Free Playing the 'Son' Card by Wilson James

pretty much done the house, and were back in the living
room.
    “So, is there any questions that you
haven’t asked yet, that I can answer?” I put to them. “Maybe about
the schools here, or the neighborhood in general?”
    This was the way my mother had
asked, although I thought that it didn’t make sense to tell them
about schools if they had no kids.
    Mrs. Johnston answered for them.
“Well, thanks, Mr. Evanson, but we’ve already done our homework on
the schools and the areas of Bellingham, so I think we’re pretty
much up on all that.”
    Tony spoke up. “This house is in the
catchment area for Maple Grove Elementary School and Windor Park
Middle School, right?”
    I knew that answer. “Yes, it
certainly is.”
    Mrs. Johnston looked happy. “Good,”
she said, softly.
    “Okay, then, if there’s nothing else
for me, I’ll leave you here to talk, and I’ll step outside. But
I’ll be close by if you need anything.”
    Tony was quick to acknowledge my
comment. “Thanks, Troy. That’s great.”
    “Thank you for your excellent
showing, Mr. Evanson,” added Mr. Johnston. “We really appreciate
your thorough knowledge.”
    “No problem,” I responded as I
stepped towards the front door. “My pleasure.”
    On my way outside, I closed the door
behind me, wondering if I’d done right. I was worried that I might
get into trouble for what I’d just done over the last hour. I could
only hope that everything would work out, and that my mom would be
okay with what I had done.
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER
    11
     
    After only five minutes, the agent
and his clients came out the front door. I scanned their faces to
see what kind of response I was going to get. I was pleased to see
smiles, quite a different look than I had seen on Thursday with my
mom.
    Tony spoke for them. “Well, Mr.
Evanson, it would appear that my clients seem to like the house.
We’re going to go back to my office, and I may be able to
communicate an offer to you later on today.”
    Now, I liked the sound of that, but
I remembered what my mom had told me about her ability to write
offers at the scene, and how it had made a difference in the past.
I gave the Johnstons and Tony one of my best smiles.
    “Mr. Marconi,” I started, speaking
directly to him, “I, ah, have the ability to hook up to the real
estate board, and produce a written offer, right in my car. I’ve
got the computer hookup and a printer, and we could do it right
here, if you are pressed for time.”
    I saw him looking a little
uncertain, and maybe even just a little annoyed. I scrambled to
undo any potential damage I’d done. “But of course, it’s entirely
up to you. I just offered in case it would help,” I said quickly,
now feeling extra nervous and very uncertain.
    “Sorry if I...” My voice trailed off
as I struggled in vain to find the right words.
    The look on Tony’s face brightened,
as if to indicate that he did not take offence. “No, no, Mr.
Evanson. I appreciate the offer. Thanks.”
    I spoke quickly again, to give them
some space. “I’ll just wait out by my car, to give you a little
time to talk again,” I said.
    I turned and walked away, before I
could do any more damage. That they liked the house was great, and
I was pleased with how well I’d handled that, but now I was
concerned that I was going to undo all the good I’d done. I could
only hope that I could make it up to my mom somehow.
    Less than two minutes later they
were walking towards me, still with pleasant looks on their faces.
I almost sighed out loud with relief that they might still like the
house enough to buy it.
    Tony looked especially pleased as he
spoke. “Mr. Evanson, we’d like to take you up on your offer, if
that’s okay. Writing the offer now will give the Johnstons just a
little more time, and they really need it.”
    I was thrilled and terror stricken
at the same time. I was happy that they still wanted to make an
offer, and really worried about my ability to remember