Chapter 2

Right then, my phone buzzed again. The property manager sent another message.

[Mr. Dawson, a resident wants to sign the contract tomorrow at noon. Does that work for you?]

I replied, [That works.]

Across the table, Ronald smiled at me. "Give me a heads-up the next time you're working late. I'll leave you a plate."

I looked at him. "Don't bother."

His smile faded. I pushed my plate away and stood. "I'm full."

Alicia's tone sharpened. "Chase, what is it now?"

I didn't explain.

For a long time, I thought I just needed to find the right words to get through to her. In truth, Alicia understood what bothered me. She simply didn't consider it a problem.

As I shut the bedroom door, Ronald lowered his voice. "What did I do this time?"

"Nothing," Alicia said gently. "He's been stressed lately. Just give him some space."

I paused inside the bedroom. Light from the living room spilled under the door, and soon they were laughing again.

Neither of them seemed to miss me at the table. By then, it was clear how long I had been living in a home where there was no room for me.

The next morning, messages flooded the group chat the three of us shared.

Ronald sent the first few.

[What's your deal, Chase? All this over a parking spot?]

Alicia jumped in. [Don't take it personally. He's under a lot of pressure at work. You didn't do it on purpose. You have nothing to feel bad about.]

I read their messages on the subway, my grip tightening around my phone.

I paid for that space. Every day Ronald blocked it, I was the one who parked half a mile away and walked home.

Yet there they were, discussing my attitude as though that was the only problem.

I left the messages unanswered.

At noon, I took time off work and went to the property management office to sign the contract.

The manager gave it one last try. "It's a great spot. You're sure you wanna sell?"

I picked up the pen. "Positive."

Signing my name brought a small measure of relief. No more standing in the garage, waiting for someone to bother moving a car so I could use the space I owned.

After work, I drove into the garage beneath our building.

I spotted Ronald's white car before I reached the space. Its nose crossed the line, and the back end stuck out at an angle. He parked like he owned the spaces on either side of him.

I sat behind the wheel for a moment and gave a short laugh.

Of course nothing changed. As far as Ronald was concerned, he could park wherever he wanted.

I pulled into a short-term space and went upstairs.

Before I got my key into the lock, I heard laughter inside.

"Good thing you jumped on it," Ronald said. "Someone else buys that spot, and I'm out of luck."

Alicia laughed. "I told you I'd take care of it. Buying it was the important part. We can figure out the rest later."

I stopped with the key in my hand.

Alicia turned out to be the buyer.

After a pause, Ronald asked, "How's Chase gonna take it?"

"Oh, he's just in a mood," she said. "Give him a couple of days. I'll talk him around."

"And if he tells me I can't park there?"

"It's my space now. He doesn't get to decide."

I stood outside the door, my key still in my hand.

I signed those papers thinking I was finally done with the whole arrangement. As it turned out, Alicia went behind my back and bought the space so Ronald could keep taking it over.