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The apart area The exposure was southern, which ht The cost was thirty-five hundred a month

“It’s so small,” Lola said

“We like to call it cozy,” Brenda said

“My bed will be in the sa room What if I want to have people over? They’ll see my bed,” Lola protested

“You could get a foldout couch,” Brenda said cheerfully

“That’s awful,” Lola said “I don’t want to sleep on a foldout couch”

Brenda had recently returned from a spiritual journey to India There were people in the world who slept on thin mats made of plant materials, there were people who slept on cement slabs, there were people who had no beds at all She kept a smile on her face

Beetelle looked at Lola, gauging herelse?” Beetelle asked Brenda “Anything bigger?”

“Honestly, I’ve shown you everything available in your price range,” Brenda said “If you want to look in another area, I’m sure you can find a one-bedroom for the same amount of money”

“I want to live in the West Village,” Lola said

“But why, honey?” Cem asked “It’s all Manhattan It’s all the same, isn’t it?”

“Soht look at it that way,” Brenda said She waited

Lola crossed her ar out at the street “Carrie Bradshaw lived

in the West Village,” she said

“Ah,” Brenda said “There is another apart It’s probably exactly what you’re looking for But it’s much more expensive”