THE INHERITACE - part thirty-five

I WROTE THIS AS THE SPARK IN MY IMAGINATION ILLUMINATED.

PLEASE GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND READ THROUGH.

I APPRECIATE IT. THANKS.

THE INHERITANCE (part one) | Fiction (vocal.media)

THE INHERITANCE ... part two | Fiction (vocal.media)

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THE INHERITANCE – part thirty-five ………

Welcome home

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A few days later.

“Kate, I was thinking.”

“Mmm?” Kate looked up from her laptop. “Mom, I really think I’m going to need to find someone to put an addition on to this house. I need a small office. The kitchen table isn’t going to work, and my bedroom is too far away from everything to lock myself away while I work.”

She realized her mother had something on her mind. “Oh, mom, sorry. You were about to say something, and I interrupted again.”

Patti smiled. She was used to her daughter’s mind traveling in many different directions at once. “As I was saying, I was thinking that .. well, I’m not sure if I want to move back to New York. I’ve grown attached to Aughacasla and well, I don’t know, maybe it’s crazy, but I really like the town and everyone in it. So, what do you think?”

Although somewhat surprised, Kate started to laugh. “Oh, mom! I knew you’d fall in love with this town AND the people in it. Can I safe add a very fond liking to a certain craftsman?”

Patti blushed, something Kate rarely saw her mother do. “Well, he really is a nice man and fun to be around. But it’s not just Kieran. It’s everything and everyone. I just feel, I don’t know, comfortable? I feel like I belong here.”

Kate leaned back in her chair and regarded the serious look she saw in her mother’s eyes.

“Mom, from what I see, you have three choices: choice one: Go back to New York and resume the hectic rat-race you call a life, no offense; choice two, move here and work from home, like I’m doing, or choice three: retire early, which we both know you can afford to do. If you’re asking me for my opinion, I would eagerly encourage you to choose option three. You’ve worked hard your entire life, especially after dad died. Why not, after all these years, enjoy yourself?”

Patti didn’t quite seem convinced but also looked as if one slight push, would get her there.

Kate continued, “Plus, mom, if you decide to retire and then, find yourself getting bored, you can always, as I said, work from home or with your connections, open you own shop here. Mom, you’re a great photographer whose photos have been seen around the world. You can work anywhere, if that’s what you choose to do.”

“Yeah, I guess you have a point. Actually, two points. I can work when I choose and not bend to the demands of a corporation.”

Kate smiled. “There you go, mom! I had a feeling you just needed a little shove. Now, grab your purse, We’re on a mission!”

“Where are we going and why?”

“I’ll answer that with a question of my own first. Do you want to live with me? I’d love it if you said yes but would also respect your decision if you wanted a place of your own. Question two: Are you staying with film, or will you switch to digital? Oh, and should I assume you’ll need a place where you can develop your photos?”

Patti laughed and put her arm around her daughter. “Guess we’re going to have a busy morning if you have time. As much as I’d love to spend time with you, Kate, sweetie, I really would rather have my own place. I want a dark room and a studio where I can work with a computer when I use my DSL camera. I haven’t decided yet which to abandon, if I decide to abandon either. As I said, it’s going to be a busy morning. Where do we go first?”

“Mom, as soon as I get off the phone, we’re out the door.”

Kate pressed her contact, “Hi Terry. If you’re not busy, can mom and I stop by? Great, see you in half an hour.”

They heard the familiar little jingle of a bell as they opened the door and Kate saw Terry, quickly stand and walk towards them.

“Ah, Kate, mo stor! It’s been too long! Annie keeps saying we need to have you to supper, and I agree. Oh, and who is this lovely lass?”

“Terry, this is my mom, Patti Sullivan. My mom has decided to leave New York and move permanently to Aughacasla but I don’t know of a realtor we can see. Can you point us in the right direction?”

“Oh, my heavens. You didn’t know! Well, then, with the excitement of you moving into Kathleen’s cottage, I guess there’d be no reason to mention it.”

Kate looked puzzled as Terry picked up his phone and made a call. “Mo, mo ghra, I’ve a client for you. Are you free this morning? Yes, they’re in my office. Yes, then, I’ll ask them to wait.”

Kate had a very surprised look on her face. “Mo? Our Mo? Maureen O’Reilly?”

She’s a realtor?”

Terry laughed. “Yes, mo stor, the one and the same. She isn’t as active as she had been; semi-retired now but will take on a client now and then. She’s here in town doing a bit of shopping and should .. oh, there she is now!”

Mo walked into Terry’s office and began to laugh. “Patti, I was wondering when you’d make this leap and here you are! We’ll then, what are you looking for?”

An hour later, Patti had the contract in her hand, a lease with the option, after a year, to buy. She was thrilled. It was perfect and oddly enough, similar to the layout of the shop owned by Kieran Rowan, just not as big. There was a store with a larger room at the back that she could divide. One side for a dark room and the other side for her digital studio. Her apartment sat above the shop.

Smiling, she said, “Kate, I don’t need a year. This is where I want to be.”