….kept in touch anyway. 

I liked Emily. Always did. She came from a hard working background – most of it self-taught. Having moved away from home barely out of her teens, she knew how to rely on herself. And that’s not always easy. 

She moved out from my property late February 2022 with the exception of getting a few things out early March. She left the entire house clean. Obviously when a tenant does that, she is deserving of a deposit return. Interestingly, Emily never returned her lease agreement back to me when she first accepted the property. Somehow I too forgot it. She seemed trustworthy and proved it over the course of time. Still it was understood, a tenant breaks a lease, it’s implied the deposit is lost. 

We kept in touch over the next few days. She wasn’t bitter about the deposit not being returned as some would.  

My side was equally as active during those weeks- but for different reasons. I wasn’t employed by any type of W2 so I had to make ends meet as I could. Survival is difficult for everyone. No one is immune. I’ve had to depend now on properties upon my job loss the year prior.  Fortunately however, I was able to purchase a couple of single family dwellings since the financial crash of 2008/2009. And so I began to sell a few now after holding them for a long period of time and take in some equity gained. As most people know, it’s a very time consuming task, plus there are still mortgages to pay even if it’s not occupied. Having to deal with another empty property that Emily vacated wasn’t in my plans. Untimely, at best. 

Emily was busy in her quest to find employment. So I could only imagine what she was having to deal with. If I know anything, Emily is not lazy. And doesn’t depend on anyone. Her quest however daunting, was not deterred. Plus she had a family depending on her. 

For a nice distraction, I started taking Latin ballroom dance lessons. For someone like me who has no rhythm to speak of, Latin dance is difficult. There’s steps to count. Music to try and enjoy. Moves to make. As difficult as it seemed, it was good for my brain to learn something new. 

Knowing my timing wouldn’t be the best, I asked Emily “hey we should meet for lunch or dinner sometime”. I did fully comprehend the pain she was having to endure after her husband’s passing so I wouldn’t try any funny business. Plus I knew she was regaled by my interesting dating stories that always ended up as a comedic train wreck. Cupid was always seemingly elusive in my life. I viewed it as me asking her for dinner and of course I was also the entertainment. What more could she ask?

She accepted. 

That put a smile on my face.