Page 77 of Love Me Fierce

The bungalow is close to school and the park, and I love the idea of being this gentle old man’s tenants. He doesn’t allow pets, which will be tough news to break to Mateo because he’s all but adopted us one of Bertie’s puppies. It tugs at my heartstrings, but in no way are we ready for a puppy. Maybe when Matty’s a little older.

“I love it,” I say.

“Wonderful. I’ll get you an application.”

I would apply on the spot, but my landlord from the Meadows hasn’t given me an answer regarding breaking my lease and returning my deposit. If he refuses, I’m going to have to make a tough decision.

After the man retrieves the paperwork and explains the online credit check process, I practically skip to the car. On the way to the park, though I sing along with Mateo’s favorite Kid’s Bop playlist, my mind is buzzing with the prospect of moving in and making that cute bungalow ours.

Maybe I’ll even be able to move what’s left of our things directly to the bungalow tomorrow, saving me a step.

The park is busy with families enjoying the sunny fall afternoon, some I recognize from his class. I give Matty a starter push on theswings until he gets pumping, then cheer him on as he goes higher and higher. He wows me with another feat of monkey-swinging on the bars. A little while later, I’m waiting for him to come down the slide when my phone vibrates in my pocket.

The number flashing on the screen sends a jolt of nerves through my belly. It’s my landlord.

“Hello?”

“Vivian? It’s Ed Strickland.”

“Hi.”

“Sorry it’s taken me so long to call you back. I was out of town when the break in happened.”

“I understand.”

“I’ve reviewed the lease agreement and the information provided by the police report, and I’m sorry, but if you choose to terminate early, with this kind of notice, you’ll forfeit your deposit and two months rent. And that’s only if the interior is cleaned and returned in good shape.”

My gut tightens into knots. “Oh.”

“Do you still want to proceed?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, but my thoughts are too chaotic to form an answer. Losing two months’ rent plus my deposit is a major blow—that’s thousands of dollars down the drain. But if we stay, and I can’t sleep at night, where does that leave me? June and Nelson Rumsey have made it clear I’m welcome to stay at the cabin as long as I need to, but that offer surely has limits.

“Um, I… need to think about it.” Can I fight Mr. Strickland on this? I need to do some research.

“All right. You have the new keys, am I right?”

“Yes, I got them on Friday.”

“Let me know what you decide. Your lease is up for renewal in April. If you want to terminate at that time, be sure to notify me in writing thirty days in advance.”

“Got it.”

I say goodbye to Mr. Strickland just as Mateo whips around the giant curvy slide, nearly crashing into me.

After pocketing my phone, I scoop Matty into my arms, stealing a quick hug.

“Will you push me on the merry-go-round?” he asks, squirming free.

“Yep, but after that, we need to get going, okay?”

“Okay.”

I let him tug me over to the big metal disc and help him navigate getting onboard with the mix of other kids.

“Ready?” I ask. Mateo nods, his grip tightening on the bars. Another kid jumps on and straddles the center bar.

I give the merry-go-round a push. It’s heavy, but I keep going, channeling the frustration and worry Mr. Strickland’s phone call created into this easy task, until the merry-go-round is spinning.

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