i can do that for you, finale

Got a call from our lawyer yesterday.

After reading over our response and counter claim to our former contractor's summons, our former contractor's lawyer called ours and said, not that they wanted to settle, but that they wanted to drop the case completely, vacate the mechanic's lien, and leave with their tails between their legs.

I am shocked that it's over like that. And I'm relieved.

Our lawyer asked this morning if Bob and I celebrated last night. But we really didn't. We're the kind of guys who feel the bittersweet nature of a moment, even when we've won. I'm happy we're not giving another penny to someone who lied to us, cheated us, couldn't make things right when they were going terribly wrong and cost us thousands more to make up for her errors. On the other had, I don't wish her harm. I just want her to go away and stay away. I want to be assured that it's over with, and I want someone to tell her that she really shouldn't ever do this again.

And I won't feel completely relieved until everything is signed, filed and finished. I've seen too many movies where the villains pop back up when we think they're dead.

But am I grateful, yes. And am I feeling hopeful about all of this, yes! Coming home from work last night, as I walked up to the apartment door and put the key in the lock, I felt a lot more like the place was my own.