A Mile in My Flip-Flops Read Online Free PDF

project.”
    “Thanks. And you have a great trip.”
    “Oh yes, I intend to. Louise and I have been planning this for years.”
    “Make sure you take lots of photos,” I say.
    “Yes. And you too. I want to see how things go with your house. Too bad you couldn’t be on that
House Flippers
show so I could watch the whole thing. Have you considered actually looking into that?”
    I laugh. “I’m not sure I want the whole world to see my first house flip.”
    “Maybe next time then.”
    “Maybe.”
    As I hang up, I feel somewhat relieved that Betty will be out of the picture for a couple of months. It’s not that I don’t like her, but I have a feeling that, having worked in real estate, she’d have her own opinions about how things should be done. And I’m not sure I want someone looking over my shoulder. Plus, and selfishly, her absence will allow Dad more free time to spend with me … and my house. It feels like a win-win to me.
    I go home and take Riley to the park to get some fresh air and to do his business. As usual, I have several plastic baggies handy for removing his doo-doo piles. I’m not sure I’d do this if there weren’t a fee for leaving them. I deposit the filled baggies in the trash can, then throw a ball for Riley. But after only ten minutes, I tell him that’s it. I know he’s disappointed as we head back to the apartment, where I quickly change my clothes. When I come out of my room, Riley is waiting expectantly by the door, tail thumping in happy anticipation.
    “Sorry, boy,” I tell him. “But I think it might be considered bad etiquette to bring a dog to look at someone else’s house.” I pat his head. “And I can’t exactly trust you alone in my car yet.” I probably won’t trust him with much of anything until he gets out of this chewing stage, which the vet assured me should end soon. In the meantime it’s driving me nuts. Yesterday he devoured one of my LL Bean sandals. When I found it in his bed, it looked like someone had put it in the food processor on high. Of course, the other sandal is still in perfect condition to remind me that they used to be a pair. I wish Riley didn’t have such good taste in shoes. Why can’t he go for those cheap pumps from Target? Or even my old flip-flops. But no, he has to sink his teeth into pricey LL Bean and Cole Haan. Note to self: put all expensive shoes on top shelf of closet ASAP.
    “Be good,” I tell him as I grab my purse. “If you can keep from destroying anything, I’ll take you for another run when I get back.” Then I hurry down to my car and quickly drive downtown and park behind Simi’s, a very nice salon I wouldn’t mind going to someday—if I could afford it.
    When I pick up the envelope containing my precious key, I spy Betty not too far off in a comfortable-looking chair with a young woman hovering over her and doing something with her hair. I consider waving and saying hello, but she looks so relaxed I don’t want to disturb her. Besides, I’m eager to see this house. As I hurry back to my car, I think that Betty’s got the life. And I suppose I sort of envy her. Okay, it’s not like I want to be in my sixties, but if I could remain my present age, I would love to be in her shoes. I’d love to be getting my hair done, then having a pedicure and manicure before I left on a two-week cruise, followed by six more weeks to “leisurely” explore Europe.
    I sigh as I get into the car. Well, who knows? If this real-estate venture goes well, I might become a regular house flipper. Even if I only turned over one house a year, it could add up. Maybe in thirty years I could be sitting pretty too.
    I read Betty’s note with the address and directions. The Realtor’s business card is paper-clipped to it—and there is the key. I hold the brass key in the sunlight, seeing it as if it were a precious jewel. Then I drive east until I reach an older subdivision called Paradise. Well, the name might be a bit of a stretch,