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“Have a seat.Let me grab the paperwork and we will go over it.”
I sit in front of his desk, and take in the pictures.We don’t talk about our personal lives much on the job, but I am surprised to learn that he has kids.He has never mentioned them.
“Beautiful family, sir.Are they excited about the move?”
He shakes his hand.“My wife isn’t happy about the transition, but once the first paycheck hits, she’ll understand why I took it.We are expecting our third child and we just couldn’t make it off what I make a week.I can’t expect her to go back to work, because then we would have to figure out daycare and that shit is pricey.”
“Okay, you just need to sign where it’s highlighted.It has all the benefits and salary information on it.”He leans back in his chair and stretches out.
The front displays my new health insurance plan, 401K, and last, but not least, the pay.I almost take a second glance because I’m a little taken back.Eighty-nine thousand.
“Everything satisfactory?”he asks, watching the pen hover over the place to sign my name.
“Yeah, of course.”
I sign the line and push the paper back across the desk.This is going to change my life, and I might finally be able to get my own apartment in a couple months, but what do I do until then?
“You can go back out there with the crew.We’ll talk more later.”
I nod, and retreat to the worksite, joining the other men in bulldozing the newest house to sign the buy-out agreement.There are ten houses on this block and they are trying to get all of them to reconsider their offer.It will only work if they have the whole block to build new properties, but there are a couple people who refuse to move.Good for them.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I remove my work gloves and take it out.
Evan: One of my friends is looking for a roommate.Hell’s Kitchen.$500 a month.
Is this finally going to be the day I get to move back out of my mother’s house?How am I ever going to find a woman if I’m living with my mother?My job provides me with security so I don’t have the fear of losing my job.Especially now.
Me: What’s the catch?
The three dots appear, and I anxiously await his answer.The bubble pop noise plays.
Evan: It’s Carleigh.I don’t know if you remember her, but her roommate up and abandoned her.
Hell’s Kitchen would be perfect since my jobs are primarily in Manhattan or Brooklyn, and while getting to Manhattan is one thing, Brooklyn days have been tougher.And only getting worse.
Carleigh Murphy.She didn't care for me when I met her once or twice.I get it.I’m loud and a little hyperactive, probably give off a stupid-masculine vibe, and not everyone’s cup of tea.Especially, not someone like Carleigh, who seems very studious.Not at all the kind of person who’s interested in dealing with a lot of energy being thrown her way.I remember her being polite but quiet, a closed book with a very obvious perfectionist cover, and didn’t get any of my movie references.What a damn shame.
We are clearly from different worlds.
But hey, I’ve got an open mind.Plus - not to be braggy, but it is kind of true – I get along with most people just fine.I’m easy going and don’t get stressed out easily, not to mention pretty confident as long as Carleigh stands me.I can deal with any idiosyncrasies she might have.
Me: First and last month’s rent?Can I move in tomorrow?
It’s my day off, and I don’t want to wait another week.Plus, if we give her more time for someone else to be interested, she will probably go with them.
Evan: She will be at the apartment at one tomorrow.Bring the cash with you.
I slip my gloves back on, and slide the phone back into my pocket and get back to work.This is the best news I have received in a while.Honestly, I’m surprised Carleigh considered me for a roommate, but maybe I didn’t repulse her as badly as I remember.
As long as we stay in our separate rooms, what could go wrong?
