Rental Agreement

Ginger was unpacking the small bag of tile samples for the kitchen when she heard a crash and a howl come from the front porch. She opened the door slowly, with caution, to see a handsome man backing down the step. He stopped in the yard and brushed the front of his pants with both hands.

"Are you alright?" She called out to him.

She startled him, and he turned around quickly, almost in a complete circle, before he saw her. He pointed at her and she took a step toward him.

"I was looking at the sign," he said.

The red and white "For Rent" sign was in the window, and it looked as if he tripped over a few loose bricks and stray painting accessories she left lying in front of it. She walked across the porch and joined him in the yard.

"Are you interested in the apartment?" she asked as she approached him. Once she was closer, she realized he was as handsome as she thought. His face was friendly, and he smiled when she offered her hand to shake. He reached out to take it when she noticed the little girl standing behind him, near the bush that ran the length of the porch. It was a tall bush, taller than the little girl. Ginger shook the man's hand while the little girl gave the bush a nonchalant kick.

"How many bedrooms does it have?" the man asked. While Ginger gave him the details - two bedrooms, one bath, nice kitchen with a view - the little girl kicked at the bush again.

"How much does it rent for?" the man asked. Ginger answered.

The man shook his head. "I can't afford that," he said.

"What do you do?" Ginger asked.

"I teach physics over at the college," he said. "My schedule is all over the place. Sometimes I tutor kids in math."

"That doesn't pay well?" Ginger asked. The little girl kicked again and a bit of shrubbery fell to the ground.

"You'd be surprised," he said. "My name is Daniel, by the way."

"Ginger," she said.

"What's the landlord like?" Daniel asked.

Ginger smiled. "The landlord is fair," she said.

The little girl looked over at Ginger, and in that second, Ginger recognized her. It was the little girl her gave her the finger, who put all that energy into flipping her the bird, as she drove by the other day. The little girl went back to what she was doing. She kicked at the bush again, but instead of causing the bush any damage, her foot caught in a branch and she fell flat on her back.

"Honey," Daniel said as he lunged toward the child, "are you alright?"

The little girl stood up and brushed her legs with both hands. She glared at Ginger for another second. Ginger could feel the little girl's hostility. That kid wanted to flip her off again. Her, or anyone. It didn't matter. Daniel just turned to look at Ginger and smiled a half-hearted, exhausted smile.

"How much can you afford?" Ginger asked.