do you think Robbie would like to watch one while you and I talk? I think I have peanut butter crackers in my desk, too.”

  The girl smiled weakly. “That would be great. Robbie, do you want to watch a video?”

  He nodded and stood. “Can I take my soda?”

  “Sure you can. Come with me.” Lily extended a hand. The boy hesitated, looking to his mother.

  “It’s okay. I’ll be right here and the door will be open. Go with Mrs. Gardner.”

  Robbie made his movie selection and sat in front of the TV, the soda can settled on the floor between his outstretched legs. Lily went to her desk and removed a package of crackers, opened them and offered the pack to Robbie. He smiled and hungrily shoved one into his mouth.

  Lily returned to the office and sat across from Nina. “Now, how can I be of help?”

  “My husband’s been in jail. He’s getting out next week, and I can’t risk having him find us. He’s abusive, and he uses drugs.”

  “Where are you living now?”

  “Last night we stayed in Hondaville.”

  Lily shook her head. “I’m not sure I know where that is.”

  The girl looked at her and then nodded toward the front of the office. “It’s parked out front.”

  “You’re living in your car? With two kids?” Lily’s heart stuttered. At the worst, she’d never had to sleep in her car.

  Tears streaked Nina’s face. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go. We left Harrisburg yesterday. I started driving as soon as I got word Kevin was being released. I can’t afford a divorce. He’ll kill me if he finds us.”

  “Well, you can’t stay in your car. It’s still a little cool at night. What can you afford in terms of rent?”

  “Not much. I should probably just look for a room for a few nights, but if I do that, we don’t eat.” She looked into Lily’s eyes. “I need to settle somewhere, for my kids. I have to find a job. I don’t want to lose my kids. I just need for the ground to stop moving beneath my feet, you know?”

  The words resounded in Lily, and her heart lurched. She knew all too well. Setting the notepad aside, she reached for Nina’s trembling hand. “I have just the place for you. And it’s furnished.”

  “Yeah, but… How much?”

  “That’s the best part. You don’t have to pay rent until you have a job. Say, up to three months?”

  The girl’s eyes widened. “But, I don’t understand.”

  “I’ve been right where you are. Not with an abusive husband, but without a place to go. I have this house, and I think it’ll be perfect for you and your kids. I’ve just been waiting for the right renter to come along.”

  Sobs wracked the girl, and the baby began to cry along with her. Nina lifted him against her chest, hugging him close. “It’s okay, William. It’s going to be okay.” Her eyes met Lily’s. “Are you sure about this? I can’t even pay the utilities right now.”

  “We’ll work it out. Want to see the place?” Lily reached to the table and snatched a handful of tissues, handing them to Nina.

  “Now?”

  “Sure. I’ll pull my car around and you can follow me.”

  Lily walked with Nina to the front door, locking it behind her. She left a note for Rick and grabbed her purse and the keys to the house on Harrington Avenue. A smiled stretched across her face as she backed from the parking lot and rounded the corner.

  *

  Walking into the small house, Lily remembered the first time she’d been there. It had been empty, of course, devoid of the furnishings that now gave it a cozy lived-in look. She had felt scared and alone, but determined to make the house a home. She stepped aside and allowed Nina and the children to pass. “Come in.”

  “Oh, my. This is so…so welcoming.”

  Robbie made a beeline for the rocker and scrambled up, pitching his body forward to make the chair rock.

  “Robbie, don’t climb on the furniture.”

  Lily laughed. “He’s fine. That was my daughter’s favorite spot, too.”

  Nina turned to her. “This is your house?”

  “It was, until I got married a few months ago. Well, I still own it. This house meant so much for me at a time when I needed to feel settled. I just couldn’t let it go yet. And now I know why. It’s been waiting for you. Want to see the rest?”

  Nina nodded, a dazed look on her face as she followed Lily through the house. “I can’t believe you’re willing to let us stay here rent-free until I can get a job.”

  “It’s just sitting here empty, and I find that sad. Let me show you the back yard.”

  Outside, Lily pointed to the fenced-off area. “I had a garden there, but don’t feel you have to do the same. We can take the fence down, if you like.”

  “I’d love to have a garden.”

  “Mommy, look. A sandbox.” Robbie sat in the middle of the plastic box, sifting dry sand through his fingers.

  The delight on his face brought tears to Lily’s eyes. “Well, what do you think?”

  “How can I turn it down? I can’t let my kids sleep in the car one more night. I have some things in the trunk—clothes and bedding.”

  “Let’s bring them inside and get you settled. Then we’re going grocery shopping.”

  “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll go later.”

  Lily regarded the girl, not wanting to embarrass her. She put an arm across thin shoulders that trembled under her touch. “Nina, I was in a bad situation when I was just eighteen. A wonderful friend took me in, gave me everything I needed. There’s no way I could ever repay her. But I can do the same for you, if you’ll let me. Please, let me help.”

  Nina nodded, sniffling. “No one’s ever been so kind to me.”

