Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Storage Auction (7)
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Three days after returning from Utah, it was morning.
It was the day Dorothy and Nancy were moving.
When Dorothy called to say she'd decided to move, I can't even describe how happy I was.
Finally, Nancy could live in a better environment.
At six in the morning, I arrived early in front of Dorothy's trailer park.
Sam had come with me, of course. He was getting out of his pickup truck and looking around.
"This place really... it gets to me every time I come here."
Regret laced Sam's voice.
Trash bags discarded everywhere, broken beer bottles, rusted chain-link fences, and busted streetlights.
But the worst was the shouting and fighting echoing from all directions even now.
This definitely wasn't a place to raise a kid.
"At least she's moving now."
I could never forget the shock of my first visit. It broke my heart knowing Dorothy was raising little Nancy in a place like this.
Especially worrying was how she left Nancy alone here in the pitch dark when heading to the diner at 4 a.m.
"Jake!"
Nancy burst out the trailer door.
"Jake, are we really moving today?"
Her eyes sparkled.
Full of excitement for the new beginning.
"Yeah, today! Let's get your stuff moved quick."
"Yay! I'll do it all myself!"
As I ruffled the hair of the bouncing, excited Nancy, Dorothy came out.
She still looked tired, but her face was full of smiles. Clearly, she'd pulled a double shift yesterday.
From 4 a.m. to 2 p.m., then 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Even a strapping young guy would collapse under that schedule.
"Thanks so much for helping, Jake. Sam came too."
"Of course I'd come. How were you gonna move all this alone?"
Sam said with a grin.
We went inside the trailer. It was cramped but tidy.
Less than 300 square feet: one bedroom, a tiny kitchen, and a bathroom. That was it.
Mold spots on the walls, windows that wouldn't close properly taped shut.
"We don't have much stuff. The furniture came with the place... Just clothes and daily essentials. You sure this is okay?"
Dorothy said apologetically.
"No problem. We'll knock it out piece by piece."
We started assembling boxes and packing things neatly.
Nancy carefully placed her dolls in a box beside me.
"Mom got this one for my birthday."
She showed me a worn rabbit doll. One ear was sewn back on.
"What a special doll!"
"Yeah! My favorite. I named her 'Mr. Hop.' Mom saved up tips from the diner to buy it. Heehee."
Her words tugged at my heart.
It felt like a big-hearted gift from Dorothy's hard-earned tips.
We loaded everything up and returned the keys to the manager.
He handed back the $650 deposit.
"You worked hard here. Good luck at the new place."
With so many people, we split into cars.
Dorothy and Nancy rode in my truck, while Sam followed in his pickup loaded with stuff.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at our trailer park.
The difference was obvious from the entrance: clean signs, manicured flower beds, security gate.
"Wow! This is our neighborhood now!"
Nancy yelled excitedly.
"Spot 32 is yours, Dorothy."
She looked shocked when I showed her the spot.
It was right next to my trailer.
"Right next to you?"
"Yep, 31 is mine. Now you can call me anytime you need something. And I can drive you to the diner on your early shifts."
Truth was, I'd deliberately reserved the spot next door. I'd asked manager Tom and prepaid a month's rent.
"Shall we unload?"
We started unloading from Sam's pickup.
Neighbors came out one by one to greet us.
"New folks? Nice to meet you!"
Margaret was first, bringing homemade cookies.
"Oh, thank you."
"Raising a kid alone is tough. Let me know if you need anything. I was a waitress myself 40 years ago. I know how those feet hurt."
Dorothy's eyes welled up.
"Thank you so much. Kind people like you are rare these days..."
Neighbor Robert came out too.
"I'm a retired cop. I patrol at night sometimes, so feel safe."
"That's reassuring."
We unpacked inside the trailer.
This one was about 450 square feet—way bigger. Two bedrooms too.
"We can make a room for Nancy."
"Yeah. She's growing, and sharing a bed forever wouldn't work."
We helped arrange the furniture and chatted.
"How much is rent?"
"$550."
"No way! This is so much nicer and cheaper?"
