Living Right on Wrong Street Read Online Free PDF Page B

good money?”
    â€œI’ve been down that money road, and it’s overrated. What I’m getting ready to do now is for children and their needs.” Job thought that was a decent comment, since he was trying to secure a job.
    â€œYou know, I am curious.” Buddy rubbed the dimple on his pudgy face. “What made you decide to apply all the way out here, in Phoenix ?”
    Job hoped the silence wasn’t too obvious as he searched for an answer. “You know, I have several reasons for our move, but the main one is that my wife is from Nevada. We really wanted to come out West to be near her relatives.” He hoped that answer would keep Buddy at bay. It wasn’t exactly a lie; not exactly the truth, either.
    Buddy studied Job’s answer with little concern. “I tell you what. I don’t want to keep you in suspense any longer.” He closed Job’s employment file. “Congrats, Mr. Wright. Your application’s complete, and the school board has approved you to be hired. Welcome aboard.”
    â€œI appreciate this, Mr. McManus. You won’t be disappointed.”
    â€œMr. Wright?” Buddy’s timbre changed from a nasal twang to a low resonance, as if every word counted. “I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that Paradise School District prides itself in having a caring administration, honest and dedicated teaching professionals, and a cutting edge curriculum. We have a low tolerance for news that scar our profession. Do your best, and make us proud.”
    â€œI will,” Job said, refusing to read anything into Buddy’s statements other than for general information. He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to run. Me and my wife have an appointment with a realtor this afternoon. I’d better find us somewhere to live or my wife’ll kill me.”
    Buddy leaned back in his chair and smiled. “You better do your best to keep her happy.”
    Job sighed. “I know this search will be harder than finding a job.”
    It wasn’t the fault of Hickell & Vonson’s Realty that Job and Monica couldn’t decide on a home to purchase. And Job didn’t put any blame on himself, because his list of must-haves could fit in a single hand . The summer heat that day confirmed his desire for two items, and he made it plain to the broker. “Donnell, I need a garage and an excellent HVAC unit. If those things aren’t in the house, we walk.”
    It was Monica who was vacillating from one decision to another. She wasn’t in Kentucky anymore; brick, wood shakes, and vinyl siding had been replaced by stucco and adobe. The house hunting excursion had taken them from South Mountain to Pinnacle Peak, from Deer Valley to Scottsdale. There was no hope in sight of snatching a property off the market. Donnell Hickell had demonstrated a wealth of patience, but Job wasn’t as accommodating.
    â€œHoney, can you tell us what it is you’re not seeing?” Job asked Monica.
    â€œI’ll know the home for us when I see it. I’m not trying to be difficult, but this money we’re spending is ours,” she said.
    That point was well taken.
    â€œThere’s a relatively new subdivision near Fifty-first Avenue and Bell. It’s near a golf course, if you like that sort of thing,” Donnell said.
    Job wasn’t keen on the idea. He thought that it would be another vain ride with no results.
    â€œA golf course?” Monica asked. “If it’s got real grass, let’s go.”
    Job began to feel like they were mice lost in a grid. There was no getting away from the cacti, but the ground cover from street to street had evolved into a palette of desert colors.
    â€œWhat’s the name of the subdivision we’re going to?” Job asked.
    â€œResi’Stanz.” Over the dashboard, Donnell pointed out a small radius of open sky. He told them that they were in north-central Phoenix and