ㅤ
The apartment had a crooked window.
ㅤ
I noticed it before I noticed the kitchen, which probably said something about how much responsibility had changed my priorities.
ㅤ
That was the first thing I noticed.
ㅤ
The second was that Mira had already decided we should live there.
ㅤ
“It has a kitchen!”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“And two rooms!”
ㅤ
“One bedroom and one sitting room.”
ㅤ
“Two rooms,” she repeated.
ㅤ
I glanced at the landlord. He glanced at the window.
ㅤ
Neither of us mentioned it.
ㅤ
The building stood near the academy's eastern gate, above a cobbler's shop. A woman selling dried herbs occupied the neighboring storefront. The stairs creaked, but the apartment itself was dry, and the washroom had a working tap. I turned it on and waited long enough to be certain the water kept running.
ㅤ
Most importantly, sunlight reached the sitting room.
ㅤ
Mira pressed her face close to the window.
ㅤ
“Flowers!”
ㅤ
Marigolds grew along the courtyard wall.
ㅤ
“Don't lean on the frame,” I said.
ㅤ
“Why?”
ㅤ
“Because I haven't decided whether it's attached properly.”
ㅤ
The landlord cleared his throat.
ㅤ
“The frame is sound. The shutters are uneven.”
ㅤ
“Good to know.”
ㅤ
I made a note to check them again.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
Mr. Pell examined my provisional dependent certificate before returning to the lease.
ㅤ
“Thirty days,” Mr. Pell said, reading the certificate.
ㅤ
“Yes. There's a welfare review before it expires.”
ㅤ
“And if they don't renew it?”
ㅤ
“I'll need to resolve the documentation issue.”
ㅤ
“That isn't an answer.”
ㅤ
“No,” I admitted. “It's the situation.”
ㅤ
Mira turned from the window.
ㅤ
“Daddy takes care of me.”
ㅤ
Mr. Pell looked at her, then at me.
ㅤ
“I can see that he intends to.” His tone was cautious rather than unkind.
ㅤ
I appreciated the distinction.
ㅤ
He explained the terms. Twenty-six silver each week, thirteen silver as a refundable deposit, and water included. Heating fuel wasn't. We'd need our own bedding and cooking utensils.
ㅤ
“Can Sir Flopsy come?” Mira asked.
ㅤ
“Who?”
ㅤ
She presented the rabbit.
ㅤ
Mr. Pell examined him gravely.
ㅤ
“Does he damage furniture?”
ㅤ
“No!”
ㅤ
“Then he's welcome.”
ㅤ
Mira gave me a triumphant look.
ㅤ
One tenant approved. One to go.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
I checked the lock, tap, shutters, and stair railing. Mr. Pell watched me test the lock a second time.
ㅤ
“Thorough, aren't you?”
ㅤ
“I've recently become responsible for someone who considers doors invitations.”
ㅤ
“Daddy!”
ㅤ
“Not all doors,” I amended.
ㅤ
“Only nice ones.”
ㅤ
Mr. Pell almost smiled.
ㅤ
Our guesthouse room was paid for another two nights. I asked whether he could hold the apartment until the following afternoon.
ㅤ
“One day,” he said. “After that, I show it to the next applicant.”
ㅤ
“Fair.”
ㅤ
I wrote down the deadline. One afternoon to decide whether I could afford the place, and considerably longer to find out whether the academy would let us stay.
ㅤ
Mira waved goodbye to the marigolds as we left. She didn't wave to Mr. Pell.
ㅤ
I suspected the flowers had made a stronger impression.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
Halden was less interested in the apartment than in my ability to grade examination papers.
ㅤ
“Eight silver per week,” he said.
ㅤ
“For how many hours?”
ㅤ
“Four, usually. More near the end of term.”
ㅤ
“And the assistantship continues separately?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
Twelve plus eight.
ㅤ
Twenty silver a week.
ㅤ
Still six short of rent, before food, childcare, or heating.
ㅤ
Halden watched me calculate.
ㅤ
“Not enough?”
ㅤ
“Not yet.”
ㅤ
“Private tutoring pays more. You have the control for introductory defensive magic.”
ㅤ
“I don't have the reputation.”
ㅤ
“You have my recommendation.”
ㅤ
He pushed a sheet across the desk.
ㅤ
“Two first-year students requested help with barrier stability. Speak to them yourself. Agree on a fee.”
ㅤ
I looked at the names.
ㅤ
“Thank you, Professor.”
ㅤ
“Don't thank me until they've paid you.”
ㅤ
A practical man.
ㅤ
I was becoming fond of that.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
I found Evelyn in the library.
ㅤ
Four books occupied her table, along with two notebooks and a cup of tea she'd apparently forgotten to drink.
ㅤ
“Is this seat available?”
ㅤ
She looked up.
ㅤ
“For you, yes.”
