I was directed to an apartment complex about two miles from work. It wasn't up to my picky standards, but I'd only be there for a few hours plus sleep each day, so I didn't complain. It a huge complex of intertwined buildings, 30 in all, all three stories high and containing either one or two bedroom apartments. I got a single - didn't need more. Mine was also furnished, although a 19" TV and shitty appliances pissed me off. But why complain?

The day I arrived to my apartment was warm. There were several kids playing outside in the street and adults hovered on their decks and patios like vultures waiting to strike. They watched me with their eyes, never moving their heads, further enhancing the vulture effect. I didn't have furniture, only my luggage. I'm sure that made them even more curious, since the rental ran $400 more a month if it was furnished. A ton of money for these folks - for me it was funny money since I was totally reimbursed.

As I entered the front door I saw a cute, young girl with blonde hair and a long pigtail. She smiled at me and gave me a little wave. It was the first friendly gesture I'd received, so I returned the wave and smiled back. My apartment was on the third floor and as I walked up the steps I noticed that the girl was behind me, following me.

I turned and said, "What's your name?"

I must have startled her because her eyes grew large and she seemed surprised that I'd noticed her.

"Uhm, Becky." She said softly.

"Well Becky, I'm Jon, it's very nice to meet you." I replied.

Becky smiled and shrugged.

"How old are you, Becky?" I asked. It seemed like a harmless enough question.

"Nine. I'll be ten in May." She smiled a big smile.

"Well, Becky, I'm quite a bit older than that. But I can remember when I was nine!"

"You do?" She asked incredulously. Apparently someone as old as me shouldn't be able to remember that far back, I guess.

"Yep. I hated being nine." I replied.

Her eyes sparkled for a moment, then she asked, "Why?"

"Well, when I was nine I was picked on by the bigger kids and I always seemed to get into trouble, you know?"

"Yeah!" She replied enthusiastically, "Like me!" She trotted up the half flight of stairs to stand next to me as I inserted the key into my apartment deadbolt.

"Really?" I asked. Actually, I had detected as much in her brash attitude and spunky style. "Well, see you later," I said as I entered the apartment.

"Let me help you out," she said, pushing past me. "This is the thermostat." She explained, pointing to such. "And the fridge don't work all that well unless you really crank them up." She went to the kitchen and turned the knobs inside the fridge to "arctic blast." Then she showed me all the light switches and explained the difference between the disposal for the sink and the overhead light switch. "I put some red nail polish on the disposal so I could tell the difference. You want me to do that for you?" She asked. Before I could respond she dashed out of the apartment on her quest. The door shut behind her and I could her the 'thump thump thump' as she hopped down the stairs to her apartment. A few minutes later she knocked on my door. I let her in and she darted past me and was dabbing the switch with red before I knew it.

"Thanks, Beck." I said.

She turned and smiled, "Beck?"

I smiled and shrugged. "Sorry, you prefer Becky?"

"No, Beck is cool. I've never had a nick name before. Beck. I like that!" She giggled a little, an inside joke I guess, then sat down at the kitchen table. She saw the inspection form on the table and took a look at it.

It was then that it hit me that having a nine year old in my apartment might not be the wisest thing in the world.

"Hey Beck," I said, getting her attention. "Is it okay with your folks if you're here? I mean, I'm practically a stranger, you know?"

She laughed, "No you're not. You're a neighbor. And they can't be strangers! Besides, it's only me and my mom and she works the second twelve."

I smiled inwardly at her innocence. "Second twelve?" I asked.

"Yeah, she works from six at night until six in the morning." She replied, clearly not disturbed at being alone.

"So, what do you do then? I mean, do you have anyone take care of you?"

"No, silly. I'm big enough to take care of myself. Gees," she said, as if I'd just asked her if her hair was purple......(cont)