“I don’t know. I knew we were getting a deal. The building
is small and it’s not in the best shape. Compared to other real
estate in the French Quarter, it’s a tumbling down dump. But I
didn’t think… I don’t know…” Dani trailed off and shook her
head.
Her heart thumped like a small, scurrying animal trying to
escape much larger prey. Her palms were clammy, and she
rubbed them on her ripped jeans. Could someone double the
rent? Yes, he was giving six months’ notice, but was that all it
took? She knew she’d be priced out, but could she do anything
about it? She was barely making a profit as it was. She did
have a plan to increase profit though. Every single year things
had gotten better for her at least as far as the business went.
This was her home. This building was more than a building. It
wasn’t just a store and an apartment above with the few things
that she owned. It was hers.
“The lease,” she whispered, her voice creaking like a worn
in set of stairs. “It’s up in six months. That’s why he’s doing
this. He knows that I’ll either have to sign a new lease,
agreeing to the rental increase, or that I’ll have to find
somewhere else.”
Andi stared at her sympathetically. Her horror was real, and
none of it was due to the fact that she’d likely lose her job, and
that made Dani feel a little bit better. At least there were still
people out there who had real compassion and real empathy,
though she’d met dang few of them in her life so far.
“I’ve fought so hard for this…” She hadn’t meant to
whisper that, but it was out.
Andi nodded. She looked as upset as Dani felt.
If the store fails, it means I’ve failed. That I’ve spent all this