Chapter 2: THE SEARCH

Bill Spence was carrying a big black bug!!!!! He had developed some unexplained itch for Vanessa! He suddenly, felt the urge to investigate the abandoned house for her!

Although, she hadn't confirmed with him that she wanted the house! She had only taken keen interest of its potential and how beautiful it could become if some work was put into it!

Two days had pass and Bill Spence was at the tax office enquiring about the abandoned house behind where he was living. He wanted to know how much it was worth and how much taxes was owed on it! He also wanted to know whose name it was under... the original owners or someone else! He wanted copies of all the documentations pertaining to the house on Rubby Avenue! He was on a research fire in his blood!

The clerk at the tax office could only furnish Bill Spence with the amount of taxes owed and the name of the persons whose name was on the tax form for that property; and how long since they have owed taxes on the property.

She could not, however help him with the price of the property. He would have to hire an appraiser and let him or her give him a price of the value of the property in its present condition.

Because, although the structure looked good from outside no one knew what it was really like on the inside!

The appraiser would have to go through the house, room by room and see what was salvageable and what had to be replaced and what could be renovated!

Bill Spence needed to know how to get in contact with the owners also. But the clerk could not help him with that either! She could only give him the number that was on the tax forms; and that number was assumed to be the number of the house when it was habitable. But, Bill was determined to acquire the name and the number for the abandoned house on Rubby Avenue! He needed to get as much information as possible about the house before spending any money on hiring an appraiser, to see what the house actually was worth!

After leaving the tax office, Bill went where he thought best he could have gotten some information pertaining to the abandoned house - the eye sore located behind him for years! He went to the neighbors living exactly next door to the house on opposite direction of the house; and also the neighbor who was living in front of the house. He was asking desperately, if anyone had heard or known the where about of the owners of the abandoned house! He meant business!

But, Bill Spence came up null and void! He didn't know where else to turn for information or support! And so he rocked his brain... trying to find the answers that he seeks!

There must be someone someplace who knows something about these people... where these people are... where they might be! They couldn't all just vanish from off the face of the earth! Persistent and determined he came up with another resolution - a way he thought he could find them!

The telephone directory was placed on the table! After Bill had returned from visiting the neighbors on Rubby Avenue! He had gotten their last names from the tax office! So he began looking through the whole phone book until he came up with the name, "Heels"! And so he called every Heels he could find until at last someone responded! Someone knew something about this family; and the intention for the house!

Bill was both hilarious and delirious when he had finally received some form of positive feedback about the owner of the house! He was elated and over-joyed! He couldn't believe his ears when someone had finally come forth with some information pertaining to the house; that he could work with... so he could move forward with his plans!

With pen and paper in hand, Bill wrote down every detail of information that was given to him by one Elizabeth Heels. She was the sister of Mr. Heels, the owner of the property on Rubby Avenue who had migrated, first to England and then to the United State of America!

Thankfully, they had kept in touch or else, there was no way Bill could have gotten in contact with her brother! Needless to say, Elizabeth didn't want to give Bill Spence much information over the telephone; so she invited him to have lunch with her at some popular restaurant in one of the plazas up-town... a place she felt comfortable meeting with a stranger!

The following afternoon Bill eagerly left his office and met with Ms. Elizabeth Heels at the dragon restaurant in the plaza! And as he drove on the one-way stretch of high-way; he thought about Vanessa; and how much time and effort he was saving her just in case the time came around and she wanted or could afford to buy the abandoned property!

The parking lot was fairly empty! But Elizabeth Heels was there a half-hour earlier; before the appointed time. She was sitting at one of the window seats! When Bill pulled up into the parking lot and got out of his car she could see him! And so she watched is every moved until he stepped inside of the restaurant! She stared him up and down, trying to asses if he had genuine interest towards the property or if he was some flute trying to figure out something about the property; so he could claim it without going through any legitimate process! But she couldn't determine such from his presences!

Bill drove a decent looking vehicle and he was well put together! He had on his white dressing shirt; that roll above the risk with a navy blue dressing pant and black shock and black dressing shoes to match! His hair was neatly comb back and sharply shaped around the edges only showing a little salt and pepper at the crown of his head! He looked dashing and sharp!

And as Bill Spence stepped inside the restaurant and saw the pale looking elderly lady; sitting up against one of the windows with lip-stick on as red as red as chines cherries! While sipping on what appears to be water! He made two steps towards her and uttered the name, Elizabeth Heels...

"Are you Mr. Spence?"

She replied.

"Yes mam, I am Bill Spence!"

He replied.

"First I must say, thank you for meeting with me!"

"Is there anything you would like me to order for you to eat?"

Bill asked.

"Well I took the liberty and order something for myself already. You may just order for yourself!"

"Okay mam, I will take care of the check!"

They both gave out a silly laugh!

Bill signaled for the waiter to come over. He then, gave his order for steam fish and baked potatoes and a glass of mango punch with a tip of white rum! He needed something to mellow him down and smooth him out a little!

Elizabeth Heels then told the waiter he could bring her plate when he was bringing Mr. Spence's own. She knew her plate was already done, but she had told the waiter before-hand; she wouldn't be ready for it until the person she was expecting had arrived! And just in case he had not shown up then he could put it into a doggy bag for her to take home and have for supper before she went to bed; and for lunch the following day!

And as Bill made himself comfortable in his chair around the restaurant table; he began to ask questions; about her brother who was the owner of the property; he was partially interested in!

"So Ms. Heels, your brother seem to be holding onto the property a mighty long time for some reason! He has any plans on coming back here to refurbish it?"

Bill asked out-right!

"I don't think he has any such plans right now! At first yes! But he and his wife separated and then she pass-on! He has gotten himself involve with someone else in the state! And from what he had told me, she has no interest in coming this side of the world to live... she has all her family members there and his children are all grown... has secure their future in the states... profession, relationships; I don't think they are going to come back this side!"

Ms. Heels explained.

"But I have some information on the house and I have his number with me... you can call him yourself and he will fill you in on more detail and what he is planning on doing with that house!"

Ms. Heels continued.

Bill was elated to get the news and he was even more elated to have gotten Mr. Heels number! He believed this way he could speak with him directly and get all the details he so desperately needed; pertaining to the abandoned property! He promised to call her brother as soon as he had gotten home later that night and settle down!

The waiter came with the try with both their orders and placed it in front of them gently! And they both ate as Bill expressed with excitement all the potential he saw in the house and how he would like very much to buy it and restore it to its former glory; because it has been a terrible eye-sore in the community and was just there wasting away!

Furthermore, it has been harboring so much rodent, insects and possible illegal activities! Although, he hadn't seen anyone physically on the property doing anything illegal! But, he could see signs that persons had been on the property because there were numerous amount of clothing and containers scattered all cover the premises! Even though, some had been brought there by the wind Bill knew they all didn't get there by such... someone must had brought them there because they were too heavy for the breeze to have brought them there!

"So what are you going to do with the house if you should buy it and have it renovated? Don't you own the one you are living into now?"

Ms. Heels asked curiously!

Bill didn't see that one coming! He wasn't sure what to really answer her! Because, the only reason he had taken on this project of researching the property; was because Vanessa had shown some interest into it and he somehow cajole -up in his mind that it was a great idea! One, because he was in the construction business and furthermore; he had a little soft spot in his heart for her also!

And almost choking on his steam potatoes! He whipped-up an answer!

"Well I was thinking about renting it out or move into it and then rent my place! It all depends on how the whole situation works out! Plus I live right there so it would be a great investment for me to have!"

Bill replied.

As he drank some water to smooth away his choke while looking through the large picture window of the restaurant; his conscience pricked him!

