When I turned eighteen years old just over a week ago I inherited a house. Not just any house but the most haunted house in town. I had not expected this. Why? Because I inherited this house from a complete stranger along with the house filled topped to bottom full of boxes and belongings. When the lawyer came to my parents house they hung around like buzzards waiting to descend on a kill. The lawyer finally said, "I hope you realize that Abbie is the only person allowed in the home. It was written in the will that you can not get your hands on any of the items and your not allowed in the home at all."
Mom got mad and said, "What do you mean we cannot move into the house. What hers is rightfully ours."
The lawyer gave a smile and said, "There is a letter to Abbie that I am supposed to read with her parents in the room. May I?"
My Dad said, "It won't change anything."
"Dear Abbie," The lawyer started. "I know your wondering why I am giving you a home full of belongs and a cash inheritance. Since I babysat you when you were young I noticed you were not like your family. Well sweet girl its because for years I have watched your parents take everything from you and give it to your older sibling's. You have had everything taken from you. This house, property, money and belongings come with one condition. Your parents get none of it. Your now eighteen and you deserve to start your life off right. My lawyer here has the keys to my 2010 Mercedes which barely fits in the garage. oh and dear that is the only garage door that opens and the money to give to you once you move in. There a brand new cot bed in the kitchen to make due with till you work on the house. Part of the kitchen and part of the bathroom next to it are readied for your use. There is sixty five rooms in the house, the attached garage, pool house, greenhouse, attic and basement are ready for you. I arranged a yard service for the first year as well as paid all the bills for the first year for you. Think of this as a way for you to sell things and learn history which I know you love. Take care of the home and Mr. Reed will help you get everything set up tomorrow. All my love Mrs. Jenson."
My Dad was fuming and screamed, "We get nothing."
"No," Mr. Reed said.
"Abbie you get out of our house now," Mom screeched. "Pack your shit and go."
"Mr. Reed," I asked. "Can i move in now?"
"Yes," He said. "If you get your belongings packed I will take you to the store to get some groceries and we will get you there this afternoon."
I went up to my closet of a room and packed the few belongings I owned. Walking downstairs with my backpack, purse and two suitcases I met Mr. Reed by the front door. My parents looked at me and said, "Good riddance."
When we walked out my mom slammed the door behind me. Mr. Reed took my suitcases and said, "I am sorry Abbie. From what Mrs. Jenson said they are not good people."
"Before you showed up my parents told me that I needed to get a job and give them my paycheck," I said. "Now what?"
He laughed and said, "My wife cleaned the stove, fridge and bathroom for you today. I would suggest getting some groceries until you get settled and by then you will have the money to do whatever shopping you want to do. Do you have a drivers license?"
"Yes I do," I said. "Mom and Dad hate driving so I had to get mine to chauffer them around."
"Well," He said. "Do you plan with the house?"
"Yes," I said, "I may turn it into a bed and breakfast. But all those rooms and no way to openly sell the items I find."
He laughed and said, "I have a friend who buys things in bulk and I have their card. But your young what about Facebook marketplace?"
"I guess once I get the money I will have to get a phone,' I said. "I could also get a laptop to does the house have internet?"
"Yes," He said handing me a envelope. "The whole home is maintained on the outside. Your going to have a lot of work ahead of you. But this is my card and you can call me for any advise. I promised Mrs. Jenson I would watch over you. Ahh Publix. This is your start up money. In the late morning tomorrow I will come by and help you go over everything so your aware of what you have home, money and house wise. But first let's get you some food."
Walking into the store I realized I can buy things I like. Mr. Reed followed me around the store as I grabbed things I wanted. When I had went through the store and went through check out we headed to the house.
The sun was shinning on the house and I said, "I can't believe I used to be scared of this house."
Laughing he said, "You know Mrs. Jenson started those rumors to keep people away. Now prepare yourself when I said packed I mean we can get you to the bathroom and the kitchen and that is it."
