Chapter 21: The Name Beside the Payment

Curtis refused to leave the house after I accepted an offer to sell it.

Now he was telling the buyers I had stalled the sale.

'Maureen has no right to make me leave,' Curtis said.

He stood in the entry while Bev held his coat and overnight bag.

'And she caused this sale to stall,' he added.

The woman buyer gripped her phone.

'Our movers are booked for closing day. Changing that booking will cost us $2,400.'

Curtis turned toward her.

'You should take that loss up with Maureen.'

'You just told us you refuse to leave,' she said.

He looked past her at me.

'This is still my house.'

The man buyer shook his head.

'You heard us say we bought it.'

My hands shook when I heard what Curtis could cost them.

He had put their money at risk, then blamed me for it.

I took the key from its hook.

Curtis watched my hand close around it.

I placed it in Bev's palm.

'Give this to the listing agent. The buyers need access.'

Bev folded her fingers over the key.

'I will.'

Curtis's voice stayed smooth.

'You cannot hand over a key and decide I have no right to be here.'

'I am not deciding that.'

I faced him and the buyers.

'You will receive the house vacant, whether he leaves with his things or without them.'

The woman buyer looked at Curtis.

'We are proceeding. Your refusal puts our movers at risk.'

Curtis started to answer.

Then he looked at the key in Bev's hand.

'We will not take the cost up with Maureen,' the woman said.

'I heard you,' I told her.

Curtis stayed in the entry while Bev carried the key out.

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