When the limo pulled away I waited another ten minutes in the Uber slowly making the poor driver circle the neighborhood before I finally let him kick me out around the corner from my house. Sneaking around like an out of practice ninja, I made my way back to the house and quickly in the front door. Buster was there, tail wagging, proud to have kept the homestead safe.

I went upstairs and found my dad's calendar and placed a call to his personal attorney, there were some things I needed to get set up, and quickly.  Val's business card crinkled in my hand as I slowly laid out my wishes and convinced the lawyer I would actually come into the office and sign the forms to make everything official. After my third time confirming that I was indeed over eighteen, I finally ended the phone call just in time to hear the doorbell ringing.

Val's car was in the driveway, in a flurry I rushed downstairs to find Buster barking like he suddenly joined the police academy. That dog just gets better and better.

Val looked tired, her posture was stooped and her shoes were off her feet hanging from her hands. I yanked her in and toward the kitchen making sure to deadbolt the door behind her.

"I'm sorry I'm a mess, the last job was a party clean up, of the sorority kind. I've gotta hand it to the kids, they never do anything half way."

I let her chatter for a little while until we hit a comfortable silence. Her cup of tea sitting untouched while my coffee cup kept my hands busy working on my best approach.

"Val. I know we just met, and the truth is, I'm gonna sound like a weirdo, but I feel like you're a good person. I have a sort of proposition for you and your son."

At the mention of her son her face hardened, just a little.  It was obvious she was protective and I had to stammer out the rest before she ran off.

"I have to travel for a while, and it may be a long while - I'd like to entrust the house to you. For as long as you care to stay, rent free. You just keep up the bills and maintenance and I'll feel so much better knowing it's in good hands."

Her eyes turned to slits and her jaw clamped shut. I could tell she was skeptical that I was about to drop a condition.

"There's no obligation. If you can't stay, just tell my aunt, and she will find someone else who can take care of it. I just really have a few things I need to figure out and staying here, where my parents were, it's just too hard. Of course I can have anything you don't want put into storage, but essentially, it needs a caretaker. I know you liv with your parents, and this is a great opportunity for both of us. I have a lawyer drawing up papers if you say yes, so it will all be completely legal. You won't own it, but you'll have free reign and when, or if I need, or want to come back I'll give you plenty of notice.  It would make me feel so much better knowing someone who cares about it will be here."

Tears pooled in her eyes and her bottom lip trembled as she stared into the yard.

"I don't know what to say---I'd love to. But I can't stay here for free, I have to pay something. And where are you going?  Have you really thought about this?"

I placed my hand on hers and nodded. Holding back tears of my own. It was the right move. There was no going back, no coming home, I was literally losing the life my father saved.

"I have big plans friend. And if you want to pay me, just pop in on Agnes every once in a while. She's a tough Bird with a busy social life, but she gets lonely, even though she won't admit it. I have to stay out of contact with her for a while, and it's going to hurt her. Will you take care of her for me?"

Val's posture got straight and she used the back of her hands to swipe under her eyes.

"This is about the break in?  You in trouble?"

I knew she was smart. There was no way I'd put her Val or her child I danger, but I knew when I was running the trouble would be looking for me, not a woman and a boy living their dreams.

"Val. All I can tell you is that I would never put you in danger. The house is safe, you'll be safe. Once I move on, nothing will be looking for me here."

"Ah, Chika, I'm not worried about me. I grew up on the south side. But you, you can't run from trouble. I have a cousin.."

"Nope. Not going there. I've said all I need to, this isn't about breaking the law. This is personal. And I'm not discussing it, neither should you. Do we have a deal?"

I held out my hand for an official shake, hoping she wouldn't notice the tremor. Her face lit up and she slowly looked around, her face filled with the possibilities of home. I knew that look, and I only hoped I would have it again sometime. 

As her hand firmly grasped mine, a smile snuck across both our faces and I felt lighter than I had in a while.  Val may be a new friend, but she was an old soul and somehow I knew this was exactly the right choice to make. I went to the pegboard on the side of the counter where we kept the coffee cups and handed her a key.

"Welcome to your home. It will be vacant in two weeks. If it's sooner I'll let you know. You probably won't hear from me again for a while, but Agnes will be around if you have any trouble."

She clutched the keys to her chest and reached out with her free arm to wrap me in a bear hug.

"I will still bet here Thursday to clean. You call me if you have any trouble. My cousin is better than most at keeping the peace, believe me."

It was good to end with laughter, and something checked off my list. Buster wagged his tail as she gave him a goodbye smootch. Part of me twisted inside. I knew the best thing for him would be to leave him here- the only home he'd ever had, as I knew that Val would treat him well, but there was no way I was leaving him behind.

Buster was my lifeline. Walking away from him may mean less risk, but it would also mean that I left a huge part of my heart behind. And frankly, I needed all the heart I could get.

****************
Sounds like Cassie is putting the wheels in motion. Unorthodox, but it felt just right. Someone had to take care of the memories, and Agnes. A hardworking self starting solo mom seemed just to good to let go.