FOR THREE YEARS, MY LANDLORD NEVER DEPOSITED A SINGLE RENT CHECK I WROTE—WHEN I FINALLY ASKED HIM WHY, HE PLACED A SHOEBOX IN MY HANDS

“Can I put stars on the ceiling?”

“We’ll see.”

“That means no.”

“It means we’ll see.”

She opened the closet and frowned.

“It’s small.”

“So are your clothes.”

That made her laugh.

Mr. Alvarez met us outside in the driveway.

He looked to be in his seventies, wore a gray work shirt, and had a face that revealed very little.

He looked at me.

Then at Trixie.

Then at continue reading …