When You Don't See Me Read Free Page A

would put his skills with spray paint and walls to good use. Even though he pretended he had no interest in school and was just biding time until graduation, Roberto was extremely talented. Our teachers often compared him to Jean Michel Basquiat. Without the heroin habit.
    â€œI’m sorry we’re stuck in the dining room,” I said. “The girls claimed the bedroom. I get the idea they think the apartment sucks overall.”
    â€œThis is a room? I thought it was a broom closet,” Roberto said. “The futon takes up half the room.”
    I opened a small door and said, “No. This is the broom closet.”
    He laughed and said, “I’m just teasin’, Nickito!”
    â€œStop calling me that.”
    â€œWho gives a shit what anyone thinks? What matters is, we have our own place, yo!” He high-fived me, then saw Kendra standing in our doorway. “It’s got a good view, too.”
    â€œI just wanted to give you my share of the deposit, Nick.” She took a tentative step into the room and handed me a check. “You know, while I’ve got it? Before I accidentally spend it on something silly, like food.”
    â€œOr the power bill,” I said.
    She sighed and asked, “How much was it to get the lights turned on?”
    â€œThey’re billing us. It won’t come for another month.”
    â€œNot me,” Roberto said. “I could pop at any time.”
    I couldn’t tell if Kendra was grossed out or trying to figure out what Roberto meant. I introduced them. When she left and I heard the bedroom door close, I turned to Roberto and said, “Roommates are off-limits.”
    â€œWe got two honeys in our house and you’re telling me I can’t—”
    He was cut off when Morgan knocked loudly on our door frame and said, “Hey, you.”
    â€œNick,” I reminded her, then sneezed twice. “Sorry. I don’t know if it’s a cold or—”
    â€œListen, just because we’re sharing this glorified shoe box doesn’t mean I want to hear your life story, okay? Kendra told me she gave you her share of the rent and deposit. I don’t want you thinking I’m some freeloader, so here.” She slapped a check on top of my duffel bag. Before she left, she said, “You should get a door or hang up a sheet in this doorway. I don’t want to walk by and accidentally see your man-bits or anything.”
    I stood and breathed through my mouth. Roberto was silent next to me. I wasn’t sure what he was contemplating. Probably that one of the “honeys” wasn’t such a catch after all. The miracle would be if he tried to catch her and didn’t get his ass kicked. As tough as Roberto might be, I’d put my money on Morgan. If I had money.
    While I put both girls’ checks in my wallet, I sneezed three more times and remembered my cup of tea. It was stone cold, but I drank it in the kitchen while Roberto made a couple more phone calls. Then I went back into our room, trying to summon up enthusiasm for unpacking.
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” Roberto said abruptly, picking up my hoodie and tossing it to me. I slipped into it, understanding his need to leave. Four people sharing the rent was an appealing idea. Four people inhabiting the same small space at the same time was less so. Plus Morgan’s movers were due any minute. Something told me that would entail a lot of drama.
    I considered my scratchy throat and said, “Let me get a heavier jacket.”
    It had finally stopped raining, but the air was still cold and damp. While we walked, Roberto entertained me with a perfect imitation of Morgan. When I realized where we were heading, I wiped my nose with alternating sleeves of my jacket and asked, “What’s up? Where are we going?”
    â€œListen to you, all suspicious. It stopped raining, so I thought we’d get out and—”
    â€œNo,” I