The Black Negligee

When two people decide to move in together, there's always excitement in anticipation of the new living arrangements. Whether same sex, or male-female, roomates share experiences as well as expenses. It's more expensive to live on your own, but for most of my life I have. I like my alone time, and I don't have to cook or clean to please anyone but myself. However, I was drowning in credit card debt, when my boyfriend of six months suggested I move in with him.

"Why don't you just pack up what you need for yourself, and you can store your extra things at my storage building. My house if already full of furniture and everything else we could need. You don't have to pay me anything for rent. You can get your credit cards paid off, and if things seem to be working out after awhile, you could quit your job and go back to school. I make enough to support both of us." Benjamin had known me long enough to believe what he was saying. I believed him, but it seemed too good to be true.

Benjamin was considerably older than me, more experienced in the ways of the world, and I looked to him as a father figure as well as a lover. I made a list on the pros and the cons of giving up my little one bedroom apartment that overlooked the bay, and the only negative I could think of would be sharing space. His house was a nice two bedroom, two bath, with a large living area and a double garage. I thought I could retreat to the second bedroom if I needed alone time, and it wasn't long before I was gathering boxes for packing.

"I'll help you move in. Everything should fit in my truck, so we can do the moving ourselves. I'll pay our living expenses. You can have the back bathroom as your territory and the large connected closet for all your clothes. But, if you decide to move out, I won't help you." Benjamin had a smile on his face, and a twinkle in his eye. It was the feeling of being rescued that stuck with me, though I should have noted his words more carefully.