Page 21 of Comeback
I have seen every available property in a thirty-mile radius. Or at least that’s how I feel.
I’m exhausted. Emotionally. Physically. And broke, apparently.
I had no idea how much money it was going to take to get a place with even a few of my must-have items. I abandoned the idea of a cute apartment upstairs in my studio after I saw the monthly lease price of the first office.
We’re in a cute neighborhood, not far from Brogan’s apartment, viewing a vacant office space. Nice size, recently painted, great visibility from the road, and there is an apartment building two blocks over. It would be perfect if I were unconstrained with things like money.
“I know it’s above your budget, but I wanted you to see something that was as close to hitting all your wish list items as possible.”
“Thank you,” I say sincerely. I know it isn’t her fault I have high expectations and low cashflow.
“What about that space on Fourth Street?” Olivia looks to me with a hopeful expression. She’s been such a good friend, coming with me and keeping me optimistic.
“It was too small,” I say of the unit we saw earlier today.
“And under contract.” Carrie Ann gives me a forced smile. “I got the email on the way over.”
My options are disappearing out from under me.
“Maybe I should wait until I save some more. I could get a job teaching at another studio.” Even as I say it, I don’t want that to be the answer.
We walk out of the building and linger on the sidewalk out front. It’s too bad. I really did like this area. There’s a yoga studio and a cute café across the street. And on the walk up, we passed a bank and a couple of clothing stores. I can picture myself popping out for lunch or coffee, staring out the studio’s windows and watching people pass by.
Carrie Ann looks as hopeful as she had when she showed me the first place despite my being near impossible to please.
“I’m sorry for wasting your time.” I’m about to thank her and slink off to my car. I need a nap.
“I do have one more idea.” She holds her phone in both hands in front of her and stares at me with unwavering optimism.
I don’t know if I can handle seeing any more spaces today. The disappointment is crushing.
“It’s just a couple blocks down.”
“And in my price range?” I ask.
She nods excitedly.
“Okay.” I let out a long breath. One more and then I’m calling it.
Carrie Ann struts ahead of us in her three-inch stilettos. She walks with purpose, leading us down one block and then to another.
She slows in front of the last building on the street. The nondescript front door blends in so well I probably would have walked right past it. I’m trying hard not to judge it before even going in, but among all the bright and shiny storefronts around it, it’s forgettable.
She glances back as she stops in front of the door. “Now keep an open mind.”
“That’s code for this place is sketchy,” Olivia mutters as Carrie Ann enters the code for the building.
“You think it’ll be sketchier than the place on Fourth Street?” I whisper back.
We share a smile. Today would have sucked a lot more if Olivia hadn’t been with me.
“Here we are,” Carrie Ann says as she pulls open the front door. Dust kicks up around us and Carrie Ann discreetly coughs.
“It’s been vacant for some time, but all these old buildings were built to last.”
Olivia and I cautiously follow behind her.
“It was gutted for resale, so there isn’t a lot here, but you can see where the dance floor was against those big windows,” she says as she walks through the empty office. The floors are concrete and the walls a grimy white, but I can see the faint outline where a dance floor might have been. “There are two bathrooms in the back and a small private office space. It doesn’t have the apartment you were looking for, but otherwise, it hits all your must haves. This location has seen a lot of growth in the past year. They put a new coffee and tea shop in across the street a few months ago and since then I’ve rented two more offices. It’s the best price per square foot you’ll find. Everything around it is at least double.”
