Was This a Personality Mismatch or Something Much Darker?- Final Chapter
“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” ― Maya Angelou
Amy was poring through her emails for the next best thing. She saw an email from Tom. The subject read: “As Promised”. She clicked in anticipation. The body of the email was as follows:
Fully Furnished Junior Studio Apartment
Weekly price $325, monthly price $1295.
NO FIRST AND LAST, NO LEASE, NO CREDIT CHECK
BOOK SOON, LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Price includes Heat, Hydro, Wi-Fi, Cable TV, kitchenette, and much more.
Special offer $1250 for immediate move-in or check-in within a week.
She clicked on the video at the end of the email. She picked up her phone and click on ‘recent’ and dialed Tom’s number. “Tom, I am looking at your email. When can I come and inspect?” “How’s tomorrow afternoon for you?” “Tomorrow’s awesome. Thanks.” As she hung up, she thought of calling Belle but decided against it. Her excitement and spilling might jinx it. Let her go look first. Amy was beside herself with Joy. “So my ordeal will soon end”. She said aloud as she stared up at the ceiling.
The next day, after lunch, Amy headed to the apartment. She dialed Tom’s phone number. “I am in the lobby.” “I’ll meet you on the 4th floor.” As she took the lift then entered the apartment, one thing was clear, this was a dated building. It was in stark contrast to the last apartment she viewed. But everything the ad promised, she could see. She knew she needed to get used to the dated infrastructure if this was going to be home.
They were right to call it a junior studio. It was a small space with a laid queen’s size bed, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. From the bed, one could peruse the whole apartment. It then dawned on Amy! For the first time in three years, she had a place to herself. She had no need for cooking or cleaning timetables. There was no need to seek permission overtly or covertly. She could do anything she wanted at any time and in any way. As for the datedness and not so grand infrastructure, she would apply her aesthetic touch.
She told the property manager she would move in as soon as possible. She asked him after documentation. He filled her in and she started making plans in her head. She took photos of the place and went to the furniture shop. She needed to buy a few things to transform her home. “Oh my home, my home” she hummed to herself. By the time she arrived home, she was damn exhausted. Then it dawned on her she had not filled Belle in. “Hello Belle, I have found a home, drive-by tomorrow at lunch and I’ll go show you.” She ended the recording.
Belle showed up at noon. She looked at her friend and smiled. “The ordeal has come to an end.” “You can say that again!” They drove to the new place. Amy stopped by the property manager’s office to hand him the security deposit. She also handed him a cheque for two month’s rent. Then she went out to meet Belle at the elevator. They rode up to the fourth floor. Amy opened the door to the apartment. Belle walked in first. Amy let her wander around on her own while she stood by the door. “ So, what do you think?” “It’s perfect!” “Yep!, I thought so too.” “When do you move in?” “Asap.” “Ok, cool. There’s something though.” “What is it?” “You are going to be alone, how will you cope with that?” “I have just crossed a huge bridge in my life, let me deal with that if it becomes an issue.”
