Chapter 11: Independent Waters
A couple weeks went by before I moved into a one-bedroom apartment about thirty minutes from the place I’d called home for close to a decade; a city Broderick would soon reside in, as well. My new complex was within walking distance to grocery stores, cafes, and small businesses of all sorts. Such close proximity would allow me to shop for necessities and apply for jobs while I saved up money for a car (and paid off the repairs on my old one). None of which would be possible if I’d stayed in the small town Nate and I had lived in.
My apartment was less than 750 square feet and equally modest in every other aspect. I tried to add some homey touches where I could, but it was a bit like putting lipstick on a pig. The blue carpeting, laminate counters, and dated couch that came with it quietly commanded center stage with their boring neutrality. It wasn’t my top priority, though.
Broderick was set to move to town roughly three weeks after I claimed my independence, so I invited him to stay with me until he found a space of his own. My apartment was an embarrassment compared to the home he was leaving behind in Portland, but I knew that mattered more to me than it would him. I tossed my pride in the dumpster along with the rest of my emotional baggage and braced myself for my first visitor (and the rest of my life).
I did my best to offer Broderick the comforts of home but didn’t quite succeed. He slept on the couch for two nights before I noticed his feet hung off the end. I felt terrible that he barely fit on the already uncomfortable couch, then spent his waking hours adjusting to a new work environment and slight culture shock. I insisted he let me sleep on the couch for the rest of his stay, which provoked strong objection from him. We endured a fair amount of friendly arguing before we settled on sharing the bedroom since my back would’ve given me hell if I slept on that concaved sofa for even one night.
We successfully bunked together for nearly a month before Broderick finalized the lease on a nearby house. I was selfishly disappointed that he’d found a place so quickly because I really enjoyed having a roommate. Not only was it great spending time together, but I slept far better with a friend in the apartment than I did before Broderick arrived. I’d never been able to sleep well in unfamiliar places or when I was alone, so having someone I trusted in this strange, new apartment with me provided that sense of security I’d been lacking.
Broderick knew I wasn’t thrilled with my accommodations and generously invited me to move in with him on more than one occasion. I insisted on staying put, though. His house overlooked the bay and had a cool, contemporary design that I found glamorous and exciting, but I knew I needed to spend time on my own; just as I needed to learn how to make it on my own.
Buuut…… a few weeks after Broderick left my humble abode, I felt like I was going to lose my mind. I had trouble sleeping again since I was living alone, which put me on edge with pretty much everything. And every day that passed without finding a job compounded the stress. I didn’t want to spend money on anything frivolous, so the only time I left my apartment was to pick up groceries, job hunt, or when I showed Broderick around the sunshine state on weekends. I had no idea how isolating single life would be.
The apartment was small and a bit ugly, yes, but that wasn’t the worst of it- the neighbors were. I heard everything through the walls. One unit must’ve been home to someone very ill because I heard vomiting almost daily. I’m talking wall-rattling vomit. It was as heartbreaking as it was agitating. Another had a couple of dogs that barked and whined as soon as their humans left. They moved in after me, otherwise I would’ve gladly found another place to live. There wasn’t anything I could do to ignore the insanity. Noise cancelling headphones didn’t even work because I could feel the activity in the other apartments vibrate through mine. Such circumstances quickly got the best of me.
One Saturday afternoon after Broderick and I went for a walk over the bay bridge, we sat by the water enjoying the view and discussing what was new in our lives. Once I started talking about “Whimpers McGee” and “Sir Vomits-A-lot,” I turned into a verbal bulimic. There were plenty of hand gestures, too. I wasn’t even aware of how animated I’d gotten while spewing my frustrations until Broderick could barely contain his laughter. Apparently, my choice of language was more colorful and creative than it was angry. I looked him square in the eyes while reiterating that it wasn’t a joke; I honestly thought I might be losing my mind, but his laughter was contagious and a restrained cackle escaped me. After Broderick regained his composure, he extended another offer for me to move in with him.
As much as I hated the idea of intruding, Broderick threw out some solid arguments that made me reconsider. From an environmental perspective, he noted that we’d only be using electricity to power one home instead of two, and we’d eliminate the commute each time we’d want to hang out together. I was concerned living together for an extended period could ruin our friendship or that it might interfere with any future relationships he’d care to have. He assured me all would be fine there. He was still healing from his last serious relationship, a broken engagement, and felt it would be a while before he’d even consider dating. He also noted it was obvious how miserable I was in my apartment and that I couldn’t find what made me truly happy in life if I was chronically miserable. He had me there; I had no sensible rebuttal.
My remaining concern was that I could never repay him for his generosity since he was unwilling to accept money towards rent. He knew most of my finances were tied up in stocks and the market was in the toilet, so he didn’t want me liquidating any of that for rent or living expenses. He had a sizable nest egg thanks to a wisely invested inheritance from his grandfather and couldn’t justify taking any money from me. He proposed my contribution be through time and effort: I could attend work functions with him and be his tour guide around the gulf coast.
As convincing as our conversation was, I worried that I was just having a bad day and had blown the annoyances of apartment life out of proportion. I told him I’d think about it, but was really leaning towards staying in my own place until I could afford something better.
A couple more tiring weeks went by before the human parents of “Whimpers McGee” went on vacation. At that point, the dogs whined non-stop for an entire week. I seriously contemplated whether I needed medication to cope. By the sixth day of barking and crying, and the other neighbor’s illness, I decided to come to my senses and accept Broderick’s generous offer to move in with him. If not, I would have needed to be committed.
We made plans for me to move out of that heinous environment and into his waterfront rental by month’s end. That gave me a week and a half to repack my meager belongings and one full weekend to move into paradise.
Broderick’s place was truly spectacular; the view alone made me swoon. The house overlooked the bay and was stylish in a way that complimented the natural landscape in which it was set. Cool, breezy colors on the walls, an updated chef’s kitchen that I couldn’t wait to work in, and an infinity saltwater pool that was far more luxurious than any pool I’d had the privilege of swimming in before. I thought the property was gorgeous the moment I first laid eyes on it, but its beauty was unmistakably magnified the day I got to call it home.
As I stood in Broderick’s living room looking out onto the water, part of me knew I was a fool for waiting so long to accept his generosity. But another part of me was proud I’d tried to stand on my own two feet- even if only briefly. Just as I was proud of effecting the change that had led me to that awful apartment in the first place. I felt stronger for trying; for moving forward no matter how difficult or scary it was.
This is the best chapter yet! I could see the beauty of Broderick's new home and even hear and feel the causes of Candace's frustrations with her new residence. So glad she decided to move!