“Okay, then, follow me.” Mitch led them to a short hallway at the back, where the shop’s restrooms were located. There was a door at the end of the hall marked “Employees Only,” and he opened it. “You can get in from the door out back”—he pointed to an exterior door—“and then head up these stairs. There’s a small parking lot back there that you can use too.”
Once they reached the upper landing, there were two doors. Mitch gestured to the one on the left. “That’s a storage room for the shop. Now let’s see what you’re getting yourself into.” He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door on the right.
The dimly lit room was a combination living and dining area. Tom knew that because he could see a sofa along one wall and a small table with two chairs in the far corner, near what looked like a galley kitchen, separated from the main room by a small island. Mitch went to a set of windows opposite the sofa and opened the vertical blinds, letting in the bright morning sunshine.
A fine layer of dust covered every surface, which Tom had expected, so the condition of the area didn’t dampen his spirits. In addition to the furniture, there were several boxes piled up and a couple of display cases scattered about. “I’ll put the boxes and stuff in the storage room,” Mitch said, looking around. “Hmm, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”
“This is great,” Tom said excitedly. He maneuvered around a large display case and entered the kitchen. There was a sink and small stove as well as a fridge and some storage cabinets. Not a lot but enough for his needs. Noticing a doorway, he turned and ventured through.
“That’ll be the bedroom and bath,” Mitch called after him.
Will followed, peering into the small bedroom. Tom stood in the doorway to the bathroom, grinning widely. “I’ll take it,” he practically shouted. “When can I start cleaning the place?”
Will laughed and hugged Tom. “Really?”
Mitch joined them in the bedroom and said, “Are you sure?”
“At the price you quoted me yesterday? Absolutely.”
“Okay, then,” Mitch said, holding out his hand. “We have a deal.”
Tom shook his hand vigorously. “Thank you.”
“Just give me a day or so to get this stuff outta here, and then you’ll be good to go. I’ll get you keys for the back door and the apartment door. We should also exchange phone numbers,” Mitch said. “We’ll make this official as of January first, but you’re welcome to start cleaning as soon as you want. Consider the time between now and New Year’s a Christmas gift.”
“Thanks!” Tom said, unable to contain his excitement. “I’m off Thursday this week, so I’ll probably start then if that’s okay.”
“I’m off too,” Will said. “I’ll be here to help out.”
“Thanks, Will. Oh, Mitch, the sofa, table, and chairs look to be in decent shape, so I’ll keep those. I think they just need a good cleaning.” He looked around and chuckled. “Along with everything else.”
“You definitely have your work cut out for you,” Mitch said. “Okay, let’s go downstairs. I’ve got a rental agreement for you to sign if that’s okay. I’m happy this is gonna work out for both of us.”
Tom took one last look around his apartment—Oh my God, I have an apartment!—and followed Mitch and Will down the stairs.
Tom arrivedat work early and was hanging his coat in one of the lockers in the staff room when Char waltzed in.
“Hey, Tom,” she said in greeting, giving him a quick hug. “How did it go this morning?” Tom had texted Char the night before to tell her about Mitch’s offer.
“I have an apartment!” Tom laughed, bouncing from foot to foot.
“Oh my God!” Char joined in. “That’s fantastic!”
“It needs a good cleaning,” Tom told her. “Jeez, I’ve never seen that much dirt and dust. But it’s gonna be great.”
“This is so exciting!” Char continued to gush. “You should start a list of things that you’ll need. Furniture, kitchen stuff, towels, sheets; you know, things like that.”
Tom suddenly stopped, dropping onto one of the seldom-used chairs on the other side of the room. “Oh God, there’s so much to think about. So much to do.” He looked up at Char. “Am I stupid for thinking I can actually do this?”
“Of course not,” she said seriously. “And you’re not doing it alone. Cee Cee and I will help any way we can. And I’m sure Will feels the same way.”
“He does, actually.” Tom’s face lit up. “He came with me this morning, and we’re both off on Thursday, so we’re gonna start cleaning. Oh, and there’s already a couch and a small dining table with two chairs in the apartment that Mitch said I could have, so that’s a few less things I need to get.”
“Cool. Cee Cee and I are both working Thursday, so we can’t help, but I’m sure we’ll be there with you before too long. And I’ll ask around to see if anyone has any furniture or cookware andstuff that they’re either tossing or selling cheaply. You’ll have everything you need before you know it.”
“Thanks, Char. What would I do without you?”
“Don’t even say that in jest. Together forever, remember?” she chided him.