The eyes connected! Bill looked away feverishly, but Ms. Heels' eyes were fixated on him! She was reading him like a revivalist! And she didn't blink not even for a second as he told her his wishy-wacky story! She knew he had been lying to her, but what he did with the property after he bought it was his business and not hers! She had only asked out of curiosity!

"Well whatever you plan on doing I wish you well and I hope it all works out for you!"

Ms. Heels stated politely.

They had almost finished eating and Ms. Heels took her napkin from her lap and wipe her hands. She then went into her big tote bag and brought up a huge pile of papers secured with broad elastic bands... the documents for the abandoned house! She then stretched forth her hands and placed them on the table beside Bill Spence as she uttered...

"These are yours... document pertaining to the house. I brought them for you so you can familiarize yourself with all or most of the information about the property; you might need them!"

"Oh thank you very much Ms. Heels! I will need them for sure! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you bringing them here for me! Now, I have something to work with! Again! Thanks a lot!"

Bill Spence Expressed with a lot of gratitude!

Lunch was pretty much done! Only a few sips and their glasses would be bone dry! Well not really!

The waiter who had served them was standing at the counter with his back turned toward them! Bill gave a shout and motioned for him to come over with the bill... he was ready to pay and he was ready to leave also!

But before the final payment, Bill asked his guest if she needed to order anything else... desert, she probable could take home with her for supper later on! She was very glad he had offered to treat her with desert too! And so, she asked for a multi-five! Five slices of cake with five different flavors! She thought she could indulge herself with a slice each day of the week!

Bill had estimated the amount the tab would cost! And so he took cash form his wallet and rested it on the table... tip and all! He then thanked Ms. Heels and told her he would be in touch with her; so she would know what was happening! He then told her good bye, heap-up the plié of documents she had brought him and began heading straight for the doors of the restaurant and towards his car!

The waiter was returning from behind the kitchen door with Ms. Heels' dessert in his hands! He noticed Bill spencer was about to leave the restaurant with a bunch of papers in his hand! Most of papers were looking very aged as if they were ready to fall apart and shrivel away! So, he kindly offered Bill Spence one of the company's take-out bags so he could place his documents into!

Bill was thankful! He expressed every ounce of appreciation! And so he went back to the table and waited for the waiter to come back with the bag! It was them Ms. Heels mentioned...

"This is why I like to come here! They are always so thoughtful, pleasant and very considerate! You don't have to ask! They are ready to assist!"

Bill looked over at Ms. Heels and said...

"I agree one hundred percent!"

Whatever the feeling was, Bill reached into his pocket again, took out some more cash and rest another paper dollar on the table for the waiter! He felt generous!

Within a few minutes the waiter was back with the big shopping back and assisted Bill with putting the fragile documentations inside the bag!

Bill Spence thanked him kindheartedly, said his final verbal good bye and went towards the large brown restaurant doors waving to the waiter and Ms. Heels as he exited through the doors happy and contented that he had gotten such information about the house already!

The waiter collected his bill and his tip and removed the large food platter from of the table! While Ms. Heels gently packed away her dessert into her tote bag! She wanted to make sure everything was in place before she left for the busy streets of the city!

It wasn't long after Bill Spence had reached into his office and settled himself around his desk that he called the Hudson's. He wanted to convey to them the good new... he had found the owners of the abandoned property, located behind him! And how he had most of the documentation for the house in his possession right at this very moment! And not only that, he had also obtained the telephone number of the owner who was living in the states! He then made mention that he was going to be calling him tonight... as soon as he got home!

Bill Spence was so excited he could not contain his excitement! He went on and on about his findings; and all that he was going to do to the house as soon as he gets the okay and pay the necessary taxes that was owed to the government! But as brilliant as a man he was; he wasn't thinking straight!

It was his closest friend Mr. Hudson who had dragged him back into reality! Allowing him to realized that what he might be doing could probable be only just a fantasy!

They weren't stupid! They knew what was on his mind but he was going about it in the wrong way!

The Hudson's had realized that Bill Spence was developing feelings for Vanessa and he wanted to impress her so badly; by doing all he can! Because he had seen her looking at the abandoned house in his community! But he had only spoken to Vanessa once... and that was it! Nothing had been confirmed! And now he is going all over the globe searching for; land papers, land taxes, land owner and landscaper... not to mention, land developers! He was now going crazy about this piece of property that has been siting there forever and ever! All of a sudden, he wants to own it, claim it and renovate it! He had the money! He had more than the money! He could have done so a long time ago! But he had the jitter-bugs, the research-bugs and the love-bug for Vanessa! And he was going all out to make sure that she would love him and appreciate him for all that he was doing for her! Even though, he or she had not expressed the same interest or had not come to any mutual agreement in business or about any serious or intimate relationship!

Adamant about what he wanted to do, Bill Spence, ignored the advice and comments of his dear friends!

"What do they know?"

He had asked himself; as he hung up from the Hudson's!

He was very persistent about making every step possible to acquire this run-down, dilapidated property; because, Vanessa, a woman who came by his house one night... went for a walk... saw this ruined eye soar property... liked it and believe it had some potential! So he is going to do everything in his power to make sure that this property his saved, restored and given to her even though he hadn't told her what he was going!

It was getting late and no one had showed up at Bill Spence house that evening. He was expecting the usual crowd but somehow it seemed like everyone had changed their minds! So Bill decided to make the very important phone call he wanted to make! He didn't want to make the call in the earring of everyone; fearing they might talk him into changing his mind! And with the front door closed and the blinds half-mast! Bill got the pile of documentation, sat at his kitchen table and dialed the numbers to Mr. Heels in the United State!

With three rings someone lift up the receiver from the other end and respond to Bill call.

"Hello Mr. Heels!"

A course and strong voice from the other end responded... "Hello, how may I help you?"

"Good evening Sir! My name is Bill Spence and I live at the back of the property you own on Rubby Avenue in Hope Meadows! I am very much has interest in buying the property, if you are selling it!"

"So how did you get my number?"

Mr. Heels enquired.

"Well, I got it from your sister, Elizabeth, along with the rest of papers for the house! She had mentioned that you might not be interested in holding onto the property any longer!"

Bill informed him.

"Okay, I see! Well yes, I was thinking about getting rid of it! So how much are you willing to pay for it?"

Mr. Heels asked.

Although he had a figure in mind, he didn't want to tell Bill what he thought it was worth and how much he wanted for it! He was pretty clueless of how run-down the property had become and what houses were going for in that neighborhood presently! But Bill Spence was a very honest and fair man and he didn't want to jump the gun and relate a price to him either; that might be too much or too little, causing him to end-up with a loss!

"Well Sir, I wasn't ready to actually discuss a price with you as yet. I only wanted to know if you were willing to sell it! Remember there's a lot of taxes owed on the property which needs to be paid off before anyone can purchase it! But what I'll do sometimes next week; is get an appraiser to come and appraise it property! I prefer if he states what the value of the property is worth rather than me giving you a figure of what I believe it might be worth!"

Bill Spence explained.

"Okay, I believe that is very fair! You may do that and get back to me after it is done! We can talk serious business after that! And you can also send me a copy of the appraisal description so I can see what is required! And here is the telephone number of my attorney! He will contact you for a copy also!"

Mr. Heels expressed.

"Yes Sir, I'll do that! And thank you very much for taking my call! I will talk to you as soon as the appraisal report comes forth and make sure that your attorney gets a copy! Thanks again and have a good evening!"

Bill stated with excitement in his voice.

"Okay then, Mr. Spence and you have a good evening also!"

Mr. Heels replied.

