My fourth tenant in that suburban property. And probably the most intriguing. As previously mentioned, it’s never a good idea to befriend someone whenever there’s business transactions involved. And this wouldn’t be any different. Still Emily’s life seemed interesting to me. Due to her background, she was highly skilled in the medical field. As time went on, it would play a role in getting to know her a bit more. 

“Our” first month as a tandem saw some challenges. Almost immediately Murphy’s Law would rear its head seemingly on a daily basis. Things started spinning into disarray almost at the same time she unlocked the door to her home the first day.  It was almost as if the house was slowly starting to implode from the inside out. Things that were never an issue suddenly became an issue. The type that you can’t just hold off. It was necessary immediately. And expensive. 

Pest control was the first thing. Not that big of a deal. Then issues with electrical outlets. BIG deal. The stove, which was brand new and she would be the first user, was going on the blink. 

Sent a general repairman that I’ve known to look things over. Looks like we were back in business. 

Then a week later. Lights aren’t working in different rooms. 

This time an electrical technician was sent out. Change this out. Change that out. Got it.

Nope. That didn’t last. 

Came back out. This time more thorough.

Emily’s sleep patterns were at times odd due to her job. And we communicated well throughout the process. Slowly we would drop a smart aleck remark from time to time and conversation was a bit friendlier. But again, kept it professional at all times. 

Another electrical problem ensued. Only this time, it was major. And once again…..expensive. A trench would need to be dug the entire length of the property’s back yard in order to accommodate fiber optic cable. And then suddenly here came the rain. And it rained. And it rained

And rained

And rained

And rained 

It rained for 40 days and 40 nights it seemed. 

Work stoppage occurred. Water was deep in the trench. Too sloppy to do any type of anything. 

I wondered to myself if Emily was having self doubts about the property. I know if I were in her shoes, I would. Still I fielded every call or text she had ever sent in a very timely manner. Constantly communicating with the electric technician and relaying it back to her. Because of her sleep cycles early on, I felt it was best to channel communication through me instead of the electrical technician calling during “normal” work day hours risking the chance of waking her up. 

And then without warning my health suddenly took a turn for the worse. And it would be a reckoning I had never faced before.