Page 17 of Old Money

It’s the cutest, most perfect little apartment. There’s a kitchen when we first walk in, a living room with a small couch and TV in front of us, and a single door to the right. I turn back to him.

“Where are we?”

He sets my bags down on the floor then nods toward the door. I walk to it and open it, and inside is the coziest little bedroom I’ve ever seen. A queen bed sits in one corner, a small desk in the other. And at the back of the room is a large round window with a perfect view of the ocean.

“Oh, my god,” I whisper, taking it all in. Russ clears his throat, and I look at him. He nods his head toward a piece of paper that’s sitting on the bed.

I walk toward it and pick it up.

I hope this place gives your mind a little break for the rest of the school year. Look out at the water and breathe.

~J

P.S. Lease is signed for six months. No takebacks.

My jaw drops again, and I turn back to Russ who is standing with a big smile on his face. As we’re standing there, his phone rings.

“Hey, boss,” he says. “Yep, we’re here now. Hold on one sec.” He hands me the phone then walks out of the room.

“Julian,” I start to say, but he cuts me off.

“Sorry I couldn’t be there this morning,” he says. “I am running like a mad man today. I had one of my interior designers do some decorating, but there was only so much she could do with twelve hours’ notice. We can get some more things if you want. Also, the couch has a pull-out mattress for when your mom comes to visit.”

“Julian,” I say, a lump forming in my throat, “you can’t…I can’t do this. I can’t let yougiveme an apartment.”

He chuckles on the other end, and the sound of it makes my insides tingle.

“Sawyer,” he says, and I relish the way my name sounds rolling off his tongue, “breathe. I have to hop into my next meeting. Go study in your new room.”

Then the line goes dead. I walk out of the room and hand the phone back to Russ.

“Thank you,” I tell him. He nods.

“The rest of your things have been moved out of your dorm. J got campus police to let us in last night. A few of his assistants unpacked last night, but apologies if things aren’t where you want them. I just texted your phone a moment ago, so you have my number if you need it. Call us with any problems. J says he’ll be checking in,” Russ says, walking to the door.

“Thank you again, Russ,” I say as he waves goodbye. I close and lock the door behind him, and then I turn back to my new home.

Breathe,he told me.

And that’s exactly what I do as I walk toward my new couch, pull up my new throw blanket, and stare out at my new view.

SAWYER

I’ve been in my new apartment for two weeks, and every moment I spend in it, I feel myself feeling a little more normal again. I’ve been thinking more about the therapist that Julian referred me to, and it’s starting to feel less scary. Now that I’ve had an escape, my brain feels less fogged. I feel like I’m ready to move on. To figure out how to move forward.

I pull out the card he gave me from my wallet and send off an introductory email to the practice. Here goes nothing.

Julian has checked in every day, but I’ve definitely been feeling the space between us, and I have to admit, that’s had me more distracted than anything. Thanksgiving is next week, but I’ve decided not to go home. My mom is sad, and so am I, but I can’t lose my job at the mini-mart. That’s how I’ll fund any expenses for my final semester here, groceries, parking passes, and anything else the college life wants to throw at me, and I can’t afford to lose it now. So I’ll stay, work as many shifts as I can, and save up to fly home for Christmas.

With campus closing next week and Julian being so busy, I’m bracing myself for the loneliness that I know is coming.

I’m lying on my couch, starting season four ofCheers,and scrolling on my phone when I get to an article about the shooting. I sit up as I read the headline:All victims’ funerals paid for by anonymous donor.

I take in a deep breath as I read about how not only were the funeral costs completely covered, but each family was also gifted two million dollars by the donor.

Oh, my god.

I click out of the article and open a text to him.

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