House Rules
Charlotte opens the folder.
"We have a standard agreement for new roommates," she says, sliding it across the table toward you. "Take your time reading it. I'll answer any questions when you're done."
She leans back slightly as she says it, one leg crossed over the other, watching you with calm, unhurried patience. Like someone who has done this before and already knows how it ends.
You pick it up. It's longer than any rental contract you've ever seen. Most of it reads normally enough... at first. But a few clauses here and there make you slow down, re-read the sentence, wonder if you understood it correctly. You try to pay closer attention.
The tenant agrees to contribute to the maintenance of shared spaces, including but not limited to kitchen, bathrooms, hallways and living areas.
Fine. Standard.
The tenant agrees to provide reasonable assistance with household tasks including cooking, grocery shopping, and general domestic duties as reasonably requested by the permanent residents.
You pause on reasonably requested. You look up.
"What exactly does reasonable request mean?"
Charlotte doesn't blink. "It means when we ask you."
You wait for her to elaborate. She doesn't. You look back down.