The Show-Me Stater

We had a little discussion this morning, Slumlord H and I, on how we used to own a duplex for rental purposes. It was a good deal. One side paid the payment, and the other side paid for repairs. When the renters actually paid the rent.

I reminded Slumlord H that HE was the one who rented the empty side to a man with a wife, three kids, and no job. I had recommended that he rent it to the college girl. Because her mom would pay if she didn't. Now the story has changed. Slumlord H declares that the college girl's mom said she would not pay for her to live there. Funny how we had both applications and an argument back in the day as to who we were going to rent it to. Seems that point would have been moot if only one applicant expressed interest.

Slumlord H's excuse was that the man's father-in-law had paid the deposit and first month's rent. "Yeah. Because obviously, he knew the guy was a freeloader, and this was the easiest way to get rid of him." Slumlord H countered that the man had actually acquired a job after we rented to him. "Oh. Like that's better. He HAD money, but didn't want to waste it on rent."

The other renter was a divorced woman who liked the bottle. Not that there's anything wrong with that. She always paid on time. Even if she DID drop a hot cast iron skillet and burn a circular hole in the carpet. I accused Slumlord H of joining her for a drink every now and then.

"I didn't ever have a drink with her. I would go in and talk to her when I went to try to get rent from the other guy. Besides, she invited me. She came to the door when I was on the porch, and said, 'Come in. I want to show you something.' "

"Uh huh. I'm sure she did."

"Heh, heh. It wasn't like that. But if a woman tells me she wants to show me something, I'm going to look."

The #1 son was sprawled on the couch throughout the conversation. He simply rolled his eyes.