Jim, weed and a quiet night (Kat's POV)

You roll your eyes at Simone and shake your head. Wages and tips at that crap dive have never paid the bills. It's always been the sidelines: weed and 'favors' enabled by waitressing that's kept you living well. . . until your roomie made for the potato loving hills anyway. How the hell did everything work out that's she's the porn star? Strawberry has always been a weird one to read. She's no prude for sure. The two of you hit up enough dorm parties together for you to be sure of that but she always had an innocent vibe outside the nightlife. Those two 'sides' of her always confused the crap out of you. Still, you need her to wiggle out an in for you where she's working and a roof over your head seems a priority at the moment. So you exhale deeply and shrug.

"Yeah, Berrygirl. I guess I can do that," you reach up and start playing with your hair. "I never thought you'd be running a damn nunnery though."

"Just for a couple of days," she smiles. "I'm betting I can wrap this up by the end of the weekend."

"So, what's the rules 'round here on ganja?"

"They kinda treat it like cigarettes. Inside? Bad. On the balcony? Depends on if a neighbor complains. I'd go with the picnic tables out back or the parking lot if I were looking to light up."

"Better than some places I guess. It's technically forbidden on campus. 'A smoke-free community' they call it. If everyone went smoke-free, they'd miss the sweet sin tax money I bet," you smirk.

The redhead gets up with a smile and heads down the hallway. A moment later you hear a door open.

"I'm going to get the air mattress set up. It has to be more comfortable than the couch."

"Probably," you reply as you open the refrigerator door. "Need anything to drink?"

"I'm good. I have some wine on my desk."

You pour a glass and sit back on the couch. It doesn't take long to settle on a makeover show. About 10 minutes later, Simone sits down at her desk again.

"I've got a little research to do, then I'm off to bed. I have people to talk to and leads to hunt down."

You laugh, "Good. I bet you're a better 'Enola Holmes' than I am."

You both laugh and settle in for the night. Simone wanders back to bed at 10:00, leaving you alone in the living room. Ten minutes of channel surfing has you bored out of your mind. For a few short moments, you consider running off to the party anyway. Instead, you cut the TV off and go back to the guest room. You open the door and cut the light on. About 2/3rds of the room is filled by the air mattress, Simone was kind enough to throw a sheet and blanket on it so that works if you ever use it. You take a couple of minutes to put your clothes away in the small three drawer chest in the bottom of the closet. Then you cut the light off and go back to the living room. There grab your purse and head out the door. It's about time to grab the rest of it.

It's a short walk down the stairs and through to the building's front door. You open it and start to step out when you hear a man's voice behind you.

"Ms. Chiang. So good to see you this evening."

You step back inside, release the door and turn around. You feel the air rush past you as it swings closed behind you. Since only one man in the entire complex has been introduced to you, it's no surprise to find yourself face to face with Jim Decard. He's dressed back down it seems in jeans and a flannel shirt now. There's a blue ball cap holding his hair in place now and an amused smirk on his face.

"Mr. Decard. Is it your habit to greet everyone coming and going or am I special?"

"Call me Jim. It's nice to have a conversationalist around. Most of you young people are in a damned hurry all the time. I make it a habit to keep track of who is coming and going," he points to a door to his right. "That's why my place is right down here by the front entrance. It helps nip trouble in the bud."

You offer him your friendliest smile, "I'm Katherine but almost everyone calls me Kat. I'll try not to be too much trouble. With any luck, I'll be out of here next week. I have to get some stuff from my car but your welcome to walk along if you want to talk."

He nods and follows you out the door.

"So Kat, did you just fly in for a visit or something?"

"You sir, are a nosy man. I've lived here in La Grande for a long time. Sadly due to circumstances beyond my control, I'm between apartments at the moment. Hopefully, I'll have a new one lined up next week but until then Simone has agreed to tolerate me."

You offer another smile as the two of you stop at the car and you fish a joint out of your purse.

"Pretty bold to pull that out in front of the building manager."

You put it in your mouth and light it.

"Simone told me the ground rules. Inside? Bad. The balcony is questionable and outside is fine. Besides, the law decided a few years back that they don't care about it anymore. So I don't see why you'd care more than them."

He nods, "Sounds right. The balcony is fine unless I start getting complaints. So long as you don't leave butts all over the place, we'll get along."

You lean against the car and nod as he speaks. You can't help but notice his eyes keep roaming up and down you. Not that you really care, at work in the short skirt and tank top uniform it's an everyday thing. Not a lot to see in your sweats though, maybe he'll get an eyeful next time you go to work? Jim continues.

"If the apartment thing becomes an issue let me know, I have a couple of efficiencies vacant."

"Simone tells me the rent here is steep if you don't get the student discount. I'm a working girl so I have to pinch my pennies."

He arches an eyebrow, "Working girl?"

You laugh, "Well isn't your mind in the gutter there Jim?"

You smirk before taking another hit and then continue.

"I'm a waitress part-time and. . . do you know what gigs are?"

"Stuff like food delivery and such I assume?"

"Yep. I do odd jobs on the side like that. I've tried my hand at everything from ride-shares to deliveries of various sorts. You can stay afloat if you hustle but I can't afford to toss a premium away for an apartment."

"Well if you get to a point you're interested in the option, I can try and dig up a few discounts. We can probably work something out."

You take another big hit off your joint to hide your smile. You know his type, he's a dirty scoundrel looking to trade 'favors'. As old guys go, he's far from the worst you've seen. Still, it isn't really an appealing idea just to get a couple of bucks off a month's rent. The fact he's so single-minded is something that might be useful later.

"I'll keep that in mind, Jim."

You unlock the car, put the stub in the ashtray, and close the door. Then you go back and open the trunk to grab your two suitcases out of there. You can feel his eyes on your ass the whole time your back is turned. Given what you've been told, you kinda expected it. Decard only has one thing on his mind around women under 40 it seems.

"I can carry those up for you if you like."

"I won't complain. I can't let you in with Simone crashed out but getting them to the door is more than half the work."

He grabs them both.

"That seems fair."

He follows you inside and up the stairs. You're pretty sure the offer was more to watch you walk up the stairs than any gallant impulse. You're at a loss what Simone's issue here is though. Yeah, he has a bit of a 'pervy uncle' vibe but he doesn't feel dangerous. You've had older bosses that creeped on you a lot stronger than him. Maybe he's the type that starts mild and gets pushier later? Jim strikes you mostly harmless as long as you are careful what you say and how heavy you flirt. You just have to be wary not to give him an opening to think you're promising him something you didn't intend to. Stopping at the apartment, you unlock it as he puts both bags on the floor next to the door.

"Thank you very much, Jim. Such a gentleman!" You offer with a smile.

"Glad to help."

"Well, it's off to bed for me. I have a busy week apartment hunting ahead of me."

He returns the smile as you move both bags into the apartment and step inside yourself.

"Have a great night!"

You offer a quick wave and close the door when he does the same. Then you lock up and carry your stuff back to the storage room. A fast trip to the kitchen for a glass of wine ends with you on the couch watching some lame cooking show. About an hour later, you're crashed out on the sofa dreaming of a beach vacation and partying in Cabo.