No Place Like It

My good day persisted through my commute home. I didn't hit a single red light, no traffic slowdowns, nothing. My designated parking spot was even open! Granted, that might not seem like such a remarkable thing, but "designated" has been a bit of a fast and loose term at my building. I'm sure some karmic debt is being wracked up on some celestial scoreboard, and maybe someday, the bill will come due. But, until that day, I'm going to enjoy this as much as I can. Might start doing a bit of volunteer work, or look into charities to donate to. Can't hurt to look a little bit down the road, I mused.

Whistling a happy tune as I left my car, I noticed a dark limo stationed across the street, which was odd. My neighborhood is rather nice, but limo service before 6pm nice? Not really. I couldn't see in the rear windows, naturally, but the driver looked to be asleep in their seats. I didn't have a clear view, but from across the street it looked to be a female. Or, at least that's the guess the long black hair was leading me to make. Shrugging off my curiosity, I turned and went inside. Bounding up the stairs, I noticed that the building seemed emptier than normal. Typically the stairwell and hallways were bustling with people coming home from work and school. Now? Nobody. The complex was like a ghost town, it was almost eerie.

It was as I turned to mount the last flight of stairs that I found out what was going on.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is. My favorite tenant." Ellen. My soon to be ex-landlord.

"Hey Ellen, how has your day been today?"

"Oh, it's been spectacular Mike. Most of the building scattered like cockroaches when the lights come on. Do you realize that other than Freckles McRedhead you're one of the only tenants left?"

Nope. I wasn't going to let her ruin my great day. Besides, it is more fun to yank her chain a bit. "Really? That's amazing. Even though they were all paid up through the end of the month?"

"Yes. Because they're not a pain in my ass, like you and Karen are. Ooh, and those nerds Nate and Amber. 'We can't move until the last moment, because of our final exams.' Wah wah. Brats."

"Oh right! They've got exams this week. I hope they're doing well on them."

Ellen glare suggested she was trying to kill me with her mind. "Whatever. Have I told you about my plans for the remodel? I'm thinking of putting a yoga studio in on the sixth floor."

"Why Ellen, that's my floor."

"Well, what do you know?" She smirked as I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Have you found a new place to live yet? I won't be giving any extensions. 8am. Saturday. You, and your shit are out of my building."

"I've got a couple leads."

"Sure you do." Ellen waved her hand to dismiss me as she passed me on the stairs.

Unable to resist taking one last shot, I yelled down to her, "Oh, Ellen, would you mind being a reference for potential new landlords? Please?"

"GHAAAAAAAA!"

My smile was back on my face as I opened the door to my apartment.