Off the Shelf

Even though it was in the real estate section, I took it as a personal ad. "Studio for rent on a barge parked near the Eiffel Tower. Perfect for an expatriate businessman." I wasn't a businessman and the rent was too high, but I had come to Paris to fall in love, and love requires sacrifice. Besides, living on a houseboat beat the hell out of an artist's garret when it came to writing postcards home. Traveling is like dating to me, so when I handed two-months deposit in cash...

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