The Start of Something Great
I met the realtor on a gray, rainy afternoon, barely a week ago. He pulled up outside the empty space which was to be my new home, killed the engine, and got out of his truck.
Fat raindrops immediately spotted his tan jacket, which I was surprised to see was a Carharts. Not a typical fashion statement for one of his profession. He held a thin briefcase over his head, tilting it against the slanting rain, and inadvertently hiding his face.
I called out, motioning him to the scant overhang which sheltered me from the downpour, and he sprinted the few steps it took to join me.
“Hi,” he said, shaking the water from his hair like an overgrown collie. “My name is Ryan.” He looked up to meet my eyes, and held out his hand.
“Uh, hi.” Oh, now there's a good first impression. It was all I could get out, as if my tongue was covered with paste and firmly stuck to the roof of my mouth. Oh by all the gods above and below, his eyes...
Ryan had the most exquisite eyes I had ever seen. Deep turquoise pools like an ocean after a storm sparkled as I stared into them. I fumbled for his offered hand, completely unable to look away from those brilliant jewels, and still only barely able to speak.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Ryan said. “Ready to take a look around?”
Sure, as long as you understand I'll be seeing everything in shades of blue.
I nodded, finally able to break my gaze and step back so he could unlock the door.
We stepped inside and he shut the door behind us. Frosted skylights illuminated a space which was huge, and I mean huge. It looked like a vast, empty plain surrounded by tall white walls.
“If you don't mind my asking, what are you planning to do with all this space?”
I turned back to Ryan, careful not to look him directly in the eye lest I be trapped for eternity. “You mean, besides rattle around like a single pea in a giant tin can?”
He laughed, a rich cascade of sound that I could feel as well as hear. It made me grin in spite of my growing nervousness.
“Yeah, besides that. I'd think you'd get awfully lonely in all this empty space, without some kind of company.
Is that an offer? Oh please say it is!
“True, and I admit it probably will be, at least in the beginning. But eventually I intend to bring my boys here. Give them a place to hang out until someone wants them.”
“Really.” It wasn't exactly a question. “That sounds... Noble.” Ryan's shoulders seemed to sag a little, and I was puzzled by his response.
“Is noble a good thing or a bad thing?” I was genuinely curious what he would say.
“Oh, a good thing, of course. I just...” Ryan looked at his feet.
I took a chance, maybe a big one, and lifted his chin. “Just what, Ryan?”
“Well, I know what you do. That's why I wrangled to get this listing. I was hoping, maybe, I could be one of your boys.”
I was startled to see his eyes shining, but even more startled by his admission. He wrangled for this listing? My listing? I was overjoyed.
“Ryan,” I said, “Don't you understand? You already are.”
“I am?” Ryan looked stunned.
“Sure, man. Come on in!”