I was shocked, not because it was small, but… because it was so clean. I was probably gaping like someone who'd never seen an apartment in my life. Sure, there were a few boxes along the walls and all sorts of packing supplies along the counters, but the appliances looked almost new.
The door opened into the kitchen, only a narrow countertop separating it from the surprisingly spacious living room. Following the wall on the left were two doors, presumably to the bed and bathroom. There were large windows in the living room letting in light. Though even without the natural light, the apartment's lights were almost glaring as I continued to glance around like a yokel.
Dillion grinned as he slipped his shoes off. "It's a tight fit sometimes, but it's a great place. Come look around." Dillion walked in and started putting the food in the full-sized fridge.
"Oh yeah, so I'm leaving the bed, fridge, microwave, air conditioner, laptop and the washer. No dyer, sorry mate. I hang my clothes to dry. I'm also leaving most of the dishes, and I just bought the dishwasher last year, its small but should be enough."
I stared in astonishment, it was a tiny little dishwasher, only slightly bigger than the microwave, fitting on the counter beside the sink. "You're… just leaving them?" I saw that almost every wall had some kind of counter or shelving. Some walls in the living room even had floating shelves… it was amazing…
Dillion shrugged, "The fridge, washer, and microwave were here when I moved in, donated from previous tenants. Over the last two years I've replaced the desktop that was in the room, window unit is new, just last summer. Bed was gifted a few months back, too small for my new place, so hopefully it's a good fit. I'll show you the shower in a sec."
I stared… this stuff had to be worth… ten grand… the laptop alone had to be a thousand dollars!! It wasn't a big space, maybe three hundred square feet…but it felt like a whole different dimension from outside the door.
Dillion opened the bathroom, there wasn't room enough for both to fit, "Bath was put in about ten years back, warranty is for a lifetime, plumbing included, so if you have problems there's a binder with all the info. Same for everything, close by restaurants, recommended apps, warranties, handymen."
I dazedly followed Dillion to the small table, it was all a blur…
"Look, I see you're still looking at places. I actually start moving stuff to my new place tomorrow, what's your day look like?" Dillion asked after showing the apartment around along with the binder.
"Uhh, well, just more apartments…" I admitted holding the pen… it was too damn good to be true. Honestly, I was anxious to let such an amazing place slip by… but equally anxious it was some kind of scam… No security deposit needed? I didn't exactly have much to steal… Still I hesitated, why wasn't a realtor having me sign this? What about the apartment owner? This was too… easy… Dillon had barely glanced over my drivers license…
"Hey mate, times are ruff. I could use some help packing out a bit more and moving. I have a friend with a truck. I'm paying them gas, seventy five dollars, and all three meals. If you've got time, I'll pay you the same. Then you can move in tomorrow night." Dillion offered nodding to the many full shelves.
Ruff? I tried not to focus on the odd pronunciation, maybe he wasn't local, he did use words like mate. "Umm, I'm… I've still got a few other, other places to look at…" IF something is too good to be true, it is.
Dillion gave him a half smile, "Tell ya what Max. I'm still on the lease until the end of the month. You help me move tomorrow, and for the next two weeks you can try the place out. No strings attached. If we agree the place is right for you, we sign on the first." Dillion offered, then gave a wink, "I'll still pay and feed ya too."
I hesitated, gritting my teeth, then nodded. "Uh, what, what time tomorrow?" It was roughly a four hour walk back to the motel.
Dillion gripped my shoulder, "I'll pick you up around ten? I'll also take you back to your place, I suck with directions, this way I know where to swing by after my gym session."
I wasn't sure how… but i was suddenly back in Dillions car, with a meal from Dillion's fridge, two bottles of water… and a new hoodie… okay I knew how the hoodie happened.
My jacket which had been tied around my waist, got caught on the door chain… and ripped the sleeve clean off. So, Dillion had grabbed one from a box then ushered me into the car, like there was something hot on their heels. All the while apologizing... I really tried to say it was okay, it wasn't like Dillion had been the one to rip my sleeve. The jacket was old, I was the one not paying attention. Now, Dillion was driving me back to my motel. It all just seemed so surreal.
I hesitated, but still went to two other viewings. As the realtor and I had been walking up someone had thrown a glass bottle at the realtor's car. "Uhh, maybe… just the next one." I whispered looking at the cracked window as a giant guy came out raging like a bull. I could hear two women screaming or maybe crying as other items were thrown out the door after the giant.
"Yeah, we can come back to this one later." She agreed backing out quickly. We both turned and leapt into the car. She pulled out like we were in Transporter after the first heist.
"Uhh, your windshield…" I tried to remind as we merged back in with traffic. I had barely buckled in as I hit the door on the sharp turn. I didn't even know how she could see.
"Oh, it's the company car, I'll swap it out after." She cheerily explained.
I didn't miss that her fingers were digging into the steering wheel. When they finally arrived at the duplex I cringed internally. Not only was it tiny, there where half a dozen holes in the wall so I could see into the other tenant's area. A man was wandering back and forth cursing about his job as, a wife? Or girlfriend lay on the couch so high I was pretty sure she may have an overdose if she took another hit… In fact, I thought I may get high from second hand exposure.
I glanced at the cracked tiles on the floor, walls, grease stains on the ceilings, smell of pot from next door, the bathroom shower was a walk in but the glass door wouldn't open… Not to mention the mysterious mold in nearly all corners of every room. This apartment was already twice the price of Dillion's offer, it didn't include utilities or internet, or even garbage.
I sighed after returning to my motel room. I leaned against the door, lightly banging the back of my head against the door. Fuck, fuck fuck. Before I could work myself into a full tangent my stomach growled angrily.
Oh… I'm so freaking hangry. I went to the mini fridge, pulling the glass container of green beans, mashed potatoes, grilled chicken, and a lemon squeeze… If something is too good to be true… it is. That mantra had kept me out of trouble almost my whole life. My parents were realists. If I could have afforded college I might have gone… I sighed, I was just grasping at straws… My parents make decent money, too much for assistance in fact, but three boys were expensive.
Robby, my older brother, had gotten a degree, their younger brother Steven was going into the military. I watched the meal Dillon gave me spinning in the microwave as I debated responding to a new text from Robby.
Hey dude, message me back ya scrub! Steve's shipping off soon and we wanna meet up for dinner.
Bruh, always here when ya need an ear. Hope you're okay.
I closed the text, pulled up my playlist, and listened to music as I started looking at local jobs. They had to be either on a bus route, or within walking distance. I fought back a yawn, applied for two waiter positions, then decided to shower before bed.