Always tinkering.
Julian had studied Engineering in school. He couldn’t say he had a “degree” in Engineering because while he had attended five years worth of classes, he’d changed his exact speciality three times between Mechanical, Chemical, and Electrical before dropping out altogether. He’d styled himself an inventor. He was going to create something that would revolutionize the world. Everyone told him it was impossible, but he was certain he could make something that would change the world.
He’d been twenty-two.
Four years and two failed Kickstarters later, all his discoveries amounted to everyone around him being right. No one could revolutionize the world without capital to invest in their creations. He’d ended up working various gigs - driving to deliver food for lazy assholes, taking surveys online, letting ads run on his phone when he wasn’t looking at it. It was enough to keep him afloat as he looked for the next big break. Or a first big break, really.
Julian turned around and leaned his head back, letting the hot water run through his hair and over his forehead.
That had been the last fight. The one that had led to him and Maggie breaking up. He’d had a new idea. It had been just that - an idea. He couldn’t even remember it now. He’d gone to her with papers he’d practically thrust into her face, babbling about this was the one, this was the way he’d make it big, he just needed to borrow a bit of money and if she could co-sign the loan…
“We had dinner plans.”
That had cut him short. Those four words had completely deflated every bit of energy, especially given how glacially cold her tone had been. He’d tried to apologize and make excuses, but it had been one too many times, one too many missed dates, and then he’d had the gall to show up and ask her to co-sign a loan without even an apology?
Hell, if he’d been her, he would have dumped his ass for that too.
The bathroom went dark. Julian swore out loud and fumbled to turn off the shower. He knew his bathroom well enough to find the towel by blindly groping for it. He tried to remember when he last paid the electric bill. He hadn’t been that far behind, had he? No, of course not. Or...maybe?
Thankfully, it was light out, so the sun coming through his curtains was enough to allow him to pull on jeans and make his way to the kitchen to sift through the accumulated pile of bills. March, April, and May’s electric bills were all unopened. He pulled out his cellphone to try and log into the website and check, only to be reminded he hadn’t paid that bill and had been using the wifi for data.
Wi-fi he didn’t have without power.
He opened May’s bill. On the very top in bright red letters: “You are 3 months past due. Make a payment by 05/21 to avoid interruption of services.”
That was yesterday.
“Okay, that’s it,” Julian said, speaking directly to the bill. “You’re the last problem. Nothing else is allowed to screw me today.”
As if summoned by his words, there was an insistent knock on his door. Taking a deep breath and half hoping it was Maggie, half hoping it wasn’t, he walked over to the door and threw it open.
Straight into the scowling face of his landlady.
“Julian. Am I interrupting something?” she said, eyeing him up and down with the lack of shame that seemed to be unique to old ladies that had run out of fucks in their forties.
That was the moment Julian realized that, post shower, he hadn’t put on a shirt. He turned red. “No, Ms. Hezel. If you give me a moment-”
“No need. Just wanted to give you this.” She thrust a piece of paper against his chest.
It was a very well worded legal document that made it clear he had until the end of the month to pay both April and May’s rent, or he’d be evicted.
“Ms. Hezel, I-”
“Nope,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ve given you an extension or a delay every month, Julian. I’ve given you a break. I’ve waived late fees. I’ve done everything I can to work with you, but this is enough. Both months’ rent by the end of the month, or you’re out the door.”
“I don’t have anywhere to go,” Julian said. The words came out in a croak.
“I know,” Ms. Hezel said, her lips tight. “And I’m sorry. But there are limits to what I can accept. Maybe you can stay with that girlfriend of yours.”
“She dumped me.”
“Oh. I’m sorry then.” Ms Hezel sighed. “Paperwork’s already been filed. Seven days.”
Julian closed his eyes, trying to come up with some objection or argument that would convince her to give him yet another extension.
When he opened them, she was halfway down the hall.
“Fuck.” Julian said after he had closed the door. That word seemed inadequate to express the depth of the feeling in his soul, but it was the strongest one that came to mind.
Seven days. He had seven days to come up with rent money. While having no power. And no cell service. Which meant he couldn’t do work. He could go to the bank and find out what, if anything, he had in his account. Maybe there would be enough in there to...get food for the day? If that? Most likely it would be overdrawn.
The sheer lack of options was paralyzing. Everything he knew that he could do to earn money involved the internet. He could go to the library to get internet access for a bit, but the gigs he worked required him to have mobile data. Maybe it’s worth a shot. I might have some money in one of the apps I haven’t withdrawn yet. If I do, I can use that to get my cellphone back on. I get the
