Page 2 of The Fifth Avenue Apartment

“You don’t have to decide today. Take the week and if you’re still inclined to stay, head home and get your things.”

Sophie smiled and took her aunt’s hand and squeezed it gently. “There’s nothing to think about. I would love to stay here with you.”

Chapter Two

After a wonderful, relaxing week with Aunt Penny, Sophie was even more sure of her decision to move into the Fifth Avenue apartment. Aunt Penny was easy company and aside from her pesky allergies, she was otherwise very healthy. And her mind was still razor sharp. Sophie was the forgetful one that locked herself out of the apartment one afternoon. Her aunt had laughed.

“Honey, you’re just stressed. Once you’re settled in here, I bet you’ll feel much better, and you’ll be able to focus and move forward.”

Sophie certainly hoped so. Since being let go—even though it wasn’t performance related—the firm was closing her office—she still felt down, especially after moving home. Her mother had a way of making Sophie doubt herself and her decisions.

Although she supposed her mother had a point—at almost thirty, Sophie really shouldn’t have allowed herself to get into such a predicament. She should have had more money saved, been further ahead—and while she didn’t say it—Sophie knew her mother was also disappointed that she wasn’t married or engaged yet.

Sophie hadn’t even come close to getting engaged, with anyone. She dated here and there but so far, her longest relationship had been just under a year and that was five years ago. David had been a great guy, but they both knew it wasn’t going any further and both were relieved when Sophie suggested maybe they should move on. Her mother had been bitterly disappointed though. She’d been convinced David was the one—just because he’d stuck around the longest.

And Sophie had really tried to get ahead. It would have been easier if she’d had roommates, but she loved having her own place. She’d had roommates for the first few years after college, until she got a raise and saved up enough to get her own, small place. She worked as a legal assistant, often handling paralegal duties as well, but the paralegals had always made sure to point out that she wasn’t one of them.

It had irked some of them, that the attorneys Sophie supported preferred for Sophie to handle some of the work that the paralegals would normally do. It created friction that the attorneys were unaware of, but that Sophie had to deal with on a regular basis.

Her mother had suggested that Sophie just get her paralegal certificate as she’d make more money that way.

“They don’t necessarily make more than a top legal assistant,” Sophie said. “And I don’t want to be a paralegal. I like the mix of responsibilities that I handle now.” She especially enjoyed interfacing with the clients—answering questions and keeping them updated with the details and progress of their cases.

Salaries for legal assistants and paralegals were not especially high in Hudson, so Sophie had to be careful with her spending. She’d made enough to cover the rent on a small one-bedroom apartment and had a little left over that she tried to save, but it seemed like every time she got ahead, there was always something unexpected that came up, usually car related. Her Honda Civic was reliable, but she’d bought it used and within two years it needed a new timing belt and then all-new tires. She’d bought the tires a week before she was laid off which had wiped out most of her meager savings. Ironically, she wouldn’t even need the car when she moved in with Aunt Penny.

But she could sell it. During the week she was with her aunt, Sophie listed the car and all the contents of her self-storage unit—all the furniture she’d had in her small apartment. It didn’t make sense to keep paying to store it. Eventually, if she needed to move again, she could just start over.

Her mother thought she was crazy to move to Manhattan.

“Have you really thought this through? You’re only thirty. Do you really want to live with your 92-year-old great-aunt?” Sophie had to bite her tongue from responding that she’d much rather live with Aunt Penny than at home.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to temp for a while and try out some different industries. There’s so much work in Manhattan and it pays a lot more. I’ll be able to build up my savings.”

“Hmm, well you do need to do that,” her mother agreed. “It just doesn’t seem very practical. Aunt Penny’s not going to live forever. Then what will you do? You’ll never be able to afford to stay in the city.”

“I’ll cross that bridge when I have to. Until then, I’m excited for this next adventure.”

Sophie spent the week getting her car and storage items sold. What didn’t sell she donated to a local thrift shop and what they didn’t want, she tossed in the trash. She packed up the items she couldn’t bear to part with—a few small paintings, some books that she had read more than once and some other odd items. She packed up most of her clothes in boxes, too, and shipped it all to her aunt’s address.

So, when she said her goodbyes and set off for the train, she only had an overnight bag, her purse and laptop with her. And for the first time ever, Sophie had over ten thousand dollars in her checking account after selling her car and furniture. The financial stress she’d been feeling was finally gone.

For the next two weeks, Sophie still felt like she was on vacation, just visiting her aunt. Aunt Penny loved to go out to dinner several times a week and they went to all her favorite local restaurants. Sophie met with two temp agencies that had good ratings online and told them she was flexible and would consider anything administrative as long as it wasn’t legal. She was open on the length of the assignment but preferred at least a week if possible.

“I’m really curious to see what it’s like working in different types of companies and I think it would be hard to know if I’m only there for a day or two,” she explained to Kara, one of the recruiters that she met with.

“That’s fine, we’ll focus on jobs that are for a week or two so you can try a bunch of places. Let us know what you are liking and not liking, and we’ll keep it in mind as new things come in.” She glanced through the computer at the new openings that had come in that day. This recruiting firm was much bigger than the one Sophie had gone to the day before. That one didn’t have anything available but promised to call when something new came in.

“How soon could you start?” Kara asked. “We have something that just came in, and they ideally want someone to start tomorrow.”

It was Thursday and Sophie hadn’t thought she’d start that soon, but she had no plans.

“I can do that.”

Kara smiled. “Excellent. Here’s the address. Be there at eight thirty. Madison Financial Services. The dress is pretty conservative there, but you can’t go wrong with basic blue or black. What you have on would be perfect, actually.” Sophie was wearing navy pants, a crisp white shirt, a string of pearls and a matching blue blazer. It was part of her usual rotation at the law firm.

So, that was good. She didn’t have to worry about buying new clothes. Though she was sick of all those stuffy outfits. And she hadn’t gone shopping yet since she’d moved there. She was dying to check out one of the many sample sales that popped up each week. She could treat herself to one new outfit now that she had a little money in the bank. And she was employed! Even if it was just temporary.

“This assignment is for just over a week. Next Friday will be your last day. We’ll be in touch mid-week if something new comes in for the following week. Here’s my card, call me with any questions. I’ll send you an email with instructions on filling out your time sheet.”

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