Can’t You Just Check For Termites And Leave?

Homeownership finds me doing things I never thought I would do before, like meeting with the termite inspector for my annual report. The good news is that I’m termite free (knock on wood…get it?), the bad news is that my termite inspector kind of insulted me.

Now, I don’t think termite man (his name was Mike) really meant to be insulting with his question (and to be quite honest, I guess it’s a valid one), but – some things just should only be asked by people who know you very well. Not by people you just met.

Upon reviewing the termite report card, he looked at me and said, “So, do you live here all by yourself?” I replied, “Yep, all by myself. Well, and with him (pointing to my dog, Wallace).” With a puzzled expression he responded to my statement with, “Why’d you buy such a big house for just one person?”

Well, Mr. Termite Man, maybe one day I won’t be the only person living here – but maybe I will. What’s it to you, exactly?

After he left, I thought of the scene in Under the Tuscan Sun where the main character has a mini-breakdown over buying a house “for a life she didn’t have.”

This is the scene:
Frances: This house has three bedrooms. What if there’s never anyone to sleep in them? And the kitchen, what if there’s never anyone to cook for? I wake up in the night thinking,”You idiot. I mean, you’re the stupidest woman in the world. You bought a house for a life you don’t even have.”

Martini: Why did you do it, then?

Frances: Because I’m sick of being afraid all the time. And, because I still want things. I want a wedding in this house, and I want a family in this house.

That’s why, Mike the Termite Man. It’s called hope.