"Tom's a good guy. He prefers families and gives discounts."
Actually, I'd agreed to cover the $280 difference, but it was our secret.
Dorothy's pride wouldn't let her accept that kind of help.
By lunchtime, with things mostly sorted, we decided on a barbecue to celebrate the move.
A few more neighbors joined. We shared food in a warm, lively atmosphere.
"Jake."
Dorothy said as I flipped the meat.
"Yeah?"
"Random question, but what's your dream?"
"Hmm, aren't we a bit old for dream talk?"
"Not some grand thing... I mean, goals. Don't you have any?"
She glared at my deflection.
It seemed serious, so I thought a moment before answering. No real thought needed, though.
"First, our family all happy and healthy. Me, Sam... you, Dorothy. And our Nancy."
Dorothy smiled warmly.
"And after that?"
"Well, next..."
I always had an answer ready for this. The dream I pictured every night before bed.
Silly or pie-in-the-sky, it was my constant goal.
"Buying a big house with a pool in Austin."
"Austin? Why Austin?"
"It's close. Forty minutes from here in Bastrop County to downtown Austin on Highway 290."
I kept going as I put meat on the charcoal grill.
"Austin's the state capital, bustling and lively. You know 6th Street has live music every night?"
"I've heard."
"Big IT companies moving in too—good prospects. Tesla HQ, Apple's huge campus, Samsung plant. More jobs mean more people..."
Sam chimed in.
"House prices keep rising. Already insane. Fifteen years ago, $300k got you a nice place nearby..."
"How much now?"
Dorothy asked.
Sam just shrugged.
"A 4-bedroom with pool like I want? At least $600k (about 860 million KRW). Near good schools like Ains Elementary? Over $700k (1 billion KRW)."
I answered instead. Dorothy shook her head.
"Wow, $600k... pricey for Texas. Houston's cheaper."
"Austin's expensive. Lake Travis views start at $800k."
I had a clear picture in mind.
Two-story house, big yard, blue pool, patio with BBQ grill.
Weekend parties with neighbors, kids splashing in the pool...
"Sam's hospital is in Austin too. St. David's Medical Center. I drive him now, but closer is better as we age."
"Makes sense."
"UT Austin means great schools. Someday... if I start a family, education matters."
Dorothy giggled.
"You seem like you'd make a good dad watching Nancy."
"Who knows. Gotta meet the right person first."
Yeah, connections are the issue. So far, only my truck's been my companion.
"Realistically, saving $600k... with debts, monthly bills, hospital costs... trucking alone? Twenty years."
Dorothy laughed at my self-deprecating tone.
"But you're doing storage auctions now, right?"
"Yeah. Good luck, and you hit big all at once."
Sunset came, move wrapped up.
Everyone headed home, but I sat in the yard.
'$600k... dream amount, but not impossible now.'
I vowed, gazing at the starry sky.
Someday, I'd make it happen.
The next day, on the way back from a delivery to Houston outskirts.
Great weather had me in high spirits.
Morning's building materials haul earned $400. Not bad for short range.
Passing Spring north of Houston, the truck radio ad caught my ear.
[Today at 3 p.m., U-Store-It storage auction! 7 unpaid units!]
Storage auction.
Remembered going with Bill last time.
Checked the clock.
2:20 p.m.
'Better call Bill.'
I pulled out my phone.
"Bill? It's Jake."
"Hey, Jake! What's up?"
"North of Houston now. U-Store-It auction, 7 units. Wanna go?"
"That one? Saw the ad... Sorry, can't. Shop's packed."
Not kidding—the noise behind him was chaotic.
"Weekend rush?"
"Yeah. Tourists from Austin, tons hunting vintage furniture. Can't manage without extra hands."
"Too bad."
"Try solo. You saw me last time? You got this."
"Me alone okay?"
"Of course! Remember: inspect well, don't overbid, stick to what you can afford."
"Got it."
"Skip trash units. Dumping costs more."
"Will do."
"Good luck! Bring any finds to me for appraisal."
"Thanks, Bill."