The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Promise

On Feb. 16, 2019, my wife and I happened upon an unexpected apartment open house, in North Park, but only a few blocks beyond our neighborhood’s boundary. The complex’s center courtyard, surrounded by cute cottages, was lush with greenery and trees; the atmosphere was tranquil. In the back, two upstair flats topped garages that opened into the alley behind. One of them, a two-bedroom, was larger than our residence, for $210-monthly less money. The landlord had owned the property for nearly 40 years. We liked his character, and that of the vacant unit.

We were first applicants, and the gent called the next morning to offer us the place. Annie and I walked back, spent two hours looking around, and discussed whether or not we would accept. Massive number of windows would welcome warming rays from sunrise to sunset. We had to say yes, and left a deposit check equivalent to one month’s rent. In the afternoon, we returned to measure for placement of furniture and to assess late-day sunlight and airflow. Then the negatives started to pile up in our minds. Among them: With windows open, the place was warm, not breezy, which forebode overly-hot during summertime; an odd smell emanating from the kitchen bothered us; and prospect of street parking, which a San Diego bike path project would limit during years-long construction, looked to be challenging. After further deliberation, I called the owner to tell him, with great angst, we wouldn’t take the apartment after all.

What does any of this have to do with today’s kitty?

Late afternoon of the 16th, glowing in the promise of our lucky find during a Sunday morning walk, I headed home from my third exploratory jaunt—traversing the streets around and alley behind to get sense of the new neighborhood. Going down Meade, almost to Arizona, which is one block beyond University Heights’ boundary at Texas Street, a doorstep tabby waited. The shorthair’s nickname fits the mood and hope of the day. Maybe Monday sighting would have been Regret, rather than Promise.

I used Leica Q2 to capture the Featured Image. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/5.6, ISO 200, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 4:50 p.m. PST. Promise joins honorary members: BuddiesChill, EnvyMoophie, Ninja, and Sammy.

Update, Feb. 20, 2020: Promise is the right nickname after all. We gave the rental another look, and the landlord gave us another chance, despite our bailing on him three days earlier. Kitchen remodeling caused the foul odor, which is gone. The other concerns are offset by the residence’s relevant benefits—although Cali and Neko will have much less out-the-window entertainment from the second floor.

The series surely will end sometime soon, since the Wilcox’s will not longer live in University Heights. But that’s topic for future posts.

Update, Feb. 28, 2020: We were supposed to sign the lease and receive the keys today, but problems arose yesterday that left a rift between us and the landlord. We won’t be moving and are left wondering how much of our deposit and first months’ rent will be returned.

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