The Funeral Home (stand alone)

This is the extended version of the story that was in my book, Ghost Stories for the Chicken at Heart- Extended Version.

When my youngest child was under a year old, my ex-husband's maternal Grandfather passed away after a dreaded battle with cancer. But he passed away at home surrounded by those who loved him. As they had lived in Brooksville for over twenty years before he passed, my ex-husbands Grandmother had decided to have the funeral at a well established funeral home. The funeral home she had chosen was in the historic area of town, right across the street from a well-known haunted location, and the funeral home also had a reputation for being haunted as well. So, when my ex-husband and I pulled up with our three older daughters, I was not surprised that the hairs on the back of my neck started to stand up. I have been sensitive to spirits all of my life and  I know when they are around. Since I was a young girl I have has the ability to see and hear spirits when they expel the energy they carry.

I can and will say if you have to ever visit a funeral home, you do not need to be a sensitive to feel the spirits around you. Also, if you are to listen carefully you should be able to hear their voices and learn their stories. After we parked I took a moment and readied myself. Then I opened the door to the van and stepped out into the sunshine. When I did I felt the cold surround me and felt as if I stepped into a large crowd of people. Turning to the van I grabbed the light sweater I brought with me and looked over the parking lot. Looking around I saw there was only six people outside of my family, but the area felt so crowded. Before I took my daughter's hand I took a deep breath as I knew that being there for the service would be interesting.

We walked into the building, stopping to say hello to a few people, and I could already feel the tension in the room, it was so bad I was sure people would start fighting at any moment. There were hard feelings between some family members, and being there had already begun to be an extremely stressful time. As I come from a family where no one comes together unless you are part of a click or someone dies, I felt uncomfortable. Being there was pretty rough to watch, and I honestly felt like I could be a game commenter, watching the groups of people within the family. The feeling was so bad that I started watching for a Reaper or two to appear. Please don't judge me, but if you read my other stories, I have had many brushes with Reapers. So please understand I always feel like there is a Reaper in the wings waiting and watching, especially inside funeral homes with tension like this. So, I am sure you can understand my not wanting to be there, at the funeral home and under those circumstances.

I did what most people do when someone does not want to be somewhere, and that was being polite while talking to my ex-husband's cousin for a few minutes when my sister-in-law came and took my three girls from me to sit with her while we spoke with people who were in the lobby. While my ex-husband was talking with his Dad and Mom, I started walking around the funeral home. You have to understand that the funeral home had a lot of memorabilia displayed, and there is was an alcove dedicated to military history, so walking around the building was not such a bad thing. Going through the door to the viewing and service room felt suffocating, and since my ex-husband was sitting with his parents and my girls were inside the viewing area with their Aunt, I decided to stay in the lobby. I knew my ex-Mother-In-Law would say something later as she did not believe in the paranormal either and would not understand. However, my saving grace was my Sister-In-Law, and I caught her eye, and she mouthed for me to go. I stepped out of the room and started to feel a bit better and breathe normally again.

I walked around the bottom floor of the funeral home, looking at all the displays more while occasionally speaking with family and friends who came in. There were a lot of different pieces of memorabilia as this funeral home has been around since the end of the civil war in one way or another. I didn't mention that? Yeah, the building is that old. I had this overwhelming feeling that something was trying to make me feel like a hypocrite while I was in an empty room and my thoughts started to get intrusive. I will admit that I did not want to be there, but leaving the room did not make me have those intrusive thoughts. I will say the energy I felt in the building was intense and I was worried that there would be fights caused by it. Almost like the spirits or presence in the building was trying to push us to see what kind of chaos it could cause. I whispered, "Don't push it. I can feel you." After I said those words, the energy seemed to back off.

Heading outside, I decided to breather to shake off the effect of the energy. I do not know what my ex-mother-in-law was thinking but she had us show up three hours before the actual funeral! As it was still very early, I knew my ex-husbands Grandmother could probably use a drink, so I walked across the street to the gas station and got her a coffee. When I returned, his Grandmomther was outside, and when I handed her a coffee, she hugged me and thanked me as she drank the coffee. My ex-mother-in-law came out looking for her and asked where I had been. Nana as she was known, stood up and said, "Leave her alone. She went and got me a coffee which I needed.

My ex-mother-in-law commented, as she went back into the funeral home, "Well you could have gotten more then her a coffee."

This was after I ran to the retail store I worked at to buy her a pair of black flats as hers were falling apart. Nana took my hand and said, "Don't worry about it, you know how she can be."

After I walked Nana back into the building, I hugged her again and said, "I am going to stay in the lobby for a while."

She nodded. As much as we had our issues, she understood how I felt. I started to explore the funeral home's entrance and looked at all the displays. I was looking at the stairs and discovered two beautiful wing back chairs. I love older architecture and furniture. The building we were in was very old and I was in awe of the construction and detail. 

One of the workers walked past and said, "You can sit in the chairs, they are old but sturdy. We use them to block the stairs due to safety and liability issues. Those chairs habe always been in the building, we did not have a heart to get rid of them, with how beautiful they are."

"Thank you," I said as I went to sit in one of the chairs.

**********************************************************************

Sitting in one of the chairs, I talked with a few family members who came out from the viewing part of the services. I always have a notebook in my bag with a pen, which makes it easy to keep the little ones entertained, and I'm always writing stuff down to remember for later. I had been sitting and writing a to-do list for the upcoming week with things I needed to do. I was engrossed in my list as I had started it a few days prior when I had listed the days, work schedule, and doctor's appointments. As I worked, freelanced, and had a small resale business, listing daily goals and things I needed to get done. I had been so busy going through all the days notating my work and chores I became easily distracted, and as I finished notating everything for the week, I started to hear a child giggle.

 

Laughing, I looked up and thought one of my daughters had come out to use the bathroom. As I was distracted planning our week and had not seen her, they decided to hide and giggled because I had not noticed them. I looked around and did not see her, so I peeked through the curtain to the viewing room and saw my girls sitting with my sister-in-law talking. I sat down again and added a few more things to my list I had remembered when I heard the giggling again, and this time the sound was much closer. As I continued to write, the sound continued. When I was sure I had finished my list for the upcoming week, I put the notebook and pen away and stood up, looking around the lobby. When I heard the giggling again, I looked up the stairs and saw a little girl peeking behind the banister rail. The little girl reminded me of my youngest daughter, who was with my parents and sister due to being too young to be at the funeral. 

 

This little girl was wearing jeans and a white shirt and looked like she was hiding upstairs. As a mom, my first thought was maybe one of the staff members could not find a babysitter and had to bring her to work. One of the staff members walked through the lobby and asked if I was okay. I said I was, and I thought it was nice that the funeral home must be very understanding to allow a staff member to bring their child with them if they could not get a sitter. The staff member had no idea what I was talking about, thinking she was feigning ignorance as they didn't want to get someone in trouble for having a child there. So I smiled and said oh well, tell the parent that she is such a beautiful little girl, and with her blonde ponytails, she reminded me of my youngest daughter who was with family at home. I said goodbye and went outside to call my sister to check on my children before the funeral started. 

 

I saw the worker I had been talking with talk to another woman, who I found out later was the Manager. She followed me out and asked how dare I even bring up the thought of ghosts to her staff. She made a point to tell me that there were no children other than the ones there for the funeral service that night. I put my hand up to stop her and told her I never said the little girl was a ghost. I had said I thought it was nice that a staff member was lucky to be able to bring their child with them due to a babysitting issue. I smiled and told her I knew the history and occurrences that happened in this building as it was part of the walking tour. Following up with, as old as her establishment is, to have ghosts is nothing to be weary about, and the little girl was beautiful, and all she did was play peek-a-boo with me, nothing to be ashamed about. The Manager made a point to tell me again they do not have ghosts. I laughed and said you do realize where the building is? I pointed across the street to our town's most historic and haunted buildings. I laughed and said, if you don't have ghosts, you have a problem with children sneaking into your building. Oh, and I'm sorry that little girl and the few other spirits I felt and saw that day beg to differ. After our interaction, my ex-husband's cousin rescued me from the Manager. He told me he had heard the whole conversation. He said, "They are just covering their asses." We went inside as the funeral was starting.

 

This building is no longer a funeral home. The funeral home had moved to another location in town, and I have unfortunately had to attend a funeral in the new building, and it is just as haunted as the previous building. As for the building in our story? It is now a church. I hope that the church is more open to the homes unseen residents than the funeral home was.

Outside the Doors (3 book series)

 In one night, Earth was changed for the worse. My husband and I were watching TV when our dogs started to bark at the shadows outside the windows. Charles looked towards the windows and said, "It is probably a deer."

When the dogs did not stop we got up and moved to the sliding glass doors and put the outside lights on. Looking towards the woods that surround our house I saw a shadow. Pointing it out to Charles I said, "Babe look over there?"

He looked and said, "What is that?"

I asked him, "Are all the animals in? Is the barn closed?"

He nodded and said, "Yeah, when the storm warning came up I went into the barn through the tunnel and locked it up."

Pulling out my phone I pulled up the barns cameras and checked the animals. He looked over my shoulder and said, "Pull up the houses cameras I want to see what is outside."

Pulling up the outside cameras I grabbed his arms and said, "Babe the shadows are all around the house."

We went to all the doors and windows making sure each of them was locked. He grabbed his gun and said, "Call the non emergency line and report this and see what they say."

I called our county's non emergency line and a haggard man answered and said, "Are you reporting shadows outside your home?

"Yes," I said. "We have not went outside yet but my home on Elson Road is surrounded by them. What do we do."

"Get to a secure room and do not go outside," He said. "I repeat do not go outside. Let me get your information and I will get the military in the loop. Do not engage and if they breach the home you are authorized to use deadly force. Be aware that people have been reported missing when they engage the shadows."

"Charles," I said. "They said do not go outside."

He said, "Tell the police they are not coming into the light. They seem scared of the light."

The officer said, "I heard him and I have notified the local military. Be safe and call 911 if anything else happens."

The line disconnected and I grabbed my shot gun and hand guns loading them. I saw shadows near the barn and I threw all the spot lights on. As soon as the lights came on the shadows shrunk back to the trees. I went through the house and put every light on I could. I grabbed my big flashlights and started shinning them towards the barn whenever I saw a shadow go towards it. An hour later we saw helicopters fly overhead. There was a knock at the door, and I said, "Come to the back porch and let us see you."

We waited and did not see anyone come around. I called the emergency line and said, "The is Katie on Elson road. Let the military know these creatures are knocking on the doors when the helicopters go overhead."

