He Said/He Said/He Said

Remember the hubbub Hick and Business Owner had over HIS LAND that is being used as part of a business driveway? They reached an agreement on January 8 for Hick to get $1200 for HIS LAND in exchange for his silence at a variance meeting about the property. Then both agreed to pay half the costs for a title search.

I signed the paperwork on Thursday, January 15. I remember it well, because it was Thursday errand day, the day after my yearly lunch with my best old ex-teaching buddy Mabel, and the day before the big cold snap on Friday, when I started staying home due to the weather.

Hick asked me that afternoon if the gal at the title company gave me a check. No. She said that Business Owner hadn't been there yet. From what I recall, they were expecting him later that afternoon, though I don't remember her exact words. That was just my impression. Hick said he figured they'd call him to come pick up the check. The call never came.

This Monday, February 2, Hick went by the title office. To ask about his check. They didn't have it. Said that Business Owner hadn't signed the papers yet.

"She said they had called him several times, but he hadn't come in. So I sent a text to his son. I said, 'I know you're just the middle man, but I did my part. You'd think your dad could at least have the decency to do what he promised.' He said he'd talk to his dad. A few minutes later he sent back a text that his dad was on his way over there now to sign. That nobody from the title office had ever contacted him that the papers were ready."

"Well, you seem like the rumpushole now."

"How's that? I did what I was supposed to. He's the reason I didn't get the check."

"It's the way you worded it."

"I didn't say nothin' bad! Only that I did my part, and he should do his. I'll read it to you..."

"See? Right there. When you said, 'You'd think he'd have the decency.' That was not necessary. It's like trying to start a fight."

"Well, HE's the one who didn't sign the papers. And I did."

"Yeah. It's been two weeks. But you didn't need to have a chip on your shoulder."

Anyhoo... Hick got a call the next day, and picked up the check. It wasn't from the title company. It was from Business Owner. A business check, made out to Hick for the $1200. Which meant we had to write a check to the title company for $147.50 for our half of the title search. Not a big deal. Just an unexpected inconvenience. Usually at a closing, the buyer pays the title company, who then pays the seller, after deducting out fees.

I'm not sure who's the reason for the delay. It's not Hick, because he signed the papers, and I went the next day and signed. MAYBE the title company called Business Owner, and he didn't recognize the number and didn't answer. MAYBE they left a message and he didn't get it. MAYBE he knew all about it, and was just making it difficult for Hick to collect the check. 

For being such a "nice guy," according to his son and some of Hick's acquaintances... Business Owner sure seems to have an odd way of doing business.