Sophie remembered when she was five years old and her mother had lost her job. She had been looking for weeks and was unable to find any work. As young as Sophie was at the time, she knew how hard her mother was struggling to keep them afloat. She remembered hearing her mother cry in the middle of the night when she thought Sophie was sleeping.
Sophie remembered walking up and down the streets in front of their apartment looking for coins people dropped. She was so excited with her findings. She surprised her mother by putting it under her pillow so she wouldn’t cry anymore. Although it was not much, her mother insisted they buy a treat with it. They went down to the coffee shop and bought a cupcake to share. Sophie loved the smile on her mother’s face. It had seemed like it had been such a long time since Sophie had seen her mother happy. The coffee shop owner had put a ‘Help Wanted’ sign in the window while they were enjoying their treat. Sophie’s mother gave her a big hug. “You are my lucky charm, baby girl.” She smiled before she grabbed the sign out of the window and followed the owner.
Even in the hardest of times Sophie’s mother always managed to put food on the table for her, even if it was only enough for Sophie. She could remember many times that her mother would slide a plate of food in front of her in their sparse, dimly lit apartment and sit on the other side with nothing to eat herself. Her mother refused to let Sophie share, saying that it was important that she grow up healthy and strong. She had always told Sophie that she would always make sure she would never be hungry no matter what happened. It was a promise she always kept. Sophie remembered pretending she was full so her mother would be able to eat. She never ate until she knew that Sophie had enough. Sophie always treasured her mother’s love and strength.
“Okay…well, I was just calling to check on you and…to tell you that I mailed the invitations today!” Her mother’s excitement brought a smile to her face.
“That’s great, Mom! I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.” Her mother had met her fiancé, Peter, almost two years ago now. Sophie had gotten used to seeing him on her weekend trips home to visit her mom after she moved away to attend school. Peter was a police officer that had pulled her mother over for a broken taillight. They said that it only took that brief moment for them to realize there was something between them. Peter had been in her mother’s life ever since. Her mother had dedicated her life to raising Sophie and working as much as she could to pay the bills. Sophie liked knowing that she was finally living for herself. Peter was the first and only man she introduced to Sophie. She had known her mother had dated over the years, but she kept that part of her life separate. Sophie only ever saw the fallout of those relationships.
Sophie was reluctant at first when she met Peter, but he had proven himself over that last few years and over that time Sophie began to accept him. Her reservations fell away and she could see the man that had swept her mother off her feet. She was grateful for Peter’s timing in coming into her mother’s life—it gave Sophie peace of mind that her mother wasn’t alone. Peter gave a new brightness to her mother’s eyes that Sophie had never seen before, and that was priceless.
“Don’t work too hard, honey.”
“Is there any other way?” Sophie responded with sarcastic humor. Since Sophie was able to help her mother with the bills, she did whatever she could. She worked as many hours as possible without letting her schoolwork suffer. She also saved for university from the first paycheck. Sophie insisted on her independence as soon as she was capable, especially now that her mother was finally creating a foundation for her new life, planning her wedding and buying a home with Peter.
“Love you, honey. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Love you too, Mom.” Sophie hung up the phone and reached for her things that still lay haphazardly in her entranceway. When she grabbed her purse from the floor, she shrieked as a furry creature ran between her legs.
***
Sophie banged on her landlord’s door without mercy. She knew he was home; she could hear his television. “Mr. Cleary!” Sophie called through the door. There were only three apartments in the townhouse, which was converted into rentals, and her landlord resided in the lower unit. Mr. Cleary was the perfect embodiment of the worst landlord on the face of the Earth as far as Sophie was concerned. Unfortunately the lack of apartments that she could afford in the downtown area meant that she was stuck with him for now.
“Mr. Cleary, I know you’re in there. I need to speak with you.” She leaned against the wall in frustration.
“Last week I had to camp out there when my showerhead broke and I am still waiting for the plumber to show up that he promised me. Luckily my boy toy likes the fact that I go over there to shower.” Mel winked as she stomped down the stairs in her black lace-up boots that tied all the way up to mid-thigh. Mel lived in the upper floor apartment. Sophie had met her the first day she had moved into the building. Sophie’s mother had helped her move and was helping her unpack when Mel walked in to introduce herself. Mel had worn the same boots as she did now, with a tight black leather mini skirt and see-through shirt. Her makeup had been applied so heavily that Sophie could not even picture what she really looked like beneath the layers. Her shoulder length hair was backcombed and sprayed heavily with sparkles. It was during this first encounter that Mel had informed them that she was a stripper and had just come from work. The look of panic on her mother’s face was priceless. Sophie had learned quickly that Mel loved making people unsettled.
Two years had passed and Sophie had grown fond of her neighbor and appreciated her straightforwardness. There was no fluff with Mel, and Sophie could always count on her for the raw truth. It had taken many hours of convincing her mother to let her stay, though, especially after they had the luxury of meeting Mr. Cleary.
“Hey, Mel.” Sophie sighed half-heartedly. “My furry friends are back.”
“Yeah, those furry little shits have been leaving their mark in my apartment too. Let me know if you have any luck with the fat piece of fuck.” Mel inclined her head toward Mr. Cleary’s door. “Off to shake my money maker.” Mel swayed her hips exaggeratedly. “By the way, a little concealer would do those dark circles some good,” she said as she continued down the stairs, leaving a trail of overpowering perfume.
“Love you too,” Sophie called after her sarcastically.
Sophie jumped as Mr. Cleary’s door swung open. “What?” he barked, raking his gaze up and down Sophie’s entire body. Sophie stepped back. Mr. Cleary wore a white sleeveless shirt with stains down the front of his round stomach, gray torn jogging pants, and bare feet. What remained of his hair was unkempt and in need of a good washing. He rubbed his unshaven face and looked at Sophie from his dark beady eyes.
“The mice are back. You have to do something about them.” Sophie crossed her arms over her chest. She learned long ago that pleasantries did nothing for Mr. Cleary. He took advantage of any niceties to buy himself time.
“I haven’t noticed any mice. You sure it wasn’t your imagination?” He breathed heavily as he leaned against the door frame. A permanent sheen of perspiration always beaded upon his forehead.
“Oh I’m positive.” Sophie narrowed her eyes and tapped her foot.
“I’ll check it out,” he grunted. If Sophie wasn’t already late she would have stayed and made sure he followed through, but she had to leave for work. She knew that nothing would come of their conversation because “I’ll check it out” was Mr. Cleary’s usual response, which translated to “I’ll do nothing.” Sophie rolled her eyes as Mr. Cleary disappeared back into his apartment, slamming the door.
***
“I’m here!” Sophie called into the back room as she grabbed her apron from the wall hook.
“Your perfect record is broken, Sophie.” Sam shook his head in playful disappointment. He was tall, with a kind smile and attractive charm. Sam wore his dark hair short with a heavy five o’clock shadow covering his cheeks. He was a runner and the effects showed in his slim, toned physique. Sophie had always liked Sam’s company. He was always warm and friendly to her.