  “Well, then, it’s about time. Come on. We have work to do.”

  *

  Lily was in the kitchen when Rick arrived home. Her new work day ended at two-forty-five when she left the office to pick up Chelsea.

  “Smells good in here.” He crossed to where she stood at the stove and pulled her into his arms. His lips found hers. “Mmm. Tastes good, too. What’cha cooking?”

  “Lasagna. And I have some great news. I rented the house on Harrington today.”

  “Really? See, I said you’d make a top-notch agent.” He released her and went to the fridge, removing a beer. “So, who are the new tenants?”

  She sat across from him at the table and told him about Nina and her kids. “It’s like the house was just waiting for her.”

  “How much rent are you charging?”

  “Uh…well…that’s the thing. She can’t exactly pay rent right now.”

  His eyebrows raised. “You’re renting it for free?”

  “Just for a few months, until she gets a job and can afford to pay. I couldn’t turn her away, Rick. She reminded me of myself once—tired, scared, alone.”

  He smiled. “Come over here.”

  She stood and rounded the table, dropping onto his lap. “Yes, sir.”

  “You have a good heart, Lily Champion Gardner. You know that?”

  Resting her head on his shoulder, she murmured, “What I have is a lot of love, with plenty to share.” She lifted her head, her eyes fixed on his. “There’s one other thing. I, um, took her grocery shopping—our treat.”

  “You did the right thing, and I’m proud of you.”

/>   “I figured out why that house is so important to me. I lived my life the way I lived in the house—renting to own. I was always waiting, hoping for the day I’d own my life, always paying toward that ownership.”

  “You figured that out, huh?”

  She grinned. “And I had another thought.”

  He closed his eyes, feigning distress. “Oh, boy, here we go. Now what?”

  “Nina—that’s the girl’s name—needs to find a job. Now, I know you’d have to interview her first, but I was thinking…”

  He laughed. “You are amazing. But we don’t need more office help.”

  “I thought I’d take those real estate classes and get my certification. And you’ve been saying how you want us to expand our family. Maybe I should stay home—barefoot and pregnant.” She traced her finger along his jaw. “Because we’re already halfway there.”

  “We are?”

  “Yes, and since I’m still wearing shoes…”

  His eyes widened. “You mean you’re…we’re…?”

  She bit her lip and nodded.

  He stuttered. “I—I’m having a baby? I mean, we’re…you’re pregnant?”

  Lily laughed, cradling his face between her hands. “Not often I see you speechless.”

  “When?”

  “In about eight months. But, can we keep it between us for a few more months, until I’ve passed the first trimester?”

  “I don’t know if I can do that, but I’ll try. Lily…Oh, God…we have to fix up a nursery and pick out names.”

  She put a finger to his lips. “Slow down, Daddy. We have lots of time.” She removed her finger and pressed her lips to his.

  When she released him, he asked, “What about Chelsea? Do we tell her yet?”

  “Are you kidding? That would be like announcing it on CBS—the Chelsea Broadcasting System. Just a little longer and we can tell the world. Okay?”

  “Okay, but you’ll have to help me explain the smile I can’t erase from my face.”

  “I’m sure we can come up with a reasonable explanation. You’re just a blissfully happy newlywed.” She stood up, kissing him on the forehead. “Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. You want to get Chelsea? She’s in her room.”

  “Sure.” He got to his feet and grabbed her hand, pulling her into an embrace. “I love you.” Placing a hand on her abdomen, he added, “Both of you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  His footsteps sounded on the stairs as he ascended, calling to Chelsea.

  Rick’s laughter, mingling with Chelsea’s giggles, wafted from upstairs. Lily sighed contentedly, aware of the firmness of the ground beneath her feet. She owned her life now. Not because she had money in the bank, and not because she’d married a successful man. She owned her life because she had learned that, sometimes, the earth shifting beneath you carries you to the place where you are meant to be.

  THE END

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I want to acknowledge all parents, but particularly single parents, who know the fear of the foundation shifting uncertainly beneath your feet and the struggle to hold on until the ground settles once again.

  Much gratitude goes to Amie Denman, editor extraordinaire, who has the amazing ability for attention to the finest details and lets me know when I’ve missed them. I look good at what I do because you are so good at what you do.

  And to my readers who make doing what I do so much darn fun. Thank you.

  ABOUT LINDA RETTSTATT

  Linda Rettstatt is an award-winning author who discovered her passion for writing after years of working in the human services field. When she’s not writing, Linda loves travel, nature photography, and figuring out what makes people tick. Her fantasy is to win the lottery, buy an old Victorian home on the eastern shore and open a writer’s retreat. While she waits for that fantasy to materialize, she continues to live and work in Northwest Mississippi and to write under the constant observation of her tuxedo cat, Binky.

  If you enjoyed RENTING TO OWN, you can find more of Linda’s books at www.lindarettstatt.com and on Amazon at

  http://www.amazon.com/LindaRettstatt/e/B003589J3S/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1445361303&sr=8-1