Nikki jumped at the sound of the voice and turned away from the door, feeling behind her to make sure it was locked. Her landlord, Milton Sprull, stood at the top of the stairs glaring down at her. She sighed and turned to look up at him, focusing on his broad forehead, and trying not to see the stained T-shirt stretched over his rotund belly or the leer on his face. “Look, I know I’m a little late, but I’ll have the rent by the end of the week, Mr. Sprull. Promise.” “That’s what you said last week, and the week ‘fore and the week ‘fore that. I can’t have no freeloaders. You pay up by the end of the week or yer out. Got it?” “Yes, sir.” Nikki hitched her backpack strap more securely on her shoulder and walked away from the rundown house where she rented a makeshift apartment. What little pride she had left was fading fast. Thanks to Bob McDonald, her latest ex-boss, she was a month behind in rent, had nothing saved and only twenty-three dollars between her and going hungry.
