The leasing agent, a woman named Brenda with graying hair and a bold floral blouse, picked up his white file and turned to the second page.

“Your credit report came back clean, Mr.

Harrison, but since your job at the logistics warehouse starts next week, our policy requires a third-party financial guarantor for the first six months.”

Ethan ran his thumb along the smooth edge of his blue plastic binder.

“My mother called your desk this morning, didn’t she?”

Brenda adjusted her rimless glasses and nodded once.

“She offered to sign as a joint guarantor on the lease for the two-bedroom unit starting October 15th.”