"Katie there are no helicopters flying right now," He said. "They are on foot only."

"Then you have a problem because there were helicopters," I said. "I have them on my security camera. Tell people to not open the doors."

Hanging up I said, "Emergency services said there are no helicopters in the air from the military."

"Well get a video of it because its coming around," He said. "I want to know what we are dealing with."

"Same but we can't touch the game cameras unless its light," I said. "Wait. Camera 23. Remember we put it up to see how high the river rose. The camera is still active."

Grabbing my laptop I loaded camera 23 and gasped. Charles came up next to me and said, "What the hell."

I picked up my phone and called the non emergency line. When a officer picked up I said, "I need to speak with the sheriff now."

"Maam we understand your scared--" The officer started.

"Do not Maam me I have eyes on what these things are," I said. "You are never going to believe it. Give me an email to send a live link to the sheriff. I am already recording, actually it's running live on my youtube channel for a while already."

The Sheriff took the phone and said, "Katie this is a serious situation."

"Sheriff I know this and things went from bad to worse," I said. "Go to the 1123pm spot."

Charles and I were on my channel and saying this is happening live. On the screen there were humanoid creatures selling off their neighbors to alien looking creatures. We saw a big foot creature run through and grab a bunch of children and take off. We didn't see where he went until there was a knock on the back door and bigfoot was sitting there with five small children. The children were crying and I ran to the door and opened it. I said, "Bring anyone else you can rescue here we will keep them safe till sunrise."

He nodded and he explained to the Sheriff what was going on. He said, "We are settling the kids down. We will keep them safe and I am sure Bigfoot is enjoying rescuing people. Keep watching the screen and we will let you know how many people we have."

A little girl said, "They were in the shadows, taking all of us. They took my big sister and I can't find her."

Lifting her up I said, "We will do what we can to keep you safe. Hopefully, they can find your big sister."

She giggled and said, "Me too. She grabbed Daddy's gun and she knows how to use it."

We were watching the screen and saw a young girl appear with a gun in her hand. The little girl screeched, "That is my sissy."

We saw bigfoot approach her and she smiled and lowered her weapon. He took her hand and led her and a few others to our home. I opened the door and bigfoot hearded everyone in. I said, "Are there more people there?"

He said in a low voice, "There are but the aliens took a few people I could not save."

Nodding, I said, "You are doing your best. Thank you we are watching everything on a camera near the river."

Bright lights shined down on my house and he turned and let out a howl of fury. Charles came up and said, "That is not a helicopter get the kids against a wall and get your gun."

He raised his gun as bigfoot climbed the house, and we heard metal screeching. Bigfoot landed on the ground with a crash and the ship came crashing into the trees at the edge of our property. The older child handed me my phone and said, "It is the sheriff."

Putting the phone up to my ear, I said, "Sheriff Bigfoot brought down the craft, and he is not trying to get inside to get the people out."

The sheriff said,"Well it seems like we missed the excitement. I am on my way out there now."

"Be careful," I said. "It is still two hours till sunrise and those creatures are still out there."

Katie, Charles

Mysterious Travel (Multi Book)

I woke up on a bench at the most southern point in the United States. Attached to my arm was a travel backpack and a note that read the following message.

Maggie,

When we spoke last night you said you would do anything to make a living. This is your chance. In your bag you will find clothing for all types of weather. In the front pouch you will find a credit card and a debit card in your name to use along the journey. There are a few simple rules, you document your journey on the Instagram account set up on the phone in your bag. You use the motorized scooter that is parked outside the restaurant we met at last night, you go where we send you to and you tell no one about this journey. Your purse and wallet are in the bag. Go get some breakfast and think about it. I will call you on the provided phone soon. Since you have been considering this you have been given $250 on the debit card. I will call you at eleven this morning.

Your Sponsor.

I stood up and headed back to the Conch Republic Seafood Company and got a table. When I was sat down the bartender came over and sat down saying, "You came back. Don't worry the man you were with said you were feeling sick and took care of your bill. He left this letter for you this morning and they keys to the scooter he left for you. What can I get you to eat you look like you had a long night."

Smiling I said, "My friend is great isn't he. Can I get a ice coffee with cream and sugar. Vanilla flavoring if possible. Also, a menu as I am starving."

He handed me a menu and I looked at it and said, "A Shrimp Po Boy. Full sandwich and fries please. Also when the meal is ready can I get a Pepsi in a to go cup that will fit in the cup holder of the scooter."

Giving me  bog grin he said, "I will have that out for you shortly."

He came back with my coffee and a plate holding three conch fritters and dipping sauce. I looked at him and he said, "They had a few snackers in the kitchen and I thought you could use them. They are the best and they are on me."

I sat drinking my coffee and nibbling at the fritters when the phone I was left rang. Answering it I said, "Hello my sponsor, you are early."

A deep chuckle came across the line and he said, "Well it seems like you have made a decision?"

"I do have couple of questions," I said.

"Go on," He asked curiously.

"Why me? Also, how much money can I make?" I asked.

He sighed and said, "As we spoke last night and you told me about your fiancé leaving you I felt you were the perfect person to do this. I need you to take this path that I would have done if time allowed. As for the financial aspect by the time this journey is done you will make over ten million dollars. Every time you complete a task a set amount you are given will get a deposit to the debit card. All expenses will be paid for by the credit card. Starting with your meal at the  place we met."

"So all I have to do is is document this on the Instagram page via pictures and videos?" I said.

"You got the idea," He said. "You will tell everyone that you are taking a journey of a lifetime and your Instagram will be the proof of the traveling. When it is done you can write that book you told me about or start it when you are camping or at a hotel in the evening. So what do you say?"

"One last question," I asked. "How long?"

"When you are done you will have gone to multiple countries and have enough content for multiple books," He said. "You will be gone for up to five years. It depends on weather and your navigation to every place I go. Why your doing this I will share with you when we meet at the end of the adventure."

"Well," I said. "I guess its a good thing my ex is sleeping with my ex best friend. You got yourself a deal."

He chuckled and said, "That a girl. Have a great breakfast and you will receive a text from me shortly with your first task. You can write out a script for your introduction video or wing it. The first video needs to be uploaded from the resturant."

"Do I need to give a timeline?" I asked. 

"Nope," He said. "Just say your going on the adventure of a lifetime and you all are going to join me."

Adventures in Time (3 book series)

Laying in bed I took out my phone and looked at the email that was sent to me. I started to chuckle because the contents were unbelievable. 

Hello Abigail,

We have been watching you for some time and your research in political and historical events. We at Mercy Group would like to offer you a position in our company. Your views and papers on historical events have led us to believe that you would be the perfect fit in our company. If you would like to learn further information on this opportunity please send a response to this email and we will set up a meeting in a public location of your choosing.

Best Wishes,

Howard Yen

Head of Recruitment

Before she could respond a text message came through from her ex-fiancé that said, "I will be over tomorrow night so we can go over the division of our common property and what had happened."

I went back to the email and replied, "Hello Mr. Yen, I am free all day today and tomorrow until super time. Would Milly's cafe be okay to meet at? Thank you for your consideration. Abigail Greene."

Within a few minutes I received back a reply, "Abigail, Lets meet at noon today. Mr. Yen."

Sitting up I looked around and said, "You want to split our common property Max, you won't get much."

Getting out of bed I took a shower and started to pack Max's belongings into boxes. Labeling the items Max's shit I was not in the mood to deal with him. My now ex-fiance Max decided to cheat on me for months with my sister and claim it was my fault because I got to wrapped up when I was writing a paper. He moved into my sister's apartment the day I discovered them in bed together. My parents invited me to lunch tomorrow to discuss the fall out.

Picking out interview acceptable clothes and headed out to Milly's Cafe. When I walked in a gentleman waved me over standing up from his chair. Putting out his hand he said, "Abigail it is a pleasure to meet you I am Howard Yen."

Smiling I said, "Its a pleasure to meet you Howard. I am intrigued with this exciting opportunity."

Sitting down he waved the waitress over and said, "Dear I would like a coffee and a BLT. Abigail please order something so I am not eating alone."

Looking at the waitress I said, "Could I have my usual Gretchen?"

She laughed and said, "Green tea and a vegetable wrap. I will have that up soon."

Howard laughed and said, "I take it you visit often?"

"My ex-fiance used to complain about me using the kitchen table as an office," I said. "So I would get lunch and type away for an hour or two at a out of the way table to the back."

"Ex," He said. "Well this will make the offer a bit easier. So Abigail at Mercy group we research and document historical inaccuracies and bring that information to life. We go behind the scenes and right the wrongs that have been done to the people in the world."

"That sounds intriging," I said. "If I was to accept this position where would I report?"

"That is the catch of the position," He said. "We have a archive that the vatican wishes they had. The headquarters and where you would be moving if you choose to accept is in Siberia. You would arrive to the compound and we provide all meals, lodgings and needs met. You will be paid one thousand dollars a week and for every mystery you solve you will receive a bonus of five thousand dollars. If you choose to accept this position you will also receive a sign on bonus of twentyfive thousand dollars. You would receive this today when we sign the contract and you will have a week to get your belongings packed and ready to be shipped to Siberia. I would suggest getting some heavier clothes as we only leave the compound once a month to head to Canada for a weekend of fun and getting anything you may want outside of what we provide. You can meet up with family and friends then. If there is emergencies we can also accomodate getting you home as well. So if you have particular snacks, wine, womanly products or even if you have a hobby that requires supplies, stock up. We will have trunks at your home before the end of the day for you to pack and on Sunday we will pick you and your belongings up. You will stay at a hotel that night and we will take the company jet to the compound on Monday. All of your belongings will be traveling with you."

"Wha if I get sick?" I asked.

"We have some of the best Doctors money can hire," He said. "You do not seem worried about leaving this life behind?"

"I would not be," I said. "How long would my contract be?"

"Five years," He said. "After the five years you can resign yearly or every two years. Most of our employees stay on for many years."

"This is an amazing offer," I said.

He sighed and said, "I can tell you why your parents want to see you tomorrow."

Raising my eyebrow I said, "I take it Mercy Group has their fingers in everything."

"Yes," He said. "Your sister is with child and her and Max applied for a marriage license."

Gretchen came to the table with our food and said, "I was not eaves dropping but he is right Abbie. Max and Cindy were here yesterday with your parents. Your Dad was pissed and your Mom is over the moon."

She left and I took out my laptop and said, "Howard if you can give me five minutes while we eat I am making sure Max cannot touch my accounts anymore and I will be signing that contract."

