The Specialist and I: Book 2

Chapter 2

Woo! Another chapter done. Like the last book, I have chapters written ahead of time. This one has actually been done for a while......

I sighed and looked at the papers in front of me. My parents were behind on the bills and they didn't tell me. I went through the stack, the last paper scared me. In big bold red letters was the word FORECLOSURE.

"What?", I whispered.

I heard footsteps behind me but didn't think anything of it. I grabbed a calculator and calculated my parent's total income and subtracted all the bills. The total was -1500. I sighed.

"Foreclosure?", Ron asked.

"My parents are loosing the house.", I explained, "Looks like we'll have to find two houses."

"I called the realtors for the houses we saw.", Ron said, "We are meeting the realtor for the house on Chestnut Street in 15 minutes. So, we gotta go."

I got up and we left. When we got to the house, we were right on time. It wasn't until 5 minutes later that the realtor actually showed up claiming "I had another client". She smelled like alcohol. Right. Barhopping is so showing another client a house. 

(Here's the house: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3225-Chestnut-St-NE_Washington_DC_20018_M54377-73885?view=qv )

We walked inside and the first thing we saw was the kitchen.

"It's....nice.", I said, "But it's small."

"I don't like the red cupboards. Reminds me of 'cons.", Ron whispered to me, I nodded.

The living room, which was next to the kitchen, was also small. This house seems big on the outside but it's rather small on the inside. When we finished, we left and headed to another house.

(House: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4810-Sheriff-Rd-NE_Washington_DC_20019_M55230-64256?view=qv )

This one was slightly better than the last house but, still not quite what we were looking for. Then, we went to the last house that we found.

(House: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7524-Eastern-Ave-NW_Washington_DC_20012_M52247-35864?view=qv )

"This is nice.", I said when we walked into the entryway, "If we buy it, we could always paint the walls."

We walked further in and spotted the living room. It was a good size. The window had a nice view of the street to watch for guests from the couch. However, the bathroom was small. The house had a dining room and kitchen but there wasn't enough kitchen space for plates and bowls. There definitely wasn't enough room for a party should we decide to have one.

The second bathroom was slightly bigger than the first one but still, it was small. We continued walking around and looked at the bedrooms. The Master bedroom looked like Anna's room, which wasn't that big. The washer and dryer was in the basement, which meant carrying clothes up and down the stairs. Did I mention that the stairs didn't have railings?

"Would you guys like to place a bet in the auction?", the realtor asked.

"We're going to look at more houses before we make a decision on this one.", Ron said.

"Ah, variety. That's always good.", the realtor said, "Well, if you decide that you'd like the house, you have my number."

We left the house and started driving back home.

"What'd you think?", I asked.

"I didn't care for either one of them.", Ron said, "The last one was nice but it's not really big enough for a family. Or get-togethers."

"That's what I was thinking.", I said, "I didn't care for either of them either. The first two seemed bigger on the outside and the last house didn't seem to have anything nice in it aside from the window in the living room. Did you see the mold in the upstairs bathroom? Disgusting."

Ron nodded, "Those are the only houses close to base. Otherwise, we can look for some outside of town."

"I'd rather stay in town.", I said.

"We could always live in the base. I could ask Ratchet to soundproof our door.", Ron suggested.

"What if we built our own house? We could build it right next to the base. Even build mom and dad one.", I said, "I know a good construction crew. Last year, while you were in China, I was helping out a construction crew for the week. They owe me a favor."

"Build one?", Ron said, thinking, "Well, we can build it how we want so let's go for it."

I smiled as we pulled into the driveway, "It'll be good. For all of us."

We both got out and Ron locked his alt mode. I walked to the front door and looked back. Ron was still standing by his alt mode, looking up at the sky. He looked like was glaring at something.

"Something wrong?", I asked as I returned to his side.

"Starscream is flying over.", Ron said, "It's too public for me to be able to transform."

"Come on. He hasn't bothered us while we're home.", I said, "Why start now?"

Ron sighed and followed me inside.

"What's going on?", Dad asked.

"Starscream is flying overhead.", I answered, "Ironhide's worried he might attack."

"Starscream?", Dad asked, "Isn't that the Decepticon Second-in-Command?"

I nodded and turned to Ron, "I'm going to make that call."

"Call?", Dad asked as I made my way upstairs, "What call is she talking about?"

I walked into my room and closed the door. Pulling out my phone I dialed the number.

"This is John with Gordinsky's Construction, how can I help you?", John answered.

"John, it's Lori Edih.", I said.

"Lori! I was wondering when you'd call again.", John said excitedly.

"Really? Well, I've got a job for you. Two, actually. I need two houses built. If you come by tomorrow, my husband and I can show you where we'd like them built.", I said.

"Yeah! I'll stop by with the gang. How's 9?", John asked.

"Perfect. See you then.", I said and hung up as Ron walked in.

"You have a day set up already?", Ron asked.

"They're stopping by tomorrow at 9 so we can show them where we want the houses built, then they'll start working on it.", I answered, "Because it's two houses, there will be two different crews working on them. The guy I called is bringing his crew tomorrow then on Friday, he'll show the other crew where the house they are working on is going to be built."

"Alright. In the meantime, since we've been house hunting all day, I'm going to bed so I can be up at 4 tomorrow. I have to be at base for a meeting. Optimus is concerned.", Ron said.

"About what?", I asked.

"Decepticons. They haven't been active the past six months. He's worried they might be planning something big.", Ron answered, "I might be training over the next month or so. I won't be home as often."

"That's okay. I'll visit you. I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with Dad, Epps, and the guys. SecNav wants to talk to us so we'll be heading to his office.", I said.

Ron nodded and we both went to bed.