So… Linda called me back last night, 48 hours after I first contacted her and 24 hours after I promised the apartment to Jürgen.

I was out for a bike ride when she called, but when I returned there was an accompanying text message from her. It read, “Hey. I wanted to check in on the apt situation. Please let me know. Thank you!” Apparently her and I had been judging this time differently…

I decided to call her back. The text message is such a low form of communication, I thought the situation called for better. Of course, she didn’t pick up the phone, so I left her a voicemail. I let her know that someone else had secured the place, and thanked her for her time.

With most folks, that’d be the end of it. But Linda ain’t most folks. She texted me soon after, letting me know she was “bummed” that she missed out on the place but thanking me for calling her. I replied by sincerely wishing her the best on her search. At this point, I’m thinking that we’ve exhausted pleasantries.

Then, this happened:

She wasn’t too busy…

It’s not everyday you get to date your potential tenant. It’s not everyday that you get to explore a chemistry with someone you never believed you’d see again. And it’s certainly not everyday that you get a shot with a pretty lady after you totally screwed them over on an apartment deal. All things considered, I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth on this one.

We’re going out tomorrow night.

Excitement aside, I have to admit I’m a little uneasy that my social experiment isn’t really getting off on the right foot. Not exactly, anyway. Linda doesn’t know that I am renting out my place with the aim of becoming homeless. I had told my potential tenants, when asked, that I would be house-sitting for a photographer friend in Sherman Oaks. (I do have a friend, Lana, who has a huge house in Sherman Oaks and often leaves town on assignment. And although she’d gladly house me at any time, I would (and did) expressly deny it. See my “FAQ” page for more explanation of that philosophy.) But the truth is, I kept the reality free from my sublease discussions. I didn’t want it to influence their decision one way or another. And frankly, it won’t affect them either way. I know I’ll honor my side of the agreement and that’s all that’s relevant.

But I’ll have to tell her eventually. Maybe I’m not quite comfortable with the idea yet. I just believe that concerning myself with how to present this to her now seems like it would be a huge distraction from the acquainting process. After all, my personality is not defined by this act. Plus, I am prepared enough for the challenges I am about to face to know that there is a chance–though a small one, because I’m super stubborn–that living without a home will be too difficult for me to handle. I don’t want to pull a Bill Bryson in Walk in the Woods and go on about a task I couldn’t complete.*

What a strange day. I imagine there are plenty more of these to come.

– TOH

*Still a great read, by the way…