He nodded and asked, "Are you alright?"

Smiling I said, "Actually yes. She can have him and my parents can deal with the aftermath. How cold does it get where we are going?"

He laughed and said, "That is the spirit! It gets to negative six degrees. Send me your bank information."

I sent him by email my personal banking information for the bonus and said, "I think this job will be exactly what I need."

We ate as I signed the contract. When everything was signed Howard said, "We will have the trunks sent to your apartment in the next two hours.I want you to check to make sure you received the money."

Checking my account I said, "The money is in the account. I am going to head home and start sorting my belongings to pack."

We stood up and he shook my hand, "Abigail I am extremly happy you are going to be on our team. I will check in with you. As for furniture we can only take smaller items."

Nodding I said, "I only have a few pieces that I inherited that I want to bring with me. I will be giving away everything else."

Heading home I walked out of the elevator and found my Dad sitting by the door. Smiling I said, "Hey old man waiting for me?"

He chuckled and said, "Yes I am."

Unlocking the door he went in and he saw Max's boxes and said, "Abbie I didn't know."

"I know and I am glad you are here," I said. "I need to tell you something and you may not be happy."

Sitting at the table he said, "Your leaving."

"Yeah I am," I said. "I was offered an opportunity and I can't tell you what it is I signed a NDA. But my job is going to be out of the country and it is for five years with one weekend a month in Canada."

He sighed and said, "I will miss you kid but you have always been smart and would not take the job on an impulse so it must have been a damn good offer."

"It was to good to be true," I said. "You can visit me in Canada."

"I will definitely do that," He said. "Listen your mom wants you to give your wedding to your sister. Since I gave you the money I want you to cancel everything when I leave and keep it as a gift. They can elope if they want to get married."

There was a knock at the door and I opened it to find a moving company. He handed me a clipboard and said, "12 trunks, 10 crates and two insulated cases for snacks and food you want to bring with you. You can pack these first along with whatever suitcases you may have and small furniture, If tiy call before 1pm daily we can pick up and bring to the next plane heading out to the tacility that evening."

"Thank you I may call layer today for a pick u tommorow," I said.

Nodding he left and Dad said, "Need help?"

"Nope," I said. "Max will be here at 6 so i am going to pack and get ready to leave."

Standing up he said, "I will let you get at it."

Dad left and I Pulled out the wedding binder I had calling all the vendors and cancelled all aspects of my wedding to Max. The rest of the afternoon I spent the remaining time packing up the living room, and dining room. My crates and trunks were piled in the guest room So max would not see them. His boxes were staxked near the door ready for him to take them. At six that evening there was a knock at the door. Opening it I saw Max and his brother Jim. "Hey Jim I didn;t realize you would be here."

"Hey Abbie," He said looking at the boxes. "I am here to make sure he keeps a cool head."

"Well you will be a hand as I am packing and he needs to ge his stuff out of here," I said. "I am leaving the country in the next few days for a new job. All if those boxes and all but the plastic wrapped furnature are his to take today as I am leaving once everything is packed."

"Well," Max said, "I will take everything you have packed. I need all the wedding information so Cindy and I can prepare for our wedding."

"Max the wedding was cancelled," I said. "I cancelled it all when I found you fucking my sister. Except the honey moon and limo as you paid for that. As for household items you were told to take everything with you. I am offering you furniture and your belongings as I cannot take everything with me. You can have my leftovers is there anything else?"

"What happened to the money from cancelling the wedding?" He asked.

"It was a gift to me so it was refunded back to my personal accounts or credit cards," I said as I opened the next kitchen cabinet. "Please take everything in the living and dining room that you want minus what I have wrapped. There will be more ready tomorrow for you to pick up."

Jim said, "Max lets get this stuff packed you know she is being generous as she bought almost everything here."

"I have the kitchen, guest room, closets, bathroom and the master suite left to pack," I said. "I would suggest you swing by after seven tomorrow night for more of your belongings. The locks will not work after I turn the keys in to the office."

Max grabbed a stack of boxes and went out the door. Jim said, "He doesn't deserve you giving him anything Abbie. Our family is pissed and hates your sister. Can I still text you?"

"Of course," I said. Continueing to add more items to Max's boxes and my crate why they moved the furniture out of the two rooms and by the time they left I had almost a third of the apartment packed up. I pulled the empty trunks and crates to my room and pulled out the packed ones to the livng room and stacked them with the wrapped furnature pieces. I packed up the closet in the living room and finished that stacking a pile of stuff for Jim to take in the morning. Taking a quick break I called the transport company to pick up by noon the next day. Since it was still early I order sushi for delivery and went into the guest room to pack that up. Starting with the closet I found my wedding dress. Throwing it in the pile for Max to take I know my sister would wear it and since Mom did pay for it I figured no stress on me.

Dad sent me a text saying, "Lunch is cancelled for tomorrow as Mom knows I cancelled everything. Please do not leave before saying goodbye."

I continued to pack the guest room until my dinner arrived. I went into my room and ate while I placed a Walmart order for items I want to take with me to Siberia. Setting the delivery for ten the next morning I continued to place delivery orders for the next morning until I fell into a deep sleep. 

When my alarm went off at 8 the next morning I placed a to go order for breakfast and went to start packing when my first of five orders arrived. Checking each bag I made sure the whole order was here and packed it all away in a trunk. My food arrived and I continued to pack the guest room. When my Walmart order arrived I sorted the food into the lined containers and the clothing and personal items into the trunk I had started. By the time my last ordered arrived Jim came to pick up more of Max's things and he saw the stack of items I had ready to be picked up.

"Your really doing this," He said.

"I sure am," I said. "After this is all picked up I have to go to Bass Pro shop to get some winter gear and I will be back here to pack more. I will send you a text when I have more packed."

He nodded and left. When the moving company arrived the man in charge handed me two more lined totes and smiled, "You may want to load up on snacks. They have good food there but snacks are limited to the healthy stuff."

Laughing I asked, "Do you live there?"

He said, "Yes my wife works as a nurse in the medical wing. I think you will like the calm."

kitchen, guest room, closets, bathroom and the master suite

Abigail- main

Mr howard Yen- head of recruitment

Max- ex fiance

Cindy- Sister

Jim- Max brother

🎄Wicked Fantasy's (multi book series)

Sitting in the waiting room of my shrink's office I looked at the people waiting to see a Doctor and thought what would they like to do. The red head I bet she had a wild streak, the nerd in the corner probably would do anything to please you, the blond would fake it. When I was called to see my Doctor I walked in and my Doctor said, "Abbie you need to stop fantasizing about the other patients in the waiting room."

Giving a shy grin I purred, "But it's so much fun. Besides you know once I am in here with you I am only thinking about you."

He pointed to the couch and asked, "Are you still having sexual fantasies everywhere you go? Have you thought about what I suggested last week?"

"You mean the suggestion that I should work as a sex worker at midnight ranch?" I asked. "But my fantasy's are just that fantasy's. I have never acted on those fantasy's, just imagine and dream of others."

He chuckled and said, "What if I told you I know the owner and confidentially told her about a woman I knew who could help her with her new venture she is working on setting up. I know you lost your job and she thinks this job would be right up your alley."

Looking up I said, "No one would touch me?"

"Nope," He said. "Do you want more information?"

"Well Doc," I said. "When can I meet your friend?"

He smiled and touched a button on the box on his desk, "Grace can you send Ms. Clayton to my office."

A moment later the red head that was sitting in the waiting room walked in and put her hand out to me saying, "Good morning, I am Clara Clayton and I own Midnight Ranch."

"Good Morning Clara," I said. "My name is Grace."

Sitting down next to me she said, "First let me say Steve has never told me anything about you. All he said was he had a patient who would be someone he thought would be very useful to me as you have a great fantasy imagination."

"He said you may have a job for me?" I asked.

She gave a warm smile and said, "Yes! Have you driven past the ranch lately?"

"I have," I said. "I saw there was a lot of construction towards the south end of the property."

"Correct," SHe smiled. "What you can't see due to the building that was built is I had a colonial mansion built that is going to be a fantasy house. I want to hire you to help me turn every nook and cranny into a specific fantasy room. You would have creative reigns and a large budget to fill and convert all the rooms."

Smiling I said, "Really?"

"Oh yes," She said. "Also since you have such a great imagination, we want you to also write a column for our website. You can take your fantasies and put them on paper and make money from them."

"Really?" I gasped. Looking at my Doctor I asked, "Do you think that this would really help me?"

He nodded and said, "I really do."

Looking at Clara I asked, "Wait if this is a job, when do you want me to start?"

Clara smiled and said, "As soon as possible. The pay is Seven hundred and fifty a week. You will have your own apartment at the ranch with a computer to write up your articles and email over to me. Each article you write you will receive a bonus of seventy five dollars each. Your meals are covered by the ranch and you will also receive a stippend of $250 a month for clothing that is suitable for the ranch. When you arrive at the ranch Mrs. Sue our costume director will provide you clothing that you will wear when you are out and about on the ranch. They are hand-me-downs from workers who cleaned out their closets. We do have an array of events you will have to come through and no one will EVER touch you if you do not want it."

"A job and a home," I said. "Is this for real?"

Taking a paper out of her bag she handed me a form, "These are the rules of the ranch. If you agree we can sign your contract and you can move in tonight."

Looking over the paper the rules were simple. 

• Off time stay in the workers building unless I am leaving the property
• Never speak about what you do 
• No overnight guests
• No drugs unless they are prescription.
• Smoking is only permitted in select garden of the workers home. This includes Marijuana.
• No becoming drunk
• You must socialize a few nights a week in the ranches barroom
• No fighting
• Contracts are for one year and will be resigned thirty days before the old one expires
• You must maintain all Doctors visits and stay healthy. This includes mental health visits.

Looking up I said, "So this job will be ongoing unless you decide I suck or I decide to leave?"

Nodding she said, "Yes. We value having girls at the ranch that are long-term. Not everyone is a worker and we value all our workers. I have big plans for the ranch and believe that you will be able to help me a long the way. Now that the main fantasy house is done we are going to be building much much more. We currently have a new workers building being built and then the home you are starting at will be a new business building."

"Where do I sign?" I asked.

For the next thirty minutes I signed contracts and went over procedures with Clara. When I was done she asked, "Do you need help moving to the ranch?"

"No," I said. "I was staying at a room in my Aunts home and she has been nagging me to move out. I have to go and pack my luggage and I will be there by three this afternoon."

