Errant Thoughts Story, Part 12

Susan frowned at the note she found in her mailbox asking her to come to the office to speak to the landlord. Normally, if a vacant apartment needed work she picked up the key and instructions from the secretary. Steeling her nerve, she headed straight there.

"Susan, please sit down. Am I right in assuming that you haven't found work yet?" Her landlord looked at her sternly, but the question didn't feel hostile.

"No, nothing yet."

"Well, that's good news to me. I have a situation where I need someone I can trust completely who has proven to be reliable. You were the first person I thought of." He leaned back in his chair and swiveled to look out the window. Turning back, he explained, "My grandmother has been in a nursing home for three years, but yesterday I was informed that between the rates increase there and the market drop, she can no longer afford to live there.

"I don't have room for her with us, but what I do have is a ground floor apartment in your building. I need someone to cook and clean and look after her. In exchange, you can stay rent-free."

Susan's thoughts dashed about considering the possibilities; she asked, "How is her health? Physically and mentally?"

"She moves slow; uses a walker. Her mind gets a bit wandery, might ask the same question a couple times. You would need to make sure she takes her medication. I'll buy her groceries and take her to the doctor as needed. I thought you could cook breakfast and do any needed cleaning in the morning, cook lunch then the afternoon would be yours until supper."

"You don't mind losing the rent on two apartments?"

He looked sardonic, "Believe me, that's a bargain compared to what the nursing home quoted."

"When do I start?"

"My wife will be stocking the kitchen this week in the evenings and Gran will move in on Saturday. I'd appreciate if you were available to help get her settled." He paused to take a piece of paper out of his desk. "And here's a refund for June's rent. I was fairly sure you'd agree."

Susan felt taller and more confident than she had in a long time when she walked out of the office; it was as if a weight had fallen off her shoulders. This opportunity meant the last three months of unemployment could be saved to help feed them when the boys went back to school and couldn't work as much. Plus she would still have afternoons to visit Mrs. Perkins and do any odd jobs she found.

When she got home she sat down and thought of questions and details that needed to be addressed. For instance, would she be expected to bring her own cleaning supplies and what about laundry? She started a list to discuss before Saturday.

Part 13