The first chapter of many planned. Hopefully, you guys like it!
She was tall. Pretty. Maybe 40 years of age, and well-dressed enough to reflect the money that her home had already demonstrated. The estate was maybe only a ten minute drive from the university downtown, but the yard was large and the home was connected to the road by a long driveway that wound through the trees. From here, on the stoop, one could barely tell they had neighbors.
"Nick! It's so wonderful to finally meet you." she said, shaking his hand vigorously before pulling him in for a hug.
"Great to meet you too-" he replied, a bit taken back by her enthusiasm. "Honestly, just glad I could find a place so last minute."
His last apartment had been bought out, and the new owners had proceeded with early evictions. Nick had been planning to move out within a few months anyway when he went off to college, but they were scheduled to begin demolition in April, and finding an available apartment in this college town in February had been difficult. Finding this place a twenty minute bus ride from his school had been a lifesaver. Of course, he'd have half a year before the semester started, but his work was remote, and he didn't have all that many friends to leave behind anyway. Most of them had headed off to various colleges three years ago after high school graduation. Nick, lacking the grades for a scholarship, had remained behind to save for a few years.
"Oh, I'm just glad I can be of some help. Please, come in. Can I help you with your bags?" She grabbed one from his hands without waiting for approval, and he followed her inside.
The interior was equally impressive. High ceilings, nice wooden floors, and a dark, cozy color scheme that gave faint impressions of a log cabin. The sort that rich people buy.
"You have a beautiful home." he said.
"Oh, thank you, you're too kind. I'm quite happy with it as well." Julie replied. "Please, let me show you to your room."
The home was quite large. Julie didn't seem inclined to give the tour, but he was sure he'd see the rest of the home later. He was quickly led to the basement down a narrow flight of stairs.
Past two doors--one at the bottom of the stairs, and one immediately after on the right hand of the hall--was Nick's new room. To say he was impressed would be an understatement.
Apparently, the yard in the back of the home fell away, allowing this basement room to have large, beautiful windows. The theme was consistent with the rest of the home. Dark wood floors, a large bad at one wall, and a television on top of a dresser. At the back corner, Nick spotted an open door that led to a personal bathroom. Another door led straight into the backyard. He would have his own entrance.
"Oh, this is perfect. I can't say thank you enough."
Julie shrugged. "Honestly honey, I'm just happy that we were able to help you find a place. Criminal what they did you back in your hometown." She had a slight southern drawl to her voice.
"To be honest, if it means I get to stay here, I'm almost glad it happened. I can't believe you didn't have a dozen students scrambling to get this place."
"Oh, we usually do. We had a girl for quite some time, but she had an illness in the family that she needed to go home and tend to. We were sad to see her go, of course, but at least the odd timing meant you didn't have to go homeless."
Nick nodded. Julie put her hands on her hips. "Well, I'll let you get unpacked. Feel free to look around. Dinner is at 6:30 sharp. We can go over house rules more at the table."
"That's perfect. I'll be up by then." Nick replied. Julie nodded, and marched back up the stairs.
Honestly, Nick could not believe his luck. This place was as perfect as anything he could have asked for. The room was spacious--certainly more than large enough to house his sparse possessions. The rent was affordable, though he was sure that Julie could charge much more than she was charging him. Things were finally going his way, it seemed.
---
Dinner looked fantastic. Julie was still cooking over the stovetop when he ascended the stairs at 6:15, but much of the meal was laid out on the table.
"Oh, hello Nick. I thought we'd do something a little fancier tonight. You like salmon, I hope?"
"Of course," he said, taking his seat. "Can I help in any way?"
"No, no, get comfortable. Tell me a bit about yourself, Nick? I know we spoke on the phone, but I feel as though I barely know you."
And so the two of them chatted. Nick spoke about the recent passing of his father. His mother had not been part of the picture growing up, so his death had left Nick parentless at the age of 19. He'd been getting by, and neighbors had certainly been helpful in picking up some of the slack, but it had been two years now, and he felt it was time to get out of town. College had seemed like a natural option.
Julie spoke about herself as well. She had been married once, but only for a few years, and it was quite some time ago. Her career had gotten in the way of the relationship, and Julie had learned too late the importance of taking breaks from her unceasing work. She didn't have hard feelings, and the two of them were on speaking terms, but he lived a few towns over with his new wife and several children. Some years ago, she'd sold her business, and still did some consulting with the company, but her role was far less important than it once had been.
Dinner went well. The food was delicious, though Julie noted that it probably wouldn't be this fancy every night. Conversation flowed easily, and Nick felt extremely good about his situation.
Perhaps thirty minutes into the meal, Julie took a deep breath. "So, while I know this isn't the most fun thing to discuss, there are a few rules I expect you to observe while you stay here."
Nick perked up. "Of course."
"I am, of course, very happy to have you here. I usually try to have a student boarder at any given time. It keeps the home from feeling too empty. That said, this house does require some maintenance, and given that I'm renting out the room far below market rates, I expect some of that gap to be filled with help around the house."
Nick nodded. He'd expected as much.
She went on to list several chores that she expected help with. It was nothing crazy--dishes, vacuuming, bathrooms, etc. There was really only one that made Nick perk up. Julie stated sharply, "Lastly, I have two very important requests. First, you need to keep your room clean. I don't plan to spend much time there at all, but it's important to me that you make your bed each morning, and keep it tidy each night. I'm not concerned about perfection here, but I won't have a pigsty accumulating in my basement. It's unseemly, even if it is your room."
Nick nodded again. "Not a problem." He was a decently clean person, though he did find it odd she cared so much.
"Second, there's a few other rooms in the basement that I don't want you wandering around in. Feel free to go anywhere on the first or second story, but in the basement, please stay out of the other doors. I keep all my storage back there, and I like to keep it private. Alright?
"Not a problem."
"Good. Then I don't think we'll have any issues at all."
"Looking forward to it."
---
That evening, Nick was on his laptop, deeply involved in a game, when he heard a knock at his door.
"Come in."
Julie entered, holding a glass in her hand. "Sorry to bother you. I just thought I'd bring you some milk before I go to bed and make sure you're getting settled. Everything going okay?"