ㅤ
I sat.
ㅤ
A moment later, I realized what she'd said.
ㅤ
Evelyn had already returned to her notes, so I decided against examining it too closely.
ㅤ
“How was the apartment?” she asked.
ㅤ
“Smaller than the guesthouse. Cheaper. Better suited to Mira.”
ㅤ
“Does it have a kitchen?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“A secure entrance?”
ㅤ
“I tested the lock.”
ㅤ
“Enough light?”
ㅤ
I stared at her.
ㅤ
“Have you been discussing housing with my daughter?”
ㅤ
“No.”
ㅤ
“Because that was almost her exact list.”
ㅤ
“It's a sensible list.”
ㅤ
Apparently, I was outnumbered again.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
I explained the deposit, Mr. Pell's deadline, and Halden's offer.
ㅤ
Evelyn listened, then drew a line beneath my estimated expenses.
ㅤ
“Have you included heating?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“Laundry?”
ㅤ
I hesitated.
ㅤ
She looked at me.
ㅤ
“I'll add laundry.”
ㅤ
“And moving?”
ㅤ
“I own two bags, several books, and a teapot with a chipped lid. I'm hoping to carry my entire household.”
ㅤ
“Beds?”
ㅤ
“The apartment is unfurnished.”
ㅤ
She waited.
ㅤ
“I'll add beds.”
ㅤ
“Bedding?”
ㅤ
“Evelyn.”
ㅤ
She stopped writing.
ㅤ
I stopped too.
ㅤ
It was the first time I'd used her name without the title. I had meant to ask about the beds, not make the conversation suddenly feel different.
ㅤ
She looked at me for a moment.
ㅤ
Then she said, “I'm not trying to discourage you.”
ㅤ
“I know. You're finding all the expenses I'd rather discover now than after signing the lease.”
ㅤ
“Exactly.”
ㅤ
“You're very effective at it.”
ㅤ
Her mouth curved.
ㅤ
“Thank you.”
ㅤ
“That wasn't entirely a compliment.”
ㅤ
“I chose to take it as one.”
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
She turned to another notebook.
ㅤ
“I requested access to the archive workshop.”
ㅤ
“For the letter?”
ㅤ
“Yes. There's a preservation frame that may reveal traces of ink beneath the damaged surface. We can use it under supervision.”
ㅤ
“Will anyone ask where the letter came from?”
ㅤ
“Probably. We can say we're examining a damaged personal document. That would be true.”
ㅤ
“And the coins?”
ㅤ
“Leave them at home. They aren't relevant to this procedure.”
ㅤ
She passed me a note with the appointment time.
ㅤ
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
ㅤ
“You've been busy.”
ㅤ
“I prefer to make progress.”
ㅤ
“I'm beginning to notice.”
ㅤ
I studied the note. Evelyn had arranged access without telling anyone our theory about the future.
ㅤ
It was careful, useful help.
ㅤ
I was beginning to rely on it.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
By late afternoon, I'd spoken to one of Halden's recommended students.
ㅤ
Tomas could produce a respectable barrier as long as he stood still. Walking while maintaining it caused the left side to collapse.
ㅤ
We agreed on two sessions each week, five silver per session.
ㅤ
The second student wanted to consult his parents before committing.
ㅤ
Reasonable.
ㅤ
If Tomas attended both sessions, my projected weekly income would reach thirty silver. None of his fees had reached my hand yet.
ㅤ
The apartment cost twenty-six.
ㅤ
I wasn't celebrating.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
Mira was unusually quiet when I collected her from Mrs. Fenwick.
ㅤ
She held my hand as we walked back to the guesthouse, but she didn't ask about the apartment until we'd reached our street.
ㅤ
“Did you like it?” I asked.
ㅤ
She nodded.
ㅤ
“The flowers were nice.”
ㅤ
“They were.”
ㅤ
“Will Mommy know where we go?”
ㅤ
I stopped.
ㅤ
There it was.
ㅤ
For me, moving meant lower rent and a kitchen of our own. For Mira, it might mean another person not knowing where to find her.
ㅤ
I crouched.
ㅤ
“We'll tell Evelyn the address before we move. We won't leave without telling her.”
ㅤ
“Promise?”
ㅤ
“Promise.”
ㅤ
“And Uncle Marcus?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“And Mrs. Fenwick?”
ㅤ
“She'll need to know where to collect you. And we'll tell her before we change anything about your mornings.”
ㅤ
Mira looked relieved.
ㅤ
“Okay.”
ㅤ
She hugged me, then resumed walking as though we'd settled a matter of great importance.
ㅤ
We had.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
That evening, I spread my budget across the table.
ㅤ
Mira sat beside me drawing a house with an ambitious number of windows.
ㅤ
“That's a lot of glass,” I said.
ㅤ
“Mommy likes big windows.”
ㅤ
“Does she?”
