Even though the hotel hopping was exhausting, it did feel great to know that Lou and I were no longer putting anyone out.
I could never let my guard down for one minute when we were imposing, and so my body ached from trying to hold it together for so long. But Lou’s latest health issues – and all of the moving around – were beginning to wipe me out emotionally more than anything.
I have a very clear memory of taking a moment to have a little cry in the parking lot after we checked into the Courtyard Marriott Coconut Grove. It was our fourth hotel since we left Steve and Paola’s, and I just couldn’t figure out how to make anything better or easier for us. And, I was running out of hope that we’d ever get approved to live in any of the condos we could afford.
But I’ve noticed that at the exact moment when my will finally breaks, a tiny pinprick of Light will suddenly sneak into my awareness to keep my faith alive.
I was just drying my tears when Omar called and said he had good news and bad news. The bad news was that the latest place we were trying to rent turned us down. But the good news was that he had another option that was located directly across the street from the “reject condo,” and, he said we were almost guaranteed to be accepted.
Omar had already spoken to the listing agent — who actually owned the unit — and we could look at it right away. So I made arrangements for us to meet Omar at the unit in Aventura an hour later.
When we arrived, I was surprised by how stunning the building was. It really was right across the street from the reject unit we liked, but I’d never even noticed it.
The building was very big, and you guessed it… White.
But the shape was very pleasing with stiff stucco walls and blue tinted glass on the front. Omar was waiting for us in the lobby, so Lou and I parked in a guest spot, and then we hobbled into the building.
I have a strong memory of how painful Lou’s bladder spasms were that day. The anti-spasm pills the doctor prescribed weren’t helping at all, and Lou didn’t want to take pain pills if he could avoid it. But Lou was giving it everything he had to rally so he could present himself as a strong man who was ready to work hard at his new job so we could pay our rent.
The lobby was ultra modern with long white leather benches, white Eames lounge chairs, and an enormous glass table with a stunning white orchid arrangement in the middle of it. Omar introduced us to the doorman, Marlin. He was a tiny guy, dressed in a snazzy black suit and teal blue tie.
Marlin was from the islands, and his easy accent and charming personality were so welcoming. We were waiting for the listing agent/unit owner to arrive, but Marlin immediately started telling us about all of the building’s amenities.
The place was luxury all the way. The more Marlin told us about the building, the more worried I became that Omar had forgotten about our budget. This place just seemed too fancy. But every time I looked at Omar, he’d wink at me and nod his head in a silent gesture to let me know it was OK to be impressed.
Eventually, a pretty woman with a very heavy French accent showed up. She and Omar air kissed on both cheeks, and then they both turned their attention to Lou and me. I remember this lady was in a very big hurry, so Lou had to step it up big time to keep up with her.
We followed her to the elevator as she spoke to Omar about key deposits, elevator FOB rentals, and other expenses this building required of all renters. My mind was tapping buttons on my mental calculator the whole time until I decided to give up. It was already becoming clear that I didn’t have the math skills to keep up. Plus, I figured we’d never be able to afford this place anyway.
So I decided I might as well surrender my hopes before I started to picture myself living there.
It was a crazy maze to find this woman’s unit, but when we finally got there, I held my breath before she opened the door. When we walked in, we entered into an enormous kitchen with dark wood cabinets, glossy marble floors, and black countertops. All of the appliances were brand new and stainless steel. Once we passed through the kitchen, a 30-foot glass wall guided my eyes upward to a huge vaulted ceiling. When I spun myself around to take in the room, I spotted a long marble staircase leading up to a loft.
Under the loft, Omar pointed out a powder room, and a fully loaded laundry room (oh my gosh!) Sliding glass doors in the living room led to a balcony that had just enough room for a grill and a small table and chairs. Just off the living room was a door that led to the guest suite, so I followed the French woman through the door.
When I entered the room, I was instantly blown away by how large the guest room was, and how perfectly the bathroom and closet were positioned. There was even a short balcony off the guest room that connected living room balcony.
Lou got a head start on the stairs while I was looking at the guest room, and so by the time I found him, he was standing in the middle of the loft. It was huge. And, even though everything was freshly painted white, and the marble tile was white with silver flecks, everything about that loft felt welcoming to me. I couldn’t stop myself from picturing how our big TV would fit perfectly along this one wall, and how easily I could warm up the space with our only remaining area rug.
Omar led us into a spectacular master suite that had an enormous bathroom with a sunken tub, glass shower, double-sink vanity, and water closet. Directly next to the bathroom was a Sex and the City-worthy walk-in-closet that would’ve totally impressed Carrie Bradshaw. It was bigger than the hotel room we were staying in!
One final hallway led to the bedroom — which was a long, open space with a huge window, and a large sliding glass door that led to another private balcony. When I opened the sliding glass door, and stepped out onto the balcony, I could see North Miami Beach in the distance. Directly below was a lazy canal with sail boats moored to a long wooden dock.
I couldn’t help it, but my heart really wanted to make this place our home.
Even though I had been resisting all of the white finishes of a typical Miami interior space, something about this place felt safe and clean to me. I had already started to picture how I would position the furniture we had left in our storage unit, and I could even imagine how Lou’s “man furniture” could work perfectly in this loft condo.
But I’d already resolved in my heart that I wouldn’t get attached to the idea of living there — I couldn’t handle the rejection if I let myself become emotionally invested in any of the places Omar had been showing us.
Eventually, it was time to talk numbers. So we returned to the lobby, and things got serious. I’m horrible at negotiations — and I had already shut down my mental calculator for the day. So I asked Marlin to show me the pool. He did, and when he left me alone on the deck, I looked out at the amazing view.
The canal was so quiet, but the water was gently moving as the tide was pushing in. I remember closing my eyes and praying for God to help me accept whatever happened next. I told Him how badly I needed a place to call home, but I would keep looking if I had to. I tried everything in my power to keep my emotions out of my prayers, but I remember feeling so weary and so ready to actually live somewhere in that crazy city.
I think I dozed off on one of the deck chairs because I have a specific memory of feeling fuzzy and startled when Lou called me on my phone. He sounded bright and happy and said for me to come to the lobby. When I found Lou, Omar, and Marlin, they were just making copies of our lease agreement. I was told that the French lady had to dash, but she had approved us to rent her place on the spot! I couldn’t believe it!
Lou did manage to get her to come down quite a bit on the monthly rent, but it wasn’t easy. Lou took Omar’s lead, though, and together, they got her to agree to terms that we could just afford.
I remember looking up at Lou and feeling so happy! We finally had a place to live. We had to schedule a move-in date with Marlin, and the only date we could mutually make work was five days from then. We also had to give Marlin a large deposit check on the spot to reserve the freight elevator for that day… (It’s always something in Miami.)
