A Simple Man

The day Jason left for college I found Marcie at the kitchen table reading the classifieds.

"Are you looking for something in particular?"

"I guess I have to find a place to live."

"Don't bother. I am giving you the house. It is paid off and you will get the title in your name free and clear. You will also get four thousand from the checking account and seventeen thousand from the savings account. You can keep the house or sell it, your choice. If you decide to keep it, you better look for a job. Also, you have to get the utilities transferred over to your name before the end of the month."

She gave me a look of amazement. I don't think she expected what I offered.

"Here are the papers. Sign them and it will all be over in sixty days. You can have a lawyer look them over if you'd like."

Marcie grabbed a pen from the kitchen drawer and signed both documents without reading a word. She handed them back to me. "Thank you."

The short term renters were out of Todd's old place and I had been gradually moving my things there over the last few weeks. I bought the house furnished, as Todd left it. All I had to do was transfer personal items and get a few new small appliances. The last things from my dresser drawers and the closet were quickly thrown into a few black trash bags to carry to my new place. Marcie sat at the kitchen table and watched as I loaded and reloaded the truck. When I was finally done I leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. I said goodbye and she smiled with a tear in her eye.

EPILOG: The next year went by quickly. After the divorce was final, Marcie put the house up for sale. It sold quickly. The boys were both doing fine at school. I was glad I had prepaid the tuition. I got comfortable in the new house. I didn't see or talk to Marcie again. I don't know where she moved to but once or twice a month I see her Volvo drive slowly past the house on David Drive. I don't know if she is thinking of me or Todd. Marcie never apologized for what happened. She never said she was sorry and she never gave me an explanation. I never asked. They never found out who killed Todd Marshall. One of the ladies in the bookkeeping department at work has asked me over to her house for supper Friday night. I think I am going to go.