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“I’m from the Midwest, and there’s awful public transportation, so everyone has to have a car.”
We packed up her baby things, along with the stroller I had given her, and headed out to the street. I was anxious to see the inside of her apartment, just in case the urge to ask her to move in with me persisted. One thing for sure, we had a lot to talk about. She was intrigued with the Saving New York gig, especially with Ryan.
“He’s going to Taiwan,” she said, watching me.
“Wow, well, that should make things mighty interesting!”
“Yep, I thought so, too. It’s not going to cause a problem for you, is it?”
“You mean like I’d be jealous? No. You have my word, no problem. One thing did just occur to me, however. Does Emory have any legal custody rights to Yasmine?”
“No. I am the custodial parent. He doesn’t even have visitation since he stopped paying support. I’ll have to give you temporary custody. I’ll call my attorney tomorrow.”
“It sounds complicated.”
“It’s not. My sister had to give me custody of my nephew when she went back to the Dominican Republic for a month.”
We arrived at her apartment. The neighborhood was on the upswing, going from being one of the last affordable places in the city because of its sketchy location to being trendy.
“My place is small, just a warning,” she said as we hauled everything up two flights of stairs.
She was right. It consisted of a tiny galley kitchen that reminded me of where flight attendants prepare drinks on an airplane, a small sitting area that wasn’t much more than a hallway with a futon and a television, a tiny bedroom that held a twin bed and a porta crib, and a closet for a bathroom. Three people, the stroller, and Eimy’s bags overwhelmed the apartment.
But it was spartan. Not an extra anything out on display.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding. I guess this is what you call a tiny house.”
“It’s only two hundred square feet,” she said. “The key is decluttering. Even a candle on that side table looks cluttered.”
“It’s efficient, all right. How’s your rent?”
She told me a price that made me blanch, and I wondered what my apartment would rent for.
“Do you want a cup of coffee?” she asked.
“No thank you. I’m going to head home and get into bed.”
“Let’s talk soon,” she said, holding the door for me.
“Yes! Let me know what you’re going to do next.”
“I’m going to quit my job. I’m not even giving her notice. She doesn’t work outside of the home, so it’s not like I’m inconveniencing her.”
“I’ll be waiting to hear.”
“I’m calling her now.”
It was late, nearly ten. “Okay, text me,” I said, eager to get on the road to home.
When I left her building, there was snow in the air. A young couple stood on the corner, smoking a cigarette, laughing. I remembered doing that when I was in college.
The ride home gave me some time to think. Had I really offered to care for her baby while she was in Taiwan with my father? In a way, it made me feel better about life. I was so selfish; this was definitely out of character for me.
My phone beeped, and when I parked my car, I looked at a text from Eimy.
Quit my job. I told her the truth, that I had the opportunity to go on Adventure Trek and I needed to prepare. She said she was jealous.
I waited until I got inside to answer her. That’s great! I just decided to hire someone to come to the house to watch the baby, if you’re okay with it.
