“I need a place to stay until I can find something a little more permanent. The couch at the office has more springs than cushion.” I shrugged my shoulder.I would get further with her if I acted all neighborly.“What’s the cost per month?”
“Very well.” She opened the door the rest of the way and the knot in my stomach eased.
“That would be wonderful?—”
A loud metal thump, one that sounded like a ball hitting a car, brought my shoulders to my ears. I turned to see the boys examining my car door.
No! Not the car. Please.
“Hey!” I rushed over to them. A small dent in the passenger door was visible. I hadn’t even paid it off, and it was already looking used.
Seriously. Can nothing go my way?
“You guys just hit my car.” I pointed to the dent.
I turned to the group of them, who were now huddled together behind one of the bigger boys. The ones in the back looked scared, but the tall one stood with his arms folded in front of him, not even sorry for what had happened. I knew his type. They thought they owned the world and could do whatever theywanted. I was often the brunt of the basketball team’s jokes throughout junior high and high school.
“What do you have to say? Anything?”
Someone stepped near my car from behind me. I turned to see Carol’s guarded expression.
“Mr. Elliot. They’re just kids, and I’m sure it was an accident. Boys, apologize.”
The boys chimed in an apology.
Just boys. A lot of injustice can be excused by kids beingjust boys. My entire youth was proof. I turned to see Carol watching me cautiously. “I bet Randy down at the gas station would try to pop it back out for free. He invented this new tool?—”
“Accident or not, this will need to be paid for, and it will be done by a professional.”
Carol glared. “It’s hardly even noticeable.”
“I notice it. The people I hope to one day work for will notice it. I'm still paying it off and it already looks used.”
Carol’s eyes lowered. “I see. I’ll take care of the damages then.” She turned to the group of boys. “I've got some cookies that I just pulled out of the oven. How about you boys go help yourself?” She turned back toward me.
“That’s it. No consequences?”
Her eyes filled with fire. “I assure you their lives are nothing but the awful consequences of other people’s choices. They need a safe place to be, and I’ll always provide that. I think it’s time you left my property.”
Her reply pulled me back and made me pause.
What did she mean?I looked at the boys as they rushed into the bed-and-breakfast. Skinny frames, dirty worn shoes, and unkempt hair.
My stomach dropped. I watched as the one bigger boy ushered the smaller ones inside in a protective way. She was right. I had no idea who these boys were or what their lives were like. They werenot the ones who’d hurt me. I lashed out because of stress and because of my car. I made a hasty judgment.
“You’re right. I have no idea what these boy’s lives are like. I apologize.” I ran my hand through my hair. “It’s been a rough week and I let my temper get the better of me. But that is no excuse.”
Carol’s eyes didn’t soften. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“Wait, I really would like a place to stay.”
“No lawyers, and my answer is still no to Raymond & Johnson Law.”
I felt myself reeling as my deal with the firm slipped through my fingers.
No, no, no. I have to save this!
“About before, it’s not what I meant. I do plan on being here for a while and would like a place to stay. Please reconsider.”
