WANDER

Chapter 2

I have the next three days off of work. I decided I would check out the rest of town a little deeper and maybe search for a small house to rent . The hotel is ok for now but I'd really like a little place I can call mine even just temporarily.i really enjoy it here and want to get on with a normal way of living like everyone else . I want to get a real feel for this town set down some shallow roots and see what happens .

As I'm walking down the sidewalk along the highway I stop in n at the gas station to search the peg board for any houses for rent. There isn't much on the board except a poster for a missing puppy and a number for a guy who paints houses . Bummed to find nothing for rent i snag a bottle of pop from the cooler and set it on the counter by the cashier . He rings me up giving me my total and aks "are you looking for a place to rent ?"

"Uhmm yeah actually thats exactly what I'm looking for ." I say surprised by his question.

" You should try looking at the other end of town "he says with a blank stare kn his eyes. Hes about 90 years old by the looks of him.

I say thanks and head down the road towards the end of town opposite the hotel that area I have never really been to yet. As I get closer I see all of the houses seem to be occupied I don't see any signs for rent or anything . I walk down a little farther and see a man sitting on the porch of this very old very large run down house. It basicly sits alone and away from town a short way out. The man is sitting in an old rocking chair with his feet propped up on the railing of the porch. He looks to be around my age. The closer I get notice he is looking my direction no doubt wonder who I am. I keep walking because there is no harm looking kn my general direction I suppose. I. Ross the street and keep walking in his direction he has his eyes on me the whole time studying me. He has medium length dirty blonde hair full of body and hes devilishly handsome with a five o clock shadow beard.

Inching my way closer I feel weird just staring but I finally see a sign in the window he's sitting next to. It's an old piece of jaged wood with words painted on it. Three horribly painted words. I stare at it trying to figure out what it says. ROOM FOR RENT. White paint drips from each letter it looks like he made it one night when he was good and drunk . As I'm struggling to read it another man comes outside and sits on an old couch on the porch . He's younger then the other guy. He doesn't seem to notice me or anything else for that matter. He keeps his head down only lifting it once or twice to look down the open road heading out of town. They are kind of odd dont seem like they much belong here.

After a few minutes I realize I have been staring at them and the house way to long . I need to say something before they go inside i walk up to the stairs on the porch and ask the older fella how much his room is for rent . He stares at the other guy and they both laugh to themselves. He looks at me a little funny and says with a jerky attitude .

" I usually don't rent to women in fact i never have ."

"Well that doesnt bother me . Would you consider renting to me anyway . I ask not letting his blunt voice bother me. The thing is I'd really lile to get out of the hotel . I have money I can pay no problem. How much for the room I have money with me I can pay today."

He runs his scruffy face for a minute and says" alright fine . If your really that interested I'll give you the grand tour so you can decide for yourself if it's worth your while. "

As we walk inside he randomly points and starts naming off rooms . Off to the right of us is the living room that leads into the dining room on Into the kitchen . The bathroom is a small room off the dining room. There are three bedrooms off of the other side of the dinning room and living room . The living room and dining room  are both connected making a continuous big room basically.  The bedrooms down stairs sit perfectly under the first floor bedrooms. Reminds me of horse stalls almost . This house is massive. He  says that 2 of the bedrooms downstairs are already rented out to his best friend and the other his brother. Hes in the marines so we qont see much of him he says .