Hard to know exactly when Emily first crossed my path. As far as I can recollect, it may have been the summer of 2017. Either the sixth or seventh month of that year. I had a vacancy in a property I owned in the Houston suburbs. As with any tenant move out, a landlord has to view the property and assess the clean out and/or repairs needed to bring the property back up to speed and ready for another tenant. 

It’s usually customary of me to try and meet a neighbor or two either across the street from my property or the one next door. Preferably both. As it was that fateful day, I met the neighbor on my left. The front door of my house was left open and my vehicle parked right in front of the driveway with the door ajar. Mainly for the neighbor to know my visit is intentional and I’m not someone trying to break into the property.

The house next door seemed frenetically occupied and a lean fit blonde was stepping out of a vehicle. Removing my sunglasses I hailed her attention, “Howdy I’m Jules,” was about as original of a salutation as I could muster. I mean it was after all my intent to just let someone know I’ll be here for a short while and there might be some workers here in the next couple of days or weeks.

From a distance, “Hi there….”, the voice called out. 

Walking halfway in between both houses, “I just wanted to say hi and let you know I own this house. We’ll probably be getting it ready again for rent in case you know of anyone that is looking for a house.”

“I’m Emily. Oh and this is my son Harrison.” 

She had arresting verdant eyes which framed her prominent cheekbones blended with a trustworthy smile. “When do you think you’ll have the house ready for rent?” she asked. 

We made small talk for a minute. She seemed busy with a multitude of tasks to accomplish. 

I mentioned that I’ll probably need the front and back yard mowed soon in case she knew of anyone in the neighborhood. 

“Sure,” she said. “I can do it. I love being out in the sun.” 

“Or,” nodding her head to Harrison, “one of us can do it,” she said with a smile. 

“Sounds good,” I replied. “I’ll be in touch soon. I’ll give you one of my cards in case you have any questions or if you see any activity around the property.”

They both turned around and headed back into their 2-story house.

“Gosh,” I thought to myself. “Why can’t I have a pretty tenant like that?”