Peanut stood up with the list of names in his hands.

“I’m going to read off names, and if you’re here, just call out. I don’t want to start this until everyone involved in this is represented.”

One of the men held up his hand. “Uh, Mr. Butterman, I’m Delroy Sanders, and this is all of us from the fifteen houses Mr. Holland owns.”

“Thank you, Delroy. Then I’ll begin. This is all straightforward information. There are no decisions to be made. No deadlines to be met.” He cleared his throat. “Barbara Holland, Mr. Holland’s widow, has signed over the deeds to the properties you are living in as a way to honor her husband’s passing. As soon as we sign the papers, you will be the owners of the homes you’ve been renting.”

The collective gasp was loud, followed by cries of disbelief and joy as Peanut continued.

“Realizing this gift would come with costs you might not be prepared to pay, Mrs. Holland has also awarded each of you the sum of money needed to pay for one full year of property insurance, and the amount of money each of you will need for the property tax. That gives you a whole year to figure out how to adjust your budgets to meet the costs the following year.”

Delroy held up his hand again, his voice shaking with emotion as he spoke.

“We all thought we were going to be told the houses would be sold. We didn’t know if we’d have to move, or if the rent might go up. You don’t know what a blessing this is for us. Having a home free and clear of rent or mortgage payments is nothing short of a dream come true for all of us. Thank you, sir.”

Peanut smiled. “It’s Mrs. Holland you have to thank. I only delivered the news. Stay seated, if you will, while Betty and I get situated. I’ll call your names one at a time. You will go to Betty, sign the final papers, and get instructions on what to do next. And congratulations!”

The room erupted in more cries of delight as he went across the hall to get her. Two hours later, the last renter walked out the door. Betty stood.

“This has been a good day,” Peanut said.

“The best,” she said, and went back into the office.

* * *

It was just after 3:00 p.m. when a thunderstorm rolled in, warning all in its path by the grumbling sound of thunder and a sudden rush of wind that rattled the turning leaves off the trees all over town.

The cover of someone’s trash can went rolling down the street in the neighborhood near the elementary school, rattling with every turn.

Two young boys on bicycles rode past it, pedaling hard and fast, trying to get home before it began to rain. When they turned the corner toward home, they saw their mama standing out on the porch and looking up at the sky. When she saw them coming, she waved at them to hurry.