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Pops shakes his head. “That boy has all the personality of ketchup water.”
Right after we finish eating, there’s a knock at the door. Two guys stand on the porch wearing identical shirts that bear a logo and the name Trails Electrical Services.
They introduce themselves and Pops chats with them about the problems we’ve been having with the breakers constantly tripping. Anytime we use the microwave, or I try to use an outlet in the bathroom, bam, blackout.
Pops waves me away when I ask him if he needs me to stick around, so I head down to Cara and Lila’s place.
Cara is lounging on her couch, drawing on her tablet when she calls for me to come inside. “There’s a plumber’s van out front,” I report.
“He just left. I think he’s next door.”
“There’s an electrician talking to Pops right now,” I add, sitting beside her.
She sets her tablet aside with a grin. “He isn’t wasting any time.”
“I doubt he enjoyed his night. The faster he gets repairs done, the faster he can go back to his cushy mansion. What are you up to? Want to go treasure hunt with me?”
“I can’t. I’m behind and I need to post my new comic strip tonight. I’m trying to finish in time to make it to the tenant meeting. Do you want to see if Monroe will swap vehicles with you?”
“If he doesn’t mind. Is he at work?”
“No, he quit Waffle Place. With what we’ve been making on our videos, he doesn’t need it anymore. He should be home any time.” She glances toward the door. “Actually, I need to talk to you before Lila gets home from work. I need advice.”
“Okay, what’s up?”
Cara hesitates for a moment. “Monroe wants to move in together.”
“Wow, he’s not messing around, is he?” Cara and Row have only been a couple for a few months but it’s clear they’re obsessed with each other. “How do you feel about it?”
“Maybe it’s fast, but honestly, that’s not my issue. We spend all our free time together anyway. Sleeping at my place or his, but his more often because…you know, privacy. He wants to find a house so Twist can have a yard.” If there’s one thing Row loves almost as much as Cara, it’s his dog.
“That’s sweet. What’s your concern?”
“Lila. I’m not sure whether she could handle the rent and everything on her own and I don’t want to leave her in a precarious position when she’s gone out of her way to help me so much. I know she has some savings, but…”
She shrugs, and I nod in return. It’s a legitimate worry. It doesn’t take much to go from getting by with a little cushion to being in danger of not making your rent. A broken down car, a medical issue, a job loss. Just bad luck. Cara learned last year how fast it can happen.
“Is your lease up soon? Are you in a rush to make a decision?” I ask.
“The lease is in Lila’s name. But no, I’m not in a hurry and I could give her plenty of time to try to find a new roommate, but I feel like I’d be abandoning her. After she was there when I needed her.”
Cara likes to pretend she doesn’t have emotions but underneath the bluff, she’s a softie who loves her friends. “You wouldn’t be abandoning her. None of us plan to live here forever. Just talk to her. See how she’s doing financially and if she might have someone else in mind. She’ll understand.”
Cara nibbles at one of her fingernails. “I’m going to think about it. Monroe said he understands if I’m not ready yet and he can find a house on his own. I could always join him later.” The disappointment in her voice displays how much she doesn’t want to wait.
The sound of Row’s truck pulling in his driveway next door puts an instant smile on her face. “You have it so bad,” I chuckle, and she lays her head back on the couch.
“So bad,” she agrees.
No one could blame her. Row is hot and he worships her. We should all be so lucky.
Row is happy to swap my car for his truck for a few hours so I can go hunt down some new projects. It’s amazing what people on the affluent side of town will throw away. When I first moved out on my own, all I had was a bed and a busted recliner. I furnished most of my place by picking up and restoring furniture tossed out by others. It became a sort of hobby and once I didn’t need anything else, I kept doing it. Most of it gets donated now. Or given to friends. It’s enjoyable, searching for pieces that I can make pretty and useful again.
Furniture isn’t the only thing that gets a second life. I’ve found plenty of bicycles and toys for the neighborhood kids. The first thing that catches my attention this time is absolutely going to be my find of the day. Freda is going to love me.
Piled by the curb is a huge plastic outdoor playset. It’s heavily weathered and grimy but with some cleaning up and paint, the kids at Freda’s daycare will be thrilled with it.
What I’m doing isn’t illegal—anything left out for trash is fair game to take—but not everyone knows that. I’m always careful. There have been instances of people rushing out to yell at me for stealing. Even had a guy threaten to shoot me over a coffee table once. It never makes any sense to me. You want it gone, and I’m taking it. Why insist it ends up in a landfill? Still, it’s better to be safe, and I keep an eye on my surroundings as I quickly throw the pieces into the back of the truck.