Blup, Blup, Blup!!! Bill Spence heart was racing fast... as he replaced the telephone receiver down! He was excited, happy and over-joyed! He was out of himself and he began day dreaming and fantasizing about the eye-sore in the community and what it will look like when he was done with it! The visions and innate plans started taking him over and he couldn't stop them and he couldn't control them from coming either! The transformation of the green-eyed monster was playing continuously in his head and he had to make this miracle happened!

Now he began seeing modern tinted windows, and steel bars painted in crispy white... with mustard yellow, with greens, with purple back drops and barn-yard red trimmings around the perimeter of the house! He was seeing the yard- the landscaped with soft fluffy grass and tumultuous Jeremiah plants paving the front of the yard, popping there vibrant colors so as to banish every gloomy presences away! And soft delicate shrubs cascading alongside the drive way! Bill was seeing beauty... a masterpiece unfolding in his mind! And he thought he must bring it to reality... it must come alive!

It was around nine o'clock at night! No one had showed up at Bill Spence residence and he knew if no one showed up today then definitely, he must expect a crowd at his door-step tomorrow! With his heart happy and contented, Bill had a light supper, showered and went to bed! Tomorrow would be another exciting day!

The following morning Bill was up! Within no time, he had gotten dress and he was out the door! And while he drove to work; he couldn't stop thinking about the house! It was all he had thought about! And as he pulled into the parking lot of his work place, he saw a big van advertising construction work and the word appraisal was at the bottom of the list of services the company was offering!

Bill was excited and immediately took out his pen and paper and wrote down the telephone number that had been written on the side of the van! He told himself as soon as he got inside and clear up some work related issues, he would call the company and get the price they were asking and what was required to get the process started! Bill meant business and he was ready for business and he had made up in his mind; if the house didn't get into Vanessa hands then he could always sell the property! He knew he would make a hefty change on it! It was a win-win situation for him no matter which way it took!

After straighten out some related issues as he had promised, Bill called the appraisal company and started making query about having the appraisal work done on the dilapidated property he found himself so obsess with!

The phone rang and a lady answered. It was the receptionist who had answered.

"Hello my name is Bill Spence and I have an abandoned house I would like to have appraised. It has been abandoned for over fifteen years or more and I have received permission from the owner... he is living in the United States."

Bill Spence explained.

"Where is the house located Mr. Spence?"

The receptionist asked.

"Oh, its' located in the Hope Meadow area!"

Bill Spence replied.

"Do you have the tax report and the title for the property?"

The receptionist inquired.

"Yes I believe so! I receive some documentation from the owner pertaining to the property. I will look through it and see exactly what forms I have, but I am pretty sure I have it here!" Bill Spence replied.

"Well make sure you have the tax forms and the deed or a mortgage statement! Make copies of them! Take both the copies and the original with you to the property on Friday between the hours of twelve-thirty and one o'clock. The appraiser will meet you there. His name is Mr. Matthew Grant. Show him the original papers when you get there and give him the copies so he can do his search and have the information handy when he is writing his report."

The receptionist explained.

"That is it?"

Bill Spence asked.

"Yes Sir that will be it! Just make sure you are not late and don't have him waiting!"

The receptionist warned.

Bill thanked her and then hung up the phone!

Now the only thing that was on his mind was Friday between twelve-thirty and one o'clock! He couldn't erase the date or time from his mind! He was elated, knowing, all that he had been envisioning was coming to a reality and faster than he had expected it to! He passionately wanted to have it all realized!

The time was still scorching hot! So Bill headed straight for the shower after he had gotten home from work! He wanted to make dinner and relaxed while the fan blew on him! The hydration was seriously needed! But the renovation of the house was racing through his mind; like an athlete at the starting line waiting to beat his opponents! He was so eager, to have it done and over with!

He was mostly interested in the finish product!

And just after Bill had finished cooking, the door-bell rang! It was a set of neighbors from the south side! They had come to congregate at Bill's house for the evening! And soon after that, one by one the crowd kept coming! They wanted as usual, to express their feelings about the drought and how they could arrange to make life better for themselves; where obtaining water was concern! The ideas were many but the actions were few!

It wasn't strange for them to show up at Bill's house and he didn't mind them coming there either! But today was a little different! He had the house on his mind and he didn't want to miss any thought or ideas that would manifest it-self to him! He was too consumed about getting the house and having it remodeled to fit his needs or the needs of someone else's ... Vanessa!

Nevertheless, Bill opened his mind, his heart, and his door and invited them all in! And as they pulled chairs, stools and whatever else they could find to take the weight off their legs, they did!

It wasn't long after the Hudson's and Vanessa showed up! Oh! Bill was so happy to see them! He invited them in, gave them bottle water and told them they were welcome to anything on the stove! But everyone decline except for Vanessa!

She wanted to taste something different, all the time! So she got out a small plate and dish-out some of Bill's stew-peas and rice, grabbed a stool and she began to tear at the pig tale as if pig tale was going into recession!

The countenance on Bill's face had changed ever since the Hudson's and Vanessa arrived at his door steps! He became more vibrant... he had more pep in his steps and he was all-round courteous to everyone! But his soft serene shinning eyes wouldn't leave from off Vanessa! He watched her ate-up her stew-peas with white rice and noticed when she was finish! He raced over to where she was just to take the plate from her and asked her if she wanted anymore! And if she did, he would be happy to get it for her! But she was very full and declined his offer! So he went and put the dirty dish in the sink for her!

And within seconds Bill was right back by her side! He wanted to struck-up a conversation with her! So she would realize that he was very interested in her! He wanted to make that contact and he wanted her to know that he was very serious too! But with everyone there yapping away... asking for this, requesting that! Bill couldn't actually make the impression he wanted to make; so as to bring to her awareness that he was developing feelings for her and extremely, deep feelings too! But he had to find away and he was determined to find away; but, it couldn't be at this very moment; because there was just too much distraction!

Someone had yelled out...

"Probable we need to put together and get the water truck to deliver some water in the community! We could import some tanks into the country or check out one of the plastic companies and see if they can make us some large tank so as to store water into!"

Bill's attention was now shifted from Vanessa's! He had heard something that sounded good to him! He had heard an idea he could endorse... something he could put is money into! And so he creep over to where the larger body of people were sitting; so he could hear better what they were saying and make his suggestions! He had just heard an excellent idea and he thought they all should follow through on it; if they wanted to combat the problem at hand!

"We don't have to import any tanks from abroad... we could order them from one of the plastic companies right here on the island! Who needs to think about export fees, and taxes and god knows how long it will take to reach us! Let the local man get the business and we get the product! Some of us might dead before them come from abroad! "

Everyone seemed to be agreeing with this idea and Bill Spence was ready to do what needed to be done to make it happen! He was now asking everyone to show hands who wanted to make purchase towards a water tank. Almost every one hand was up!

Now Bill considered it done! He began thinking of calling one of the companies and making the necessary arrangement to put in the order and make the down-payment for the purchases... whatever the company needed! He thought about calling one of the plastic companies the following day!

Silently, he had concluded; with everyone obtaining a water tank and the water truck coming in once a month to fill it, he will have more time to develop a relationship with the woman who has caught his eyes and was constantly on his mind!

Bill got pen and paper ready! He then wrote down all the names of who were interested in ordering a water tank and their telephone numbers! Promising, he would investigate and enquire what they will get for their money! When Bill Spence had finish writing down the names; it was thirty-one persons including him-self! He then added two additional names! He knew Vanessa's boss, although absent from the crowd; was going to need a water tank and whenever the old house was being renovated a water tank would be needed there also!

With the water tank situation almost resolved the crowd had become more subdued and everyone was more relaxed and getting themselves ready for their walk home! And for the first time in years; and from the drought started Bill Spence was actually happy to see them go!

