Chapter 11

Izzie

I take a long, satisfying sip of my rich, dark roast coffee, and take a seat at my desk.

“So, how extensive is the damage?” I ask Brandon, a technician at the exterminator’s office. “And how long has it been? I don’t know how it slipped.”

“It’s been two years, it looks like. The last routine inspection was called in by a woman, Mrs. Harriet Williams,” he answers.

“Yeah. Okay. That was my grandmother. I was such a mess after she passed, that this was the ball that dropped,” I explain.

“I’m sorry, miss. I know it’s hard being the one maintaining a home, especially an inherited house. You never quite know what you’re walking into,” he replies in an attempt to comfort me.

But I don’t know if there really is much comfort to be given. My home is inhospitable and hazardous to Liam, and I don’t know what we’re going to do.

“So, what’s the next step? What do I need to do to get it all right?” I ask him. I’m frantic and nearly in tears.

“Well, we need to fumigate the home, inside and out. Thus, you need to be out for a full week, so we can be certain we clear the infestation.”

With the phone in one ear, I start typing away at my computer, already searching for some solution.

AirBnB? Motel 6?

“Okay. That’s not so bad. So one week, and we can come back; and by then, we’ll be free and clear?” That’s absolutely something I can wrap my mind around. Honestly, I feel a relief that’s enough to make my shoulders finally relax.

“Well, not quite, Ms. Williams. You see, there’s a lot of underlying damage to the supports of the house. And this is just underneath. I have no idea how the inside of your walls look like right now. These little guys have been making themselves comfortable for a while,” he points out to me.

“Okay. So what does that mean? I’ve literally never dealt with something like this before. So please, leave no stone unturned here.”

“It means you’ll need to hire a contractor to rebuild the framework of your house. And I’ve got nothing to do with that, so I have no idea how long that could take.”

“I understand. Well, alright then. Um, thank you for your help, I appreciate the call,” I say politely and hang up my phone.

I take another indulgent mouthful of coffee, as if somehow it’ll absolve me of my current dilemma. As I swallow, I come to the awful reality, that it’s just not the case.

I close my eyes and think for just a moment. I need a plan for me and for Liam. The plan should include enabling me to get to work and to drop Liam off to school at a reasonable time.None of the ‘reputable’ motels seem to suit this plan.

I start scrolling AirBnB. Shit. There are no houses available for the next two months.

Okay. Think, Izzie. You can do this.

The door to my office slowly opens, presenting a sweaty, achy Brady Thomas in my doorway. He sees me in my frazzled state — my hair is a mess, my eyes are sunken in, and I’m so pale— that it looks like I’ve seen a ghost.

“Is everything okay?” he asks, his look immediately turning from curiousity to concern.

“Yeah. Besides the fact that my house could collapse at any moment, I’m freaking fantastic,” I snap.

I feel bad. I know I’m lashing out. But what’s he even going to really do about it?

“Oh, no. What happened to it?”

“Termites. Apparently, I never renewed the inspection agreement after my grandmother passed. Now, my son and I have nowhere to go. God, why?”

“Hey, calm down, Izzie. It’ll be okay.”

“That’s easy for you to say. Aren’t you, like, so rich that you can’t stand it? You can literally sign a lease somewhere tomorrow and be fine.”

“That’s true. I really can. But I don’t.”

“Yeah. Must be nice,” I comment coldly.

“Well, I was gonna say...If you need a place while your house is getting fixed, I can help,” he explains. My ears perk up like an excited dog.

“Yeah? I mean. I couldn’t possibly impose. I have a young boy. He can be a handful at times, and I don’t want to burden anyone.”

“Listen, Izzie. I have three guest rooms. No one has used them in years. Please, I insist. You’ve been so great to all of us. Let me help you. You need it.”

“I’m sure I can figure something out. You’re going to have to let me do this on my own. But thank you, Brady.”

“Okay, then it’s settled. You and Liam are going to do your own thing. Do you have a pen? I’ll write down my number, just in case you change your mind,” he insists.

I hand him my pen and sit back in awe of Brady. He has really surprised me the past few days. And this is more than I could ask, even from a close friend.

He hands me the paper, and I fold it and place it in my wallet.

“Thank you, Brady. I really appreciate that,” I say.

“It’s no trouble, Izzie. Really. It’ll be nice to have a not-so-empty home for a little while,” he assures me, still trying to sell me the idea.

“Oh, well, you might not feel the same way after you’ve battled with an eight-year-old a few times,” I reply. “I can’t just put that strain on anyone, you know?”

“Oh, I’m sure I can handle it if I have to,” he says. He walks across my office and picks up a small picture frame. “Is this him?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“He looks a lot like you.”

Tears almost fall from my eyes. He actually looks a lot more like my sister, but I don’t want to get into it.

“Thanks. I get that a lot,” I lie. It’s just better that way. “I’ll see you out on the field, then.”

“Oh, wait. Izzie, is there anything I can be eating to help me?”

Right. I forgot he came to my office looking for help.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I’ve gotten your plan down pat, but I just don’t want to have to take a leave every few hours, ya know? My elbow’s been crazy stiff and I can’t have that.”

“Oh, man. Well, you need to take it easy on it for the away game. In the meantime, I’ll give you a catered list of some anti-inflammatory food that are going to help you get through it.

“Awesome, thanks!”

“No problem. Thank you.”

He leaves, and just like that, Brady Thomas is selling to me that he’s not the total douchebag I’ve painted him up to be. God, how can he be so awful and good at the same time?

I sigh and prepare for a long day. I need to set aside all of the thoughts literally racing through my mind about the house and just focus on work for a few hours. I’m going to get this all straightened out for me and Liam. I know it.