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

bills could safely wait a little longer.

But I always paid the rent first.

On the first day of every month, I wrote Mr. Alvarez a check and slipped it beneath the back door of his house.

He never gave me a receipt.

I never asked for one.

He mostly kept to himself, but somehow he always repaired things before I had the chance to complain.

He fixed a loose continue reading …