Both families and neighbors were grouping themselves together for the walk home! And when they were almost done it was only the Hudson's and Vanessa who were left behind.

The Hudson's had thought about asking Vanessa to help them around their house on some weekends. They thought this might be an opportune time to do so. And so Mr. Hudson called Vanessa to where he and his wife was sitting and propose the question to her!

Vanessa was surprised about the offer and thought about all the things she could do with the extra money! Not to mention, all her family members who depended on her for their weekly bread! She accepted the offer; but there was one reservation! She could only assist them every other weekend but not ever week! She needed to see her relatives so she could give them money for their up-keep and see all what was going on with them and make sure that all is well with them! And also to give herself some alone time!

Bill had gone to the rest room and had only heard parts of the conversation between Vanessa and the Hudson's on his return to the living room area! He could see the countenance on Vanessa face had change drastically! Her face was lit up like a hundred watt bulb! And so he became inquisitive and asked...

"What's the good news? Did someone win the lottery?"

"Not really the lottery, I had just asked Vanessa to come and work with us every other weekend! This way she could save more towards the building if she is really interested in buying it someday!"

Mr. Hudson expressed.

The core of Bill Spence heart string dropped and so was his face! But, he tried very hard the obscure his facial expression! He didn't want anyone to know what he was really feeling! However, it couldn't be hidden for long!

And so Bill took up seat beside Vanessa and firmly stated to the Hudson's, his friends...

"Don't you think that will be too much for her? She is going to need some rest and time alone after being coop-up in that big house all week! There are plenty of other persons who will gladly accept your offer!?

Everyone could see the fire in his eyes and knew he meant business! He was talking in a very serious tone and his facial expression said it all! His face had now become real red and his eyes were wide, popping and teary! And neither was there a smirk around the lining of his mouth either! He meant business and he was dead serious!

"Bill, she will only be doing light duties! Cathy is only going to have her assist her with her side of the house! The kids will be taking care of their rooms as usual so I don't see what all the big fuss is about! We are only trying to help!"

Mr. Hudson fire back!

"I really don't care what you intend for her to do! All I am saying, you can find someone else to help your wife around the house! She is not a slave! She needs to have some rest on her days off! She needs to socialize with others and spend some time with her family members!"

Bill Spence barked back!

Now, Bill Spence attention was off his friends- the Hudson's and onto Vanessa!

"Vanessa I would like to speak with you in private if it is okay with you! I'll drive you home or I'll walk you home whichever one you prefer! But I need some time to speak with you alone!" Bill express calmly!

With eyes wide open, Vanessa was in total shock! She didn't know what to believe! She could only ponder in her mind what he wanted to say to her! And she wondered why he was so riled-up with his friends for wanting to employ her! She thought that it was a good thing! She thought, they were doing her a favor! She had only recently met the both families and didn't know much about them; only what she had observe and what they had mentioned to her! But what's in darkness will soon come to light!

And so the Hudson gathered their stuff and their children and they were marching off Bill Spence property one behind the other with heads hanging! They didn't know what to think either! They had never seen or heard Bill raised his voice! In their opinion he seemed very emotional... very fragile!

With an intense stare, Vanessa looked up at the tall medium size built man, standing in front of her and puzzled over what he could possible want from her! But she would soon find out!

At this time Vanessa was standing at the entrance of the living room and Bill was closing the front gate behind his last house guest and friends! And as he walked back to the living room he turned to the woman he admired in his heart and ask softly! As he rubbed his eye-brows with his index finger and his thumb as thou he was suffering from some horrible itch!

"Would you like something to drink, Vanessa?"

The tone in which Bill had asked her made her lose all nervousness and anxiety!

"Yes Mr. Spence! Thank you, Sir!"

Vanessa replied.

"Please Vanessa, call me Bill!"

Bill uttered as a grin creep around his mouth!

"Okay Bill! If that's what you want me to call you; I'll call you Bill!"

The both of them chuckled from how funny it sounded!

"What would you like me to get you, soda, juice or water?"

Bill enquired.

"Bring me a soda, please!"

Vanessa responded.

The clear crystal looking drinking glasses full mid-way with soda poured on ice and as Bill walked towards the living room area he invited Vanessa to come and have a seat on one of the chairs he had furnished the living room with! And so she did!

A table was in the middle of the room where Bill placed the drinking glasses and there were two chairs on the opposite side of the table! And so Bill sat in one and Vanessa sat in the other although, they both could fit on one of the larger chairs on opposite side of the room!

Arms stretched across the table Bill handed Vanessa her glass, took his and then suggest they propose a toast!

"A toast... a toast to what!"

Vanessa exclaimed.

Vanessa was in awe! She didn't know what to believe!

"Well, I want to say to us; to new friendships and to new beginnings!"

Bill Spence expressed softly.

Words couldn't express what Vanessa was feeling! She was all smiles and a beautiful one too! Her eyes were twinkling and her heart was palpating rapidly! And so she flipped her head side ways to express her uncertainty but not her disapproval!

All this time Vanessa was thinking, what does this man wants with me? What does he has to tell me; that no one else couldn't hear about?

And as she took the first sip the words slipped out! It wasn't the way he had planned it! He wanted to ask about her family relationship and how they were doing? Where did they actually live and if her mother was still alive? What were her plans for the future? Did she have an interest in going back to school or starting a family? Did she have anyone in the country she was interested in and was seeing whenever she went home on weekends? Those sorts of things he need to know; but, it didn't go that way at all! Instead Bill uttered these words...

"I love you Vanessa and I need you in my life!"

Speechless and dumbstruck was Vanessa! She didn't know how to handle the news that this beautiful man was in love with her! How could she relate to such news, like this? He was from the affluent side of society and she was just a grown-up mature woman from the county taking care of someone's house! Actually she was dirt poor! This was not what she had been envisioning him to say to her... to say the least! She thought he was going to ask her to help him with some work at his office or introduce her to a position at his office! Not in a trillion years she was thinking he wanted to start a relationship with her! He wanted to be with her! And she stayed dumb-stuck for a while... she looking at him and him looking at him!

And when her moment of incapacitated shock had released its grip, she uttered, starring in his eyes as if he was nostalgic or under some form of trance ...

"Are you sure Bill?"

Not moving his eyes a bit from hers, Bill shook his head and stretched forth his hand across the table like Moses stretching forth his rod across the red-sea... and he whispered softly...

"I do I really do!"

Uncertainty and disbelief has now set into Vanessa brain! She didn't trust a word he was saying! Now she began to think he wanted to take advantage of her! And a few serious and belligerent questions start chasing through her mind like a terrorist on a quest! She was determine, deliberate and downbeat!

"So Bill, where is your wife?"

Vanessa inquired.

"She has moved to the states many years ago and she has decided to end the marriage! The last time we spoke, she stated that she has found someone else who she would like to start a life with!"

Bill Spence expressed.

"Oh, I see! So what about the children the both of you have together?"

Vanessa, seek out some more!

"Well, luckily we hadn't gone that far or else some poor child or children would be going back and forth every holiday and fussing which parent to spend time with!"

Bill expressed.

"So is your divorce final as yet!

Vanessa asked sharply!

"Yes Vanessa, it's over three years now since our divorce has been finalized"

Bill related with pure honesty.

For sure, Bill wanted to ask Vanessa, if she had been seeing anyone but, with all her questions; it had slip his mind! She was digging for mud, stone and sand! She wanted to make cement! She wanted something firm and serious! She wouldn't be standing for any push over story! She was a sincere woman when it came to matters of the heart and she needed that... that kind of man to be by her side! And she had told herself so, many of times! She didn't want any high-jacking relationship!

