The apartment was small but very nice. The furniture looked expensive, and the space had its own outside entrance. It was ideal except for the money. Webster had set a limit he could pay, and the amount included utilities.

When the woman told him the price, Webster almost choked, and she had not mentioned electricity or other costs. He thanked her and was ready for a hasty retreat to the old Ford, even taking a couple of steps.

“Wait!”

He took another stride before turning back to face her. She was giving him the once-over, a finger gently touching her lower lip.

After a few moments of quiet, she inquired as to whether Webster had a number in mind. He began explaining, “I don’t have much to start on …”

He stopped when she held up her hand, saying, “How much?”

He told her, feeling his face grow red as he did.

“Is that the best you can do?”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

She had looked him up and down again. Then she laid out her conditions.

“I’ll rent it to you for that amount,” she told him, “with two requirements.”

Webster couldn’t imagine what those could be.

Then she smiled, pointing a finger in his direction, and shaking it to emphasize her requirements. “No loud parties, and you have dinner with me once a week … you pick the night.”

Webster though he couldn’t have heard her correctly, but he had, she assured him.

She gave her reasons: she was tired of being alone in the big house, he seemed a nice young man, and he could be her handyman. “If you wouldn’t mind,” she added.

That was how he had met Mrs. Edith Ann Collins of Georgetown, Virginia.

Watch for more episodes of Webster to come your way.