We walked into the house and in the kitchen against the table was a camping bed with fresh sheets, pillows as a flower comforter. The only other small walkway was a bathroom. Looking into the bathroom I saw there was a beautiful window. Coming back to Mr. Reed I said, "I can redo the rooms right?"
"You sure can," He said. "It's your house. The only rule is your family cannot live here. Well Abbie I have a lot to do today. You can use the car I made sure it had gas, a tune up and oil change. What are your plans today."
"I am going to go put the food away," I said. "Set up my luggage and maybe drive my car to the Verizon store and get a phone."
He smiled, handed me the keys for the house and car saying, "That sounds like a plan. You will do fine Abbie. Mrs. Jenson was so sure about you taking the house and I believe she made the right choice."
When he left I locked the door behind him and went to the kitchen and put away the groceries. I started to chuckle as he never realized that these groceries I got today was what my parents would feed me in three months time. Sitting on my bed I counted the money in the envelope and realized I had close to five thousand dollars in it. I tucked a thousand in my wallet and took the remaining money and placed it under my pillows.
Lifting my purse I grabbed the keys and went to the garage. Thanking god I was very thin I unlocked and climbed into the car. I would have to make some room so I could get in and out of the car easier. Looking the the center console I saw an envelope that said registration and insurance. Mrs. Jenson did not skip anything. Heading to the Verizon store I passed a Lowes and decided on the way home I would stop and get some totes for anything I decided to keep for the house and maybe a few drawer totes for my clothes. Pulling up the Verizon store I walked in and the sales woman Violet came over and I explained my situation.
"Well Abbie," She said. "I would suggest getting a phone with a bit more memory. You can do a prepaid plan where you can add time monthly or you can have a bill sent to you. But given your circumstances I would suggest pay as you go so your not locked into a contract. Also remember to get a case for your phone as well."
After an hour she set me up with a phone. Before I left I got a car charger and mount so I could be hands free. I went to the car and set everything up before heading to Lowes. When I got there I found two drawer totes and I bought five regular totes to start with. When I was heading home I decided I was starving and stopped in the Chick Fila drive through to get myself dinner. After this I would not spend much more unless it was for the house. Getting home the fun began to set as I unpacked my clothes and sat at a corner of the table that was free to eat. I sent Mr. Reed a text with my phone number and saved his. A while later I received a text from his wife telling me if I needed anything to call her. Setting up the garbage can I had got along with the totes I sat down to eat as I signed up for a YouTube account so I could watch videos that night. When I had my account set up I decided to look at TikTok. I saw so many videos and came across videos of people who clean out houses and decided why not create a account to post videos of what I am unpacking.
Going into the bathroom I ran the water to see if it was hot and it was. Taking a shower I decided to get ready for bed and relax. The bed Mrs. Reed made for me was comfortable and smelled so good I would have to ask her what laundry detergent she used so I can get some when I go to do my laundry. As I dozed off I learned the sounds of the house. When I was to tired to sleep I shut the phone off and placed it on the counter behind me plugging it in. I woke up around three in the morning with the feeling someone was watching me. I know I locked the front door and told myself its just new house nerves. After using the bathroom I went back to sleep until my alarm went off at seven in the morning.
When I woke up the following morning I went into the bathroom and washed my face getting ready for the day. Going into the kitchen I made my bed and cleaned up the room grabbing a garbage bag to hold my dirty laundry in. Sliding that under the bed I made breakfast. I was not a big breakfast eater but I knew I would be working on the house a lot so I made myself a sausage, and cheese bagel. As I ate I got a text message from Mr. Reed saying that him and his wife would be there at eleven thirty.
Washing my plate I put it in the drying rack and went outside. I decided to make my first video for TikTok. I opened the video and said, "Hey all My name is Abbie and guess what I inherited a house. I gave a tour of the property. Then I paused the video to turn the camera I said, "This house is packed to the brim so follow me and see what we are going to do with it. Do not believe me lets look inside."
