How I Live Now - 14. Day 15

Day 15.

I’ve thought about it all day. Well, while I was at work. I spoke with Lee, and he was pretty sure that the pawnshop guy ripped me off. I'm inclined to believe him, and I was wishing to gain more money for selling it too. Not to mention my paycheck; I'm a bit hurt with the salary I received. I've been busting my ass for the past week, and all I got is a measly $300. I burned through all the money I saved in such a short time. So how do people live on this shit? Even if I gave Doug the rent, I'd still end up short on cash. Plus, I've wanted to pay Doug off with the deposit, and I've thought about what Lee said. So, I asked for the name and address of the guy he took a loan from. So, I stopped by after work, but first, I want to talk about Matías.

Remember that boy I spoke about, the guy I helped look for pants, and everything about it was awkward? It turns out that Amy is his mom, and I talked to both of them before my shift ended. Amy is a hot Latina, but her son is like… Gawd… he’s fine AF. Amy introduced me to him, and that’s the best part. Even if I felt like a third wheel in the conversation, it was worth it. Hearing him usher my name, I could have creamed my boxers. Matías is sweet, just like Amy, and he seems like a person I'd like to get to know. Amy got talking about her upcoming vacation. Her husband, Hector, takes the family up into the Hollowview mountains in Rivera National Park every year to experience the fresh snowfall. Hector has done it since the kids were young, Amy said. I wish we could have spoken for longer, but they had better places to go. Matías seemed agitated after a while, but that pretty face can be forgiven. Plus, I had business with this guy called Mr. Salvatore for my transaction with Doug. All I know is if I were a girl… I'd have Matías's babies.

I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up. I turned up outside these condominiums called Sunnyside Apartments. My 5^th grade English teacher used to say appearances are not everything; I have to disagree. I don't intend to be mean about the folks living in the area, but it felt like I stepped into a third-world country once I got off the bus. Everything in St. Clement is built from concrete, glass, and metal, and it's done tastefully. Walking along those streets to the Sunnyside, I kept looking over my shoulder with the fear of being mugged. Not that I'd have anything worth taking, but it still instilled the fear of it happening. There was nothing sunny about those apartments, I tell you. If the commies of Soviet Russia were to take an old 1970s block of flats from a deserted neighborhood in downtown Moscow, these tower blocks would be the result. It was like one bad Robert Rodriguez movie, and around every corner, there was a sin city. So, removing a slip of paper with details jotted on it, I set off looking for the number written down.

The elevator didn't work for shit, so I climbed five floors. There were grit, sand, and pebbles leading the tiled staircase. The woeful stench of stale Burger King, plus piss and sweat, lingered heavenly in the air. I choked, almost holding my breath the entire way up, and when I exited into the corridor, the smell dissipated. While I caught my breath, a man chuckled out of earshot. When I peered at the noise, there was a large, stocky guy standing by a door, and as soon as I looked, he straightened up, dawning his best, 'I MEAN BUSINESS FACE.'

Mr. Tiny… guarded a large barricaded door, and it was then I got my first impression that things didn’t seem kosher. So, I pushed on, approaching the buff guy. Standing before Mr. Tiny, I peered up. He was big… he'd probably be to pick me up and carry me under his arm like some 10-year-old clutches their favorite plush toy.

“Ahem…” I added, clearing my throat.

Mr. Tiny’s eyes stooped down, then he switched his attention to the hallway. The rigidness, the destitute silence, and mechanical position reminded me of the Queen's Guard.

“Hem… I’m here for Mr. Salvatore…” I murmured.

Tinys eyes shot to me instantly; he leaned forward, his breath stinking of cigarettes.

“Why didn’t you say so…” Tiny added sarcastically.

Stepping aside, he put his fist through the gap in the bars and pounded on the door. Rapping twice, like a heartbeat, one soft, the other harsh. Seconds later, the vision panel in the steel door flew open, and pair of green eyes glanced out.

“For the boss?” the voice asked.

I knew that voice; it sounded so familiar.

“Mhmm…” Tiny groaned.

The little slot was rammed shut, and then after some clicking and clunking, I was inside the lion's den. Though not completely alone, mind you, but Matías was there, and he hesitated when he saw me. I think he was going to suggest getting the hell out of there, but that didn't happen.

"Come on, for Christ's sake…" a voice boomed from the adjoining room leading from the corridor.

I didn’t wait to be invited again. Making my way inside, I sat down in a leather recliner, wishing that Matías didn't have to leave.

“Bring me another one of these…,“ Mr. Salvatore said, holding up a bottle of pinot noir.

Yet when Matías returned with the beverage, Mr. Salvatore kicked him out, telling him he was free to go home, and we got down to business. Long story short, I borrowed $1500. Mr. Salvatore said he didn't give anything smaller than $1000, and he persuaded me to take an extra $500. I didn't want to say no; I think I just wanted to get the hell out of there. I sorta worried about my safety for a bit, sitting in that office. When he let me out, I don't know what prompted me to do it, but I ran from the building all the way to the bus stop. I felt threatened as Mr. Salvatore handed me the money. Ensuring I’d pay him back by the end of the month, and he even made me give him the address of Doug’s.

So… Yeah… that's how the day went. I think I'm done explaining myself.

I need to take a shit and get reading for bed.

Talk soon,

Kyle