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

my unreliable car.

“Do you smoke?”

“No.”

“Do you have a dog?”

“No.”

“Is the little girl yours?”

“Yes.”

He nodded once.

“Eight hundred a month. First of the month. No lease. I don’t like paperwork.”

I nearly burst into tears.

“Is there a deposit?”

“No.”

“Application fee?”

“No.”

“Do you need proof of income?”

He looked directly at me.

“Can you pay eight hundred?”

“Yes.continue reading …