After I gave a small tour and showed all the boxes. I ended with, "Follow me for all the treasures we are about to uncover."
I posted the video and looked at all the boxes. I closed my eyes and spun. As I finished spinning I placed my hand on the first box I was going to sort. Pulling the box from the pile I dragged it into the kitchen. Opening the box I saw that there was a bunch of kitchen items in it. Vintage dishes and accessories were stuffed in the box. I got excited as I found a bunch of vintage books at the bottom of the box. I took a tote and labeled it kitchen.
Looking at the card Mr. Reed gave me I gave a call to the shop that buys item. The owner Grace answered and we talked for a while. She said she buys lots but will also put things on sale for me for a percentage of the sales. She is a good friend of Mr. Reeds wife and was told about the situation. When I explained that I have a lot she laughed and told me that she has plenty of room to sell for me or buy the lots. She told me to come by with items this afternoon and we can look over what I found.
I grabbed another box opening it was a bunch of men's clothes. Sorting the box I found T-shirts and suits. Remembering something I saw on TV once was to check the pockets because you never know. After I placed the clothes I decided to keep in the laundry bag I put the rest of the clothes in the same box. The next box was more clothes. I pulled my car out of the garage and loaded the full boxes into them for Grace to look over. If Grace did not want any of the items I would then sell them on the market place. I was about to start another box when there was a knock at the door. Looking out the peep hole I saw my brother Matt outside. Sighing I said, "Once moment."
Opening the door I stepped outside. Looking at him I said, "What's up Matt."
"So Mom and Dad said you decided to fuck the family over," He said.
"How so?" I asked.
"You got all this and we get nothing," He said.
"Oh you mean how I never had a birthday with the family," I said. "Or had to watch every year as you opened Christmas gifts and I got nothing. Or how about having to go to school wearing rags and beg for the essentials I needed why you all wanted to for anything. How about the cherry on top that yesterday right before Mr. Reed showed up I was told that I was to get a job to support you all while I would get nothing?"
"Well," He said. "Its not my fault Mom and Dad didn't want you."
Laughing I said, "Per my inheritance I cannot give you anything. Not a penny or an item. I think after all these years I am going to be a bit selfish and do right by me."
Mr. Reed and his wife pulled up at that time and I asked, "Did you want to threaten me because that will not work very well Matt."
He looked a me and said, "You will regret this Abbie."
Sighing I said, "I doubt that Matt. Tell Mom and Dad I need my birth certificate and social security card. You know what never mind I will call social security and request a new number and if anything was opened in my name since I turned eighteen I will flag it for fraud."
Mat stalked to his and peeled out. Mrs. Reed asked, "Are you alright Abbie?"
"Yeah," I said. "I am. There will be more visits like that soon enough I am sure. There are six siblings. Please come in I started the entry way."
When we got to the kitchen Mr. Reed said, "We stopped by and spoke to Gracie. She said she spoke with you and you going to sell lots and consign some items."
Nodded I said, "That is true. I get the market place but the idea of meeting people either here or at another place makes me weary, especially when it comes to my parents."
Mrs. Reed nodded and said, "That may be a good idea. Is that why the car is out of the garage? Because your adding to it."
"Yes," I said. "The garage is packed and to be honest with you I am skinny but getting things in and out are difficult."
Smiling she asked, "What is your plans for the house?"
"Well I am trying to get up the stairs and to the master suite," I said. "I am trying to make a path to get to the suite to clean it out and remodel it. Looking at the map of the house I think it would nice that I have a room done. But I guess I have time and a way to support myself."
Mr. Reed said, "That is true. Now I am guessing no one ever opened you up a checking account. So we are going to go with you to open an account. Then your going to deposit the check from Mrs. Jenson left you and it is a lot. I am going to hold the home title and all important documents until you get your room done and get a safe."
"Alright that sounds good especially with my siblings starting to visit," I said. "What bank do you want me to follow you to."
"We are going to open you an account at Truist," He said.
