Lester shrugs. “It’s well deserved.”
Hearing Lester talk about Harrison like this fills my chest with warmth. Not because I don’t believe he’s a good guy without Lester’s recommendation, but I like that someone else clearly sees the real him.
It’s time for a subject change, or else I might get emotional, and that would probably make both Lester and me uncomfortable.
“So, how much is the rent?”
“Ruthie told me you were gonna bring that up when she called me about the place. She says you’re pretty autarchic?—”
“You’ll have to pardon my ignorance, but what the heck does autarchic mean?”
“Oh, sorry. I do a lot of crossword puzzles, so a lot of random words are in here.” He taps the side of his head. “Basically, itmeans you don’t depend on anyone for anything; you’re quite self-reliant. Anyway, I don’t keep this place to make money. The reason I maintain it is that if people ever need a place to stay, whether for a short term or longer, it’s here. I don’t require rent.”
I vigorously shake my head at him. “I can’tnotpay rent wherever I live. There’s no way I would feel right about it. I can take care of myself, and I can pay for a place to stay.”
Lester grins at me. “See? Autarchic.” He ambles over to the couch, sits, and then pats the cushion next to him. “Come sit with me for a minute?”
My heart beats faster, wondering what he’s going to say.
I hesitate for a few seconds, then walk over and sit on the sofa, tilting my body so I can see his face.
“I know you can take care of yourself?—”
“I can. That’s why I’ll pay rent, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t.”
A single bushy eyebrow rises toward Lester’s hairline.
“Are you sure there’s no reason?” He looks me in the eye and doesn’t break the connection while he waits for my response.
I say nothing, but stare at him for a solid ten seconds. He couldn’t possibly know about Mom. I’ve only told Ruthie… Oh my God, I toldRuthie.
“What do you mean?” He’ll have to show his cards first if he knows.
His eyes soften, and his mouth turns down slightly at the corners.
“Don’t be mad at her. She did it from a place of caring, but Ruthie told me about your mom being over at the Meadow Creek Memory Care Unit.” He glances at me, and when I don’t speak, he continues. “She didn’t tell me to gossip about your business, but she says that you work a lot. Not only for the boys but also bartending for a caterer. Ruthie doesn’t miss much, and she says you’re careful about spending even small amounts of money.”
“Frugal. I’m frugal, that’s all.”
I glance down at my hands because I can’t look him in the eye. I hate feeling like I’m lying, at least by omission, by pretending I don’t have financial concerns.
“And that’s okay, young lady. But a close buddy of mine spent his last couple of years in that unit. Before he fell ill, he handled all the finances for his household. So, when he could no longer do it, I taught his wife the basics of what she needed to know. That means I know roughly how much that place costs. If I were a betting man, I would guess you’re trying to save as much money as possible to pay for your mom’s care.”
My heart pounds, and I’m shaking inside. I clasp my hands together to hide the slight tremor that’s accompanying the anxiety building up in my chest. I think it’s coming from another person knowing my situation.
“I still need to pay rent. It’s non-negotiable.”
“Two hundred dollars a month.” Lester’s face reflects his seriousness, his eyes narrowed, his lips slightly pursed.
He thinks he’s clever coming in with a low number, except I’m not a charity case.
“How about this? I’m hesitant to move here because it adds at least ten more minutes of driving to get to the facility to see my mom. I want to think about that before I commit.”
Lester nods in understanding, and I rise. He follows my lead. We walk over to the door, and I stop and turn toward him again.
“I can let you know by the end of the week. If I move in here, we need to talk about the rent because what you proposed is ridiculously low.”
Lester opens his mouth to say something, but I hold up my hand to stop him, and he takes the hint.
