If It's Free, I Can't Afford It

The fastest way to her grandfather’s wallet is enduring the old man’s unsolicited economic advice, but it takes more than a lecture to teach carefree Natalie that cost is not always measured in dollars.

Nothing is ever Natalie’s fault, and even when it is, Grandpa is there to bail her out. When her rent goes up and her work hours are cut, Grandpa offers a temporary solution—move into the spare bedroom of his seniors-only, no-pets-allowed apartment and pretend to be visiting. With no other options, she begrudgingly accepts, but before the last box is unpacked, Grandpa disappears on a kayaking trip, and Natalie and her dog are faced with immediate eviction if anyone discovers he’s gone.

At first, tricking the wrinkled relics is as easy as getting two cups of coffee and casually mentioning one is for Grandpa. A rumor that Grandpa is sick brings a dozen casseroles to the door and provides free rein for three weeks. Complications begin when coffee turns to conversation, and Natalie is forced to elaborate on Grandpa’s illness, vacation, and new job—each meticulously fabricated excuse fully documented on social media. Though most residents are wonderful, providing grandmotherly advice and baked goods, Angie is suspicious and on a mission to prove something is not right. As weeks turn to months, Natalie realizes the seniors are friends who fill a void left by her grandpa. The “just visiting” charade gets even more complicated when residents begin lying to protect her, forcing Natalie to make the hardest decision of her life. The apartment is free, but can she afford it?