Ties That Bind

Chapter 1. A New Tenant

Procedure. It was how she did things. A plan, a goal, a purpose, that's all that mattered even if things weren't going in an exact orderly fashion---it was still happening and still the focus of everything surrounding her.

Flipping through paperwork in a manila folder, she was making sure she had everything in a good order for the day. Her eyes scanned everything quickly so she could just move forth.

She felt if she could control the physical things; the cleanliness of her home, paperwork, homework, her clothing, the way she did things---her mood wouldn't hinder so much on the things that were out of her control such as emotions of others, the way they thought or the way they behaved, perhaps the way they did things. She never did want to control people, but she wanted them to see her, understand her so she could be as independent as she could be and get her point across on her own.

Sticking the folder in her bookbag, she slipped her cream, platform boots on---tossing her purse over her shoulder as well. She picked up her metal thermos and headed straight toward the front door where she fumbled with her keys in the foyer before letting herself out. And once she was outside, she locked both the top and bottom lock, ready to take on the rest of the day. Turning around, she let off a gasp---her hand losing her grip on water bottle.

"Stevie?" a tenant mentioned her name.

"Hi," she greeted as she bent down to grab the container. Making eye contact, "You startled me, what can I do for you?" she shifted her weight to one side so her purse wouldn't make her seem unlevel.

"There's a leak in a pipe---told my wife I would take care of it, but she insisted I tell you..." the man gestured.

"No problem, dear," she dusted it off. "I'll get ahold of somebody to take care of it as soon as possible, Mr. Jones."

"Thank you," he smiled at her as he passed her by to get to his vehicle in the alley. "Oh, and Stevie?" he came to a holt, easily turning back.

Stopping, she turned as well, meeting him once again and she rose both brows with a charitable grin.

"You want me to show the place around today, right? I think you said somebody was looking to take the place in back?"

"You know what, that was today... I have a class and a group meeting---would it be alright?" she questioned, kind of lingering for the help since he brought it up.

"Of course," he agreed with a short nod. "It's just the one guy---right?"

"Pretty sure---but just look over logistics and his name and then I'll check the rest out."

"Sounds good, have a good day!" he proceeded to make his way.

"Likewise," she responded, letting off a tiny sigh right after. Gathering her thoughts; things she had to do---she started making her way to the front of the building to get to her car. As she settled, the classic rock station popped on as it usually did while she settled all of her things to the side.

Having forgotten about the person seeing about an apartment, that made her realize how disorganized she was even if she was neat and orderly with the way she did things. Though, often---she would have her tenant look over some of the people just because he was older than her, wiser with people and he had better ethics than she did, so he had the idea of who to invite and who not to invite. And just letting Mr. Jones in to help, it was extremely difficult for her because she wanted to do it by herself since she was the owner and landlord.

Stevie was really a go getter---wanting to do everything people said she could not do. And one thing teachers would tell her was that she didn't have to go to college, she didn't have to have a career; just a husband to rely on and kids to take care of as she sprung housewife duties as well as hobbies.