However, she thought, Bill Spence was too much of an upstanding guy to be playing games! And so with caution in her cranium and a messianic shield around her heart, Vanessa told Bill Spence she would give him a try but, they would have to take it real, real slow to make sure they this was what they really wanted!

Now, it was Bill Spence shinning like a hundred watt bulb! He was on his feet like a spring board! He pushed the table with his feet and he swoop Vanessa up into his arms and swung her around and around until he was giddy; and the both of them fell on top of the large love-seat situated inside the living room!

Bill had never felt like this in a very long time! He needed the love and affection and intimacy which only a woman could give him! And he believed he has found it with Vanessa!

And like two young teenagers in love, the both of them removed themselves selves from the love-seat and they were back on their feet again! It was then Vanessa announced, she believed it was time to exit his premises because it was getting rather late!

Bill embraced her passionately once again as he whispered in her ears...

"I'll make sure you will never regret it!"

And with that been said, Bill gave Vanessa a gentle peck on the cheek and then went to retrieve his car keys from off the kitchen rock!

An act of courteousness was admired by Vanessa when she saw how Bill opened the car door for her and made sure she was comfortable seated before he closed the car door and then went and took his place in front of the steering wheel!

They were now on their way to drop her off... It wasn't too much of a long ride! And while they were in the car; Bill expressed even more how serious he was about having a meaningful relationship with her and hope she will come to realize the same thing too!

But, she knew two things about love, it was an action word and it took some time to express such actions! And furthermore, what she wanted from a relationship was commitment; not to be jacked-up and loaded with lack of assurance and indignity!

The car yielded fully at Vanessa's gate... or I should say the gate to her bosses' house! Quickly, Bill opened his car door first and hurried himself to get hers! He walked her to the gate, gave her his telephone number for his house and also the number for his place of work! He told her if she ever needed anything, she mustn't hesitate to call him right away! Because, no matter what, he'll be there for her! She thanked him for the numbers and slid them into her pants pocket!

And just as she was about to go through the large iron gates that look monstrous and intimidating, Bill pulled her tenderly back towards him and squeezed her softly and gently... it was a warm and cuddly embrace!

He then looked her in the eyes and reaffirmed his emotions towards her; he was in no joke! He then told her goodnight and he will see her the following day and if not, she should give him a call, letting him know how she was doing! And she knew then and there that her presences had some impact on him­­­­ - she meant something to him!

Within seconds he kissed her on the forehead and told her goodnight! Although, he desired to take her by the lips, he didn't; because he wanted such to be mutual - only when she was ready to deliver them to him!

On the way back home, Bill knew he had found someone extremely special and he wanted to make sure he took good care of her! He pretty-much knew himself and had a sixth sense about things, situation and people! Whether it was divine, prophetic or hereditary that was yet to be learnt! But he knew she was special and even more-so special for him! And he drove the rest of the way home thinking about her!

He went to bed thinking about her and he dreamt about her during the night; and he woke up the following morning thinking about her! Now she was becoming a part of his soul... his being, night and day!

The following morning Bill gathered all the information he needed to make the order for the plastic containers and then he was out the door! He decided to call the few companies on the island...it was only three or four of them anyway! He wanted to enquire about the prices and which one of them would be able to accommodate his order! Probable he could use more than one company, he thought! And so once settled in for work; he approved worked to be done and peruse carefully at proposal submitted by potential clients and clients he had worked with before!

And when all plans were completely observed Bill grabbed the telephone directory and started investigating about getting some water tanks made to order for him and the majority of residence in his community!

The first number Bill called, they flatly rejected his proposal! They told him they were not able to accommodate such an order; and even if they could they wouldn't have the space to store them until they were inspected and signed off to be delivered to him. It was time to move on to the next company and see what their comment would be! And so Bill called another company again!

"Good morning, my name is Bill Spence and was wondering if you could assist me with this matter here! Because of the drought going on there is limited water coming through our pipes. So my neighbors and I needed to know if you could make some water tanks for us. We are going to need around thirty-one of them - water tanks. We are going to need measurement capacitation to contain twenty-five gallon or thirty gallon and what the price will be to cover this kind of order?"

Bill Spence enquired.

"Good morning Mr. Spence, you have to make this order in writing and submit your request at our business office. There, they will discuss price and how long it will take for the product to be made; and be ready to be delivered to you; after they have been inspected by the inspection team! The business office is open form eight-thirty a.m. to four-thirty p.m., so you may come in between those hours and submit your order of requisition."

The personnel clerk explained.

Bill thanked her and placed the phone on the receiver. He then got started on drafting up the requisition letter for the water tanks. He wanted to submit the letter of order today; but he wasn't sure if he was able to; because there were sites which he had to attend to; he wanted to see how the work he was foreseeing was improving! Hence, he could give a positive and concise feed-back to his clients!

And with the requisition letter completed for the water tanks Bill placed it into an envelope and he was out the office door! He visited one site after another and then another! When he was done he was exhausted and starving! He went and got a bite by one of the fast-food restaurants! When he was done eating he checked his time piece and saw that it was only after three o'clock and still had time to submit his requisition letter for the water tank to the plastic company so he and his neighbors could solve the water issue that has been plaguing them every single day!

And so from the restaurant Bill Spence hopped into his car and he was on the high-way two- thousand and then onto Mandela High-way and within no time, he was in the parking lot of Synthetic Masters!

Briskly, Bill Spence removed himself from his motor vehicle and within no time he was in line at the business office, of Synthetic Masters; waiting to be attended to! His wait wasn't long! It was soon after three or four persons were called into one of the cubicle then Bill turn came-up!

The attendee invited Bill to have a seat and took all the information she needed from him along with copies of his identification credentials. She took his requisition letter and stacked it amongst a bunch of others, wrote him his receipt and told him he could call the business office back within three weeks to see if the water tanks were ready! He thanked her for attending to him so quickly, told her to have nice day and then he was out of there and back into his car retracing the streets it took to get there! And within no time he was back at his office behind his desk taking calls and making appoints with potential clients!

Bill was feeling good... he had accomplished a lot for one day! The only two things that were on his mind now, was Friday, the date set for the appraisal of the old dilapidated house located behind his house and his new love interest, Vanessa!

The day was almost done! Bill called his friends, the Hudson's. He related to them about the water tanks being ordered and was in the process of being made; and the price each person will have to fork forth to cover the total cost! They were contented to hear the news and were surprise the check-up time was only three weeks! They had assumed it would be three months or so! And then the sentiments of apology were uttered from Bill's mouth!

He wanted them to know that he had somehow developed feelings for Vanessa and had plans to make her a part of his life! So he didn't want her spending her free time working for someone else! He just wanted things to be easy on her! They told Bill they understood, they weren't aware of his affections towards her and that his apology was well accepted!

Bill Spence needed to relate one more thing to them before he hung up the phone! He asked them never to mention to Vanessa that he was getting the abandoned house behind where he was living because he wanted it to be a total surprise for her!

And ending his sentence about his secret intentions, he told them he will probable see them later on, announced good-bye and hang-up the phone!

By the time Bill had completed his conversation with his friends it was time for him to leave the office! And so he gathered all he needed to take home and he was marching through the doors!

Wit a shortage of domestic commodities been needed at Bill's house he decided to stop by the supermarket, purchases whatever he needed so as to replace them... sodas were top on the list! Because with the neighbors and their children coming by every two or three days they were consuming them every second!

The purchase items were crammed into his car trunk and Bill was on his way home, by way of the busy city service roads! Hoping the lights would only be on green so he could reach home quickly, take a shower and rest!

This was one day he wished the neighbors wouldn't come by! He was exhausted! He was tired! He needed to just relax and get some rest!