ㅤ
“And you like gardens.”
ㅤ
“I do.”
ㅤ
“And I like flowers.”
ㅤ
“An excellent division of interests.”
ㅤ
She added a marigold almost as tall as the house.
ㅤ
I returned to the figures.
ㅤ
Thirty-nine silver upfront: twenty-six for the first week and thirteen for the deposit. Bedding, heating fuel, and household supplies afterward.
ㅤ
Even with the grading work and Tomas's tutoring sessions, I couldn't cover every regular expense from wages alone.
ㅤ
I could pay the initial costs from savings, but that would leave a thinner reserve than I liked.
ㅤ
I needed the second student to agree, and probably more work besides.
ㅤ
Mira leaned over the notebook.
ㅤ
“Are we poor?”
ㅤ
I put down my pencil.
ㅤ
“We have enough for today. I'm working on making sure we have enough tomorrow.” I kept my hand on the notebook instead of reaching for the pencil again. She was watching my face, not the numbers.
ㅤ
She considered that.
ㅤ
“Mommy has lots of money.”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“Can she buy the house?”
ㅤ
“A practical suggestion,” I said. “But we're not asking her to do that.”
ㅤ
“Why?”
ㅤ
“Because Evelyn and I have only just met here.”
ㅤ
“You knew her before.”
ㅤ
“Not the way you know her.”
ㅤ
Mira frowned.
ㅤ
“Do you like her?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
Her face brightened.
ㅤ
“Good!”
ㅤ
“Liking someone doesn't mean asking them to pay your rent.”
ㅤ
“Why?”
ㅤ
“Because people should get to choose how they help.”
ㅤ
She thought for a while.
ㅤ
“Can we ask her to see the flowers?”
ㅤ
I smiled.
ㅤ
“That sounds much better.”
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
Someone knocked just before supper.
ㅤ
I opened the door to find Marcus carrying a narrow wooden bed frame over one shoulder.
ㅤ
I stared.
ㅤ
He stared back.
ㅤ
“Don't make it weird.”
ㅤ
“Why are you carrying a bed?”
ㅤ
“Because carrying a wardrobe would've been difficult.”
ㅤ
“Marcus.”
ㅤ
“The martial department is replacing furniture in the training residence. They're giving away the old frames.”
ㅤ
“Is it broken?”
ㅤ
“Only emotionally.”
ㅤ
“Marcus.”
ㅤ
“It's solid. I checked.”
ㅤ
Mira appeared behind me.
ㅤ
“Uncle Marcus!”
ㅤ
He grinned.
ㅤ
“Found you a bed, little one.”
ㅤ
“For our new house?”
ㅤ
“If your daddy wants it.”
ㅤ
I examined the frame. It was worn, but the joints looked sound. The slats would need a mattress, and I still had to find bedding, but at least it was one less frame to buy.
ㅤ
“Bring it in.”
ㅤ
Marcus entered with a victorious expression.
ㅤ
I pretended not to notice.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
After supper, Mira drew the bed.
ㅤ
Then she drew another beside it.
ㅤ
“That's yours,” she told me.
ㅤ
“Very thoughtful.”
ㅤ
She added a third.
ㅤ
I looked at the page.
ㅤ
“Whose is that?”
ㅤ
“Mommy's.”
ㅤ
Marcus made a noise into his cup.
ㅤ
“Mira, your mother has her own room.”
ㅤ
She looked confused.
ㅤ
“Why?”
ㅤ
“Because she lives somewhere else.”
ㅤ
“For now,” Mira said.
ㅤ
Marcus lost his battle with laughter.
ㅤ
I considered throwing a biscuit at him.
ㅤ
Then remembered the budget.
ㅤ
The biscuit stayed where it was.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
After Marcus left, I checked the window and helped Mira into bed.
ㅤ
“Daddy?”
ㅤ
“Yes?”
ㅤ
“Will the new house have room for Mommy when she visits?”
ㅤ
I sat beside her.
ㅤ
“We'll make room when she visits.”
ㅤ
“Even if it's little?”
ㅤ
“Even then.”
ㅤ
She smiled.
ㅤ
I tucked Sir Flopsy beside her and adjusted the blanket.
ㅤ
“Good night, Mira.”
ㅤ
“Good night, Daddy.”
ㅤ
At the table, the budget still didn't balance. The apartment still needed furniture. The welfare review was waiting at the end of the month.
ㅤ
But there was a landlord willing to consider us, a professor offering work, a friend carrying furniture across the academy, and a young woman who'd arranged a supervised examination of a damaged letter. None of that guaranteed the apartment. It did mean I had people to call when the next problem appeared.
ㅤ
I wasn't solving everything alone anymore.
ㅤ
I picked up my pencil.
ㅤ
Beneath tomorrow's tasks, I wrote:
ㅤ
Tell Evelyn about the marigolds.