small girl vs. big city

(…ringing…)

Hey, can you keep a secret? I’m dead serious here, so if you can’t, I can call someone else.

Well, hello to you too.

Sorry. I’m just stressed out. Secret??

Yea, ok what’s up

Are you busy this weekend, I… need help with something.

Needing help isnt a secret. I’m free, what’s up?

I umm… need help moving my bed… into storage. Please don’t ask questions, and PLEASE don’t tell anyone. You can either do it or you can’t, Ill understand either way.

(sigh) Sure. Ill be there.

Thanks, gotta go.

Snap the phone shut as I will my apartment manager to leave so I can walk through the front door like a normal person. Please dont be here, please dont—-shit of course the door to the office is open. Ugh. Does he ever leave?!?! In broad daylight- I sprint along the side of the building and duck as I pass under the window I know he’s sitting in front of.  Shove the key in the lock and run down the ramp into the garage. Head down as I pass the only camera, push “up” and wait for the elevator. An eternity I tell you. Listening for the elevator to stop on the 1st floor. Damnitall, really? In a half second I’m around the corner and down three steps. Standing, holding my breath and my bladder in a dark storage area no one ever looks into on their way to the garage. Sigh. Come on, hurry up. 

Door slams. Footsteps. They fade. A car starts.

Safely in the elevator. Hungry for peaceful normalcy, I drown the ride in replying to a text. I make it a point to not notice people on the off chance they wont notice me, so when the elevator door opens and the silence chokes me, I know it’s him.

How are you. When are you going to be able to pay the balance of the rent?

Well thank you for asking: I’m ok. Rent? Hmm… Food or shelter, food or shelter you know? But I am doing my best to get it-

Your best doesnt tell me when. Management wants you out now. You’re already two months behind, so they want to start the eviction process-

Nope, no need for that. I gave you my notice. I’ll be out by the 5th. If they evict me, it’ll just waste their time, money and energy because that will take longer than if they just let me leave now… But if they really want to evict me, that’s ok- it’ll give me a place to stay for another month…….. their call.

He stares. I smile. He sighs. I win.

Just turn in your key by the 5th.

(continued…)