I Helped an Elderly Man Who Collapsed at a Bus Stop During a Heat Wave – That Evening, I Found a Note He Had Slipped Into My Pocket, and My Hands Started Shaking

Notices with dates that made no legal sense.

That morning, before I left for work, another one had been taped to my door.

« Final warning, Clara. Vacate by Friday or your things go on the curb. »

Bogus fees.

I had read it three times, and then I did what I always did.

I folded it, put it in a drawer, and told myself I would deal with it later.

***

At the diner, my coworker Nina noticed my face right away.

« Another note? »

« Another note. »