Chapter 55 Chapter 55
Tessa
“Ahh, the 2005 Ford Bronco,” he said, gesturing towards it.
“How much?” I asked, and he stopped walking.
“Well, Ma’am, it depends on your…”
“How much?” I asked, cutting him off.
“Well, this one is the raptor, a newer version for 100 thousand…..”
“I’ll take it today. “Cash,” I said, and he stared at me for about four seconds before collecting himself.
“Okay then, let’s head this way,” he said, leading me towards the office.
I walked in and opened my bag; I handed him my documents.
“I need a temporary plate today,” I said.
He nodded. “Of course, and we’ll fill her up for you. Free of charge,” he said with a smile. I walked out two hours later with the keys; my first stop was a store, where I bought two suitcases and headed straight back home.
By three that afternoon the suitcases were packed. The money was at the bottom of the suitcases; I had a few boxes with sentimental stuff all packed up in the jeep. I left the phone and laptop he gave me on the coffee table along with the car keys and an envelope. I wrote a letter to him. If he made Jax or whoever check, then they would find it.
Before leaving, I made a call to the gas company and scheduled a disconnection date to shut it off in two days. After I had that squared away. I got into the jeep. I looked at the house one last time before pulling away from the curb.
The Bronco was a beast, eating up the highway for three brutal, glorious days. I was gone, leaving Irvington and my old life behind. All I did was stop for gas and whatever greasy, cheap food I could grab—fast-food breakfasts and microwaved truck stop burritos. It was all fuel. I kept the windows down the whole time, letting the wind and music I’d downloaded drown out the silence.
The first two days were a blur of concrete and green across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and down into the guts of the Midwest. The Bronco was huge and steady, and it felt like a rolling fortress, making Zaiel's money spent feel fucking worth it. By the third day, the scenery finally shifted to the dusty reds and endless plains of Texas. My muscles ached and my hair was a mess, but I was free. My final stop is Georgetown. I pulled up to the Sheraton. I needed sleep. I walked in and got a room, and I got the suitcases out of the jeep.
The minute I walked into the room, I took a much-needed long-ass shower. Then ordered room service. By eight I was out.
My eyes opened, and I sat up instantly. I let out a sigh. I checked the clock; it was almost eight in the morning. Shit. I scrambled out of the bed and showered. I had a meeting with Esther at 9. After a hurried shower and breakfast, I checked out and got back into the Jeep. I drove the ten minutes to the real estate office.
When I walked in, a woman in her mid-30s walked over to me.
“Ms. Jensen?” she asked.
“Yes, you are Esther?”
“Yes, I am. I was a bit worried,” she said shyly.
“Oh, I’m sorry; I guess it’s unusual, but I am good for it. “I want it and will pay right away,” I said, and I saw the breath of relief she let out.
“Okay, then I have all the papers here. Why don’t we head over so you can see it? The previous owner lost his wife and is moving to the coast with his kids.” she said, grabbing her bags and files.
“Well, I’m looking for a fresh start, so I landed here. Why don’t you lead the way?” I said with a smile.
We drove twenty minutes through Georgetown into a less crowded part, and we parked in the driveway. I got out and looked at the house before walking in.
It was perfectly scaled: big enough to feel substantial, but small enough that the two empty bedrooms didn't echo with loneliness. It was a good home, stripped down to the bone, with the sun streaming through the bare windows, dust motes floating in the air.
Crucially, there was a spacious double-car garage connected to the side, giving it a good, wide stance. Out the back window, I could see the sprawling yard; there was a large, dark spot where a pool cover sat half-collapsed, and off to the side, a stone well, covered in ivy, a quiet, old relic.
The closing happened fast. We were perched on plastic folding chairs brought in specifically for this moment, the documents spread out on an empty kitchen counter. Esther was warm but quiet, a comforting presence who didn't try to fill the silence. She simply moved the papers with steady hands, a gentle smile in her eyes.
When I finished signing the last piece of paper, marking the final exit from the past, the house was officially mine. Esther didn't launch into a speech; she just reached across the counter and placed a single, cold key ring in my palm. They were the keys to a quiet, anonymous beginning.
“Congratulations, I know you’ll do great here,” she said, putting down some cards on the table.
“These are movers, contractors, mechanics, plumbers, and electricians. They all work with me. So if you need any help at all, I can guarantee that they will do their utmost best.” she said, smiling.
“Thank you. I need to go get a bed and start furnishing this place,” I said with a laugh.
After she left, I stayed there in the empty house. The floors. I needed to change it, and I needed supplies. I made one call, which snowballed into four. Then headed out and did some shopping.
That night I slept on an air mattress; I woke up to knocking. I headed to the door and opened it; a man was standing there. His shirt had the company logo.
“Morning, Ma’am. You’re Esther’s new lady.” She drawled casually, and the way he spoke said he was fond of Esther.
“Morning, yes, I am. “Why don’t you come in?” I said, stepping aside for him.
He came in and looked around.
“Well, I’ll be honest, under this linoleum there’s solid hardwood floor. What do you want to do with it?” He asked, getting straight to the point, and I liked that.
“I don’t want hardwood; it can stay. I just need this thing removed and carpeted before bringing in anything,” I said, which was the truth.
“Alright then, you already got your choice or what?” he asked.
“Grey, dark grey,” I said.
“Perfect. I’m Hunt, and you are?” he asked.
“Tessa,” I replied.
“Alright then,” he replied.
Monday morning my house was a mess; by Wednesday it was not just Hunt, it was also Taylor and his crew. When they realized my room wasn't complete, they tackled it first, carpeting and assembling the bed I had ordered and given up trying to put together.