Son graduated college in May and is living at home with us until he finds a suitable investment property. He’s been talking about buying his own home since junior year and he’s not shy in asking about our plans for the future and what we intend to do with the house he grew up in. I’ve caught him walking around inspecting the condition and structure of various rooms and I’m anticipating any day now he’ll make us an offer.
He landed a great job for himself here in New York while he was still away at school and it’s terrific to see him leave the house every morning pumped to go to work. He has a position with one of the largest Internet advertising companies and one evening at dinner Husband and I asked him some questions about his job and what it entails.
OSV: How much does it cost to advertise on a website?
SON: What’s your budget?
OSV: No, I mean if I was calling your office and just wanting information, what’s the ballpark figure you’d give me?
SON: You wouldn’t call. You’d email. We don’t really get calls. And you’d still have to tell me your budget.
HUSBAND: Budget aside, you need to effectively match advertisers with sites their potential customers visit, right?
SON: (turning away from me and looking at Husband like, at last, a real prospect) Of course ad placement is market-driven and targeted audiences are researched and monitored.
OSV: And how much is that?
SON: (changing tactics) What are you looking to spend?
All this talk of finances provided a segue to something Husband and I had been discussing since Son graduated and moved back into his childhood home.
HUSBAND: It’s great to have you here and your Mom and I have talked about how much we enjoy your company and the fact that you’re willing to pitch in with chores when we ask you. We’ve also discussed having you contribute to the household expenses.
Son looked up warily.
SON: And what did you decide?
OSV: (resisting the temptation to ask about his budget) We think $50 a week sounds reasonable.
SON: $200 a month? Really? You’d charge me $200 a month?
HUSBAND: We’ll let you slide for June and the first half of July.
Son paused a moment to take in this unexpected news.
SON: I’ll need to see a contract.
OSV: A contract? For what?
SON: For the conditions. So you don’t spring anything else on me.
HUSBAND: We can draw up a contract. Of course, there’ll be fees involved. That will bring it up to $300 a month.
Son rose from his seat looking at the clock. It was time to make a call to the west coast. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out $50 and placed it on the table.
SON: We’ll talk again next week.
It’s been overcast lately so let’s make Daughter’s Fotos about Lights
bare bulbs
headlights on the williamsburg bridge
the fire fountain in a flash, new orleans
bright lights, big city