"Wonderful," She said. "When you get there come to my office in the main building. Please wear a dress if you have one or business casual. Please note on a piece of paper your sizes and I will get Mrs. Sue to start pulling some clothing in your size for you to try on when you get there. Dinner is set up buffet style and is served from five till eight, but there is a fridge in the kitchen for the leftovers placed in reusable containers. So food is always readily available. Remember, you will also have a mini fridge and a microwave in your own room to hold food and drinks. I use mine regularly if I get caught up with work I will grab some leftovers in case I can't get to the meals and heat it up later that day. Remember to bring all your dishes to the kitchen after and place the containers in the labeled dirty dishwasher."

We walked out of the office together after I made a new appointment, and she said, "When you get there, I want to talk about your family situation just to get to know you. Share only what you feel comfortable with."

We both got in our cars, and I headed to collect my things from my aunt's house. When I got to her house, she was sitting in her chair at the table. She said, "We need to talk."

"Sure," I said. "But before you get all preachy, I am moving out. So if this was the you need to leave talk consider it done. I will be out of your house in about thirty minutes. Also, I need my bank card back. Since I no longer live here you no longer need to access my funds."

"No," She said. "I will keep the card for emergencies."

"No, you will not," I said. "I will stop at the bank and have the card shut off if that is the case. If I do not show up at my new job in the next hour, they will know something is wrong."

She chucked the card at me and said, "Whatever. I will harass you if I need something or just get money from the bank."

I walked to the room and called Clara. When she answered I said, "Clara I need to stop at the bank as soon as I leave my aunts house. I have a feeling she has a lot coming out of my accounts that I did not know about."

Clara said, "Okay keep me posted and I will see you soon. If you need a rep from the ranch let me know I will send someone to meet you."

"Thank you," I said. Hanging up I finished packing the last of my things and walked to the living room. I took my phone out and changed the password to my bank app and then locked the account. I said to my Aunt, "Room is empty. See ya."

She ignored me and I went to the bank. When I walked in I asked to see a representative and told her about my Aunt having a card and my being worried that my Aunt was talking more than the necessities. The representative said, "I see your deposit of three thousand monthly from an account labeled Love Mom and Dad."

"How much?" I asked.

"Three thousand a month," She said. "It looked like all but $500 is taken out the morning it drops. Did you not authorize the transfer to your aunt's account."

"No she said all I got from my parents was $500 a month," I said. "Can we stop the transfer? Also, make sure there is no more transfers and only I can withdraw funds."

She nodded and handed me a phone number as she said, "That is the lawyer's office that handles your deposit. Call them, they should be able to help. Give me about five minutes and I will have you a new debt card. Also that deposit happens on the third of each month so next week you will have that deposit again."

She walked away and came back with a new debit card. She said, "Only you have access to this account now. No electronic withdrawals will be allowed. You are all set."

Grace- Main

Clara- Owner of Midnight Ranch (colonial mansion)

Steve- Doctor

Mrs Sue- Costume worker

Inheritance (multi book series)

Looking up at the building I sighed and rang the bell. Thankful my baby was sound asleep in her stroller as this would take time and I needed to stay calm. I heard the sound of footsteps and the door opened. A older gentleman answered and said, "Maggie?" 

Nodding I said, "Well Maggie and Chloe."

He smiled and said, "Welcome. I am Mr Klaus your Grandma's lawyer."

He came out and helped me lift the stroller inside. Pointing to the first door he said, "Let's go in here." 

Looking past him I saw stacks of crates and boxes and he said, "You will understand soon I promise."

Looking around I found I was in a small apartment that had a few pieces of furniture and asked, "Mr. Klaus you said this was about my Grandma's estate?"

He pointed to the table and I sat down. He said, "Before we begin how are you doing? The last we spoke you and your husband were divorcing and you just had Chloe."

The tears fell down my cheeks as I said, "Not good, my ex took all the money and left Chloe and I with so little. I had to sell my mom's jewelry I didn't like to keep us going. I have to be out of my home in two weeks."

He handed me a tissue and took my hands as he said, "Maggie he didn't take everything from you. This building and all the contents are yours. This envelope will get you started."

Looking up I said, "I do not understand."

He smiled and said, "You own this building and everything inside of it. The envelope holds five thousand dollars and your Grandmother left you so much more in this building. Cash, jewelry and enough items to sell you can put you and Chloe through college. The apartment we are in is yours. It's not a huge place, so you will have to downsize, but we can get everything from your old house next week or sooner if you would like. I understand with the baby it can be hard to move."

"How big is this place," I asked.

He smiled and handed me a list that read.

Basement: Holds Laundry Room, twenty storage units that can convert to bunk rooms. Four bathrooms. Sitting area.

First floor- Maggie's Apartment, Store Front, Storage room for store, hall way, four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway, two sitting areas

Second floor- four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway, two sitting areas, 3 studios with bathrooms

Third floor- four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway, two sitting areas,  3 studios with bathrooms

Fourth floor- four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway, two sitting areas,  3 studios with bathrooms

fifth floor four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway, two sitting areas,  3 studios with bathrooms

Roof area- two bathrooms, covered roof greenhouse, covered glass atrium.

I read everything and said, "This is all mine?"

Nodding he said, "Yes it is. Will Chloe sleep for a few minutes?"

Nodding I said, "Yes."

"Good come across the hall with me," he said.

We walked across the hall and we were in a room with clothing racks, shelves and a counter with a glass case. The door led to a set of stairs, and I said, "A boutique."

He nodded and said, "Exactly. Now I understand you have three storage units with your parents belongings, is that correct?"

"Yes," I said. "I have to pay in two weeks or the place will take everything."

Leading me back to the apartment he said, There is room to place your parent's things and whatever you do not want to place into the apartment. We can move your parent's things to the building anytime. How soon can you pack things to move?"

"The things I wanted to keep are mostly packed. The stuff left I was going to sell." I said.

"Well, the furniture in here can be taken out if you want to bring your own things," he said. "Chloe's room is empty, so you can bring all her things. So what I would suggest place notes on all boxes that are to come into the apartment and which room. Everything else will be placed somewhere in the building."

Sitting on the couch, I said, "I can't believe this is happening."

He smiled and said, "It is and when you clear apartments you can rent them out. The stairwell is locked until you open up the upper floors. The electricity and water have $10000 credit on each and your TV, water and cable are also credited $4000 each. The only electric you pay for are the hallways, laundry room which all machines are pay to use. The information for the maintance company is in the file. You will get statements here starting next month. Each apartment the uttilies are off and there is only power in the hallway to save on the electric bill. But you can use an extension cord and a lamp to work on the apartments"

"Just before the cold weather hits," I said.

He nodded and said, "Each unit holds their own heat and ac units. Chloe will be warm, and they are electric. When you are ready to rent I will help you set up leases."

He handed me a massive keyring and a small set of keys. He said, "The big keyring is for every door in this place. I would suggest you leave that here. The rest are yours. The keys to your apartment and the doors to the stores inner and outer doors. Remember, you can have anything in here taken out but you can add as you sort as well. When can we get your parents things moved?"

"When can you someone to move that from the storage units and my house?" I asked.

"Now," he said.

Chloe slepted as I moved her from her stroller to the car seat, and Mr Klaus followed me to the storage units. All four were in a row and I handed him the keys. I told him to place the items throughout the building so I could have good surprises. He handed me two rolls of stickers. Red for boxes, furniture being put throughout the building and green for the items to go into the apartment with the name of the room. Thankfully besides the two bedrooms there was only a bathroom, laundry room and pantry, kitchen, office nook and living room, and shelves storage room. I headed home and nursed Chloe as I tagged the boxes and furniture that was ready. 

When Chloe was fed, burped and changed I placed her in her swing and kept packing items. When the movers arrived with Mr. Klaus I told him the green were labeled but I would pack more when everyone left. He said he can come back to get everything else as soon as I called and I can go back to the building whenever I want as it is my home.

When they left and I looked around I realized there was not much left. The doorbell rang and when I opened it Chloe's dad was at the door. I shut the door and went to my purse closing it to make sure what little cash I did not put in my new bank account was hidden inside my purse. He rang the doorbell again and I answered it and said, "What Justin I am busy packing."

"I came to see what was left that I can take," he said.

"No," I said. "You were told to get everything by last week and most of the stuff has been moved to my new place. Visiting Chloe for the next year has to be at the visitation center. Now please leave I do not want to call the police I have a lot to do so I can get everything moved to my new home. I want to be settled before the end of the week. This stress is not good for Chloe or myself. You can communicate with me on the visitation and child support app."

He went to step in and I heard, "Now Justin do not give me a reason to use my new gun."

My best friend Sarah stood there with her hand in her sidearm. Justin looked at her called her a bitch and went to his car.

She walked in and said, "Pity. Now you better tell me what's going on." 

As she lifted Chloe out of her swing to hold her we went to the kitchen and I told her about my day. When I was done she laid a sleeping Chloe in the bassinet and said, "Well I guess we have work to do. Let's pack the rest of the garage while she is sleeping then we will label the totes placing everything in the garage and out of this dump." 

Looking in my freezer I pulled out a frozen pizza and smiling asked, "Hungry."

Smiling she said, "Like old times."

We spent the rest of the day packing and when we were done late that night I had everything packed, tagged and ready to be picked up the next morning. With three baskets with the stuff we would need for the next two days plus two baskets for the fridge and freezer for the next morning ready to be loaded I laid on the couch next to Chloe's bassinet ready to start our new life together.

The next morning Mr Klaus arrived with the movers and saw Chloe awake in her swing. He said, "If you want to go to the apartment complex, we can load everything up. We can check all rooms and closets before we leave and lock the doors behind us."

Sarah showed up and said, "No need to lock up, I am here to clean and meet the landlord with the keys. Maggie I will drop the security check to the bank and meet you at the new place to help unpack. Mr. Klaus I went to the building is there a dumpster for the building?"

"Yes," he said. "There is a recycling and trash chute at the side of the building in the stairwell. I will show Maggie when we get there. If the stairwell is blocked we will move the items. Safety first."

Hugging Sarah I said, "I have a order to pick up for pricing supplies and a Walmart order ready to be picked up for the new place I will see you both there."

Picking up both orders took less then ten minutes. Pulling up to the front of the building I took a sleeping Chloe and placed her in her crib the moving crew placed in her room. It took me ten minutes to bring everything in and while she slept I started to put everything away. I had just put all the food I brought in and made my bed when I heard Mr Klaus come into the apartment.

He said, "Sarah was almost done cleaning the upstairs when we left the old place. She should be here soon enough. The stairwell was blocked so you will see the door now so you can do recycling and garbage runs without going outside."

