The Co-op

Chapter Forty-Nine

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Dear Buyer,

We’re writing this letter today to ask you to consider breaking our contract with you, and relieve us of our obligation to this sale. You see, about sixteen years ago, my husband’s grandmother moved into a unit on the top floor here, back when there had been three. Helena Marconi had an affinity for burning incense, accidentally charring her dinners, and very loud jazz music. Cecelia Lavigne, the owner of the building at the time (my grandmother as well as Helena’s neighbor), had an aversion to strong smells and most brass instruments. Through a series of snafus and hallway disagreements, our grandmothers fell in love.

They went on to tear down walls and build a life here together for a decade and a half, until they both passed away, mere months apart.

We will spare you the gory details, but just as it brought together our “grands” and gave them their happiest years, this house managed to unite us, too. We’ve had a change in circumstances, and would greatly love to hold on to our family home.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may have brought you. We had no intention of not following through, but timing is so rarely perfect. Such is life, we often say.

Thank you in advance for your consideration,

Deacon Leeds & LaRynn Lavigne