Chapter 9

When they were once again in the living room, Chris said, “How much is the rent?”

She told him.

“Good grief, that’s cheap,” he said. “In this neighborhood you could add at least two hundred dollars to that amount.”

“That’s what Sarah keeps telling me,” Parah said.

“What’s under the vinyl on the floors?”

“Wood.”

“What kind of wood?” he said.

“Boards of some kind.”

“The kitchen appliances are pretty old, aren’t they?”

“Yes. We’d like to replace them, but we can’t do that and hire someone to get the painting done.”

“Let’s go back to the house,” Chris said. “I’ve seen enough, and I might have an idea, but I need to talk to some people first.”

“Okay, then. Let’s go.”

5

Jacksonville, FL

“WHAT DID YOU think of our neighbors, Ted?” Chris said when they were in the car and on the way to St. Vincent’s.

“They talked funny, but I liked them.”

“Talked funny, how?”

“They like to finish each other’s sentences.”