The men were bringing boxes into the apartment when a young man came out saying, "Your little one is in her crib talking to herself."

Laughing I said, "She does that. She is probably hungry so I will get out of the way and feed her." 

Mr. Klaus said, "I will find you when we are done and I will make sure all the stairwell doors are clear."

Picking up Chloe I changed her and nursed her in her room. When she was burped and happy I put her in her swing with some toys to play with while I started to unpack the kitchen. When I emptied some boxes I took them to the stairwell and followed the instructions. Place the boxes in and shut the hatch. I read as long as there is no movement after items are added they will be crushed in ten minutes. The garbage had the same instructions.

After thirty minutes Mr. Klaus came in and said, "Well everything is in the building and ready to go. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Where can I get inspection reports for the sprinkler system and elevator?" I asked. "I know the elevator is for items only but I want to make sure."

"It is in the built in filing cabinet in the office nook," He said. "Everything is labeled."

Chloe started to get fussy and I said, "Thank you I will look and call you if I have more questions."

As I walked him out Sarah came to the door and said, "She is calling my name."

Going inside I heard her say, "Lord child what did you eat."

Mr Klaus left and I locked the front door to the building going back to the apartment. Sarah grabbed a pumped bottle from the fridge and was heating it up for Chloe as I moved the seasonal totes to the hallway. I continued to unpack and when Sarah finished feeding Chloe she laid her in her bassinet.

For the rest of the day we added boxes to the hallway that I needed to sort and finished unpacking the apartment. By the time she left that night we had unpacked or moved everything else, hanging pictures and decor. When I walked her to the door she hugged me and said, "Take the next few days and relax, then start to work on this place. You have money and a way to make more. Be a new Mom."

Sitting at my kitchen table I thought about what got me here. I thought things were good with Justin and I and when I was five months pregnant I found out he was having an affair. With Sarah in the kitchen I confronted him in the living room. He started to scream and yell saying it was my fault because I was fat. I said I was pregnant not fat. He slapped me hard and Sarah came running out of the kitchen. She pushed him away and got between us. He went to lunge at me and she dropped him fast. He looked at me and threw divorce papers at me saying I was replaced. He went to our room and packed a bag and left. 

I went to our joint checking account and paid the next six months of bills transferring a few thousand to my personal checking account. Sarah watched what I did and stayed with me. The next morning Justin called and said he took all but $2000 that was in the account. I transferred the rest to my personal account and closed the account. I had a buffer till Chloe was two months old. During the divorce the judge set child support and Justin refused to pay even after I got enforcement involved. He has yet to meet Chloe.

This building was now my job and our future. Justin will be pissed when he finds out but now I have leverage. Since the apartment was unpacked I decided the first area to be worked on the first floor will be the hallways. 

Setting up the baby monitor I went into the hallway and opened the first box. Inside was formal gowns. I ran into the apartment and grabbed my tablet. Looking up the brands I started to price the gowns hanging them on the back wall clothing racks.

My phone rang, not recognizing the number I said, "Hello?"

"Where did you move to?" Justin said.

Sighing I said, "That is not your concern. You will never be welcome where I live."

"Well Mom said I should go for joint custody of Chloe," he said.

"Did she now?" I said. "Does she know her sweet boy hit his pregnant ex wife and petitioned the court to give up custody and you were granted that. Did the judge not tell you once you did it there was no going back and that the child support was only for the first few years and if you passed the assessment you could see her at the visitation center due to your anger and abuse?"

"Maggie," he said. "I will have you evicted and you will lose this new job."

"I doubt that Justin," I said.

"Oh how sure are you," he said.

"Because I own my home and I own my own business," I said. "I also found out 2 days ago about everything so guess what Justin you cannot touch any of it."

"You will regret this Maggie," He said. 

"No but you will," I said. "The only thing I do not regret about our marriage is Chloe."

Hanging up the phone I laughed and said to myself, "Get your shit together Maggie. He cannot hurt you now."

I continued to go through items in the hallway pricing and putting them in the boutique. When Chloe woke up for her last feed of the day I bathed her and got her ready for snuggles. I worked on my laptop making a coming soon sign for the boutique. I also created a Facebook page for the boutique and apartments with the words coming soon in the banner.

I decided I will be a family oriented, elderly and single Mom apartment complex. I wanted to make sure that was legal and I called Mr. Klaus. He picked up right away and asked, "Maggie is everything alright?"

"Yes it is," I said. " I have two questions for you."

"Of course Maggie," He said. "What can I answer for you."

"Can I pick and choose who I allow to live in the apartment building?" I asked. "I was thinking Single Mom or Dads, Elderly and young families. I was concerned about the legality of picking and choosing. I am not worried about subsidies I will do my own rent control. I was blessed with this building and its contents, I want to share the blessings."

"That is a amazing thing to do Maggie," He said. "When you are ready I will help you make up the leases. You never know one day I may just move there myself. What is the second question?"

"Justin called me from a new number," I said. "He is threatening to try and get joint custody of Chloe."

He sighed and said, "I will pull the divorce decree and see what I can do. After you left I spoke with Sarah and she told me what happened and how he was after the first incident. He will not get his hands on Chloe if I have anything to do with it."

"Thank you," I said. 

"Get some rest Maggie and we will speak soon" he said.

When we hung up I gave Chloe her last meal and rocked her to sleep. When she was asleep I took a shower and went out to the kitchen to make myself a late dinner. I ate while I relaxed and watched some travel videos. Thinking about it I thought that after I sell some things, I can get Chloe her passport and then Sarah, Chloe and I can do trips over the Maine Canada Border. The future seems to be stretching in front of us and I cannot wait for all of our adventures.

The rest of the week I started a new routine with Chloe and by the end of the week Chloe was playing with her toys in the hallway as I sorted everything and filled the boutique. On Thursday when Sarah came over for dinner she was impressed with how much I completed.

She asked, "When are you going to have the first sale in the boutique?"

"I am going to start doing appointment only sales a few days a week starting next week," I said. "With Chloe being so little I do not want to bring in to many people."

"Smart," She said. "Well if there is anything I can do let me know."

"Just continue being you," I said. "Are you alright? You seem like you have something on your mind."

"Mike and I are having issues," She said. "He thinks I have been to judgemental on Justin. When I told him what happened to you he said that is only a rumor and he knows Justin did not do anything to you."

Standing up, I grabbed the baby monitor I said, "Come on."

She gave me a look and asked, "Where are we going?"

Opening the door to the store room I said, "We are emptying this store room out and stuffing the hallway the best we can. We need to leave three feet free. Then we are going to go in that door next to it. Its a one bedroom apartment and we are going to get everything out of there as well."

"Why are we doing that?" She asked. 

"Because I know you," I said. "Mike and you will not be back together long and you are not going back to your mom's. I also know that he never added you to the lease even though you pay for everything. Mr. Klaus will make a new lease and you can move in as soon as we can clear it out."

"Just like that?" She asked.

"Yes just like that," I said.

For the next four hours, we stacked the boxes as high as possible down the hallway on multiple floors. When we finished what we were doing the apartment had been cleared and Sarah went in and cleaned it top to bottom. She looked at the hallway and said, "I cannot believe we emptied the apartment."

"I know it is a small apartment but it will do for you with your work schedule and business trips," I said. "Besides, knowing you, you will visit me more often than not or doing stuff outside the building."

She laughed and said, "I think it is time for me to finally focus on me and not a man in my life. Besides I like this apartment it has wonderful lighting in the bedroom and once we get the building in shape I am sure we will start making many things. Besides I think the storage cabinets will be the perfect spot to put my art and crafts."

"How are you going to handle the move?" I asked.

"Oh, easy, Mike is going to be going on a trip with the guys in two weeks," She said. "Our work schedule is the opposite of each other. So what I am going to do is say I am spring cleaning. I will be giving you boxes of stuff full of things that I am not leaving for him to sell. When I move out, I will be leaving with the items I bought have purchased when we lived with each other. Including furniture."

We walked into my apartment and I checked on Chloe who was sound asleep. When I came back to the living room, I went to the desk and pulled out the box of keys. I took the keys to Sarah's new apartment out and handed her the front door key and the apartment key. Picking up my phone I called Mr. Klaus and when he picked up he asked, "Maggie is everything alright."

"Yes it is," I said. "I have my first tenant and I know we do not have a lease yet but could you send her a letter she can take to the electric and water company so they can turn them on. I sent you a text with her email address."

"I sure can," He said. "Since you are allowing tenants as you go. When you get the two-bedroom apartment next to her cleaned out I will be next on your tenant list. I will bring a lease by tomorrow for Sarah to have you sign and a few more so you have them ready. Tell her to expect a email from me in teh enxt hour. Expect me around eleven in the morning before I go to court for one."

"Thank you," I said. Hanging up the phone I chuckled and said, "Looks like we will have another person in the building when I can get the two bedroom apartment next to yours emptied out as well. I guess I will be working to get everything done in the front hall so we can clear his apartment next. He is emailing you a letter to take to the electric and water company."

She smiled and said, "Well how much more do you need to fill in the store?"

"Not much," I said. "With the store room emptied now, I can definitely get my sorting on."

"Well I am sure little miss will be up in a bit for a feed," Sarah said. "I am going to get some boxes and put the back seat down in my SUV. I do not have to be to work until noon so I will see you in the morning. He is going to think I am purging so much."

Hugging her I said, "Good luck."

Grabbing my laptop I sat down and opened up the business page. I saw a lot of private messages and decided Wenesday would be our first by appointment only sales. I responded to everyone saying that we would be accepting appointments on the first come first serve basis until I officially open. Also all sales are cash only and we do not hold any items."

Looking at the calander I saw that it was Saturday March first. Smiling I said, "What a great date to start a new beginning."

Wide awake I took the monitor with me and walked into the hallway. Starting on the side next to Sarahs new apartment I spent another hour sorting and pricing items. Keeping older boxes and crates to organize items not going into the store immediately. I heard Chloe start to whimper and spent the rest of the night relaxing and being a new mom.

*******************************************************************************

I woke up before Chloe started to rise and made myself a cup of tea. Opening my laptop, I ordered some more pricing supplies and bags to put people's purchases in. Going to the busines page on facebook I set up appointments for Wednesday. When I filled what I thought was enough appointments I responded to all people and stated we could now do appointments on Friday. As I responded to the last email Chloe woke up and we got our day started. After we ate our breakfast and I cleaned our home, we started with our new routine. Pulling her swing to the hallway, I put her in and started to work. I was working for about an hour when I heard a knock at the door. 

