Annabelle
Bing
I pull my phone out of my pocket. My accessibility starts talking as I guide my finger over the screen of my phone for the message to be read.
"1612 Washington Road The message was read by the gentleman looking for a roommate.
I've been living with my sister for the last couple of years; it's driving me insane, so I've been looking for somewhere to stay.
I hold on to the handle on my guide dog's harness.
Listening to the audio guides me to my destination.
The city stinks.
The pungent aroma of what I'm not sure is pleasant overwhelms my senses.
The mixed perfumes and cologne make the body odor of fast food. The fumes vehicles release. Cigarettes. It was too much.
The city was also so loud. I practically see with my ears, and with so much different noise going on, it is hard to concentrate.
I was almost there; thankfully, it was within walking distance of my favorite coffee shop.
I turn off the audio on the small step and knock on the wooden door.
Softly biting on my lip, nervous.
I know my sister would have wanted to come with me, but she was very dramatic. I'm an adult; I don't need a babysitter.
The door opens.
"Ah, you must be Annabelle; come in." A deep voice says to me.
"Thank you," I say looking at the sound the direction came from.
I walk in.
He closes the door behind him.
"You have a dog?" He asked me.
"Ah, yes, he is my guide dog," I say, softly petting Galileo.
I can sense the awkwardness starting to form when it comes to people with disabilities who feel uncomfortable.
"Well, I will give you a tour. Be mindful of the step." He says it once again.
His voice sent shivers down my spine. I'm not sure. His voice was undeniably sexy, but still.
I follow my dog down the steps.
Hearing some voices off in the direction.
I softly hit my hip on the corner of the island as we passed by it.
Hissing to myself.
"I'm going to give her a tour to see if she's interested in being a roommate." He says this to the men's voices off in the distance.
"There is already furniture; if anything doesn't work, you can replace it or whatever." He says
His strides, as long as his feet make contact with the wooden door, slight creaks every now and then.
When he opens the door, a soft squeak is heard.
"I'll let you make sure you like it before you make any decisions. Call my name Matthew, or Matt, if you decide or have any questions." He tells me this before I hear his footsteps retreating.
I walk around the room, feeling everything.
The clean smell filled my nose. Deeply inhaling it, I felt the wall until I opened the door, which was the bathroom. I could see shimmers of light, but nothing specific. Blurry shapes like a blob. I see fireworks from my RP in purple, blue, and green; they never change colors like neon swirls and flashing. Always there, constantly there. I have no in-depth prescription.
I see a shadow on what appears to be a mirror, and as I move across it, the shadow blocks the light I am seeing.
I continue inspecting the room, letting go of Galileo.
I was interested because I was working at a bookstore; it was easy for me, and I've been working there for 3 years. I also have a disability, so I can finally have some independence.
I called Galileo over.
Walk out and have Galileo take me to Matthew.
I hear more voices that fade as I get closer.
I feel gazes on me, and I see blobs of four figures blocking my light.
The brightness of the lights hurts my sensitive eyes.
"So, what do you think?" Matthew asked.
"I actually really am interested; I'm practically dying to get out of my sister's house; she worries too much," I replied with a chuckle.
"Well, it's 400 a month. Would that be doable to you?" Matthew asks.
"Yeah, not a problem at all," I say with a small smile as I face the direction I hear their voice from.
"Well, I have to make sure you aren't a creep or something. Sit down." Matthew says.
I have Galileo guide me to the couch.
Holding my hand out to feel the couch soft.
I feel around a bit more before sitting down, knowing I'm not going to fall.
"So what do you do for work?" Matthew asks.
"I work at a bookstore. Pretty simple. I just repair the books and scan them, putting them up in their place. I can't do that many things. People don't trust me because I'm blind. So I stick to simple things people know I can do." I am awkwardly petting Galileo.
"You're blind?!" One of the shouts is kind of loud.
"No, the dog and the cane are just fashion statements," I replied with a laugh.
"Zane! You can't say stuff like that; it's rude." Matthew scolded softly, hoping I wouldn't hear.
"You don't look blind." Another voice says,
"You are probably right, but I wouldn't know," I say, shrugging.
"Sorry about my rude friends, who have zero manners. Levi, you can't say something like that." Matthew scolds yet again.
"Oh, I don't mind. I've been blind since I was 6, so no worries about offending me; sometimes people are just confused or carious, so it doesn't bother me one bit." I am still looking at him.
I hear the TV being paused.
"Well, I'm Finnegan. What's your dog's name?" The final voice says:
"Galileo," I replied softly.
"Well, I already did your background check and credit check; nothing unusual, so I suppose we can work something out. I'd need $800 on move-in day; that's the first month's rent and security deposit." He replied.
"Perfect," I replied.
"So when do you think you'd be moving in?" Matthew asked.
"Probably this weekend, if that's alright with you." I relied
