No One in the World by E. Lynn Harris, RM Johnson Read Free Book Online Page B

six months. With each month thatpassed, it became harder and harder to scrape together the money to pay the mortgage on her very expensive Michigan Avenue condominium located in the heart of the Gold Coast.
    Austen flipped open the armrest between the seats of the Jaguar and set the key inside it. She leaned over, checked the glove compartment to make sure she hadn’t left anything, then climbed out and closed the door.
    She stood in the Jewel grocery store parking lot, as mothers dragged their kids by the hands, and pushed their carts past her.
    Austen felt like crying as she turned and walked away from the vehicle.
    After climbing in a cab, she dug her cell phone out of her purse and dialed the 800 number of the finance company she was giving her car back to.
    â€œYes, this is Austen Greer,” Austen said. “The car is in the Jewel Foods parking lot on North Clark.” The cab driver glanced up at her. She cut him an evil look, then went back to her conversation. “But if you don’t pick it up by closing, I’m sure it’ll be towed.”
    Austen disconnected the call and settled back into her seat for the remainder of the ride home.
    When she walked through the heavy wood-and-glass doors of the aging but beautifully kept condo building, the uniformed attendant stood from behind the counter. “Ms. Greer, this man is here to see you,” the attendant said, gesturing to a blond man wearing shorts, topsiders, and a baseball cap.
    Austen hooked a finger over the top of her glasses, pulled them down a bit. She looked the man over suspiciously.
    â€œHi,” the man said, extending a hand. “I’m Ken. I came to look at the—”
    â€œThis way, Ken,” Austen said, cutting the man off before he could put her business out for the entire building to hear.
    On the elevator ride up to the twenty-third floor, Austen kept her eyes down.
    The elevator doors slid open with the ding of the bell.
    â€œThis way,” Austen said, stepping out first.
    Austen pushed open the heavy wooden door of her 2,000-square-foot condo. She walked in first, Ken following behind. Her heels clicked loudly across the immaculate hardwood floors and echoed through the huge space; it was practically empty.
    There was a beautiful Asian antique dining room set in the diningroom, and a burnt orange antique leather sofa with claw feet in the living room.
    â€œSo that’s it, huh?” Ken said, walking over to the sofa, his fists on his hips.
    â€œThat’s it,” Austen said, hating the fact that she had to sell it.
    Austen had once been so successful that she would fly all over the country looking for furniture to decorate her new condo. When she found the perfect piece, no matter the cost, she’d buy it and have it shipped home.
    The sofa was a piece she had found in San Francisco and just had to have. It was in flawless condition. She happily paid $12,000 dollars for it, and now had it sitting on Craigslist for a quarter of that.
    â€œI like it,” Ken said, his arms crossed. “I want it.”
    Austen was both relieved and disappointed. Once the sofa was gone, all that would be left was the dining room set and her bed.
    Ken sunk his hands into his pockets. “Will you take fifteen hundred?”
    Austen almost choked and thought about smacking the baseball cap off the man’s head. “If I’m not mistaken, it’s listed on Craigslist for three thousand.”
    â€œOkay, how about two thousand.”
    Austen stared at the man through her dark glasses. “That antique is in perfect condition.”
    Ken smiled. “I know. That’s why I’m offering two grand.”
    Her teeth clenched, her hands in fists, her long nails digging into the flesh of her palms, Austen walked briskly to her front door and yanked it open. “Get out.”
    â€œMs. Greer, I don’t mean to offend you, but times are tough for everyone. I know the value of what