I have been hungry and homeless before and am never going to be like that again. Ever.

Paying for college is not exactly easy but I am making it work. I know that school is necessary for me to get a decent job at a living wage. But what good does it do to make more money if you end up paying the difference in student loans for the next 20 years?

I know I am whining but I hate to spend money. Old habits die hard. The duplexes I ‘acquired’ are paid for, so is my car. The only expenses I incur with them is for maintenance and taxes. I also make certain to keep the places well maintained.

I may have evolved into being a land lord but I will be damned if I am going to be a slumlord.

Last week when I watched surveyors from the city going around measuring property lines I felt a cold grip on my heart. Since I did not exactly acquire these properties legally I am paranoid about being caught. Orange is so not my color and I would not get out of jail until sometime after social security kicks in. There are not many juries that would look kindly on someone who forges signature so she could steal someone else’s car and personal belongings. Plus their real estate properties, military pension and social security checks. Not to mention burying that same someone in an unmarked grave on the side of the road. Even if he was a worthless child molesting bastard.

But this is my life and we have to deal with the hand we are dealt. I did feel better when I saw them surveying other properties besides mine. But I digress.

I always ‘dress appropriately’ when going to work at Beverly’s office. Even if I am only going to sit at the corner desk and do my school work. One time I went in a little too casually dressed, Beverly gave me a disapproving look and sent me home to change. When I came back she and I had a talk about appearances and first impressions. I have never made that mistake again. Even when I just go in on a Saturday to answer the occasional phone call I dress well. But this did cause me to spend more on a wardrobe then I am used to.

However when it comes to shopping, Ann is always glad to help. Her taste and style are better than mine so I let her use me as a model Barbie Doll and dress me accordingly. So far I have never been able to argue about the outcome. But for a girl like me whose former idea of a treat was looking for things in the discount bins of Goodwill, the sticker shock is sometimes a little too much to handle.

Ann and I always go out to eat after shopping and I insist on treating. I tell her it’s her pay for being my ‘personal styling consultant’. Ann can eat anything she wants and never gain an ounce on her perfect figure. Her job as a dancer has a lot to do with it. If I didn’t love her so much I could easily grow to hate her for it. On the other hand she works out at Planet Fitness in Hampton every day and runs most mornings so that has a lot to do with it too.

Most people just see her perfect figure and beautiful heart shaped face surrounded by strikingly gorgeous red hair and think that is all she is. She also has a heart of gold and a sharp mind that can surprise people.

I have no idea how much money she makes as a dancer but know it is mostly in cash.