Conjurer & The Sacred Lemons (5 page)

“Oh… you are referring to Rag Peter. He is a jobless and homeless person who is staying in a small abandoned house in the locality for last 10 years. Entire neighborhood knows him and supports him on his meals. He is harmless “Sandra replied.

Ursula was relieved to hear that. If the fellow is living in the area for last 10 years that means he must be a harmless person otherwise people around would not have tolerated him for such a long.

The meeting lasted barely for 30 minutes. The William’s left Sandra’s office and straightway headed for the evening dinner.

Next day the William’s left for Jersey.

Chapter 4

Settling down in Mandeville

“Hello Ursula…good morning “Sandra was on phone from New Orleans.

“Good morning Sandra “Ursula Greeted from the other side.

“Where is Patrick?” Sandra enquired.

“Patrick had gone for some work outside “Ursula replied.

“Listen I have some good news for both of you. Paul is ready to sell the property at 115000$” Sandra broke the news.

“Sandra, we are ready to pay up to 110000$ only. We have lot of expenses lined up after purchase of the property “Ursula replied.

“ Ursula , Paul has come down from 140000 to 115000 , so I suggest Please increase your limit by another 5000 bucks and this marvelous property is yours…” Sandra pleaded.

“Sandra …let me talk to Patrick and I would call you back “Ursula replied.

When Patrick returned from the market he could see Ursula waiting at the entrance.

“Hi Ursula, Anything to be anxious about?” quipped Patrick.

“Yes Dear … Sandra rang up. Paul is ready to have the deal at 115000$” Ursula informed.

Patrick had a smile on his face. He knew that with his remarks on current state of the house, Sandra would convince Paul to come down on the price. Exactly the same has happened.

“What do you say, Ursula?” Patrick enquired.

“Let us go for it Honey…” Ursula replied.

Patrick nodded in affirmative.

Ursula was in the seventh heaven. Finally she got her dream home. A home which has a lawn in front, a big backyard with big garage, plenty of room for children to Play and a serene and peaceful neighborhood. The last 10 years they spent in a rented apartment was also quite good but there was less space and no avenue for making own garden or Lawn.

That afternoon, Patrick called Sandra and accepted the offer of 115000 USD for the property. He also indicated that the legal paperwork for the same could be arranged on coming Friday and Saturday.

Till late afternoon, Patrick and Ursula were discussing the things related to the relocation. Plenty of the things were listed down by them. The major one being the packing of the household items. In last 10 years in Jersey they had accumulated lot of household things including furniture, cookware and house appliances. They had also decided to hire the professional packers and movers to do this job so that the household items are transferred to Mandeville location without any damage.

They also decided to check with Sandra and asked to start the cleaning of the house as promised by her on priority without waiting for the legal paperwork which was planned at the end of this week. They both also discussed the minor repairs and painting that needs to be done after the cleaning was over.

In the night Patrick and Ursula had a long call with Sandra. Patrick asked her to proceed with cleaning of the house as promised by her as early as possible. He also specifically mentioned about repairing some of the broken logs of the front fence. They also enquired with Sandra about the local carpenter, Plumber, electrician and the painter who are good so that they could engage them for minor repairs and painting. Sandra promised them to do the needful.

William’s started for Mandeville on Thursday itself as the drive to New Orleans was almost 9 hours. Victor and Alice always enjoyed the long drives so they were bubbling with energy. They reached by 6 pm and stayed in a motel for the night.

Friday morning as planned Paul smith was there in Sandra’s office waiting for the William’s to arrive. It did not take a long for William’s to join them. The legal paperwork was ready with Sandra. Patrick had issued the demand draft from his bank to Paul smith. The ownership change agreement was signed and registered by the noon. William’s were now the owner of the property.

In the late afternoon Sandra along with William’s visited the property. The cleaning agency was already on the job for last 2 days. Patrick and Ursula could see the difference in the living room. The window panes were clean, the carpet was thoroughly cleaned and the walls were looking bright due to cleaning. They took a complete round of the property. They estimated that it would take another 4-5 days for the cleaning agency to finish the entire cleaning of the property.

Next Day Sandra had arranged for the local home repair agency which used to provide all the required services under one roof. William’s along with the repair agency owner took a round of the property. Patrick and Ursula discussed the repairs required by them including electric connections, Plumbing work, carpentry repairs and painting. By evening the repair agency had given the quote. It was slightly on the higher side as compared to the William’s expectations however they did not have time to negotiate so they agreed for the quote and gave advance amount to the agency to start the work. Sunday mornings the William’s started back for Jersey. Plenty of work at Jersey was waiting for them.

