When we finally got through the door that night, exhausted from having taken his cousins all over Manhattan in the 97F+ weather all day, we were met with a sore sight. Well, I was met with a sore sight as I walked down the stairs into the basement.
Our entire overhead kitchen cabintery was half hanging onto the floor, barely supported by the kitchen sink and the dish rack. Fortunately, the cabinet with all my plates, glasses, spoons and expensive ceramic serving dishes I had bought from Cancun was intact, having caught onto the dish rack which prevented it from toppling and shattering everything onto the floor.
Eventually me and syed heaved it up and settled it onto the floor, and had to put everything back later the next day.
What I will not forget is how he came to me later that night, apologizing for the dismal state of affairs, for the accidents every couple of days in the basement, the no dryer, the allergies, the no a.c, the floodings, and told me I deserved better.

I don't know what I deserve, but I do know that my living condition is barely on the list. There are so many more important things I do deserve, like love. respect. security.