Roommates

There were too many people here. Rock was enrolled for classes at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and he had been eager to find an inexpensive place to live before a man who ran a print shop near the campus invited him to move into his apartment.

Rock was aware the man had other roommates, but he didn't know how many until he awoke on a couch in the den, early his first morning there to see a crowd of overweight, college-aged women pass by him between their bedrooms and the apartment's only bathroom.

"Good morning, everyone," he said.

Several of the women smiled and returned Rock's well wishes. Others passed by without pause. Neither response surprised him, but he knew there were too many people in this apartment. He would have to find someplace else to stay.