Patrick estimated that it would take another 2 weeks to complete the repairs planned in the new house. Accordingly both of them started planning on multiple things. They had hired a professional packer and mover company in Jersey. They had gone to the children’s school and collected the transfer certificates. Patrick had closed 2 out of the 3 bank accounts he was having at the banks in Jersey. They were also busy meeting their close friends during this period. The two week time passed rapidly for the William’s.

Sandra rang up after 2 weeks to intimate Patrick that the cleaning and repair work of the property is completed. She also baited that the property is almost shining brightly and William’s could Plan their relocation either current week or next. Patrick and Ursula decided the relocation date. Real final preparation started now. The packers and movers arrived one day before and started packing the household items in standard boxes. Victor and Alice were running all around while packing was going on in the apartment.

Next day morning the entire household was packed in a container loaded on the trailer and William’s bid goodbye to the apartment in Jersey. It was an emotional moment for Ursula especially as she was more attached to the home. Victor and Alice were too young to understand the same. Patrick however was practical and did not evoke any emotion while leaving jersey.

The William’s reached their new home in New Orleans before the trailer reached there. Patrick and Ursula looked satisfied with the cleaning and the repair work done by the agencies. The house was looking nice now as the dirt on wall, window panes, doors, carpet was thoroughly cleaned. The repair and repainting was also giving a house somewhat new look. Victor and Alice started running around the living room and kitchen.

Welcome to Mandeville.. A great community “someone shouted from outside.

When Ursula came to check at the gate she found the same old man shouting and welcoming them.

“Thanks sir, what you want “Ursula asked the old man.

“Nothing daughter  ...Just welcoming you to the neighborhood. I am peter “

“They call me Rag peter... I just enjoy living in this beautiful neighborhood and good community “

Then he suddenly started walking away towards the other end of the neighborhood.

“Who was there honey “Patrick Asked?

“Same old fellow . . . Rag Peter… Welcoming us by shouting to the belly “Ursula showed her displeasure.

“Forget it.  We have lot of pending work today “Patrick

The packers and movers unloaded the trailer carefully and started unpacking and arranging the stuff in different rooms. In next 3 hours they had unpacked and arranged each and everything in the room. The William’s went for an early dinner .They were all tired due to travel and arranging the house in order so they slept early.

Patrick was ready early next morning. He had started his lawn mower and started leveling the lawn in the front. The voice of the lawn mower was enough for the Kids and Ursula to get up and come out of the house. Patrick waved at them while handling the lawn mower. Victor and Alice started following their father walking behind the mower.

“Anyone for a nice cup of Coffee?” Ursula yelled at them.

“Yes… we are “Patrick and the kids replied in unison.

Ursula went inside the house to make coffee for all of them.

Next half an hour all of them were sipping hot coffee on the lawn.

“Luc, Sophie how do you like your new house?” Patrick enquired.

“Very Big and lot of place to play… Dad” Victor answered. Alice nodded at this.

“Let us go inside and be ready. We have a lot of work to finish “Patrick told all of them.

Patrick and Ursula were busy the whole day in various activities. They had neatly arranged the kid’s bedroom. After that they had arranged the TV set and connected to the cable. The moment TV started Victor and Alice jumped at the couch and their usual cartoon sessions started.

Next day the major task of taking school admission for Victor and Alice was completed. Both were admitted to Oak District School which was hardly a mile away from their home.

By the weekend everything was settled. Ursula even started writing her travel articles for magazine after a gap of nearly 2 months.

Patrick was all set to join his new job in the chemical factory from the coming Monday. During the weekend the William’s visited the Wall Mart for the essential provisions and the school material. Sunday proved to be a complete rest day.

Chapter 5

Patrick William’s sickness

Monday evening when Patrick returned from the factory he was in a jolly mood. The first day at the factory went well. The joining formalities took a lot of time to complete. After that he was taken to his department. He met his supervisor Bob Rice who seemed to be a happy go lucky and a funny fellow. Bob introduced Patrick to his other colleagues. Patrick was asked to undergo a training of a week under the supervision of one of his colleagues. Patrick liked the new factory very much. The shop floor was clean, airy and spacious. The offices were made aesthetically appealing. As compared to his earlier pharmacy factory in Jersey, this one was more modern, more spacious and clean. The supervisor and colleagues also appeared to be cooperative and open minded. The first day at the job was much more exciting than anticipated by Patrick.

Ursula could gauge from Patrick’s smiling and relaxed face that everything at the factory went well. She knew Patrick for years together and could judge his mood and adjust her reactions accordingly. Due to their mutual understanding there were very few incidences of differences or fights between them over so many years.

“Hi Honey… Settled in a new Job comfortably?” Ursula asked

“Ursula, today was the first day… still I have to learn the new job…” Patrick replied.

“For William’s… everything is easy….” Ursula tried to remove any apprehensions which Patrick might have.

Victor and Alice were in couch glued to their favorite TV serial. Their school was to open next week.

After the dinner the William’s retired for the day.