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I laughed to myself at the sentiment.
My phone vibrated once more, but longer this time. Indicating a voicemail had been left.
I picked up the phone and listened to the voicemail. “Hi this message is for Addison Easton. This Trisha Cotts the building manager for Suite 107. I believe your business is Addy’s Blooms. I’m sorry to inform you that you’re being evicted, effective immediately. You’ll have twenty-four hours to clear out your shop before losing access to the building.”
I scrambled up immediately, feeling nauseous. I listened to the recording again, feeling like I must have misheard it. I wracked my brain trying to figure out what was happening.
There was no way I was late on rent. There must have been some sort of misunderstanding. I was always diligent about my payments. I was a good cooperative tenant of the complex. While my business wasn’t necessarily as busy as some of the other nearby shops, I had a steady stream of regulars I had come to know and love over the last year or so. I wasn’t making hardly any profit, but my regulars helped me make ends meet just enough to keep the business going and keep myself afloat. And I always made my building rent.
No, this must be some sort of mistake.
I quickly dialed the number back. It went straight to a busy tone. In a panic, I dialed again. This time it rang twice and then someone picked up.
“Hello, Horizon View Buildings, this is Natasha. How can I help you?”
“Hi, I just received a missed call from Trisha Cotts. This is Addison Easton in Suite 107. My shop is Addy’s Blooms.”
“Oh yes, Mrs. Cotts just left for lunch. But I can have her give you a call when she’s back.”
I gritted my teeth in frustration, the agitation and panic building in me. “Ok, it’s a matter of urgency. If you could please have her call me as soon as she can, I’d greatly appreciate it.” I tried to sound polite, though I felt the agitation in me growing.
“Yes, of course. I’ll let her know.”
“Thank you.”
With that, the phone went dead.
Great, just great.
I dug my toes into the sand, disassociating as I watched each grain of dry sand cascade down the next. I dug my feet deeper and deeper, finally hitting a layer of cooler damp sand beneath.
What the hell was going on? This just had to be a mistake. There couldn’t be any other explanation, I decided. I tried to soothe myself with the assurance that when Trisha called back, she’d discover it was all some big sort of misunderstanding, and everything would be fine.
I felt a sort of sickening feeling creeping in at the fact that I’d closed my shop for nine days. For the wedding and now for the honeymoon. It felt incredibly frustrating to not be there in person to deal with this. And what if Trisha didn’t call me back right away? Twenty-four hours' notice was hardly notice at all.
I sat there trying not to spiral out until my phone finally buzzed.
“Hello?” I answered quickly.
“Hi Addison Easton?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“Hi, this is Trisha Cotts returning your call.”
“Yes, hi Trisha. I got your message about getting evicted, and I think there’s been some sort of mistake.” I could hear her sigh through the phone as I continued. “You see, I just got married– or well, never mind, and I’m currently on my honeymoon, and I closed the shop for the week to take some time off for the wedding and now honeymoon. Has there been some sort of misunderstanding because the shop has been closed for so many days in a row? I know I’m not late with my rent payment…” I had run out of things to say in my defense and it was finally time to listen to her response.
“No, Ms. Easton, you’re not late on your payment.”
“Then everything is fine, right?” I unintentionally cut her off.
“I’m sorry to inform you that the building has been purchased by an investor and they’re removing all the current tenants.”
“Why?” I asked, dumbfounded that this confirmed the unthinkable was in fact happening. Unable to formulate a more comprehensive response, I sat there silently searching for words.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Easton. I wish I had more notice to give. But unfortunately, you do need to have your shop cleared out by tomorrow evening.”
“But I’m in Hawaii. I couldn’t get back in time, even if I wanted to. Please Mrs. Cotts, I just need a little more time. Everything I’ve invested in is in that shop. What happens if I can’t clear it out in time?”