And as soon as Bill arrived home, pulled up in the drive way he took all the perishable from the trunk of his car, threw them into the refrigerator with no care of what went where! He figured he could fix them later! He then closed his front door and headed straight for the shower; after undressing! And within moments he was draped in his gigantic blue bath towel and stretched out on his divan king-size bed with air condition on super-cold! And not long after, Bill was knocked-out... he was in another place... he was deep in sleep and no drum-bone horn could awake him!

It wasn't until after nine p.m. before Bill Spence opened those gorgeous light baby-brown eyes of his! He was so far gone that he was so completely discombobulated and confused when he had awakened! It took him a good while before he could pull his self together and retain some coherency!

And when he did he wondered if anyone had come by the house and wanted to get inside! It was shortly after he remembered the other goods he had remaining in the trunk of his car; so he got himself dress and hasted to get them!

The kitchen counter and dining table was filled with stuff by now which had removed from his car! And one by one he slowly and quietly put them away into their perspective places! Along with the perishables he had thrown into the refrigerator earlier because he was too tired to put them away, properly!

With everything packed away Bill turned his attention listening to the nightly news. He knew no one was coming to see him for the rest of the night unless it was an emergency; because, this was the time his neighbors and friends; usually leave his house for their homes!

It wasn't until mid-night that he turned off the television, returned to his bed; so he could finish his rest for work the following morning!

On the next day after work was done, Bill took a while before he got home from work; because he had to attend to some of the site where he had work operating and sites where potential work was going to be erected. It was another tiresome day for him!

And when he pulled up in his drive way there were friends, neighbors congregating in front of his house already! He removed himself from his car and greeted everyone who all seemed glad to see him! He then opened his front door and started placing sodas from his refrigerator onto the kitchen table so everyone could take what they wanted!

Bill then dragged a chair from his kitchen table onto the front porch, return to his car and started calling out name as if he was at a public clinic and serving the masses! He then began to relay to them about how much each persons was going to need to pay for their water tank! And as soon as he started uttering prices the air became still! If a mustard-seed fell on the ground anyone could hear it!

Everyone was leaning towards Bill now! Some were peeping to see what was written on the paper he had in his hands; they wanted to see the actual figures! Not that they didn't trust him but they were just curious! And so he related to them that they will be paying according to the size of the water tank they would be receiving. For those who would receive the thirty gallon water tank they will be paying ten-thousand dollars!

And for those who would get the twenty-five gallon water tank would be paying eight-thousand dollars! Everyone thought the price was reasonable, thanked Bill for his efforts and promise they will start bringing their arrears the following week!

It was a joyous jubilation! Everyone was happy; that they will be receiving their water tanks soon - in the text three weeks or so! The only unresolved issue was for the water trucks to come and deliver their water to them! He was just the go to guy! The reliable the guy! And it was lift into Bill Spence hands to find out how much it will cost and what days the water truck will be able to deliver water in their community!

There was almost a resolution to the water crisis in Hope Meadows! Once the water containers arrived then this problem would be solved and everyone would returned to a place of normalcy in their home again!

And as the evening sun found its bed and the darkness crept into its space; over-powering the magic of the solar system, Bills' eyes dance around his home through the small crowd searching for the presences, the personality, the person who was now taking up space into his heart and sometimes his head! But she was nowhere to be seen... not this evening!

Friday morning was now here and Bill a rise early from his resting place! This was a very important day for him! This is the day, he would decide if the eye-sore behind his house was worth his time, his money and his gift to a beautiful lady who had awaken his senses and interest in this old run-down property!

He gobble-down his early morning meal and he was out the door heading for his office! He needed to do as much as he could and then return to his community to meet the appraiser! He remembered the warning...

"Please don't keep the appraiser waiting!"

Once in office, Bill was returning calls, rescheduling appoints and canceling visitation for sites until Saturday; or probable later that afternoon when he was finish with the appraiser! He had no clue how long it was going to take or if there were going to be any special requirements needed that would take up more of his time!

It was not 11:35a.m and Bill was closing doors to his office and retrieving to the parking lot! Within moments he was in his car, returning to his community, to the abandoned building behind his place of residence!

The sweltering sun was scorching hot! Dazzling heat was pouncing off anything that was metal; causing the place to become even hotter than it already was! And as Bill past his house and pulled up on the street behind where he was living he tried to locate a cool-spot where he could park his car and wait for the appraiser to arrive! But there was none! He had to open his car doors and sit out into the hot boiling sun until the appraiser showed-up! Thankfully though, he had taken frozen water from his refrigerator which he had set from the night before so he could keep himself hydrated in the meantime!

Half an hour had passed before the appraiser had showed up at the address of the abandon building! Bill immediately recognized the sign on the truck! So he removed himself from his car, walked towards the appraisers' truck and introduced himself!

The short bald-headed man with an extended belly; slid form the truck seat which appears to be too high for him! And barely acknowledge the presences of Bill Spence! He walk towards the old twisted gate and looked at the property with such discuss as thou it was totally garbage and needed to be demolish!

He then turned to Bill and asked. "Are you really going to put your money into this rubbish?"

"Once you make the appraisal and I see what the inside looks like; then I can decide what I am going to do!"

Bill Spence replied.

The appraiser pushed the twisted gate and the both of them walked through it and walked towards to door with the appraiser rocking both sides as if his hips were out of alignment. The inspector then use his feet to kick the front door of the house which opened up right away; causing a burst of stench of urine a hit them in the face! They had to reach for their hand kerchief right away! Slap it onto their faces covering their mouth and nostrils! The appraiser then turned, gave Bill a look of resentment! As if he was the one who had cause the mess inside the building!

They continued combing through the property, nevertheless! Moving away all sorts of debris with sticks from their path so they could continue to make steps forward inside of the property!

They were animal feces all around the inside of the house; old clothes, plastic bags, plastic bottles, old tins; all kinds of wild trees were growing all over the interior of the house; running up on walls trying to find its way to the outdoors! Eluding one to believe they were outside the building and not inside... a mini forest if you ask me! It was only the roof above their heads that made the difference!

There was so much dirt covering the flooring causing trees to grow up-right!

While others were creeping upon walls, doors, windows and cabinets as their new growth peak towards the sun-light... as though, the sun was playing a prank with them! The tell-tale signs were there because one could see; that once the sun hit the new buds they quailed from its firing scorch!

The stench in the entire building was horrific and enormous! And they needed to get out of there as soon as possible!

Bill knew he had to pay someone to remove all the rubble that was lying around in that house and cut away the enormous wild shrubs from inside the building and around the property before any construction work could ever begin!

And so, the two men went from room to room trying to determine what was salvageable and what had to be thrown out! But not much was there to be saved! The entire kitchen was totally trashed! The sink along with the facets were completely gone and the cup-boards, they did not make any sense for one to spend sand-paper on!

Not to mention the kitchen floors! Some of the tiles were missing leaving gaping holes on the floor with exposed gravel, cement and sand mixtures!

All the bathroom fixtures were also missing except the toilet bowls! And they were too filthy to ever be reused! Without a shadow of a doubt they had to be replaced!

As far as Bill saw it, everything had to be gutted and be replaced! But the walls were very good and needed to be washed, prime and repainted!

Some of the floors under the soils... they too seemed to be in very good condition; but very out dated! He thought about replacing them probable at a later date if he had run out of funds!

Doors and windows had to be replaced! What wasn't cracked was filled with splinters like someone had use an ax to chop into them so as the make fire! The windows didn't measure up any better to the doors! Some of them bent out of shape like they had dance with a massive hurricane! The paint had chipped away so badly and some of the plains were missing from the windows; and what wasn't missing was broken or cracked at the edges!

The damages were so bad, beyond repair!

