Chapter 12 - Leroy the Landlord

Day 12 - Rolled 4 - Received $100 from a local who knows she is struggling. 

Halloween was in three days. Kaitlin had been studying the mixology books in her spare time and checking apartment listings on the internet. Since it was such a small town, apartments didn't come available very often - or jobs. She had taken a big hit to her budget with the flu bug that swept through the town, but she had built it back up and was anxious to move. The deadline she had set for herself was looming.


This morning, when Kaitlin pulled up the listings on the internet, there was a duplex listed that she could afford!!

Kaitlin ran to get her phone. She dialed the Landlord and was thrilled when he said it was still available. "I'll take it!" she said without hesitation.

"Don't you want to see it first?" asked Leroy Chapman, her soon to be landlord.

"Can you meet me there in 20 minutes. If I like it I will sign when we meet," she said trying to sound rational. She already knew she was going to take it regardless. It couldn't be worse than Grady's.

"Sure thing Miss...Uh?"

"Sorry, Kaitlin - Kaitlin Murdock. See you shortly. Goodbye."

The deposit would take a good chunk of her savings, but she would still have enough left for the additional furnishings she needed to add to the items she had salvaged from Grady's and dumpsters. She would continue harvesting the honey, but would need additional income to pay the rent but she didn't care! She would have a real apartment. Yes, she would happily work two jobs.

* * *

Kaitlin hoped the pouring rain wasn't a sign that things wouldn't go well. When the cab pulled up to the duplex she was only slightly discouraged. It was raining and dark even though it was morning and everything looked worse in the rain, right? But she was mostly discouraged because it was across the street from a bar. The boys would have to be careful. But that was also a good thing, right! She could get a job as a bartender there which would eliminate any commute expenses and she could be home in minutes.

KaItlin paid the cab driver and walked up to the front door and nearly laughed at the oxymoron of a sign that said Welcome. The front porch certainly didn't look welcoming. She would have expected a sign that said Keep Out. Well, she would try and fix that. Maybe plant a flower in the empty pot. It also had a carport for each tenant. It made her wish she had a car to put in it.

Kaitlin walked inside and found Mr. Chapman was already there.  She felt much better once inside. Yes the walls were a bit grimy, and the floors were scratched up hardwood, but she could see past all of that. It was better than she had expected from the outside.

"Hi Mr. Chapman. Thanks for meeting me here so quickly."

Leroy took one look at his new tenant and said, "Please, just call me Leroy. It was no bother. Would you like to look around?"

Kaitlin smiled, "Yes, Leroy, please."

Leroy took her on a mini tour. Really there wasn't much to see. It was a one bedroom, one bath with a decent sized combination kitchen/living/dining area. It would be tight, especially since the whole family would be sleeping in the one bedroom. But that was such an improvement over their previous conditions.

"I'll take it!" said Kaitlin and handed him the deposit in exchange for the keys.

Leroy surprised her when he handed her $100 back. "What is this for?" asked Kaitlin. I gave you the amount that was in the listing."

"I didn't realize I was renting to the Firehouse Lady and her kids. You have great references. Use it to buy something nice for the kids. And, please, don't hesitate to call me if you need anything. Oh - and you are welcome to make improvements, however, it will be at your own expense. Rent is due on the first of each month."

Kaitlin signed the lease and Leroy the Landlord left her.

On the way home, Kaitlin stopped by the thrift store and picked out the additional furnishings they would need. The store would deliver them the next morning. She couldn't wait to get home and tell the boys. They would be in their own apartment one day before Halloween!

* * *

It was moving day and Reese was stoked! He gathered up his few personal items and stuffed them in his backpack,said goodbye to Darius and with a huge smile on his face took one last look around the fire house.

When they arrived Kaitlin began show them around.

The kitchen/dining area with the mismatched chairs she hoped she would eventually be able to replace with a matching set.

The living room area with the second hand Television she had found in the dumpster. It worked just fine.

The bathroom. Complete with washer and dryer. Since they were sharing one bathroom, she was glad it was sectioned off providing some privacy. She figured this duplex usually housed a group of roommates instead of a family.

And the bedroom - about the same size they had at the station. She found a couple of screens that at least gave the boys a little area they could call their own. And a crib for Maddy! Not perfect but when she thought about where they were 5 months ago, this was a palace. .

* * *

Today was Halloween and Kaitlin was halfway to her goal. They were settled into a real apartment. After breakfast, Kaitlin announced it was time to carve pumpkins and placed them in the floor in the kitchen. The boys eagerly grabbed a knife and started in, Maddy toddling around right in the middle of the gooey mess.

The best part of the night was Ben going trick or treating.

And at the end of the day, Reese read Ben a bedtime story. The tension of living in a firehouse seemed to have eased a little. Maybe because they would be starting school - feeling more normal. Whatever the reason, Kaitlin was pleased to see the boys getting along.

After the bedtime story, everyone crashed in their new beds exhausted from the long day. As Kaitlin drifted off to sleep she thought, Things are looking up for the Murdocks. Now, if only I can get that job....

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