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Carlos woke up the next morning to a disturbance outside his apartment. He peered through the peephole and saw the apartment manager and his next-door neighbor arguing. He rubbed his eyes and opened the door.
"What’s going on, Jose?"
"I’m getting evicted."
"What?" he asked.
"They’ve given me until tomorrow to find another place to live. Who would do something like that? They didn’t even give me enough time to pack."
"I don’t understand," Carlos said to the manager, who was standing between them.
"He is one month overdue on his rent," the manager answered. "According to the lease contract, if we do not get payment within five days of the due date, the landlord can remove the tenants for late rent."
"That’s absurd."
"He signed the contract, which specifies when he must pay rent. The grace period passed yesterday, and he still hasn’t paid his rent. So, we are now in possession of the property. Otherwise, we’ll call the sheriff to remove him from the building," the manager stated.
"You can’t do this to him. Where would he go?" asked Carlos.
"It’s not my concern," the manager said, before turning his attention back to Jose. "If you don’t want me to call the cops on you, Jose, you must evacuate your apartment. You have until noon tomorrow. Is that clear?"
Jose nodded.
"By the way, Carlos, you are next on my list. I’m also giving you notice that if you don’t pay up, you need to find another place to live."
"What are you talking about?" Carlos asked, his expression befuddled.
"Your rent is also overdue," the manager said.
"What are you talking about?" Carlos asked again, his eyes wide open. "I always pay my rent on time."
"Carlos, remember when I held a party downstairs, and you handed me your rent payment for the month?"
"That’s right."
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
"It's been almost three months, Carlos. Your rent is past due. We never bothered you since you were a good-paying renter. We made an exception for you. But now it's time to make a payment. This is your reminder that you only have until Friday to pay both your prior and current month’s rent. You'll be out on the street if you don't."
Carlos couldn't believe it. He returned to his apartment and checked the calendar. The manager was right. He hadn't paid his rent for the previous month. Losing his job had taken its toll on him. He had lost track of time. There had been a hiccup in his application, and he had yet to collect unemployment benefits. What was he going to do now? He'd already spent his last dime on food.
"I’m sorry, Carlos. I truly am, but I have strict orders from the landlord to evict all renters who are over a month late on their rent," the manager explained.
"What am I going to do now?" Carlos asked.
"I suggest you come up with the money or find another place to live. It’s as easy as that."
"It's easy for you to say that," Carlos responded. "Please give me more time to come up with the money."
"I'll get in trouble with the landlord. The deadline is this Friday. You may either pay or leave. I'll give you $100 in exchange for your furniture. It's the least I can do. I'll also take the cat because you can't afford to feed her. Don't worry, I'll look after her."
Carlos sighed deeply. He couldn't stand being separated from his cat, but the manager was right. He couldn't look after her just now. He had to find a place to live first.
"OK, but this is only temporary," Carlos stated. "I'll get her back as soon as possible."
"Yeah, whatever," the manager responded.
***
CARLOS LOOKED AROUND his apartment, which was his home for thirty years. He had never missed a payment, but the landlord didn’t take that into account. "Business is business," they told him. What would he do now?
He sought work at all hours of the day and night. He wasn’t picky. Any job would suffice to keep him in his apartment, but there were no takers. Carlos pondered calling Tilly, but ended up hanging up on her several times. He lacked the courage to ask for their help. He was too embarrassed.
Carlos broke into tears as he bid farewell to his cat. He vowed to return to her once he found a place to live. He could still hear the cat meowing as the manager took her away. Carlos sat on the steps, his elbows resting on his knees, contemplating.
"Listen, Carlos. You need to get off the sidewalk. You must leave now," the manager stated.
"Please wait a moment. I don’t have anywhere else to go."
"It’s not my concern, Carlos. Standing in front of the building for two hours with a glum look and carrying everything you possess is not a good image for the building."
When the manager finished speaking, he returned to his apartment and shut the door behind him. Carlos picked up his suitcase and was about to leave when a black limousine stopped in front of him.
"Carlos?" asked the driver.
"Yes, I’m Carlos."
"I’m here to pick you up," the driver explained. "Please accept my apologies for the delay. I was caught up in the morning rush hour."
Carlos couldn't comprehend what was going on. But there were only two people in the world who could execute something amazing.
"Did Dusty tell you to come get me?"
"Yes. He called our office last night to make sure I picked you up first thing in the morning," the driver said, as he loaded his suitcase into the trunk. "Is there a problem?"
"No. In fact, you arrived just in time," Carlos replied with a smile. "Do you mind waiting here for a moment? I just need to get something from the manager."
The driver nodded.
Carlos dashed to the manager’s apartment and knocked on the door.
"Did you forget something, Carlos?" the manager asked.
"Yes, my cat. Can I have her back, please?"
"Is this a joke?" the manager asked. "And how are you supposed to take care of her?"
Carlos said nothing. He scooped up his cat, who was sleeping on the sofa, and went out the door without looking back, leaving the manager furious. He followed him.
"Wait a minute! Come back here, Carlos. Give me the cat back," the manager begged.
Carlos ignored him. The driver opened the door for him as he entered the limousine. The apartment manager's jaw dropped. He shook his head, wondering if Carlos had a wealthy family he was unaware of.
The limousine driver took Carlos to the airport and onto a private jet. The driver told him that Mr. and Mrs. Bonaventura were on board waiting for him.
Curiosity overtook him as he walked to the plane, clutching the cat in his arms. Carlos noticed a woman walking in front of him, wearing a floral sundress and a wide-brimmed white hat. He gazed at her until he realized who she was. It was Edith. It pleased him to see her, a familiar face.
"Edith," he called out.
Edith had no idea who was calling her name. She turned around. She paused, her mouth wide, surprised to see Carlos boarding the same plane as her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, wrapping her arms around him.
"I’d ask the same question."
"Tilly invited me to accompany them on their trip to Italy. I’ve wanted to go there for a long time."
"How do you like that? Tilly and Dusty sent a limousine to pick me up. And it came at the perfect time. This morning, the manager evicted me from my apartment."
"Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?"
"It’s a long story, but that’s OK. I always believe when one door closes, another opens."
"I agree with you on that," Edith responded, and then she paused. "Wait a minute!" she said. "I thought you had already gone to Italy. I remember Tilly and Dusty saying at your party they would take you there. It hasn’t happened yet?"
"No, not yet. Dusty was busy, and they told me we would go once his schedule cleared up."
"That’s strange," Edith said.
"Why strange?" Carlos asked.
"Tilly asked me if I was available to take a vacation two weeks ago. I told her I had other commitments, but I would be free today. That’s when she invited me to Italy. It’s strange that I’m here and you’re here. Do you think they’re setting us up?"
"Who?"
"Tilly and Dusty, of course, silly. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we were both invited on this trip. I’m sure they set us up from the start: dinner at my place and now a trip together.”
Carlos chuckled. "I was thinking the same thing. But I’m glad they did. I suppose we should thank them for setting us up."
"What do you mean?"
"I’m happy you are here with me. We’ll have a long time to get to know each other better. You’re not just a beautiful tenant to me anymore. You’ve become a great friend."
"I loved getting to know you, Carlos," Edith said.
Carlos shook her hand. "Let’s just enjoy this moment, this trip, and this day, and cherish the moments we have together."
"Oh, I like that very much," Edith replied, with a twinkle in her eyes.
