The Sheila Variations

Inexplicably...

my rent went DOWN by four dollars and 73 cents. I have no idea why. I am afraid to ask.

I came back from Christmas, and immediately put my rent check for the normal amount in the mail. Then I went and opened my teeny urban-style mailbox (which crumples up my massive Vanity Fairs) - and there was a note from my landlord: "From now on your rent will be this much."

My rent just went up a tiny bit in September - and now - 4 months later - it has slipped back down.

This apartment is new to me (I just moved in in August) and the rent is an odd amount - not like: $675 or something easy to remember. It's a weird number, with lots of ODD numbers - I have to keep a little note on my refrigerator reminding me of the exact amount. (I cannot keep numbers in my brain. My brain rejects anything numerical.)

So anyway - I went and checked my note on the fridge just to make sure - and yes, my rent has gone down. To the amount of four dollars and 73 cents.

I had overpaid my rent for January, then - and yesterday I came home to find an envelope slipped underneath my door. I opened it, filled with fear. (I have no trust. I have done nothing wrong, and yet ... I am sure SOMEWHERE that I have sinned. This is the Catholic upbringing, I suppose. I am a good tenant but I fear eviction.)

And in the envelope was a check for four dollars and 73 cents from my landlord.

Man! These people have integrity!

Why the hell did my rent go DOWN with no warning?? I'm not complaining ... I'm just pondering the mystery of it all.

Posted by sheila