CHAPTER 5: The Appointment at Ten O'Clock
At exactly 9:15 the next morning, Daniel pulled into my driveway.
He climbed out before I even reached the front door.
"Morning, Mom."
He sounded unusually energetic.
Behind him, Renee waved from the passenger seat.
"Ready?"
I locked my front door and smiled.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Neither of them noticed the brass key in my purse.
The key to the very house they believed belonged to a stranger.
The drive across Scottsdale felt strangely familiar.
Daniel spent nearly the entire trip talking about the future.
"If this meeting goes well, everything changes."
Renee nodded enthusiastically.
"We've already picked out furniture."
Daniel laughed.
"The kids each have their own rooms planned."
I looked out the window.
"So you're certain the owner wants to sell?"
Renee answered before Daniel could.
"The Realtor said they agreed to meet."
She smiled confidently.
"Everyone has a price."
I quietly turned my wedding ring.
Harold used to say the same thing.
Then he'd always add,
"Except people with self-respect."
At 9:58 a.m., Daniel parked in front of the beautiful Desert Ridge home.
The same wraparound porch.
The same yellow roses I'd planted only two days earlier.
Renee stared at the landscaping.
"It's even prettier in person."
"It is," I agreed.
She looked at me and smiled.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if the grandchildren could grow up here?"
"It would."
That much was true.
A silver sedan pulled into the driveway behind us.
Linda Foster, the Realtor, stepped out carrying a leather folder.
"Good morning!"
Daniel shook her hand eagerly.
"Thank you for arranging this."
"My pleasure."
She glanced toward me.
"Mrs. Briggs."
I gave her a small nod.
"Good morning, Linda."
Daniel frowned.
"You two have met?"
Linda smiled politely.
"Briefly."
It wasn't a lie.
We'd spent nearly four hours together during the inspection.
Linda unlocked the front door.
"Please come in."
The smell of cedar and lemon polish greeted us.
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows.
Renee slowly turned in a circle.
"Oh, Daniel..."
"It's perfect."
He squeezed her hand.
"I know."
They walked from room to room imagining their future.
The children's bedrooms.
The library.
The sunroom.
The backyard.
Every few minutes one of them whispered,
"This is it."
"This is the one."
I simply followed behind them.
Quietly.
Watching.
When we reached the kitchen, Daniel turned to Linda.
"So..."
"When do we meet the owner?"
Linda glanced at her watch.
"They're already here."
Daniel looked around.
"I don't see anyone."
"They've been here the whole time."
Confusion crossed his face.
"So where are they?"
Linda looked toward me.
"Whenever you're ready, Mrs. Briggs."
Daniel followed her gaze.
Then looked back at Linda.
Then at me again.
He laughed awkwardly.
"I'm sorry..."
"I don't understand."
I reached into my purse.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Then I placed the brass house key on the kitchen island.
The metal clicked softly against the granite countertop.
Nobody spoke.
Renee stared at the key.
Daniel stared at me.
Linda remained perfectly silent.
I picked up the key again...
Walked to the front door...
And locked it from the inside.
Then I turned back toward my son.
"This house..."
I said quietly,
"...belongs to me."
The color drained from Daniel's face.
Renee took one step backward.
"No..."
she whispered.
"That's impossible."
I met her eyes.
"Is it?"
Daniel looked from me...
To the key...
To Linda...
As the truth slowly settled over him.
His voice barely worked.
"Mom..."
"...who are you?"
Before I could answer, another black sedan stopped outside.
Patricia Holloway stepped out carrying a thick leather briefcase.
She walked through the front door, smiled at me, and said,
"Margaret, everything is ready."
Then she looked directly at Daniel.
May you like
"And I believe it's time your mother told you the truth."
TO BE CONTINUED...
