Page 108 of Cash

He agreed, everyone shook hands, and we left. On the hour-long ride home, I was disappointed. The home, although it needed tremendous work, had the best view of all the homes we’d seen. The yard was bigger than most in the neighborhood and would have looked spectacular with my personal touch.

I could see flower beds on either side of the front porch, and a lavishly landscaped area in the back yard. tending my flowers while listening to the waves crash ashore would ease my mind an any worries that could – or would – ever crop up.

I imagined cooking breakfast in the kitchen while I looked out at the ocean. Watching sunsets over the beach while we drank wine in the breakfast nook.

Cash pulled the motorcycle into the driveway and shut off the engine.

“Are you sure I can’t take a little out of my retirement?”

He pulled off his helmet. “No. The answer’s no.”

I sighed, mentally making note of Erin’s proverb about how things could always be worse. “Okay. Well, at least we’ve got a place to call home.”

Still standing beside his motorcycle, he pulled his phone from his pocket and swiped his thumb over the screen. After checking his messages, his face washed with sorrow.

“What?”

He shoved his phone into his pocket. “They said no. A million four. Best and final. I’m three hundred grand short.”

I wanted to cry, but I forced a smile. “I guess we’ll keep looking.”

“Looks like it.”

With his arm draped over my shoulder, we walked up the drive, and to the porch. While Cash fumbled for the key, I noticed the mailbox door was open, and that a small box was hanging out of it.

I grabbed the box, shrugged, and carried it to the door.

“What is it?” Cash asked.

“I don’t know. A box.”

He unlocked the door. “Who’s it from?”

I looked at the label affixed to the box. “R. Hood”

He scrunched his nose. “R. Hood?”

I looked at it again. “That’s what it says.”

“What’s the return address?”

I glanced at the label. It had my address listed as the return as well. “It has mine for both.”

We stepped into the living room.

“Open it,” he said.

I got a knife and cut the tape from the ends of the box, and then opened it. Inside, a bundle wrapped in brown paper was tied with a red bow. A small white card – similar to one that would be sent with flowers – was tucked under the bow.

I removed the card from the small envelope and opened it.

Thought this might come in handy

Robin

“What’s it say?”he asked.

I handed him the card.