Page 92 of Anger Banger

I look over to see Cooper teasing his mom about something. He dodges her swat at him, and they laugh. “Yeah, I did.”

Cooper and I have to go since it’s almost time for the tenant meeting. It’s been the topic of discussion around the neighborhood for days since everyone knows rent is about to resume. No matter how much they’ve grown to like Cooper and trust me, they’re still wary of an increase.

The community room is already filled with my neighbors when we get back home, and I stop in the office to grab the paperwork I need, then join them.

Every seat is full, and all conversation drops off as Cooper walks to the front of the room. “If you’ll all give me your attention, I know you’re eager for answers, and I’m excited to share some news with you.”

It’s like déjà vu when someone calls out, “How much is the rent going up?” It makes me think back to that first meeting when I couldn’t stand the man at the front of the room. It’s unreal how much has changed. How fast he became the best thing in my life.

“Let the man talk,” Rita scolds, then grins at Cooper. “Go ahead, baby.”

A titter of laughter travels across the room. I guess after you’ve whipped your dick out and thrown a sex toy at an elderly woman, you can’t complain about her calling you baby.

“Thank you,” he chuckles. “Let me set your mind at ease right now by saying the rent will not increase.”

There’s a relieved murmuring and he pauses before continuing. “But we will be moving to a new system based on your income. Maren is distributing some paperwork to you now to help explain things. No matter the size or number of bedrooms in your trailer, the rent will be one sixth of your net income.”

“What about roommates or multiple tenants in one trailer? Are you adding all that income up to count?” Lila asks. I’m surprised at her question since she lives alone and hasn’t mentioned getting a new roommate.

“All income from anyone age twenty-one and over will count. There are some exceptions and additional deductions for students and senior citizens living on social security. There’s also a cap so whatever you’re making, the rent will not be any higher than the baseline rent you see listed.”

The rumbles running through the room echo with unease until people start pulling out their phones to do the math. “Mine is half of what I was paying before!” Didi announces.

“Girl, mine too!” Donna says, beaming at her.

“Over the next two weeks, Maren will be arranging appointments for you to come into the office to provide your income verification. After rent is calculated, you’ll be offered a new lease with these terms.” He grins over at me as I hand out the last form. “What am I forgetting?”

“Utilities.”

“Right. Electric, water, and sewer will not be your responsibility as of August first. All utilities will be included in the rent.”

Now the whole room is buzzing. It might not seem like much to some people, but what this means is an opportunity that most of us haven’t had. To save money. To make other choices and even buy a house eventually. It’s a lot easier to do that when you aren’t living paycheck to paycheck, scraping to pay your bills.

“The hell you say!” Archie calls out. “What’s the catch?”

“There’s no catch. Happy Haven is now a non-profit housing development. Rent is subsidized by an anonymous organization.”

A group of teenagers file in to sit at the back, grinning at each other as the meeting continues. It grows more and more upbeat. The relief and happiness in the room is palpable as people start to talk and laugh.

Cooper wraps up his speech, then tosses things over to me. “Are there any questions?” I ask.

“Is it true you all got married?” Donna asks.

“I meant questions about the changes.”

“No, we got all that,” Freda says. “Now spill it, woman.”

I look over at Cooper and he smirks, raising his eyebrows and crossing his arms. “Yes, Cooper’s my husband.”

The cheers and congratulations from my neighbors put a lump in my throat. No matter where I move to or what I do, these people will always be my friends.

“I knew it!” Louise exclaims. “I told you! It’s destiny.”

“She did say that,” Lila points out.

“Are you getting a new roommate?” I ask her.

She rolls her eyes. “My brother needs a place to stay…again. I told him he could move in as long as he keeps a job. You know he’s worked everywhere in town at least twice.”

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