The Apotheosis. Darrell Lee

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СКАЧАТЬ his finger at Amira’s face. “I forbid it! You’ll not destroy this family!”

      She stood her ground. “I’m not your child. I’m not asking your permission. This is not a family. We’re two people living separate lives within the same house. There’s no love here.” Amira raised her voice at the end. “You want to control me like I’m your servant, but I’m not going to live my life this way!”

      Amira’s defiance, in Ethan’s eyes, was a defiance of God. God had ordained the husband as the authority in the marriage. It threatened him, but mostly it scared him. He was losing, or as he now realized, he had already lost her. Anger widened his eyes and veins protruded from his forehead. He didn’t know how to stop it. His open hand came up out of frustrated reflex and landed sharply on the side of Amira’s face before either of them knew it, leaving the red imprint of his fingers.

      She gasped from the pain. He had never struck her before. Her eyes went back to his. She could see the outward expression of anger, but she could smell the fear. Her eyes did not flinch. Her stare never left his.

      “I’m leaving. You can beat me if you want, but that fact will not change!”

      He clenched his fist in front of Amira. Instead of striking her again, he grabbed the book from the desk and threw it against the wall behind her. “I’ll not grant you a divorce, ever! You’ll be back here in a week. Do you understand? I’ll fight you every step of the way. I will not help you break up our family.”

      “I don’t expect any help.” Amira slammed the door on her way out.

      The next morning, after she took Elona to school, as soon as the bank was open Amira withdrew half of the money in their checking and saving accounts. She opened up her own account at a different bank and calculated that she had enough money to last for a year. By then I need to have a job. From there, she took the laptop to a Starbucks to search for an apartment.

      She settled at the table and opened the laptop. She took a sip from the latte and waited for the login screen. I don’t think Ethan would put spyware on my computer. But I can’t be sure. I’ll just have to risk it. Into Google she typed “Craigslist Boston.” Under “Housing” she selected “apt/housing.” Next she selected “All Apartments.”

      The screen filled with pictures, sorted by newest to oldest. Amira scrolled through the page. Something close to Elona’s school. Her attention was drawn to the picture of an empty living room, well-lit, an open kitchen with golden-oak flooring, and cabinets with black granite countertops at the far end.

      Rent: $2,500 / Month

      Broker Fee: One Month

      Available Date: 09/12/2019

      Beds: 2

      Baths: 2

      Pet: No Pets

      Features: Central Air, Dishwasher, Eat-in Kitchen, Granite Countertops, Hardwood Floors, Laundry, Modern Bath, Modern Kitchen, Near T, New/Renovated Kitchen, Parking For Rent, Storage, Near Public Transportation

      Spacious 2 bed 2 bath apartment located on Jacob Street. Gorgeous updated kitchen, granite, dishwasher. Modern bathroom, good closet space, windows, gleaming hardwood floor in kitchen and bath and crown moldings. Steps to Star Market and C-Line. Great restaurants within walking distance. Central A/C. Exclusive laundry and storage space right outside of unit.

      Call or Text Lisa 508-516-3877

      That is a very short drive to Elona’s school. And it’s available tomorrow. Amira punched the number on her phone.

      “Hello?” a young woman’s voice answered.

      “Hi, I’m calling about the apartment you have for rent. Is it still available?”

      “Yes, it is still available.”

      “I am very interested, can I come see it?”

      “Great, I’m the broker. What time would you like the viewing?”

      “Now?”

      “I can’t right now, but I could meet you there in an hour.”

      “Works for me.”

      Amira wrote the address on the Starbucks napkin.

      “Thanks, see you soon.”

      Amira spent the next forty minutes making a to-do list and sipping her latte before leaving for the appointment. Like all of Boston, maple trees lined the sidewalks of Jacob Street. Metro bus tracks separated the two sides. Businesses and brick apartment buildings occupied most of the block. A Whole Foods wasn’t far away.

      The broker, a smartly dressed woman in her thirties, stood in front of a red brick building with rich-toned maple doors. The broker spotted her as soon as she stepped out of the car. They shook hands.

      “Hi, I’m Lisa.”

      “Amira.”

      “Let me show you the place.”

      They proceeded to the door and the broker opened it with a security keypad. They took the stairs to the second floor. Just three doors down.

      It was everything the ad claimed it to be. Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, domed lights on the ceiling. The bedrooms were down a short hall. Amira fell in love with it immediately. It smelled of fresh paint, new carpet, and new life.

      “I’ll take it.”

      “When would you like to move in?”

      “Day after tomorrow.”

      “That may be a challenge. There is paperwork for the lease agreement and a credit check. You must pay the first month’s rent and the broker fee of $2,500.”

      “If I pay the broker fee in cash,” Amira removed an envelope from her purse, “and made it $3,000, would that help to get the paperwork done in time?” She removed thirty $100 bills from the envelope.

      Lisa took the money with a smile. “Yes, I’m sure we can find a way.”

      “And perhaps you know a moving company that can find a way to fit me in that day? There isn’t that much to move and I’d being willing to pay extra for the inconvenience.”

      “I know just the company… my brother owns it.”

      Amira sat in her car, excited and nervous. It’s real and it’s about damn time.

      THE PARENTS

      Sharon and Guy Levitt were surprised to see Amira and Elona arrive unannounced. The first sign that something was wrong. After supper, with Elona out of earshot in the living room watching cartoons, Amira’s mother seized the opportunity.

      “Are you going to tell us or are we going to have to guess?” Sharon said.

      “I’m leaving Ethan, divorcing.”

      Guy СКАЧАТЬ