The Eviction Notice

It was June 16th, and I found myself standing in the middle of an empty apartment, thinking about all the memories and experiences that had been created within those walls. Just a month prior, I had been talking to Cheez and Brenna about the possibility of moving to California, excited about the endless possibilities that the West Coast could bring. But then, we received a text message from our landlord, claiming that we had 30 days to vacate the premises. Despite the fact that the eviction was illegal, we didn’t want to cause any problems for my sister Angie, who had helped us get the apartment in the first place. So, we packed up everything we owned, taking care to handle each item with care and consideration. It was a daunting task, but one that we approached with determination and grit. As we loaded up the last of our belongings, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness and nostalgia. This place had been our home, our refuge, and the scene of countless late-night brainstorming sessions and creative endeavors. And now, we were forced to leave it all behind. As I swept the empty apartment one last time, I thought about all the videos, content, and ideas that had been born within those four walls. The memories flooded back, threatening to overwhelm me with a sense of loss and despair. But then, I remembered that my creativity and my drive weren’t tied to a specific location. I was still the same person, with the same talents and skills, and I would be able to create just as much from my new home at my mother’s house. It was a strange feeling, to be back in my childhood bedroom after so many years away. Although I would be closer to Zo, which helped from a production standpoint, the shame I would feel of not being able to provide for my wife would only strengthen my desire to drink. Slowly but surely, I was gearing up for an implosion.