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THE CHECK part 2

THE CHECK

And you're arguing? Betty returned. I shrugged my shoulders and nodded. Betty laughed. Honesty is not always the best policy. I smiled at her humor.

They will find the error eventually, I countered. If anything, they would feel obliged to remove my penalty for my honesty.

Mrs. Henderson? This time it was a male voice.
Yes. I turned away from Betty.

I'm Rick Carlson in the title department. I understand you believe we have made an error.

Yes, I chuckled it seems you think I paid off my mortgage. As lovely as that sounds, I'm afraid I don't have that kind of money.

I rechecked the application of funds, and everything seems in order. I'm looking at an image of the check. It was accompanied by a letter which explicitly names your mortgage by number and address. My face was flushing and I was beginning to sweat. I didn't know anyone with that kind of money.

Um...Whose name is on the check? I asked. I fanned myself with a folder on my desk.
It’s a certified bank check; no name given I was feeling dizzy. This had to be some kind of joke. For the sum of $127,356.23 which was your outstanding balance.

I...I didn't send it. My voice was shaking. Euphoria mixed with an unknown fear.

The check has cleared, Mrs. Henderson. I think he could hear my reservations.
Everything is in order. Someone must have given you a gift. He chuckled. I certainly wouldn't fight it.

Of course and now what does this mean?

It means your house is free and clear, I have already authorized the deed to be sent.

My emotions got the best of me. The strain of the last few years flooded my eyes. Betty wheeled her chair close to mine.

Someone paid off my house, I mumbled to Betty, my mouth separated from the receiver. She handed me a tissue off the desk. I wiped my eyes.

Mrs. Henderson? Rick asked, thinking he had lost me. A horrible thought struck me.
Can they take it back? I asked. My voice more solid

Well, I suppose anything is possible, Rick responded, it would be awfully difficult at this point. Maybe through a court order he paused for a moment. If you truly didn't send the money, then I suppose there might be tax implications.

Taxes! I asked. No one ever gave me money like that before.

I'm guessing, I'm not a tax guy Rick replied, you would have to talk with a CPA to find out.

So I don't have to send you any more money? I wanted verification. I wanted it written in stone. I wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

No, Rick answered clearly, your loan is repaid. I concluded the call there, thanking him, while I wondered if I was dreaming.

Who paid off your mortgage? Betty asked when the receiver was back in the cradle.
I have no idea, I responded. Whoever they are, they are lovely and wonderful. I looked at Betty, I was near bankruptcy - hell, I was bankrupt.

Do you think they want something from you? Betty continued.
I don't know, I sighed longingly allowing my mind to realize my paycheck would go much, much farther. There was a light, a blessed light, at the end of my debt-ridden tunnel. I have nothing of value.

Sex, Betty joked.

I'm sure I wouldn't command that much, I laughed. I hadn't been with anyone since Tom's death - too much debt and all the stress that goes with it. Dating wasn't high in my thoughts, not that I could imagine replacing Tom anyway.

Your organs then, Betty continued.

That's it, I laughed they want my kidney.

I'm happy for you Betty said as a friend, you deserve a break. I nodded then pointed at Mr. Brewster who was coming down the aisle. We quickly returned to our terminals and began processing accounts receivables. I had trouble not smiling. I had no idea why someone would do such a thing for me and I realized I didn't care. It was the best thing to happen to me in years. I was going to wallow in it while I could.

I spent my lunch with Betty trying to guess who would have done such a thing. The only people we knew with that kind of money didn't really know me. The owner of the company I worked for, Franklin Construction was one. I had only met him once.

He was a nice guy with a nice wife and a whole litter of kids. There was no way I was on his radar. I had no close relatives left in the world. I believed there might be a great aunt, by marriage, still living. I only knew her by an old picture. I met her once when I was five. She had to be in her nineties. I couldn't imagine, if she did have the money,
she would have given it to me anonymously. I doubt she even remembered me.
In time, I would find out. I promised Betty she would be the first to know. Everything felt lighter. I would be able to pay off a few things and begin to catch up on the medical bills. I owed someone big. It was a different type of debt - one without dollar signs.

I stopped off at the locksmith's on my way home. It was a one-man shop. Randy was that man. His wife, or at least I assumed she was, was behind the counter with him.

They looked like they were getting ready to close.

Good evening, Mrs. Henderson, Randy announced when I walked up to them. How he remembered my name, I had no idea.

Hello, I smiled, my new-found wealth spilling out in happiness, I'm here to bring my account up to date. I'm sorry about the slow payment. His wife gave me a forced smile.

I sensed she found slow payments to be a very bad thing. Randy just shrugged it off.

How is that new lock holding up? Randy asked they ever catch the person? He was speaking about the break-in someone, had taken a crowbar to my back door four months ago, damaging the old lock. It happened while Natalie was at school and I was at work. It scared us for a few weeks, but we got over it.

The deadbolt makes us feel safe, thank you I answered, they never caught anyone, and we still can't find anything missing. I guess they tried to rob the wrong house. I really didn't have anything of great value. Yard sale items at best. I brought out my checkbook. I left the bill at home. How much do I owe you?

$168.50, his wife rattled off from memory. I could tell she wasn't pleased with me.

I'm sorry it took so long, I repeated to his wife. She softened a little in her eyes. I filled out the check and handed it to her. She accepted it gracefully. It felt wonderful to clear another debt even if it was one of the smaller ones. Yesterday, it was as insurmountable as the Himalayas.

I pulled into the driveway and got out to raise the garage door. The opener broke about six months ago, taunting my weak arm strength. I smiled, thinking I might be able to afford getting it fixed soon. I could always stall the medical bills longer. They understood as along, as I continued to make small payments. I was still swimming in debt, but now I had a good set of flippers to keep me on the surface.

Mrs. Henderson? Jared Thompson surprised me by appearing out of his landscaping. His jeans had wet stains on the knees his gloves were smudged with green. He must have been pulling weeds.

Evening, Jared, please call me Linda.

Linda, he started again. It sounded nice coming from his mouth. Almost like he enjoyed saying it I feel awkward, never being a parent, but I thought I should say something. I know I would want to know, if I was a parent. I could see he was uncomfortable, almost shying away from his intent. This had something to do with Natalie. I wasn't sure I wanted to hear what he had to say.

What is it? I asked. With my smile gone, he looked even less confident. He looked at his hands for a moment then looked back up. There was determination in his eyes when they returned to mine.

Your daughter, Natalie is it? Jared started. I nodded and crossed my arms under my chest. She has a visitor every day after school. I remained expressionless, wondering where this was heading. I wasn't sure if anger was appropriate. I know I wasn't enamored with him sticking his nose where it didn't belong. He must have seen it in my face. I'm sorry, it's not my place. I'm invading your family's privacy. Jared turned with full intention of walking away.

What is it, Jared? I asked, trying to keep my venom under control. He was right, it wasn't any of his business, but now that he had started, he had to finish. He turned back, his lips pursed. I could tell he regretted starting the conversation.

He's an older boy, Jared continued, I don't mean to say that anything is happening, but he always leaves before you get home.

He shook his head, looking disgusted with himself. I, on the other hand, was now interested. It's just that I thought you should know. The kid drives a Lexus. A rich kid - every day - I just felt- look, I was young once. If I had been a rich kid, I suspect I would have...I'm sorry, I guess I am really out of line here.

To be continued


By nutbuster
Written by nutbuster (D C)
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