Page 40 of 7 Miles High
We walk through a great looking arched gate that leads in to the small property.
“What a perfect sized garden. And the succulents require little water,” Natalie remarks as we pass.
The door is open, and I see another couple walking through the slider that leads to the backyard.
“This place has a good feel to it,” I add, walking into the home.
It’s not a big living room, but it’s warm.
“This was built in eighty-seven,” Natalie says, reading the flyer on the table. “It’s 1,870 square feet. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms.”
The couple I watched walk inside heads for the front door. As they pass, we get a look that says ‘back off, this is our house.’
Maybe I’m reading too much into the scene.
“Where’s the realtor?” the woman whispers to her husband.
“In the kitchen. Let’s call her after we talk.” He says it in low tones, but my supersonic hearing makes out every word.
I catch Natalie’s eye and a message passes between us. If I like this one we have to move fast. Shit. I haven’t even seen two rooms yet.
We walk through the rooms passing the occasional person or family. Natalie wasn’t kidding. This place has attracted buyers within hours of going on the market. They see what I see. It’s a great house. For a small family or a single person. I don’t think it can get much better than this. The kitchen is small, but I don’t give a shit. I don’t cook much anyway. And the master bedroom’s large. That’s the one I’d rather have space in. The ceilings are high and there’s lots of windows. It makes the house look so much bigger than its square footage.
“What do you think?” Natalie says.
“I think it’s great. What do you think?”
She smiles and touches my hand. “I think this decision is yours. It’s the first house you’ve seen, but I have to say this one is going to go quickly. It’s got great value.”
I think about her words as we move to the slider.
“The yard is just the right size,” I say, passing through.
What I didn’t expect was the view of the ocean. It’s not much, but it’s there. The sparkling blue Pacific peeking through the tall Eucalyptus trees.
A man and a teenager stand taking in the view. As I pass behind them I hear the kid’s comment.
“Dad! I love this house! Looks like I can get down to the beach in ten minutes. That’s a good surf spot to the right.”
I hover near the man and his son and try to gage the father’s response. But he picks up on my plan, motions for the kid to follow him and moves back into the house.
“What do you like about this place?” Natalie says.
“Everything. The size is right. The location works. I like the vibe. It’s kind of old California, before the neighborhoods started to look alike.”
“Yes. I agree. There’s a good chance it will be snatched quickly. Having said that, you shouldn’t make rash decisions. It’s a thirty-year promise and this is just the first place we’ve looked at.”
I take her hands and put them around my waist. Her eyes looking up at me settles my soul. She calms my mind.
“I want your opinion,” I say.
“It’s not really ethical for me to give a client my personal opinion.”
“Oh come on. Bend the rules for me.”
Her beautiful smile precedes her words.
“I love it.”