Now they were in the back yard! It was looking dreadful! The fence around the property was almost depleted! The only sections that were standing up-right were the part adjoined to Bill Spence yard! Everything else seemed to have been destroyed by some forced; vandals, weather or animals! And just like inside was filled with rubbles, so was the outside! And so the appraiser and the potential owner walked around the property checking every inch of the grounds and making measurements of the property while examining outer structure and its foundations!

With his pen and note pad in had the appraiser looked up to the roof! It was his first time to open his mouth during the appraisal period! He then stated to Bill that he had to get someone else to look at the roof because, he does not do roofs! However he thought it was in good condition because he had not seen any signs of leaks anywhere on the walls!

Needless to say, it was kind of hard to tell; because they were going through a drought season and any evidence of water seeping down the walls would be very hard to reveal!

With one more scribble to his note pad the appraiser was finally done appraising! He walked towards the gate and then he went through it without even looking back to see if Bill Spence was coming; neither did he stated that he had been finish! He proceeded to his vehicle, pulled out some card and then yelled out to Bill to come and get it!

"This is the number of a reputable roofer... you may call him to come and have a look on the roof for you!"

And it was at that very moment that he mentioned his name...

"You can tell him, Matthew Grant requested that he come and have a look on the roof! He won't charge you much! You will hear from me within two to three weeks! Have a good day now!"

Bill Spence could hardly utter the words, thank you, Mr. Grant... He began turning his vehicle around to exit the street of where the abandoned house was located! Within seconds, Bill was only staring at the back of his vehicle as it exited the quite street!

With the note into his pocket, Bill went into his car and drove to his house! There he got into the shower! He did not want to return to his place of work fearing the stench from the property could still be smelt on him! Once out of the shower Bill was exuberating with pure joy and peace! The load on his head was becoming lighter and he was extremely happy that everything was falling into place where the property was concern!

The day was almost done; so Bill attire into something more casual for the rest of the day! With some crackers and cheese into his mouth he was in his car and heading for his office once again!

As soon as Bill entered the door the telephone rang and it was one of the sites calling him to come and see about some corrections that needed to be made on the property he had contracted to work on! They had also requested that some additional material was going to be needed to complete the work there!

Few minutes later Bill pulled up on the site! He then approved the necessary changes that needed to be made and requested the sum needed from his client! They settle for purchasing the materials on Monday, so that the work could be completed! Things were now back on schedule!

With that issue addressed Bill decided to check out two more sites he had in operation to see how they were progressing! And as he walked around and inspected the work; he felt satisfied about what he saw and knew his huge compensation was around the corner! He gave the workers two more weeks to have the work fully completed on the structure of the building and after that the landscaping team would be coming in to plant trees, flowers and place some low-line shrubs around the property! And, if possible, plant various fruit trees in the back of the premises along the border line of the property so as to promote shade, cool breeze and also to eat whenever their season came around!

It was now late... getting pretty dark! The sun had gone under! And half of the lunar face was shining its bright light down on humanity in the mist of the darkness! And Bill was feeling a weight of tiredness down on him! He wanted to go home and rest but, most importantly he longed to see the woman that had his heart racing whenever her name crossed his mind!

He longed to see Vanessa!

Although, not living far from the depths of city, the ride home felt long, lonely and lifeless!

The pangs for companionship were taking hold on Bill! And with all the friends he knew, the only person who had caught his eyes so far was Vanessa! But he wanted his moment with her to be special! He wanted her to make sure that she wanted the same things he was dreaming of! He wanted her to desire him as a man and a man who is in love with her!

Bill entered his community and as he neared his gate he could see some of his neighbors and friends walking toward his house! He tooted his horn as he past them along the way! He drove straight to the abandoned building, got out of his car and walked to the gate of the property! And he looked at the property as if he was considering if it was worth his time, his money, his effort! His emotion was caught up in this property just because of this lovely, voluptuous beauty he had his eyes on and who also had settled in his heart!

Not because he desired to have the property on his own; but because he saw the woman he had come to admire so much taking very keen interest in it! And so Bill opened the gate and walked to the back of the property, while taking in every inch of the property as if storing every detail of it in his mind! Never to forget all that he had observe!

He was recording a mental picture, of all he had seen because he did not want to forget any of the gore from this run-down property he had so intended on bringing back to life!

As Bill stood behind the house observing every detail of its making he decided to gather whatever rubbles he could and started piling them up in separate groups - the bottles and cans in one group, the dry sticks in one group and the old clothes in another group! He was so caught up with the cleaning of the property that he had totally forgotten about the visitors at his house! And just as Bill was about to walk away from behind the house and headed back to his car, he noticed something shinny glistering on the ground! It struck him as a piece of jewelry and a sign from above!

With heart pounding rapidly and a swell of enthusiasm; Bill stretched his hand to grasp at the object! It was only then that he realized it was much bigger than he had anticipated!

But he was determined to get it from its burying place and into his palm!

And from the pile of sticks, Bill reached for one of the stronger pieces and began digging around the shiny looking object until it gave way! He held the victory symbol in his hand for a brief moment and contemplated what material it existed from! It looked like silver, but it could be platinum or even better... white gold!

He thought about having the objected evaluated to see if it was worth anything! He put the object into his pocket and got seated in is car!

It wasn't until he had gotten into his car that he realized that the sign was the same shape as the first letter in Vanessa's name! He wondered if it was good-luck, a sign from above or just a mere coincidence!

He then asked himself...

"What if this is a valuable piece? What if this is a gem in the trash? Was it lost or forgotten? Who did it belong to?"

By now, around eight or nine persons had gathered at Bills' front door! They were all waiting for him to come and open the door so they could get inside and get the stools, a chair or what of you... anything to sit on; and whatever drink he had available for them!

As he pulled up, he greeted everyone, opened the door to his house and then headed straight to the bathroom for another shower so as to wash the stink off his person!

When Bill came back from his shower everyone was seated and yapping away!

Noting severe this time; they were only yapping about where they were going to place their water tanks as soon as they have received it! Some wanted to build concrete stands for it, while others just felt it could be placed on the ground and that will suffice!

And just as Bill grabbed a seat and was about to be seated; he raised his head and he saw the Hudson's and their children with Vanessa tagging along behind them!

Immediately, Bill face lit-up! It was obvious to everyone that his eyes were pierced on her! He was taking in every inch of her! He knew for sure that he wanted her in his life and he was going to make even more effort for here to realize how deep he had been feeling about her! She had gotten his heart and he did not care where she came from! How poor or how rich she was; or what class of society she had fallen into!

She was the woman he wanted and he was going to do everything to get her and he was going to make sure she was well cared for!

And as the Hudson's enter the drive way, Bill by-pass them and called out to Vanessa with great enthusiasm!

He had not meant for it to happen that way! It was just spontaneous... it just came out that way because he was so fixated on her at the moment and imagined himself spending his life with her! He heart was talking and not his head!

Delighted to see her, Bill cancel his intention of sitting with the others! Instead, he walked towards the road to meet and greet her! All eyes were on them but, Bill didn't care! He was being obedient to his heart! And with a warm embraced, he held her hand, walked her to the porch and had her seated where he was going to be seated! He then when to the kitchen and came back with drinking glasses, a bottle of melon juice for her and bottles of water for the Hudson's family!

Regardless of everyone's exchange of conversation amongst the small intimate crowd at the front of Bill Spence property; his eyes were only centered on Vanessa! And for all who had been observing them; this was the straw that broke the camels' back!

They all had internally concluded that he was very into her! And everyone watched his stares and attentiveness towards her for the rest of the evening! But, no one uttered a word out loud even though the crisps sound of whispers could be heard while eyes glared at her from every occupied angle of the house as to proclaim... "She is very lucky if Bill wants her! Sssshhhh!!!!! Ssshhh!!!!!!"

