We got the notice that morning. I had no idea how i was going to fix anything after so many mistakes. I just knew i had a family to feed, and there was no running this time, or backing down.
The letter said the sheriff was coming to evict my household in four days, at 10:00 am that Tuesday. We didnt have anywhere to go, and barely any money to live on, let alone move everyone.
My wife Simone saw the look on my face as soon as I walked back inside.
"Babe, is everything ok?" she asked me.
She was so beautiful, I was lucky enough to meet her nine years ago at a friends house after a fight I had with two guys at a gas station. I had been so rash and loud, and she had loved it. Now she was my rock.
"Not exactly babe, we only have four days left, we need some type of miracle." I replied.
We both knew that the pressure was on, but had no idea what to do. Simone and I had seven kids together, and there was no way we could allow our family to fall into that pit of despair people find so hard to come back from.
"Are you stressed?" Simone asked quietly, walking up and putting her arm around my shoulders.
I knew I couldn't tell her I was worried, so I told her what I tell myself everyday to make the stress go away.
"God is in control of everything, he will provide." I said determinedly, feeling the power of belief flow through me as it usually does, which, as usual, she was quick to notice.
"That he is babe, everything will be ok", she said smiling, "I just would like to spend a day without stressing everything and just spend some time with my husband."
I knew what she meant. Between the kids, her being a registered nurse, and me trying to get a construction company off the ground, we didn't get much time together and if we did it was only to handle the on goings of the household.
"Babe, cmon, lets get some food, watch a movie, and you can rub my feet while I rub your back." i said, knowing we should be stressing our current situation, but deciding to leave it the a higher power.
It was clearly the right choice, because a light seemed to enter her eyes that wasnt there before, that i hadn't seen in awhile.
"Ok!" she responded excitedly, using her cute, pouty, yet somehow squeaky voice she knew i was so fond of. I loved when she talked like that.
She didnt waste a moment, storming out of the room screaming for the kids to get the house together and be ready to watch the younger ones. I smiled to myself, knowing she was all bark and no bite, and only wanted to mimic what she saw in me when i told our kids what to do. She always did that, she was my second half.
I put on my gray hoodie, knowing it was rain season in the city and it would be cold at this time in the evening. The chill alone would make my skin tingle in a pleasasnt, yet uncomfortable manner which would make me wish i had worn something warmer. We met at the car, with me opening her door, and her screaming one final time at the kids to lock the door, and that we would be back soon.
The drive waas quiet, but pleasant, as i was holding my right hand on her thigh like i usually did, feeling the love between us. I knew she would want her favorite take out spot, so i had chosen to stop for gas before we started the night eating her favorite chinese.
The gas station was busy, which was usual for this part of the city. Many of the regulars were outside, or bustling back and forth between stores. The gas station had been located in between a pizza shop, and laundry mat, so it attracked all types of cutomers, at all hours of the night.
One man in particular stood out to me as i exited the car, as he was a known beggar. I respected the man though, as i had seen him walking people with groceries and holding the door for folks. And he always smiled, which was a gift of charity for many on its own.
I said hello with a nod as i walked by, knowing there would be more to this encounter than just getting through the door. I had my dollar ready, and as he opened the door to ask the normal question, i shook his hand and gave him the dollar and walked past. My return was the customary smile, without the chatter, which i thought was nice.
I payed for the gas, and was walking back out the same door, and i noticed my old buddy wasnt at his spot. Initially thinking nothing of it, i walked back to my car where my wife was waiting for me, already smiling. I threw a soda gently through the window before turning back aroung to pump the gas.
I had almost gotten done pumping the fuel when i heard a shout from somewhere by the store. I paused for a moment to see what the disturbance was, and saw a aman i had never seen before. He had a dark, mean look on his face and a fist in the air, as if to punch with his right hand. His left hand was holding the jacket of...
My old buddy, the beggar.
At firtst it seemed as if they were playing around, but after a shout and quick toug, i could see they were fighting. I didnt know how to react. I felt as i should mind my own business, yet i felt i sense of anger at the thought of my old buddy getting pummelled by the bigger man. Before i could react though, the two of them split apart and began to just yell at each other, which gave me the feeling that the situation had been diffused. I finished pouring the gas and got back inside my car.
My wife and i had a good night, watching a show after we ate, and giving each other the promised massage. We fell asleep a bit later than usual, but both feeling good and well rested when when awoke the next day.
I immediately was searching online when she woke, but she had somehow already gotten a potential landlord to answer her, and was quickly on her way to setting an appointment.
"Im a registered nurse" she said, "and my husband is in construction. Either of us could see it today, but if your busy we understand." she finished, walking up and hugging me with her head on my chest like she always did.
After a moments pause she said "Are you sure thats ok? We dont want to bother." She said.
"Ok then im we sure we can both do that, thank you so much!" she said excitedly, hanging up the phone and looking at me. I loved the way she looked at me.
"Landlord?" i asked.
"Oh my goodness babe yes, its only a trailer, but its a three bedroom and the price is just right. If we can prove our income they will letb us in today." she finished, both of us knowing income wasnt exactly what i was bringing to the table. What she meant was they wanted her pay stubs, and my name would not be on the lease. She respected my feelings too much to say it out loud.
"Sounds like exactly what we need right now. We can treat it like a hotel until we find a better place for the kids." i said hoping her spirits were high about the move.
She moved on to the bedrooms, leaving me day dreaming about a huge trailer - with bonfires!
Could be fun.
Getting ready was easy, for me at least, as i didnt have much to wear. Simone on the other hand, took about as long as i would expect from seven woman before a fashion show. I settled for my work clothes, knowing they werent exactly proper to view a house, but at least i looked like money.
When we got to the trailer, i had to admit to myself, it was cozy. There were other trailers near by, but a good amount of trees and shrubbery seperated each home to give the tenants privacy. She chose a pretty one in the center, white, with a big glass window in the front which somebody could easily sit in and read a book. When the paperwork was finished, she made her payment for rent and the deposit in cash, and we walked back to the car. She must have been just as excited as i was, because i recieves a big kiss as soon as i sat in my seat to drive. If nothing else went good that day, at least we had found our family a home.