I'm staring at the speedometer. Dad's driving way too fast. All of this is happening too fast. He only came back to dump me again. I don't see why he's bothering. 
"We're a block away" 
"Do I turn left or right here?"
"Left"

I can't believe we're here already. It doesn't seem like we've been driving that long. They say time flies when you're having fun though. Four hours in this burning, leather, volvo listening to Dad crack bad jokes and i've had all the fun i can take. But they do say fools laugh at anything. A fool slips through the world because people resent his joy, so like all happiness they choose to ignore it. I'm good at playing the fool, so good no one has noticed i'm acting yet. They take one look at my smile and shrug it off, feeling sorry for me. 
I'm not sure if Dad feels sorry for me or for himself, but then it won't make any difference now. He's taking me to The Apartments. He says "they're very nice people and they'll take good care of you". I guess i don't really mind the idea now. 
We're pulling up right outside. Dad showed me a picture of it a while ago, but i think it looks a lot better up close. The building is red brick, a wooden verandah surrounding the front. Typical city limits apartment building, goes up three levels. 
"Looks clean enough."
"It better be Kiddo!"

Dad puts my suitcase on the pavement and goes up the path. A guy is standing in the doorway. Tall, a bit of a pot belly and sandy hair. I can tell they're talking about me. I walk past, squeezing my way through the door and taking the keys from the guys hand.

"Oh, my name's Jack and you're in number 5!"

I watch the numbers, i'm on the second level. The inside looks dull, heavy wallpaper and you can tell the walls sweat in the heat but there's white tiling on the floor so that makes it look better. It smells fresh almost crisp which is probably only the effect of the air conditioning. I kick open my door, it's only a small room and very bare but at least there's a window. It's open and the curtain is flapping in the breeze. What a waste of energy! I put the suitcase down on the bed, the sheets are neatly folded and there's a cupboard and desk down the left wall. There's a reading lamp. I wonder where the bathroom is? I just realised i really need to go. 

 Dad stands in the doorway watching me, i look up and stare into his dark eyes.
"I'm leaving now, i'll visit in a week or so, ok?" 
"Yeah, thanks! Would you bring me some money then?"
"Sure! Just be nice to these folks!"
"Bye." I wave and  he turns and walks down the stairs. I can hear the door bang shut and the car starts. It seems very quiet now he's gone.  
"Hi!"
"Hi? umm Jack? Yeah, where's the bathroom?"
"Two doors down to your left." 

I leave him standing there, leaning against the door frame. He looks funny, a bit out of place. I wonder who he is. He definitely looks like a professional. Close cut hair and his shirt looks really expensive. I search round for the bathroom light, almost slipping on the wet floor.