Page 5 of Sparks Will Fly

Not only was I buying real estate, but I was filling those buildings with people who cared about the work they were doing. So far, I was able to open a women’s shelter, a reentry home for men being released from prison, and a food bank. I also had two foster homes with a potential third deal on the table. It wasn’t much, but it was something, and I was proud as hell to have my name out front.

The moment I plopped down in my seat a call came through my desk phone.

“Rogue Realty. This is Romani speaking.”

There was a slight titter of static before a voice came through the line. It was one of my favorite voices to hear.

“Good morning, Romani. I had a feeling you would already be in your office.” Shelia, the realtor I worked with, spoke cheerily into the phone. No matter what time of day I talked to this woman, she was always upbeat and full of energy.

“You know I don’t play around. If there’s work to be done, I’m here,” I replied while sorting through the paperwork scattered across my desk.

This was what Aisley should’ve been attending to first thing this morning instead of trying to offer up that whack-ass head. I clenched my fists, becoming pissed just thinking about it. She had better never waste my time like that ever again.

“And that’s exactly why I’m calling. A property has become available that I think you will be very interested in. The bonus is that Turner Properties has an interest in it.”

That name always sparked my interest. Let’s just say I didn’t fuck with anyone associated with Turner Properties, and anytime I could fuck them over, I did so with joy.

“You have my attention. Tell me more.”

* * *

“Now, I know what you like in your investment properties, and I think you will love what this space has to offer,” Shelby shared with a bright smile.

I trailed closely behind her as we walked up the sidewalk leading to the community center that was on the chopping block simply because someone didn’t value what community centers offered to the youth. My eyes took an inventory of the street and the condition it was in. I noticed some of the equipment on the playground was outdated and broken down. It was only noon, but I had a feeling that the busted glass underneath one of the streetlights I spotted was an indication that it likely wouldn’t turn on when the sun set later that evening.

It looked like there was an abandoned greenhouse or garden in the distance. Along the front sidewalk were some beautiful baby blue flowers. I pointed to them, feeling as if they were out of place for the rundown condition of the community center.

“What are these?”

Shelby was too busy yapping to realize I’d stopped admiring the flowers.

“Um, I’m not sure.”

“They’re Carolina Wild Petunias. My daughter planted them,” someone answered as they approached.

I glanced up to find an older man dressed in khakis and a button up shirt. His head was so bald the sun reflected off it like a mirror. His only facial hair was a neatly trimmed goatee. He sported a friendly smile as he came to a stop in front of us. He extended his hand. 1

“Hi. I’m Damon Lucas. Welcome to the Caldwell Community Center.”

Shelby stepped up first to shake his hand. I followed suit as she made introductions. 1

“I’m Shelby Anthony, and this is my client Romani Rogue. We were just hoping to look around.”

Damon nodded while taking a step back to let us walk ahead of him.

“Of course. I’d be happy to give you a tour. I know it’s not much to look at, but wait until you see what we offer the community.”

From the way he spoke, I could tell Damon had a personal attachment to this place. I could only imagine how he felt knowing it was going to be turned into condos or something even more asinine if Turner Properties got ahold of it. Anything they built wouldn’t be affordable to the current residents of the neighborhood.

I took up the rear with Damon leading the tour and Shelby following closely behind. He gave us a tour of the outside first from the fields to the abandoned greenhouse I’d seen. Apparently, the state stopped providing the money to fund it, and they hadn’t successfully qualified for any grants. Damon had hoped to bring it back to life if the sale didn’t take place. I wasn’t sure how to break the news that this sale was happening regardless of what his hopes and dreams were.

“Are the streetlights out?” I asked, thinking back to what I’d seen earlier.

He nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately, only one is working properly.”

I nodded to Shelby to write it down for me to remember later. I liked knowing exactly what I was working with when it came to a property. It decreased the possibility of surprises once I acquired the property. We continued the tour by moving inside.

I noted that it smelled fresh and looked really clean from first glance. The walls were decorated with fliers about upcoming events or ones that’d recently happened. They offered tutoring, after school programs, sports teams, and even some odd clubs like sewing, anime, and reading.

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