The bathroom isn’t much better. At first, I thought the grout between the puke-green subway tiles was black. Then I realized it was mold. There’s more in the corners and around the exhaust fan that sounds like a revving chainsaw.
Other than that, the place is great. Nothing a little bleach can’t fix.
Or a lot of bleach.
Add that to the list of things I need from the store.
The best part is, it’s only four hundred a month, and I budgeted five hundred for living expenses. Unfortunately, I forgot to include the security deposit in there, so I’m down an additional four hundred, plus the two hundred from last night’s hotel, a hundred and fifty for gas, and the thousand it took to fix my car.
But my car is back in action, utilities are included, and tomorrow, I’m going to find a job.
It’s all a little bit backwards but everything is going to work out. If push comes to shove, I can always waitress to earn a bit of cash while waiting for something more permanent.
What matters is, I’ve done it. All. By. Myself.
Which is why I pick up my phone and dial my mom’s number.
She answers on the second ring. “Tell me you’ve come to your senses and are on the way home.”
And she wonders why I wanted to leave. Who answers the phone like that? “Even better. I found a place to rent!”
Silence.
“You still there, Mom?”
“Yes, but I’m trying to find someone to remove this knife you stabbed into my heart.”
I never considered Susan Piper to be a dramatic woman; it would appear I was wrong. “Why can’t you just be happy for me?” I don’t add “for once” but I think it. Boy, do I think it.
“Would you prefer I lie to you?”
Kinda. Yeah.
Unfortunately, Mom prides herself on her honesty. Who doesn’t want to hear that their prom gown makes them look like a twenty-dollar hooker? Or that the serving size for ice cream isn’t four scoops?
Why did I call her again?
Oh, yeah. Because I was proud of myself, and I wanted her to be proud of me too.
Looks like that was too much to ask.
“Hey. I have to go. Love you. Tell Dad I say hi.”
AaaandEND.
My phone immediately buzzes with a message, and I take great delight in tossing it onto the counter unread. I’m about to sink onto the edge of the bed when I spot that disgusting stain.
How much do mattresses cost?
There’s only one way to find out.
I collect my phone and purse, then venture from the dim confines of my apartment into the bright day. Before I can lock my door, I’m nearly bowled over by a dark-haired man and a blonde woman, tangled in each other’s arms. It’s impossible to get a good look at their faces with the way they’re fused together.
Probably not the best time to introduce myself as their new neighbor.
Once they move past, I jog down the five flights of stairs to my car.
The moment my butt meets leather, my phone rings. Josh’s smile flashes on the screen and those tummy flutters start flapping around all over again. “Guess what? That place I found last night is perfect.” If mint-green walls are your thing. “I can send you my location if you want.”