Opening the door the delivery man with our supplies arrived. Thanking him I opened the boxes I placed all the supplies in the store while Chloe played in her swing. As I was coming back from taking the extra boxes to the recycle bin and garbage I heard the front door open and Sarah's voice say, "Well, I think you are the best door gal ever. Where is your Mana I see she has been working in the hall today."

"She is the best helper ever," I said. "Did Mike believe you when you said you were purging the house and spring cleaning?"

She laughed and said, "Yes, he even said he was going to clean out his stuff and give me a charity donation pile before he leaves at the end of next week. I am not changing my mind though because as I was cleaning out the closet in the guest bedroom Justin was over gaming and all they were doing was bitching about you. Be ready I have a pile of stuff that I am giving you for the store." 

Pointing to the pile I was sorting I said, "Place it there. I already have wednesday full with appointments for the store. I am thinking when Chloe goes to sleep I will end up finishing filling the store. I am really excited. Everything else will be going into the store room. Do you need help?"

"Nope but I do have something for you," She said as she went outside. 

I continued to work and when sarah came in I asked, "What are those?"

"These are room dividers we had in the garage," She said. "People do not need to know what is behind them. I figured you could use them to hide the boxes for the most part and keep the open areas calm from the boxes."

Setting them up behind the stack of boxes I was working on and it did make the hallway look better. She brought in a few side tables and a bookcase. Smiling she said, "He wants Justin and his girlfriend to move in after their trip. I was told to clear the bedroom. I hope they do not think they will be living off me."

She came in again with clothes and said, "He thinks I am updating my wardrobe. Not at all, I am purging because I do not need the girlfriend's clothes. So you know Justin is going to try to get Chloe. They didn't know I was eavesdropping. I recorded it on my phone, so you have evidence."

Mr. Klaus said, "Sarah send that to me, please. I will be handling the case."

Turning around, I said, "You are early."

He laughed and said, "Check your watch. I have the contracts, and all you do is fill in the prices and name. Basically, I put in all the rules you will need."

Sarah was dragging in her spare bedframe and said, "I will swing by later to sign my lease and pay my first month's rent. How much?"

Looking at her, I said, "No deposit and five hundred a month. I know your dream is to buy a colonial home eventually, so this will give you a chance to start saving since you couldn't when you were with Mike."

Her phone rang and she answered, "Hey Mike, whats up?"

"Oh you are going to go for a extra week and are leaving on Friday?" She said. "Of course I am okay with you taking a three-week vacation. Oh, Justin's girlfriend is going now as well. Well, I hope you have fun. I will be home purging the house and working."

I tried not to laugh as she hung up and called someone else. She smiled and said, "Hey boss man I need a favor."

Mr. Klaus and I listened to her lay everything out to her boss and ask for time off starting on Saturday so she can officially move and leave Justin. She smiled and said, "Thanks Max you are the best and I am hoping to have a lot packed and moved before then, but I know he is going with some chick and she can have him as I am no longer his personal ATM."

She walked over to the swing and said, "Chloe Aunt Sarah will be your neighbor sooner. Okay you all I will see you later I have to head to work now that the SUV is empty. Maggie I love how you set up the dividers and have the door to Mr. Klaus apartment on the area you are working on."

Sarah locked the door to her apartment and ten the main door to the apartmnts as she left. Mr. Klaus smiled and said, "If she ever needs a new job I would hire her in a heartbeat. As my dear wife would have said, She has amazing energy."

Looking up from Chloe i responded, "She has always been like that since we were kids. She was raised by her Grandma and Grandpa. Her Grandpa was an amazing man who lived for her and Grams. When he passed Sarah was the one who found him and she swore to live up to his legacy or love and kindness."

He smiled and said, "Well I think this will be a great arrangement. How is the great purge going?"

Laughing I said, "Not to bad. I finished the stock room. Sarah's apartment was cleaned out and er moved everything to other areas in the building. Then I will be cleaning out from apartment to apartment. But I do have my first sale in the store coming up. I know I do not need the money, but I do not want to use that money unless I have to. I am moving a lot of the inheritance into a savings account. I do need to set up a will in case something happens to me. I want Chloe to go to Sarah. Justin would throw her to his mom, and I fear for her safety."

He said, "I can get that started for you."

Chloe started to get fussy and rub her eyes. Mr.Klaus said, "Someone is ready for nap time already. I will let you be a mom I left everything on the table and there are plenty of copies of leases. If you have any questions let me know. I have my an appointment with my realtor Dan today. I will also be dropping you off a bunch of boxes and for your store. I and going from a thirty room house to the apartment. My dear wifes spirit would come after me if I did not donate things to you instead of a charity shop."

I laughed and said, "Well you will be able to start moving in about two weeks."

As I picked Chloe up He smiled and said, "It will be a good change. My Betty passed away five years ago and nothing has changed since she passed. I have all her things still as she left it."

Putting my hand on his arm I said, "Take your time. Know she would not be mad when you move on."

He nodded, "I know and after the house sells I am going to take trips all over the world where she wanted to go and we could not get to. I took a few of them already but I will be semi retired once the house sells. Maybe Sarah and you will find treasures when I bring over our belongings my Betty loved fashion and vintage."

As he left Chloe and I went into the apartment. Sitting down I nursed her and when she fell asleep milk drunk I laid her in her bed. Grabbing the baby monitor I went to work in the hall. I spent the whole time Chloe was sleeping finishing everything in the hallway. When I was done I took the priced items and finished stocking the store. Opening the stock room I opened the door to Mr. Klaus apartment and started to sort the boxes. 

While I was sorting Sarah came in. She said, "Maggie I have a problem."

Looking at her I asked, "Well Sarah what is the issue?"

"Justin tried to have someone get into Grams and Gramps storage units to take things." She said. "Thankfully I was going down to start sorting them."

"What?" I said. "Did you call him?"

"I did," She said. "He said he needs those units."

"Okay," I said. "Listen you said a lot of that you were selling right?"

"Yeah," She said. "I have to sort it, though." 

"Call him and tell him all those units are going to be cleared out while he is gone," I said. "Tell him you want to sort through the valuable items and when your done you call sell them for you guys to have extra money. He will take the bait. What you want to keep you can get it inside the apartment and what you do not want bring it here."

She nodded and called him, "Hey justin baby. Listen I am sorry I freaked when you were going to just have the guy take the items. The reason is because there are valuable items in there and I was going to suprise you and sort through all those units while you were gone and sell off the items for a large chunk of money for us."

 

He said something and she replied, "Of course. When your gone and i get the stuff sold that should be possible. I have a guy who has a store and I want to get the most bang for our buck."

He said something else and she gave a smirk and replied, "Of course I will find the time. What else am I going to do while your gone. Listen I am stopping for extra boxes on the way home so why don't you order a pizza for dinner and video game all night. That way I can sort the storage units. By the time you get home your going to be amazed on all the changes the apartment has."

She listened for a few minutes and choked out, "Love you to."

She hund up and said, "As soon as I gave him the line free money he was all over it. He thinks I am going to give him money while he is gone. What he does not know is that the money in what he thinks is my only checking account is all I have. What he doesn't know my paycheck is going into a seperate account and I only placed two hundred in this past paycheck. He only looks at the balance and thinks I paid all the bills already. I paid the rent with the money he put in there. That was it. But now that that is handles do you have any empty boxes?"

I pointed to the stock room and She went in and said, "Be prepared I will be loading up a bunch of items tonight and will drop them off to you later. I want nothing from you for the stuff. My grandparents would have loved Chloe and consider it them spoiling her. Besides you are letting me live here for a fraction of the price."

Putting up my hands I said, "I will not argue. Mr. Klaus was saying that he is doing the same thing. Apparently he has a thirty room house going onto the market and all of his wife Bettys things are in there. He said we will love the clothes."

She laughed and said, "Oh dear vintage we will be adding to our closet. But let me head out. If you are settled for the night where do you want my items for the store?"

"Place then in the hallway," I said. "I will price them and add them to the stock room. The store is full for the first day of sales."

"Good thing I told Justin I was off tomorrow," She said. "I will be getting through so much in the storage units tomorrow. Be ready to price everything. It is a good thing you're doing appointments now. But maybe later on you can set up morning store hours a few days a week."

"I am thinking about it," I said. "I am thinking Monday to Thursday, nine till noon. But I want to get the stock room packed first."

"Good idea," She said. "I am taking your boxes and will bring them back when they are full."

I waved and continued to sort Mr. Klaus apartment. When Chloe woke up I fed her and we started tummy time. I took some pictures of her and said, "Oh Chloe just you wait. We will have neighbors soon and will be visiting in the common rooms."

After a while I decided it was a beautiful day for a walk and I took Chloe to explore our neighborhood. A block away I found a beautiful park and we walked to where there was a pond and CHloe loved watching the ducks. I stopped for a ice coffee from a stand in the park and the owners a lovely couple greeted me.

The wife asked, "Are you from around here?"

"I moved her last week," i said. "I own the apartment complex down the road. The one with the attached boutique."

She smiled and said, "We saw that someone moved in. I cannot wait to see what you have."

"Well," I said. "My Grandma left me so many items.Except for the one rented apartment and my apartment everything else is filled to the brim and it will all be for sale. I have a stock room that is filling up nicely."

Her husband asked, "With a newborn? Where do you find the time?"

"Thankfully she is a napper still," I said. "But she loves her swing and playpen. Normally I would be sorting and pricing now, however who could miss out on a walk on a beautiful day like today? Besides Chloe is in love with the ducks."

The wife put out her hand and said, "I am Vena and my husband is Marvin. We hope you will visit us soon. Also on Saturday mornings they have a farmers market here and it is always fun."

Checking on CHloe I saw her rubbing her eyes and said, "Oh that sounds lovely. We will swing by on Saturday morning and say hello."

Vena smiled at Chloe and said, "Oh she will be asleep by the time you get home. You will have time to do things."

We said our farewells and when I got back I saw a stack of boxes along the wall. Looking at Chloe she was sound asleep and said, "Mrs. Vena was right."

I heard, "Who is Mrs. Vena."

Looking up Sarah came out of her apartment and I said, "She is a lovely woman who owns a coffee stall at the park one blocks down. Her and her husband are wonderful and she told me on Saturday morning they have a woderful farmers market."

She smiled and said, "I am so glad you could explore. That is why I love that you have this. Your schedule is open and free. Now how did Chloe like the park."

