Garrett waited for the door to shut before making his call. He pressed a saved number on his cellphone and waited impatiently until it was answered. 

     “William,” he said crossly. “Why is there someone in the apartment next to mine?” 

     There were a few moments of silence before the person on the other end gasped in surprise. 

     “Mr. Fagan!” exclaimed the joyous voice of the landlord. “When did you get back in?” 

     “Yesterday,” Garrett replied. “I want to know why someone is in that apartment. You assured me I would have the entire top floor to myself.” 

     “Well, yes, but you said you’d likely be away for a few months,” William replied. “The young lady needed a temporary place, so I didn’t think it would matter. 

     Truthfully, I thought she’d be gone by now, but after only a week, she changed her lease from monthly and paid a year in advance. I didn’t feel right about turning her away. She seemed so forlorn. I thought she could use the quiet like you enjoy so much.” 

     Garrett huffed. “I do enjoy the quiet, which is precisely why we had an agreement that I would be alone on that floor. The other two units are vacant because of renovation. The unit next to mine was to be kept vacant as long as there were other apartments available. I even offered to pay rent for it, and you told me it wouldn’t be necessary.” 

     “Yes, Mr. Fagan, and we agreed the construction would take place while you were away on your trips,” agreed the landlord. “The only time crews are there are at those times. This last business trip of yours was enough for them to complete the construction. Now, it’s just simple things like painting and such.” 

     “Are you telling me more people will be moving in?” Garrett angrily interrupted.

     He leaned forward in his chair in preparation for an argument and impromptu lease adjustment. Security where he resided was more important than he could explain to anyone without the proper clearance. 

     “Mr. Fagan, please understand,” William replied in a calm tone, attempting to quell any desire his valued tenant may have had to vacate. “There’s been a sudden rise in employment this year, and people are moving where the jobs are. As of right now, those two units are the last vacant ones in the building. The young lady next to you took the last one I could lease out. She’s a wonderful tenant, causes no problems, and always on time with rent.” 

     “You said she paid a year in advance,” Garrett remarked. 

     “Exactly,” laughed William, then he became serious as Garrett huffed. “Listen, Mr. Fagan, has she caused you any grief since you’ve been home?” 

     Garrett thought back to the day prior. The only sound he had heard from the new neighbor was crying the night before. Otherwise, she was as quiet as a church mouse. 

     “The assigned parking place for that unit was vacant,” Garrett noted. 

     “She doesn’t have a car,” William replied. “She offered to give her spot to anyone in need because she doesn’t plan on having one, but I told her to keep it for deliveries or perhaps a friend or family. I don’t think she has those, either, but I didn’t want to pry. She’s not the talkative type. Just like you. I think this is the longest conversation we’ve ever had. She’s nicer than you, though.” 

     Garrett glared at the phone as the landlord laughed at the jeer. 

     “Let me know when those other two units will be ready for listing,” he told William. 

     “Are you going to rent those so you’re not disturbed?” William asked. “I don’t care who pays for them just so I’m not losing money on vacant units.” 

     “I’ll move before I’m responsible for three leases,” Garrett replied. 

     Without a goodbye, he ended the call.