"Okay," I said. "Also Mrs. Reed I have a question what laundry detergent do you use?"
She smiled and said, "Gain. They have wonderful scents."
"Good to know," I said. "I found some clothes that I want to keep and want to make sure I have laundry detergent for when I go to the laundry mat."
We left the house and I followed the Reeds to the bank. Thanks to them I was able to get my account opened and when I saw the amount of money I had received. Even if I did not work a day in my life or turn this home into a bed and breakfast I would never have to work. After we left the bank I ran into Walmart to get laundry detergent and softener. Before I went to check out I decided to look at laptops. I had enough money to buy one. Looking at my watch I decided to go to Graces shop. When I got there she looked up and said, "You must be Abbie."
"Hi Grace," I said. "I have a few boxes in the car if you have time."
"I sure do," She said. "Can you pull around to the back all sales happen back there so we can unload and look through all the items so customer's shopping do not hear what we are discussing."
"Alright," I said. Pulling around the back Grace opened the garage door and we loaded all the boxes onto a table.
Grace asked, "So I see some basic items and items I want to put in the consignment area. So let me separate them and take some pictures. Then I will give you a price."
"While your doing that can I asked you a question?" I asked.
"Sure thing what's up?" She said.
"Have you ever did garage sales which you run for a percentage of the sales?" I asked.
"Yes I have," She said. "Would that be something your interested in?"
"Yes it is," I said. "I read the county ordinances and they say you can have 1 sale a month. I was going to see what it would take to do one with you. I do not have the knowledge for the prices to hold a sale."
She laughed and said, "Well before we leave I will give you a date and we can arrange one. Normally if your supplying the items I will supply the time and knowledge I normally request forty percent of the sales. Then whatever is left I will buy or consign for you."
"That would be great," I said. "My goal this week is to get to the master suit by making a path to it."
She laughed and asked, "How is that going for you?"
"Slow," I said. "But I do TikTok videos as well and some of my videos are getting thousand of hits. If I can make some money from that so be it. After having nothing its nice to know I have a future."
Grace said, "It was that bad with your family?"
"Very," I said. "But I have a bright future ahead of me."
"That is the best viewpoint," She said. "So this table here are the items I want to consign. So I notated how many items and you can choose the amount of time or until it sells. Then you sign and I will get these on the shelves and racks. When I get them priced I will copy this form and add the descriptions. When they sell I will send you a check once a month and the list will be updated with a line through the sold items and what it sold for. Every time I send you an check you will get a updated form. Yes you can have multiple lots as we have a lot of people who do this."
I signed the form and gave her the paper Mr. Reed gave me with the official address. When I gave her the first form back she said, "This pile here is lower end items and I will offer you a hundred for it all. Is that okay with you?"
"That sounds good," I said. "Mrs. Reed said I could trust your judgement."
She smiled and said, "For the items I buy I pay cash. Mrs. Reed is a wonderful woman I am glad to be friends with her."
After we finished she went into an office and made a receipt for the cash items and gave me a copy of the consignment items list. Joking I would see her soon she schedule the first yard sale. After we were done I stopped at Lowes to get a few more totes and headed home. When I got home I placed the paper work for today in my small suitcase under the bed and went to the entry way to work on my path. I made a few more videos as I worked on my way up the stairs. At six that night my alarm to end my day went off. Going outside I pulled the car into the garage and locked it up. Going back into the house I decided that I would make a pizza for dinner tonight along with a salad I could pick at the next few days. Putting on videos to listen to I cooked dinner. When it was done I ate while I set up my laptop.
After setting it up I ate and watched videos. Then after washing up I laid in bed watching TV happy with the fact that I accomplished a bit today. When I went to sleep that night I had a dream that in the kitchen doorway I saw Mrs. Jenson watching me with a content smile on her face.
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Abbie- main
Mr. Reed- Lawyer
Gracie- Resell store 40 percent for yard sales
Mrs. Jenson- old babysitter
Mom, Dad, Matt