I smiled and said, "Oh she loved it. She also was fascinated with the ducks in the pond."

She smiled and said, "That is our girl!"

"How did the sorting of the storage unit go?"

She said, "It went great. I found Grandma's favorite dishes as a kid. Since my utilities are on now I washed them and they are drying on the rack now. But I feel like I barely made a dent. I took more empty boxes."

Grabbing my basket of tags and stickers, I said, "Well while little miss sleeps I am gonna price and sort these items. But I did finish stocking the store and have time between each customer appointment to restock. I am now adding to the stock room."

She locked her apartment and said, "I am sure I will see you later today if you're out here. I am back to work on the storage units again. Justin thinks I took a few days off, except for meetigs to get the cleaning and purging done."

I watched her leave and lock the front door as she left. I worked for two hours while Chloe napped and finished the boxes Sarah left. Going into Mr. Klaus apartment I cotinued on and found boxes of books. I sat pricing them as Sarah came back with another car load. She seemed happier then when she left and I asked, "You seem very happy?"

She said, "I am. I am making a big dent now. I think we are gonna move this divider and hide all these boxes while you are working on Mr. Klauses apartment. There are enough dividers to hide all of this."

I moved the divider and she went down the hall and turned. She came back and asked, "Can we block the hall?"

"Yes we can," I said. "Just not the fire exits."

I heard, "That is correct."

Turning to see Mr. Klaus was standing there and said, "I have a truck full of boxes. My realtor has shown my house twice since I signed the contract and I may have buyers."

"You may need to start moving in sooner?" I asked. 

"Possibly," He said.

"This load is everything I found for you so far," He said. "I will tell you it is going to be a lot."

I nodded and said, "I got you covered. Give me a few days."

He went in the direction Sarah had come from and dropped off all his boxes. He gave a wave and left when he was done. Sarah said, "I will stay and help with the baby when she gets up. You continue to sort and price. I am going to take boxes on the hand cart and move then to the open areas in the back hall way. Did you notice he seemed relieved?"

"I did," I said. "You sure you are okay with helping for a while?"

"Justin is there at the moment," She said. "They are being very secretive. I over heard his girlfriend wants to play mommy to his kid and her friend cannot wait to meet Justin."

As I priced she moved a lot out of the apartment and Mr. Klaus came one more time with more items. He saw Sarah moving boxes out and he asked, "What is going on?"

Sarah said, "Giving you a way to move the items in faster. But we are only doing this for a while as I am in a meeting right now. Chloe is still pricing so she has stock during her sales on Wednesday and Friday."

He said, "Thank you."

"You are welcome," I said. "Your part of the family now. After you move in there may be a slow down on sorting. On Thursday I have to take Chloe to her three month pediactric appointment."

She said, "Is the laundry room open?"

"I am going to get two washers and dryers cleared out later today," I said. "I am in need of doing laundry."

Sarah said, "Well Chloe is up and I am going to change her. Why don't you go check as Mr. Klaus has a front door key and you can get some laudry started. Us three here only need to get into the room to wash laundry."

I went down to the basement and saw the laundry room path was cleared. I moved some boxes around and there was plenty of room in front of three washer and dryers. Coming back up Mr. Klaus was playing with Chloe in the apartment and he said, "Sarah was going to move the playpen when you came back up. The key to the change bins is on your small key ring. Check the machines as I believe there is change in them. Sarah had to go by the way she grabbed boxes and dashed. Her boyfriend was looking for her. She said when she gets another car load she will be back and will move a few carts from the apartment."

Looking at the clock I said, "Well, little one needs some dinner first. But we will be working for a little bit longer tonight."

"Well," He said. "Us older people are going home cooking dinner and going to bed. I am sure I will see you tomorrow."

I laughed as he left and scooped CHloe up to nurse her. She ate and I answered Sarahs phone call. She was laughing when I answered and said, "He was shocked my meeting ran long. I am in the storage unit again sorting out. It is a three person game up there. Justin's girlfriend is almost a child. She was cooing she could not wait to meet Chloe. I told them that will not be happening and Mike told justin wait till we get back and I will convince her."

"Lord he is balsy," I said. "The laundry room has three apartment sets ready to go." 

"Well," I said. "Now I can do laundry tomorrow. I am gonna sort for a while longer."

She said, "I will get us some mexican and will see you soon. When I said I was going to run into the office for a while so I get a big bonus Mikes eyes lit up. He whispered to Justin, More money I can pocket."

"See you soon," I said. I gave Chloe a quick bath and was reading her a book when I heard Sarah come in. She walked in and placed the food on the counter. She opened her apartment and I heard her bring boxes in and then lock the front door. Chloe was dozing off when Sarah came in. I placed her i her crib and came out as Sarah was placing the food on the table.

"She is such an easy baby," I said. "She will be a very unhappy baby thursday."

"Shots?" She asked.

"Yes," I said. "Thank you for dinner."

"Your welcome," She said. "We can probably get a lot priced and moved before Chloe gets up for her last feed."

We ate dinner and I put the lights on in the hallway. Placing the monitor on the floor I started pricing and Sarah started moving everything out of the apartment. Sarah almomst emptied the apartment of all boxes when he phone went off. She answered it and said, "Hey baby I will be heading home in about thirty minutes. I got almost all of the files done for this special project. Have you started packing? Your going to stay at Justins tomorrow night to get a early start on Friday? No I am not mad at all. I completely understand. I will see you when I get home if you are still up."

She laughed as she hung up and said, "Thank heavens peace."

After another thirty minutes she finished clearning out the apartment. Then we swept and cleaned everything making it ready for Mr. Klaus to move in. When we were done she said, "I will be doing double time in the storage units tomorrow. I am hoping to get them done by Friday afternoon."

 

"When do you plan on being out of there?" I asked.

"Hopefully Friday of next week," She said. "But we have a date Saturday morning for that farmers market. I am hoping to start living here by next week. My mail has already been transferred here. I also updated all the addresses I needed."

"Well then Saturday is a Date," I said. "My first appointment is at ten tomorrow. I am sure I will see you soon."

Sarah left and I went in to check on CHloe. She was in her crib cooing and I picked her up. After changing her diaper we cuddled in the rocker and I fed her. When she was done I went to take a shower and climbed into bed. I started thinking about Sarah's situation and mine. Thinking about our future I hoped that we both one day find the love of our lives. Falling asleep to the rain that started to fall I fell asleep.

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I woke up before Chloe and got dressed. Heating up the left overs from the night before I went into a happy giggling baby. Picking her up I said, "Hello sweet girl. Let us get you ready for the day and fed. Today we open our store and will have good things starting."

Changing Chloe and getting her dressed we sat at the table and I fed her as I ate my food. When we were done I placed her in her baby wear and we cleaned up the house. I ran laundry down to the washer and started a few loads. Checking the change buckets I found them loaded with quarters and placed them in a bucket that was there. While they were washing I checked the clock and we had thirty minutes. I opened the door to the boutique and placed a sign on that had the door appointment only and the facebook page for the store. We ran downstairs and switched the laundry to the dryer and went upstairs to meet the first buyer.

Wearing Chloe I puttered around the store and the first buyer, a woman named Rebecca arrived and she looked around the store after I let her in. She asked, "How will I know the prices?"

"There are prices on the items," I said. "They are not negotiable."

"Everything is negotiable," She said.

"Not here," I said. "Listen this store is my business. Would you go to any other store and ask for a discount or try to negotiate at Macy's."

"No," SHe said. "But most yard sales--"

"Business," I interupted. "This is a permanant store. Until my daughter is older I will be doing sales by appointment only."

"I see," She said.

"But please," I said. "Feel free to shop and anything you would like to purchase you can bring to the counter."

She walked around and I brought a box from the hallway and placed it on a chair. Chloe was asleep in her sling as I priced and placed the items into a new crate. I kept an eye on Rebecca as she shopped and she would bring items to the counter once in a while. I let her know when the appointment was almost finished and she came up and said, "Most stores allow people to shop as long as they want."

"That is true," I said. "However, I made it clear the appointment would only be for an hour as I have other appointments and a baby to take care of."

"Well," She said, "This is all I want today."

I rang up her order and said, "Your total is seventy four dollars even."

She took out the cash and said, "Most stores also accept cards."

Smiling I handed her her change and her bag saying, "Before I had Chloe I worked in the financial fraud department at a local bank. The amount of transactions people tried to reverse to get money back from small businesses was deplorable. I will be a cash only store due to that."

She took her bag and I let her out of the store. Since my next appointment was not for an hour I moved a few more boxes to behind the counter and placed the box I had went through in the stock room. That was my routine for the rest of the day. When my last appointment left at five that night I placed Chloe in her playpen, locked all the locks to the stores front door and counted the till back to twenty dollars in ones and fives. Leaving the silver alone. When I was done I counted the cash and smiled as I had made five hundred and fifty dollars. I took that money and picked Chloe up walking into my apartment. Opening the locked drawer in the desk I placed four hundred in the lock box I had placed behind the important papers and placed the rest in my wallet. I grabbed the ledger I had in the drawer and notated what I made, what I saved and what I had kept. 

Cuddling Chloe in the office chair I said, "It looks like things will be fine Chloe."

"I have been telling you that since you booted that asshole," Sarah said from the door. "I am sure Mr. Klaus would agree with me to once he gets in here. He has a full van full Maggie. Where do you want my things I am giving to you?"

Mr Klaus popped his head in and said, "Sarah dear you took the words right out of my mouth."

"Behind the screen," I said. "I will move boxes to the store to sort as I have the appointments. If not I have already started to move things to the stock room once they are priced."

Walking to the door to my apartment I saw both their doors were open and I said, "You have both been busy."

Mr. Klaus chuckled and said, "Well after i met a client today I was inspired and started to get everything in the guest rooms done. Does the storage room have room for furniture dear?"

"Yes there is plenty of room," I said. "That storage room is bigger than it looks."

"Good," He laughed. "If i cannot sell some of the larger pieces they will be coming here to you."

Sarah laughed and said, "Same."

We all chuckled. Mr. Klaus said, "Well I am glad we are on the same page."

Chloe let out a huge yawn. I said, "I will be back soon. Little Miss needs a bit of dinner and sleep. Have fun bringing everything in. Everything you are not keeping in the main hallway."

Going back in the apartment I washed and changed Chloe and put her in her pajamas. Sitting down to nurse her she rubbed her eyes and slowly fell asleep. Once she was asleep I laid her in her bed and grabbed her monitor. Walking into the hall I noticed that the screen was moved forward. I poked my head in Sarah's apartment and she said, "I am almost done with two of the storage units."

