Chapter 14: A New Beginning

Part Three – Chicago, Present Day

It is almost dark by the time Curtis finishes the work on Barb’s house. There are several new additions, starting with motion-activated lights on all four corners of the house, over the garage door, the front door, and in three strategic locations high up in trees in the backyard. There are interior cameras for the front hallway and backdoor, plus an intercom to the front door. As a final precaution, well-concealed panic buttons have been installed in the front hallway, the bedroom, and the kitchen. All activity captured on the motion cameras is recorded on a storage device in the office that can hold up to a week’s worth of data. There are four small monitors that can be tuned to any of the cameras throughout the property. Of course, everything can be controlled remotely by Barb’s cell phone.

Barb is waiting for Curtis at Maggie and Ricky’s house. When he is done, he walks next door but before he can knock on the door Ricky opens it and greet him.

“Curtis?” says Ricky as he mounts the steps on the front porch.

“Yeah,” says Curtis.

“Ricky,” is the reply. Along with the introduction, Ricky passes the security man a cold beer.

“Here, you’ve been at all day. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a cold refreshment.”

Curtis gratefully accepts the beer and takes a long swig. He follows Ricky’s lead into the kitchen.

Maggie is the first to speak. “Hi, Curtis, I’m Maggie.”

Curtis nods in greeting and then sees Barb. She says, “All done?”

“Yes ma’am, the house is buttoned-up tight, and after I finish this,” he says while raising a mostly empty beer bottle, “I’d like to review the new equipment with you before I leave.”

“Perfect,” Barb says. “Is it OK if Maggie and Ricky join us? They house-sit at times, and frankly, I’d feel better if I knew that there was someone nearby that new how to use the system.”

Curtis drains the last of his beer and says, “It’s your house. Whenever you are ready let’s go.”

Maggie collects bottles and cups and drops them into the sink and then the small group troops over to Barb’s house across the front lawn. As they get close a bright flood light clicks on and illuminates a wide arc around the corner of her house.

“I like it already,” says Barb.

Before entering the front door, Curtis walks them to the other side of the house to show them the other front-facing motion light. They go inside and he carefully explains where each camera is located and how they can be controlled from the main console in the office. He then helps Barb get the app installed on her phone and walks her through the primary functions.

“That’s pretty much it. The last thing you will need to do is push one of the panic buttons once. Once only. When the service calls tell the operator you are a new member and need to complete your account setup. You will need to give the operator a six-digit number for the all-clear sign, plus another six-digit code that indicates you are under duress.”

Barb looks a bit confused when Ricky responds.

“I think what it means is that if you accidentally press a panic button you use the ‘all-clear’ code. However, if you are under duress, for example a robber has you at gun point, then you use the other code.”

Curtis nods at Ricky’s answer. “That’s correct. And, if someone has you at gun point, or you are otherwise threatened, press a panic button two or three times. The service will not call but will send the police quickly and without sirens. Obviously, if you give the under-duress signal during a phone call, the service will also send the police.”

Barb plops into a chair. Maggie sits next to her and says, “Are you OK? This looks like a great system.”

“It is,” Barb replies, then looks at Curtis and says, “and I thank you so much for getting it set up on short notice.”

“But?” queries Maggie.

“I don’t know,” Barb sighs, “it just feels like I lost by having to live under such tight security.”

Curtis stares at Barb and emphatically says, “Barb, the only time you are a loser is when you do not feel safe in your own home. These measures will provide you that security. If at any point you feel they are not adequate, call me and we’ll discuss what it will take for you to have the confidence to sleep without worry.”

“Of course,” Barb says. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply...”

“No apologies necessary,” Curtis says. “I’m just glad I could get this done today. I do need to run. Call if you need anything.”

Curtis takes his leave while Barb, Maggie, and Ricky again review the equipment and discuss the new system. Barb finally brings up a new topic.

“This thing is really cool, but I’m hungry.”

Everyone laughs and they decide on, where else, Lucella’s for dinner.

The only remaining must-do task that Barb faced was getting the holes in the living room and bedroom walls repaired. When the first worker came out to give her an estimate it included repainting the new drywall and then feathering the paint into the wall and ceiling for a better blend. Barb immediately has an idea and asks about painting the whole room, but a different color.

After the insight to recolor one room, Barb continues with the idea and ultimately has the two rooms with holes repainted a new color, a wallpaper knee-wall added to the office, new countertop and tiling backsplash in the kitchen and hardwood added to the office and bedroom. When the work is done the house has a completely new feel which reflects Barb’s style. There is nothing left that reminds her of Nick’s tastes.

When the final renovation is done, Barb invites Maggie and Ricky over for the house’s second house-warming party. It is just the three of them. Instead of going out for dinner they order-in Chinese: Kun Pao chicken, cashew chicken, edamame, sweet and sour pork, lo mien, dumplings, and a double-sized poo-poo Platter. Dinner is accompanied by multiple bottles of wine.

Maggie is the first to raise the white flag. “I give. I ate way too much food, but it was all fantastic.”

Barb stops fiddling with the last of her cashew chicken and leans back onto her chair. “Me, too. Guess that makes Ricky tonight’s big winner.”

“In more ways than one,” he says as he too leans back, and pats hit protruding belly. Looking at Maggie he says, “Looks like we need to start hitting the gym regularly again.”

Maggie raises her eyebrow, “We?”

Barb grins at the couple’s friendly banter as she collects plates and leftovers off the table. Maggie jumps up to help and as the remnants from their overindulgence are stored in the refrigerator Barb surprises them with some news.

“I got a call from my bank this afternoon. It sounds like Nick was there and made a scene in an effort to get information about my new accounts.”

“What?” exclaims Maggie.

“Yeah,” chimes in Ricky, “nothing like burying the lead.”

They look to Barb to continue.

“There’s not much else to say. The teller was young but had been with the bank for over a year and followed protocol by the book. Nick was persistent and tried several phishing probes, but the teller held firm and did not give him any information. She also did as trained and immediately told her supervisor, who then contacted me out of an abundance of caution.”

“Wonder why he would make a scene at your bank?” wonders Maggie aloud.

Ricky had gotten to his feet and wandered into the living room. When he returns to the kitchen he says, “The living room had a hole in it, right? And the other was where? The bedroom?”