I parked my car in a “Visitor Parking”-designated space, opened the door, and stepped outside. I was alone, and it felt like midnight, even though it was barely past 5:30 in the evening. The sun had set a while ago, I guess. Glaring streetlights illuminated the sharp corners and filled the vegetation with a sense of sleeplessness. I needed sleep. The air was cool, and dry.

The sign said “Leasing Office”, with an arrow pointing up a small flight of painted metal stairs to a charming facade on the second story in front of me. I guess they used the first floor for maintenance and stuff.

“You still need to leave a deposit by tomorrow or we kick you out.”

She was measured, perhaps practiced, I kept thinking. No threat was in her eyes, or tone, as she said this, and there was a smile well-hidden somewhere in there. Her hair was dark, she wore a simple grey buttoned vest over her grey office clothes.

“No problem, I need to find a bank office tomorrow. Thanks for letting me unpack.”, I replied.

Key in hand and with a pinch of newfound enthusiasm, I stepped out onto the balcony. The wind had picked up a bit, stealing away the warmth I had acquired in the cozy office sofa in seconds.

—

The sun blinded me with it’s warm piercing rays through the slats in the blinds. Walmart, I should find a Walmart. Why didn’t I pack any toilet paper. I couldn’t bring myself to move just yet though, and squeezed my eyes shut a bit tighter instead. The ragged texture of the carpet imprinted on my shoulder blades through my thin T-shirt. My jacket and a towel made a poor blanket. At least my pillow was still comfortable. Boxes, a few of them littered the floor of the apartment closest to the front door. The door, how did I get here again? My memory came back quickly. Let me take a moment to describe to you the layout of my apartment. It won’t matter to the story, but I have to describe it to you. Quickly — I promise.

I am also on the second floor, but not in the same building as the office. There are 3 buildings in view from my balcony, more if you went west though. The office building faces the main road. Well, it’s side faces the main road. The three buildings nearest me surrounded the parking lot like an upside-down U. The parking lot itself is pretty big. Each building has two “holes” in it with turning staircases that led to the three floors. Balconies with thin white metal railings lead to doors. Like my door. Open it up and there’s a small linoleum entryway with a nondescript 3x3" off-white tile pattern. Coat hooks on the right wall. Small dining area on the left. Why is that carpeted. Ugh. Walk ahead and the kitchen on the left is a small space separating the living room from the dining area. At least that is covered in linoleum. The living room could fit about two of me, laid end to end, each way.

—

Grimace. That’s what I did when I got into my car. Such a mess. There’s always later. There’s a tap on my window. This dude looks pissed. He doesn’t wait for me to finish rolling down my window before he starts talking. I take my finger off the button when he speaks, and the window stops, halfway open.

“I know you hired Frank. He thinks he can do this to me. You know who I’m talking about. Don’t tell me you paid him already.”

Goddamn it, he’s showing me a gun in his right hand, through the glass. Not pointing it at me at least. Still, I’m in no mood to lie.

“$2000 even, that’s what I owe him, I swear.”

He scowls and almost laughs, “Only $100,000 more to go. You’ll give what you owe him to me, today. Cash. I’ll be waiting here, tonight, 6PM.”

With that, he walks away calmly, weapon no longer in sight. I text Frank right away.

[Me] Hey Frank some guy says you owe him money and I should pay him.. whats that about

I sit in my car for a while, checking my phone every few minutes. What feels like an hour goes by. Maybe it was an hour. Finally I hear the alert.

[Frank] Shit. How did he find you

[Frank] Doesn’t matter. Sorry, I really am. I sent you the last of the files for work, and I’m deleting them now

[Me] Hey… wait, isn’t there any way to fix this. I like working with you.

[Frank] So you know my wife had stomach cancer last year and we went completely broke

[Frank] I found a way to make quick money but had no capital. I convinced a friend to loan me the money I needed

[Frank] Yeah you guessed it already totally failed and lost most of the money, I took the rest and moved

[Frank] Sorry I really can’t tell you more

[Frank] Take care and don’t get killed. I have to throw away this phone now or he’ll be able to find me

[Me] Dude! You can’t talk to him and work out a plan? You are a great programmer, you can pay that off fast, I promise!!!

A minute passes, and my phone beeps again. Message delivery failed. Retry or cancel.

I’ve only known Frank for 3 weeks, but we already got along great. I hired him over the internet to work on a project together. I was moving to Houston to attempt to turn the project into a business. At least I had a few friends in Texas, and the rent was doable. I could work from the apartment and hire people remotely. Now I just felt a blank space in my head when I thought about it. I couldn’t even remember why moving here ever seemed like a good idea. Can’t just drive away, I thought, all my stuff is in the apartment. Besides, this guy really does deserve to get his money back, and I supposedly got the rest of the files I needed from Frank.

—

“Is 100s ok?”

Her accent was almost identical to the landlady’s. I had to double check my foggy memory of the night before to assure myself that no, this was not the same person. I counted the cash. Twenty 100s. Now I just have to drive back to the apartment and not lose the money on the way there. I can do this. Yes of course I want an envelope, lady. Does anyone ever say no to that question. Maybe I’m just on edge. Back in the car, I need to find a bathroom. Why didn’t I think of that when I was in the bank. Stupid self, oh well, I need to go to Walmart any way.

In the store, it’s hard to focus, but I manage to relieve myself and buy a few essentials for the apartment that I don’t even know I want anymore.I sit in my car again, not very inspired to go inside. Did this really have to happen on the first day? Finally I head up the stairs.

There’s three guys I don’t recognize lounging around on the stairs by my door. They look young, two in their mid 20s like myself, the other somewhere over 30, definitely street smart. Skinny Eastern European immigrants mixed with the abundance of calories available in Texas, I think, and still can’t manage to amuse myself with the money screaming out its presence from my front pocket. I ignore them and open my front door. Did I really leave it unlocked? Before I can shut it, one of the guys jumps up and holds the door open with his palm. I don’t try to force him out.

“You got the money, right”

“What are you talking about, the boss said he’d be waiting for me at 6PM”, I reply.

“And the boss doesn’t want any problems”, says another of them.

My mind races to think of a way to turn this to my advantage as much as possible, but that in itself confuses me. The best I can hope for is to be permanently ignored by these guys after I give them the money. I don’t know how to ask for that and not get kicked in the face at the same time, and instead simply hand over the cash as they count it in front of me.

“Looks like we’re all set”, says one.

“Hey nice place”, says another, “can we take a look?”

I can tell he’s not really asking, and motion for them to come inside. I apologize for the lack of seating options.

“So you having a housewarming party tonight or what, yeah? All your friends?”

I laugh, “Maybe in a month when I can actually call this place a home.”

They start talking to each other in a foreign language. Finally one of the younger ones speaks in English.

“My brother likes this place, likes you. We throw you a party tonight. After all we got money for beer now.”

They all laugh. I force a smile. I hope they are joking. The thought crosses my mind to try to match them and tell them they are invited to the party if they help me unpack. I don’t say anything.

“Good thing we didn’t have to knock you out, you seem like a nice guy.”

With that, they say farewell and are gone in a car that I try not to remember. God I’d hate to be next to them at a red light.