Sandy Hawkins
The first time I met Paul, I was looking for a place to rent. I had just put a deposit down on an apartment in Castro Valley but it was small and dark and I had reservations. I looked at his duplex and it was bright and sunny with lots of windows and a backyard. Paul leaned over the kitchen counter as I was reading his rental agreement and said, “‘You’ll take this, won’t you?” Well, yes, I took it and lived there for six years until I moved to take care of my mother. I never expected to return. However, six months later, situations changed. I got nurses to care for my mother. We were living in Arizona then at their winter home. To make a long story short, I came back from Arizona without a job or a place to live. Within a few days of my return to California, my same duplex was somehow available. Within 10 days I had a new job and my same duplex back. That was twelve years ago. Thanks to Paul who took a chance on my ability to pay the rent. Sandy Hawkins

