Page 2 of When Fences Fall
“I have.” Looks like I’m finally forced to disclose my connection to the town. If he’s really from there, it’s just a matter of time till he learns everything about me there’s to know. “I worked on a house there.”
“Really?” he singsongs, tapping his finger on his chin. “Which one?”
“The Ghost House,” I reply with a chuckle. The name sure is deserving. The house is gorgeous but very old, making whining and creaking sounds with every change of temperature or humidity, so the locals call it the Ghost House.
“Oh!” His eyes widen. “Now I recall where I’ve heard your name. You worked with Josie, right?”
I nod. Josie was hesitant to work with me at first since I disclosed my past right away, but now we work on many projects together. She doesn’t ask questions anymore, which means I don’t need to talk.
Jonah’s smiling, waiting for me to say more, but I don’t. So he claps his hands and points at the house. “Do you want me to walk with you one last time?”
“I’m good. Thanks though.”
“Sure. Congratulations on your purchase! Don’t hesitate to call me should you need anything.” His brows wiggle while mine draw together, making him laugh. “Also, I just recently took this house to my portfolio, but I know there was some bum living here a couple of years ago. So it might need an itty-bitty,” he shows a small space between his index finger and thumb, “more TLC than you think.”
“I’ll be fine.”
His face stretches with a wide smile once again. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who loves smiling as much as he does. “I know you will. Call me if you need anything.” He starts walking backward, waving his hand.
“Do you know anything about the neighbors?” I nod at the other house on the road before he’s gone. With all the bureaucracy of closing the house, I never actually asked the question that’s been bothering me.
His head whips toward the house and then back to me. “Oh, the Moons are the sweetest family. The whole town loves them. They own the local diner, you should try it,” hesays, waving his hand dismissively. Then he starts giggling. “Everyone in this town loves everyone. Hence the name. You’ll be fine.”
I watch him disappear inside his car and drive off at the same speed he arrived, then switch my attention back to the house. Hopefully it’s some nice, elderly couple who doesn’t like loud music and prefers to keep to themselves because I don’t want some neighbor knocking on my door at seven in the morning asking for sugar in hopes of striking up a conversation.
2
Jericho
Unlocking a new house one now owns is a thing everyone should experience in their life. I lived with my parents before I got into troubles, after that I was either renting or living in a trailer on work sites. Either is fine, but having something you can call your own gives a new perspective on life. At thirty-four years old, this is exactly what I need.
After a thorough walk-through, I mark all the things that need to be done. Cleaning the primary bedroom and bath being the priority because I’m planning to have my first guest very soon. It’s eleven a.m., and I’ve got a lot of ground to cover before the evening.
By the time I’m done, I’m a sweaty mess. After a quick shower, I find Hot Pockets I purchased at a gas station on the way here and throw them into an ancient, yellow microwave. Surprisingly, it still works. Making a mental note to do some grocery shopping and figure out the nearest pizza joint, I grab the food and fall into an old chair that came with the house.
It’s almost midnight, and this is only my second meal today since my morning coffee and ham and Swiss sandwich. I tend to get hangry, so the lack of people is very fortunate right now.
Right when I’m about to take a bite, my phone rings.
“Yeah,” I sigh tiredly when I pressAccept.
“How is the new place, bro? Already scare all the old ladies in the vicinity?”My brother Jethro chuckles at his unfunny joke. It happened only once. I was wearing boxers and had an axe in my hands. It was dark, and I was chopping wood for the fire because it was late November, and it was freezing. We were building a house in the middle of nowhere Vermont, so I’m not sure where that old lady appeared from. When she saw me yielding that axe, she shrieked and fainted which should have been my reaction, not hers. We had to call an ambulance for her. I mean, I’m no small guy, and I guess the axe didn’t help, but that reaction was overdramatic. My brother likes bringing up this story as some sort of permanent punishment.
“How’s Junie?” I ask, ignoring his jab.
“Adjusting. Somewhat.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“I know. I just wish it was faster. Speaking of faster. Are you sure you didn’t jump into buying that house too quickly? And staying so close? Still in Maine?”
“It’s home, Jethro. Always has been.” Even if it doesn’t feel like one quite yet. “I’m not leaving.”
“Yeah. You shouldn’t.”His heavy sigh is loud enough for Canada to hear. He’s not overit. Even when I am.
“The realtor told me everyone is nice here.” I reroute our conversation from the place neither of us wants to be.
A snort.“Of course he did. He needed to sell the place.”
