The Greatest of These by Greg Wendleton (booksvooks txt) 📕

“Yes, that’s what I would do, if I didn’t have another idea.”

Leaning back into the conversation, I asked, “What is your idea?”

“I’d sell you this house for $650,000, as is, with no listing fees.”

“You would?”

“Yes, Garret, Leilani and I would do that for you and Fonda.”

I fell back into my chair and sighed. Then I sat back upright and spoke candidly, “I am overwhelmed by your offer, Scott. But I have a few problems. First, I have to discuss this big of a move with Fonda, and I can’t speak to her until next Sunday. Then we would have to make arrangements to sell our home in San Antonio.”

“Of course, I understand the constraints you are under. I’m not asking you to make a decision today. I won’t make any moves with this house until you’ve had a chance to get home and have a long discussion with your wife, whom I can’t wait to meet.”

I extended my right hand toward Scott and we shook. “Thank you, Scott. I can’t wait to have this conversation with her!”

Scott left me with the accordion file full of documents and excused himself from the bedroom. I remained seated as he closed the door behind him, then I began to cry, tears of relief and joy.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

After abandoning the red Ford F-150 behind a convenience store, Jackie Ming walked around to the front of the store and entered. He purchased a cup of coffee and some curious lunch items from a roller grill. The sign said it was a Tornado and was Steak and Cheese. He bought two of them and the coffee, paying with cash. It was early afternoon and he needed to find a safe place to bed down and catch up on some much-needed sleep.

He asked the clerk what number he should call for a taxi and the young man handed him a business card for a cab company. Jackie walked back outside and located a pay phone, not wanting to activate his burner phone. The dispatcher told him it would be five minutes before a taxi would be there. He waited beside the ice freezer and ate his lunch. He looked at his purchase closely, nodded his head approvingly, and quickly finished them both.

When the taxi arrived, he threw his suitcase and backpack into the backseat and then slid in beside his belongings. He asked the driver to take him to a clean, out-of-the-way motel. The driver obliged him by dropping him off at a place called the Silver Spur Motel. It was an L shaped building with twelve rooms. All the rooms had an outside entrance, a single front window, and a metal chair outside. The chairs were painted colorfully and Jackie hoped the interior was clean. He was having doubts by the exterior appearance.

He entered the office and asked the clerk for a room. “How long will ya’ be needin’ a room?”, the elderly man asked.

Jackie thought and then replied, “I’m not sure, but let’s say until Saturday, the 6th. I’ll pay you in cash, in advance.”

“Well, that would be just fine. I just need an ID and for you to fill out the registration form.”

Jackie slid a hundred-dollar bill across the counter and said, “Here is my ID.”

“Welcome to the Silver Spur, Mr. Franklin.”

With the registration form completed, he slid it back to the old man. He had registered as Jackie Franklin. He peeled off three more Franklins to pay for the six-night reservation. He was given the key to room twelve, which was on the end, farthest away from the office.

“We don’t offer no free breakfast or happy hour, but we always have coffee and some donuts here in the lobby. Enjoy your stay Mr. Franklin.”

Jackie trudged down the sidewalk in front of the rooms, pulling his suitcase behind him. He unlocked the door to room number twelve and stepped inside. Much to his surprise and pleasure, it was spotless. It didn’t smell musty either. For some reason, he peered out the drapes and seeing nothing special, let them close back together. He adjusted the temperature on the wall mounted air conditioner that was located directly below the front window.

With the overhead light on, Jackie wandered about the room, touching the bed and admiring the large, flat screen television located on a dresser. There was a small round table and two chairs in the corner close to the window. The bed was a queen size and had a small bedside table on each side. A telephone sat on the table on the right side of the bed. Wall mounted lights would provide bedside illumination.

He noticed a hanging rod that measured about two feel long with a metal shelf above it. Next was a vanity with personal sized soap, shampoo and lotion. Finally, behind a closed door was the toilet and a bathtub with a shower head mounted on the wall.

Jackie walked back out into the main room and nodded. This would do nicely. He decided the first thing he needed was a shower. So, he stripped down, unwrapped the soap, grabbed the shampoo and walked into the private room. He turned the water on and allowed it to begin to steam before he stepped in and closed the shower curtain. The hot water felt good soaking into his weary body. As he stood there it hit him, it had been three full days since he had showered back at his apartment in Taipei. That was a distant memory now. He could never go back to his old home.

He was a man on the run with no place to call home.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

The dinner that Leilani and Jamie had prepared was exquisite. The pork was tender and moist. The mango salsa was amazing and the sweet potatoes and corn on the cob were fresh and delicious. I didn’t get excited about the Poi, I could do without that.

After dinner, we, the men, cleaned up the kitchen and allowed the ladies