And throughout the rest of the bright starry night, until everyone was ready to retrieve to their own crib it had become extremely obvious that Bill Spence had eye for Vanessa; the beautiful dark caramel skin woman with the tick black hair and pearly white teeth from the country side!

And when the crowd was almost gone! Bill did something he had never done before with anyone from the group of neighbors who had come to see him! He locked his door and walked Vanessa and the Hudson's back to their homes! Although, Vanessa had discourage him from doing so; he insisted on making the walk with them even though he alone would have to make the walk back home. But this was an opportunity to show her that he cared for her and that he wanted her in his life!

It was during the walk back home that Vanessa had realized that Bill was not joking about his feelings towards her! Because during their walk back, he placed his fingers between hers and was about to swing their hands back and forth as if they were little children walking home from school without any care in the world! But Vanessa pulled away her hand from his and placed them into her pockets as she shot Bill look of concern! She wasn't ready for him and she wasn't confident about what he was feeling for her either!

She knew they were from separate worlds both educationally, socially and economically! They were like the beauty and the beast! The haves and the have not's! The opposite that attracts!

Vanessa wondered if his approach wasn't base on the fact that he was lonely and too lazy to go in search for someone who was more in his, category, and who all his friends would appreciate as such!

She didn't want to be used by this so call... "Big man" or "Money man" or "This pretty man"!

After all, he hadn't offered her not one thing, but his love!

"Am I an easy target?"

Contemplated Vanessa, within here self!

As the dark clouds hoovers over the atmosphere and the dazzling stars lights twinkled in amazement as if, some supreme hands were directing their magic!

The rest of the walk home was dreadfully silent! Still and all, Bill continued to walk Vanessa home... right to her gate!

The Hudson's said their good night and good bye to Bill and Vanessa and continued the rest of the way to their home! They both replied in kind and then turn their attention to each other; staring into each other's eye as if to question, where are we going with this situation here?

It was Bill who had broken the ice when he said softly and gently to Vanessa...

"I know you might not believe me when I tell you I have an interest in you! But I really do care about you! If I didn't care for you; I would stop my friends - the Hudson from taking advantage of you!"

Bill tried to express sincerely!

"How were they taking advantage of me? I need the money and they were offering me a way to attain that money!"

Vanessa fired back!

"You don't need the Money, Vee!"

Bill said, he was lost for words.

"What do you mean bye, I don't need the money?"

Vanessa asked curiously.

"I don't see you offering me any money and the last time I check the mail; I surely, didn't receive an envelope with any check enclosed from Bill Spence! So what are you talking about? I don't understand!"

Vanessa enquired fiercely!

But, Bill wasn't really ready to express all his intention towards her! He wanted to surprise her with the abandoned house after he had had it completely refurbish! He wanted to give her the keys to it along with an engagement ring attach to it! But he needed to know that her heart belongs with him and not with another!

Even though, his initial intention was to help her obtain property! But now, he had found himself thinking about her every single day! Wanting her! Admiring and desiring her at every pasting moment!

And now he was seeing himself building a life with her... she boring his children and the both of them raising them together! He was mesmerized by her and saw only her in his life, regardless of her family back ground, educational status or financial status; or even where they came from!

It was at this moment, Bill decided to fib! He had to tell her something without busting his own surprise or intentions towards her! But most importantly he needed to save his own skin!

"Vee, I really think you can do better than this! You are beautiful, you are smart and you know how to get along well with others! And I also know; you can be very funny when you are ready! There is an office next door to mine, opening soon; and I believe they are going to need persons to work! I believe I can put in a word for you! I know for sure the pay will be far better than what you are getting right now!"

Were the words Bill Spence spilled for his lips!

Trying very hard not to break the stare between them; Bill claps both his large, strong hands around her shoulders, so as to keep focus on her face!

But, Vanessa was not buying it! Bill had to come up with something more than that to convince her that there was going be a new office opening and he will give a word to the manager so she could be employed there!

Meantime, Bill was calculating in his head what to come up with next; because now, Vanessa was asking pertinent questions of when the office will be opened? How much he believed they will be paying? What benefits will she be receiving? How long will the trial period be? Will she have to where uniform? And the bus fare, she will have to pay going back and forth; and who will she stay wit in the city if this position should ever be offered to her? It sounded all good... it would be a step up from what she was doing now plus, she would be getting benefits which she wasn't getting at her current job!

Now Bill had to think of something else to say! He was afraid of saying the wrong thing! He was nervous and he was shaking in his booths and dribbling piss in his pants! He needed something to drink to calm his tension! And so, he mustered-up every ounce of saliva he could find in his mouth and made a big sallow of it! And so he uttered!

"I really don't know exactly when the office will be open, but, I believe it will be open in a next four or five months! I will keep track of everything and fill you in as much as I can; with whatever information I receive from the boss there! Okay!"

But in Bill's mind, he was only calculating how long it would take him to finish the abandon house in his community and do the unveiling in her presence!

Ironically though, Vanessa was thinking of how her boss would feel when she handed in her letter of resignation and how she was going to word it!

She had been working with her almost three years already; and they had a very good employee employer relationship!

The pay or the sustenance provided was not perfect but she has been managing with it so far! Thankfully, it was only a house hold of one!

As soon as Vanessa was about to open her mouth about writing a resignation letter... Bill jump in and rejected her request to do so anytime in the near future! Now he had to come up with another story why she should delay in doing so!

"Vanessa, why don't you wait until I get word from the manager at the office; before you start thinking about handing in your letter of resignation! I think that is the best way! Don't you?"

Bill tried to convince Vanessa.

Rolling her eyes, Vanessa admitted that he was right and thanked him very much for looking out for her and for thinking so highly of her! But for her, that still did not make her think he wanted her the way she needed to be desire by a man!

It was now running late and so she gave him permission to hug her slightly, like he had done the last time he had taken her home! And so, he held her inconsiderably and kissed her gently but, persistent on the forehead! As though, he had no intention of removing his lips from there!

It was Vanessa who uttered:

"It is time for me to go inside now!"

And so Bill release himself from her, looked her straight dead in the eyes, told her that she should have a good night's rest and that he loved her! But she still didn't believe his truth! As she pulled the big pad lock, clang-clang!!!!!! From the gate, he stood there until she was inside, closed the door and turned the interior lights on!

Just as she was inside the house safely, she was in his heart and on his mind during his way back home!

Bill never cease from thinking about her at every step he made and every corner he took on his walked back home! He had tingling erupting sensation all over his body and butterfly dancing in his stomach!

As soon as he plunged the gate of his yard forward, he became hilarious of the lie he had told her so as to save himself and promise him-self, he would make it up to her; one way or the other!

He was home at last and the bed was calling him to come and rest! But he couldn't until he had thrown some water on his skin to eliminate some of the sweat from his body and cool his body down; or else there was no way he could ever fall asleep with all that sweat on his body! It was two of the drinking water bottles that he poured over his body to cool himself off; and then towel-dry himself! It was still only a trickle of water coming from the pipes and no one knew when this water condition will return to normal!

And whatever containers he had available with water he had to save for cooking and washing, especially his working clothes! He was now feeling better... he was feeling refresh and sleepy!

And so Bill Spence; jump into his bed that night like a teenager in the prime of his life, with two things on his tiresome mind that would make his life much better!

The arrival of the water drums and the other was; the woman he was falling head-over heels with!

And as he rested his head on the pillow; eventually, he fell asleep with her on his mind! Causing him to be having dreams about her... pleasant too!

But when he awoke in the middle of the night and found out the dreams weren't real; he gave out the most heart rending growl and threw the pillows on the floors with disappointment!