Page 42 of Shine: Sins of the Father
She glances across the small cobblestone street to the right. “What about that place? It’s for rent.”
The sleek stucco building she points at is clean beige with a modern black awning. It’s years newer and has no charm.
“I can’t afford that one.”
She looks at the sad yellow building again. “Have you been inside?”
“Janey and I came yesterday. The landlord said he would hold it for me for twenty-four hours.”
“Fiona, he probably has no other interested parties. Look at the place.”
“I have. It’s even got an apartment upstairs that comes with it.”
“Did you look at the upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“Okay, it’s kind of a dump, but I can fix it up.”
“With what money?”
“It needs paint and some love. Mom, please. I really want to do this.”
She puts her arm around my shoulders and looks at the building again. “We’ll definitely have to get new awnings.”
And in that moment, I know she is all in.
I hug her tight. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you more, baby girl. Now we just have to get your father on board. You’re absolutely sure, Fiona? This is really what you want? More than college? More than being a nurse?”
“More than anything.”
She sighs. “We’re going to have to stop at the grocery store on the way home.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because if I’m going to talk your father into this, I need to feed him a good steak dinner first.”
“There’s one other thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Can you co-sign the lease with me? I need to stop at the man’s office by 5pm.”
“What’s his number?”
“The landlord?”
“Yes.”
I give it to her, and she calls him. Then I watch my mother not only talk him out of the 5pm deadline, but also talk himdown another hundred dollars a month, and agree to paint the outside.
When she hangs up, my mouth is open.
“We’re meeting him at noon tomorrow. Don’t be surprised if your father doesn’t get him to come down another hundred.” She slips her sunglasses on. “Now let’s go get lunch. That café we passed looked cute.”
