No Sale

No Sale

Elsie Norbert sat on her porch, rocking. She sped up the motion when she saw that realtor that had been pestering her since her Ralph had passed. He stopped on the second step from the top to wipe his brow.

“Ms. Norbert,” he ventured.

“It’s not for sale.”

He went to take the last step and enter the porch, but Elsie’s glare stopped him in his tracks.

“Are sure you won’t reconsider my offer?”

If a look could poison someone, Elsie’s would have killed Gill Lambert.

“I could maybe sweeten it a little more if you wanted me to.”

“I wouldn’t sell it to you if you offered me a fortune!”

“It’s perfect for my client’s purposes,” he said again.

“It is part of my house and land. If I were to sell it, it would not be to any client of yours.”

“Could I trouble you for a glass of water?”

“There’s a pump right there, help yourself. The tin cup hanging off it should do you.”

Turning slowly Gill stepped down and over to the pump. With a dint of hard pumping, he managed to get a trickle into the cup. He drank thirstily and pumped again.

Returning to his post on the second step, Gill took a deep breath.

“About that offer...”

Elsie stood up, grabbed her cane and walked toward him.

“Take that offer and shove it! I told you before, if your client doesn’t want everything; property, house and all at my asking price, he won’t be getting any!”

“I hear you’ve been having quite a few yard sales lately,” Gill said slyly.

“What’s it to you?

“I just thought...”

“You just thought I must be getting ready to sell what your client wants. The garage stays with the parcel, no separate sales!”