CSI San Antonio

5

They didn’t arrive in San Antonio until late afternoon the next day, having spent the night in a roadside motel. As they pulled up to the house where they would be living, a big smile appeared on Samantha’s face, and Victoria felt a rush of hope wash over her. Perhaps things would be better after all.

The house was a beautiful Victorian style, with four large bedrooms and a spacious bathroom upstairs. Downstairs, there were two medium-sized rooms, one of which served as a dining room. It stood proudly on a hill, its front porch facing a nearby river, offering a serene and picturesque view. The gentle sound of the water flowing nearby added to the charm.

“Wow, Mom! Look at this place!” Samantha exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder as she stepped out of the car.

“Tomorrow morning, we’ll go enroll you in school,” Victoria said, trying to sound cheerful despite her own anxiety.

“All right,” Samantha replied, her gaze still fixed on the house, a mix of excitement and curiosity dancing in her eyes.

“Sammy, I know you don’t like this change very much,” Victoria said, forcing a smile, hoping to bridge the gap between them. “To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled about moving either.”

“I know, Mom,” Samantha said, her shoulders slumping slightly. “I’m sorry I was so cold. I just didn’t want to change schools in the middle of the year, especially since I had friends there.”

“I understand, sweetheart,” Victoria said gently, her heart aching for her daughter. “But maybe this new school won’t be that bad. It’s one of the best around here, and I know you’ve become interested in design. They have one of the best studios for that.”

“Really?” Samantha’s eyes widened, a flicker of enthusiasm breaking through her earlier reluctance. “Thank you, Mom!”

Victoria felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Come on, let’s see what awaits us in this house.”

As they stepped onto the porch, Victoria envisioned placing two armchairs, a table, and a swing to watch the sunsets in the evenings. The spacious corridor welcomed them, and Victoria took a deep breath, absorbing the possibilities. To the right was a huge living room with glass sliding doors that led to the garden.

“Look at that!” Samantha pointed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We can have a barbecue out there!”

“Absolutely! And there’s plenty of room for you to hang out with your friends,” Victoria replied, her smile growing genuine.

To the left was a small dining room, and behind it, a large, brightly colored kitchen caught Victoria’s eye. In the center stood an island of cabinets with four bar stools. The kitchen was well-equipped, featuring an electric stove, a microwave, an electric oven, and a food processor. The sink was situated in the middle, with a built-in dishwasher and washing machine underneath.

“Mom, this kitchen is amazing!” Samantha said, her voice full of enthusiasm. “I can’t wait to help cook!”

Victoria laughed, imagining the two of them working together. “We can make it our little project. We’ll try new recipes every week.”

In the corridor by the door, there was a shoe rack, a basket for umbrellas, and a coat rack on the wall. Victoria made a mental note to add a small wardrobe for storing unused jackets.

At the end of the corridor, opposite the entrance, was a small bathroom with a shower and toilet. They ventured into the living room next, where a green couch and a coffee table greeted them. Two armchairs flanked the couch, and a large table with six chairs stood nearby.

“This place feels cozy,” Samantha said, her tone more relaxed now as she wandered around. “I can see myself hanging out here.”

A fireplace with a profiled shelf faced the sofa, and a large TV sat atop it. On the shelf above the fireplace, vases of flowers added a cheerful touch of color.

“I’ll need to renovate some of the walls and replace the carpets,” Victoria mused aloud, inspecting the room. “And the wooden floors could use a fresh coat of varnish. But overall, it feels welcoming.”

“Can we paint the walls?” Samantha asked, her curiosity piqued. “I’d love to pick some colors.”

“Of course! This house is a blank canvas for us. We can make it our own,” Victoria replied, feeling a spark of excitement at the thought.

As Samantha wandered deeper into the house, her initial excitement transformed into a deeper appreciation for their new home. Victoria watched her daughter with a sense of relief and hope. Perhaps this place would be the fresh start they both needed after all.