Hurried off to work after that. At least it was a nice day for pushing carts. South Jersey was off-and-on sunny and in the mid-60's. I was able to wear my fleece jacket to work and was actually too warm. Didn't get out as often later when a teen arrived after school to help with the carts. Ended up in a register twice, once for someone's break, and again for a half-hour when we were really busy during the evening rush hour.
Texted Mom during my first break and told her about the woman I talked to about a room. I was so excited...until I checked my text and saw that Linda gave the room to a friend who was giving up her apartment. Darn it! That's the second room or apartment someone lead me to believe I had, then gave it to a friend at the last minute. I just can't compete with everyone's friends needing homes.
I was depressed the rest of the afternoon. Everyone keeps saying I'll find something. I told customers at work and my co-workers I need an apartment in a week. They all say they don't know anyone who has a room, or they're looking for one, too. You'd think someone would know something!
Made a lot of phone calls in the back room. Called the Housing and Urban Development office; left a message. I've checked them a hundred times. They never have anything but housing for seniors, the disabled, and families listed, but someone gave me their number, so I called it. Called another number that also turned out to be assistance for seniors; left a number anyway. Called the agent in charge of an apartment I saw listed on the White Horse Pike, across from WaWa. Checked my e-mail after work. Somehow, the apartment was already leased, even though I only saw it listed yesterday.
I'd had enough. I couldn't go home. What home? I don't have a home. I rode back to Oaklyn after work, hoping I'd see a "For Rent" sign somewhere, or a sign in someone's window, or something. A neighbor said he thought he saw a for rent sign across from the post office in Oaklyn. Though it was getting dark, I still rode across the White Horse Pike to see if I could find it. Didn't see anything, even though I rode up and down the block. It was just getting too dark.
Ran into a neighbor riding by on my way home. She invited me to her house to discuss my troubles. It turned into a party when she invited several friends in the neighborhood, including one lady who came with most adorable corgi named Louis who ate pretzels under the table. The ladies had margaritas; I had white cranberry juice. We all shared pepperoni and mushroom pizza. There were multi-grain chips out, dried fruit, nuts, pretzels, and cheese.
Turns out that one of the ladies had a sister who also needed a place to stay. Two can live a lot more cheaply than one. At this point, I don't care. I just want an apartment. They looked at two-bedroom homes in Oaklyn while I chatted with the others and told them everything that's been going on. She's hoping we'll be able to see houses together on Saturday, my next day off.
I got in so late that I didn't have the time to review a musical, but it was worth it. At the very least, I now had something to tell Rose. I don't know how happy she is about it, but it's better than nothing. At the very least, the ladies genuinely wanted to help, and talking to them did make me feel a heck of a lot better.
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