"Good," I said. "Is Mike at Justin's tonight?"

"Oh yeah," She said. "He took my old bank account card in case of an emergency. I told him the card needed to be reactivated and to give me till Tuesday. I swear I saw dollar signs in his eyes."

Laughing I said, "I bet he thinks you are funding this trip. Isn't he in for a suprise."

She started to laugh and said, "Well when he left I noticed in his carry bag he had a bunch of condoms. So I know this is the right thing to do. So I will be back and forth all week. I have some furniture in the first storage unit I have a shop coming to look at tomorrow afternoon. If they do not buy it then I will be dumping it on you. He is going to be shocked to an almost empty apartment."

Her phone rang and she put her finger to her lips. Answering she said, "Hey Mike I thought you were going to bed early to leave early?"

"No I said I had to get that card reactivated and it could take till Tuesday remember?" She said. "Bank protocals and such as I do not have much in it at the moment and the cards have been not been used."

She listened for a moment and said, "Well tell Justin that the account has a lot of security features to protect against fraud. That is why it takes so long."

She listened again and said, "I will cash app you two hundred now, however, I just paid bills so that is all I have available at the moment. All my other accounts are only accessible at the bank."

She took her phone and cash apped him two hundred. She smiled and said, "Okay Mike you should have it. I had to run to work so I need to get off the call as boss is still around. See you in three weeks."

Hanging up she sighed and said, "God he is pathetic. I should have ended our relationship a lot sooner than this."

"If you did you would not be able to save money," I said. "But now you get to save money and get that house or cabin you always wanted."

She smiled and said, "Look at you as well. Divorced from that shithead and own a apartment complex and store. You and Chloe are going to have an amazing future."

Smiling I said, "Once your settled we should go away for the weekend."

She said, "That sounds amazing. Do you have any idea of where you would like to go?"

"No not yet," I said. "I do want to get Chloe a passport so we can go anywhere but we will see what I can legally do."

She said, "If he tries to stop it we can go all over the United States. She is going to be the best traveled baby ever."

She yawned and said, "I am going to get back to the other place and get some more done before it gets to late. I will see you soon. As I walked her out Mr. Klaus came out and locked his apartment as well."

"Well Maggie," He said. "I have a furniture man coming tomorrow and if they do not buy anything I will be having my moving people bring what I have already decided not to keep and what I am keeping. I will see you girls tomorrow."

They left and I moved eight boxes behind the counter from Mr. Klaus to price during appointments and set a timer for one hour. I started pricing what was in the hallway and moved the full boxes to the storage rooms. I am thinking the store and the storage rooms were once an apartment as the storage area was huge. I left the back area for furniture and continued on. When my timer went off, I took a shower and got ready for Chloes night feed. After I fed Chloe again I went to my room and started to watch the television. Soon enough I feel asleep.

The rest of the week we fell into a normal routine. Customers coming for appointments, visiting with Sarah and Mr. Klaus while they moved in, and Chloes doctor appointment. On Friday as I finished with the last appointment of the day I placed Chloe into her playpen and was sorting more of the hallway. Sarah came in with a huge smile. She picked Chloe up and said, "You have to be a good egg for a bit as Aunti is going to annoy your Mommy and move in a bunch of things for her to sell and into my apartment."

Looking up I said, "Almost done?"

She gave me a wicked grin and said, "I finished the last storage unit last night and when I get home after I unpack I am going to get the apartment done faster than lightning. I have a bunch of stuff for you as I decided that it is going to be a truly fresh start."

Mr Klaus cleared his throat from the doorway and said, "Oh boy I gues we had the same thought. Maggie darling I put stickers on the furniture to what it is worth. So you can use that when you move it to the store."

Nodding I said, "Have them place it in the room as stacked as possible. I can stack boxes on everything if need be."

As they moved everything in I continued to price and add things to the storage room. My pricing while people shop has helped me keep the store stocked. I had adjusted hours a bit for appointments so I could work on the building a bit more. I was lost in my thoughts when Mr. Klaus cleared his throat. 

"Maggie dear," He said. "I know you were trying to finish the first hall way but I will be working on the house a lot more in the next week. I had a offer on the house and I accepted. So I have to get it ready for the sale faster."

"So let me guess," I joked. "The twelve feet I cleared will be filled back up except for the furniture."

"Pretty much," He said. "That won't be a problem will it?"

"Not at all," I said. "Like usual I ask please make sure the furniture is empty and I will leave the empty boxes in the hallway by the main door for you. Let me know if you need any help. Also the store hours have changed. I have made good money but I want to work on the building a bit more and maybe start clearing out the two studios and a few more apartments."

"Understandable," He said. "I am sure you want to get things done and still be a Mom."

Sarah came in and said, "Remember Chloe we have the farmers market tomorrow morning. I think that we will have a fun time. Mr. Klaus I wish you a speedy sale and a great time reminising. Your wife would want you happy. Chloe I added my boxes and I put the furniture in the store room already. It was smaller tables and I put prices on them as well. I am going to bust my butt and I may just stay in my place here tonight."

She bent down and tapped Chloes nose saying, "Auntie will be back soon. Be a good girl and when you get older you can have sleep overs away from Mommy when you no longer need the boob."

She left and I continued on. Both Sarah and Mr. Klaus was back and forth all day. When it was time to settle Chloe for the night I had made good progress even with everything they kept adding. Around ten  that night I heard Sarah come in with another load and I poked my head out. She said, "I am so sorry did I wake you?"

"Not at all," I said. "Chloe just had her last feed. Are you staying tonight?"

"Yes I am," She said. "I will be done with t he apartment by tomorrow night if I go back there after the farmers market and continue on."

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"More then okay," She said. "When I was cleaning out the office I found he had a black book and tons of girls numbers. I am glad that after I move in I do not have to pretend anymore."

"I will watch the door while you bring everything in," I said. "Then we can lock up and head to sleep."

While Sarah moved in boxes and placed furniture in the store room I priced a few things in the hallway on the small table I had. When she was done she locked the door behind her and said, "We should see about adding a automatic lock on the inside that will lock unless you have a key. They have ones that will hook up to the handle of the door and lock it every time you shut it."

"We will have to look into it," I said. "I will see you in the morning."

She waved as I went into the apartment. Climbing into bed I feel asleep fast. I dreamt of the travels I would do with Chloe. The sales in the store was adding up and my tracker shows I had around four thousand in the lock box. I have plenty of money in my accounts now that the check of my inheritance cleared. My bills for the buildings account come out automatically and rent is wired to the account every month. Sarah and Mr. Klaus have the information to pay the rent through the bank and when both paid their deposits and first month I got text alerts. I felt good about the future and was not to worried if I never found someone in the future.

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I woke up to hearing Chloe coo in her room. Getting up I used the bathroom and went into Chloes room picking her up. As I changed her and got her ready for the day I asked, "Are you ready for our outing to the farmers market."

She cooed more as I went to sit on the couch I unlocked the door. Sitting on the couch I fed Chloe and after thirty minutes Sarah came in ready for our adventure. She said, "It is beautiful outside. I have my bags ready to buy stuff as I will be here every night. Let us get this party started."

She put her arms out for Chloe and I went to get myself ready. When I was dressed we put Chloe in her stroller and we passed Mr. Klaus and a helper bringing things to his apartment. He said, "I have a helper today so we will be back and forth. I am sorry my dear everything may be back to your door by the time I am done today."

"Your fine Mr. Klaus," I said. "We will be back soon, please remember to lock the door when your done."

He nodded and said, "Of course, Maggie. Have to keep everyone safe. You girls have enough drama. Do want me to hire security."

Sarah said, "Nah, we got this. That and I am concealed carry anyway. Speaking of Maggie, I think we should get you to the range one day and have you take a test so you can get your's. I do not trust that ex of yours nor mine."

Mr. Klaus looked thoughtful and said, "Well Maggie I taught my wife to shoot and I would be honored to teach you as well. Better safe than sorry."

"I will think about it," I said. "But first things first lets go check out this farmers market."

Sarah and I walked to the park and Sarah said, "Wow look at all these stalls."

As we neared Vera and Marv's coffee stand we heard them call out to us. I gave them a big smile and said, "Look Chloe its Vera and Marv."

Vera came out and said, "This must be Sarah. It is wonderful to meet you."

Sarah said, "It is wonderful to meet you as well. This farmers market is hopping today."

Marv came out and said, "We are so happy it is. We want to keep it every weekend going through the summer into the cooler months. The vendors need a good spot and this would help the community as a whole. Can I tempt you girls into trying a new drink we are offering? Its a iced cocoa."

We both smiled and said, "Yes please."

He came back a few minutes later and when Sarah went to pay he said, "On us today ladies. Let me know what you think."

Taking a sip I said, "Oh that is wonderful."

I asked, "Is that cocoa ice cubes?"

Vera laughed and said, "That is why its limitd quantities as we make a batch of the cocoa ice cubes each day."

Sarah said, "Well i think its a keeper."

When a line started to form Vera said, "Enjoy your shopping today girls I better get back to Marv before it gets crazy."

For the next few hours we shopped all the vendors.

Coming up- routine, Sarah done with the move and Mr. Klaus moving in more and more things and moving in for good.

HALLWAY One

Maggie-main

Mr Klaus- lawyer

Justin- ex

Sarah- best friend 

Mike- Sarahs ex

Vena and Marv-Coffee stall in the park 

Basement: Holds Laundry Room, twenty storage units that can convert to bunk rooms. Four bathrooms. Sitting area.

First floor-  hall way, three two bedroom apartments 1bath, two one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway 2, hallway 3, hallway 4,  two sitting areas, Stairs

Second floor- three two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway2, hallway 3, hallway 4, two sitting areas, 3 studios with bathrooms, Stairs

Third floor- four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway2, hallway 3, hallway 4, two sitting areas,  3 studios with bathrooms, Stairs

Fourth floor- four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway2, hallway 3, hallway 4, two sitting areas,  3 studios with bathrooms, Stairs

fifth floor- four two bedroom apartments 1bath, three one bedroom/bath apartments, three 3 bedroom two bath apartments. 1 common area, 1 library, hallway2, hallway 3, hallway 4, two sitting areas,  3 studios with bathrooms, Stairs

Roof area- two bathrooms, covered roof greenhouse, covered glass atrium, hall way 1, hallway 2

Tennants:

First Floor-

Maggies and Chloes Apartment

1Bedroom Apartment- Sarahs

2 bedroom unit-Mr Klaus