Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
So I took a couple of deep breaths and got out of my car. The apartment I was going to look at was in Jake’s neighborhood, though that wasn’t why I was interested. It was the vibe I liked. It was cozy here, the complex cute and older and simple in this way I loved. At least that was how it had looked online.
I hadn’t told Jake or Jesse that I was going to look at it. I knew both of them would have offered to come, and while I appreciated it, I wanted to do this on my own.
I headed for the office first, the way I’d been instructed when I made my appointment. I was meeting with a man named Craig, who would be showing me the unit.
He was in the office when I got there, shaking hands with a woman whose little girl looked up at me with big eyes and said, “Wow. Your makeup is pretty. I didn’t know boys could wear makeup.”
I immediately froze, but tried not to react. I didn’t know what her mom was like or what she had been taught, but what I did know was that boys could wear makeup. I’d gone back and forth about wearing it today, but I liked the way makeup made me feel. I always had, and I was determined to try and let that be all that mattered.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry!” the mom turned to say to me just as I replied to the little girl, “Some boys wear makeup, and some don’t.” I breathed in relief.
The mom looked back at me. “I like the shade of your red lipstick.”
“Thanks.”
The two left, and Craig held out his hand for me. “Seth, right?”
“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. You wanted to see a one-bedroom unit?”
I nodded, and he got some paperwork and led the way outside. He talked about the complex, activities, the exercise room, and showed me the courtyard, which had a beautiful fountain. “I love it.”
“Me too,” Craig said. “I live here. I like to sit out here and read sometimes.”
It was the type of complex where you got to your unit from the outside. I knew Mom would hate the idea of that, but then, nothing about this place would be up to her standards.
Craig led me to number 208, a downstairs apartment. He unlocked and opened the door for me to go inside.
“Oh…” I said softly. It was even more perfect than I’d imagined. Like I said, it was older, but that was one of my favorite things about it. It had built-in bookshelves, a gas fireplace with white brick, and a little patio with a sliding glass door. I felt right there. Felt like I did when I went to Jake’s house the first time. Like this could be a home and not a museum. A place I could make my own.
And I wanted that. Wanted something that felt more mine.
I went through the whole apartment even though I didn’t need to. When we got back to the office, I filled out the credit application and was immediately approved. I couldn’t move in for another month, but I didn’t care. As soon as I got home, I was going to give my notice at my apartment.
When I was finished, I went straight to Rose City. I didn’t think Bonnie was working, but I hadn’t been in to play the piano for a while, and Elsie had called to check on me.
I played for about half an hour or so. There was an elderly couple who always danced when I played. It was so sweet to watch them.
“Thank you. We appreciate you so much.”
“We really missed you.”
“Such a sweet young man.”
“What was that last song you played?”
I answered all their questions before I saw Elsie standing there, playfully tapping her foot.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” I teased. I grabbed my makeup case, and we found a quiet corner to get started.
“Rumor has it someone’s been very busy with the son of a certain CNA,” she said as I brushed light pink over her left eyelid.
“I can’t do your makeup if you’re talking.”
“Well, then talk first. I’m old. You’re the only gossip I get.”
I couldn’t help laughing. She really was the best. “Maybe…okay, yes.” I grinned, and she hugged me.
“Sweetie, I’m so happy for you. Can I just say that you look different? Happier, more confident, more settled, if that makes sense.”
Hearing that made my chest swell. It did make sense. That was exactly how I felt. “He’s great, Elsie. He’s probably the sweetest man I’ve ever met. He makes me feel special and strong. He’s changed my life.”
“Well, he sounds wonderful and all, but don’t sell yourself short. He might be a good guy, but if there are changes in your life, it’s because you made them. Don’t forget that, okay? People might inspire us sometimes, but we’re still the ones to put the work in.”