The City - chapter eighteen
Home from taking Helmut to the airport, Frederico knocked on Jacob’s door. Jacob answered the door wearing a pair of overalls, rubber gloves, and a face mask. He was in the process of knocking out the shower walls with a sledge hammer. Explaining that he was running out to the UN to work on the fresco, Frederico stated that he couldn’t help but notice the tension between Jacob and Helmut. “What’s the story?” he asked. Jacob responded that there was no short answer and if Frederico was really in a hurry there wasn’t time to explain. Frustrated that his curiosity wasn’t sated, Frederico changed into his work clothes and ran off.
As the UN event drew nearer, Leon’s long hours at the office became even longer. Feeling pulled in a million directions by the committee members and half-wit minions, he forced himself to take a 10 minute coffee break with Tyler one afternoon. “When was the last time you slept?” Tyler asked him. Before he had a chance to answer, Leon’s phone rang. It was Franz asking if he’d be home for dinner. He also pressed for Leon to give him some input on summer vacation plans. “I’m too busy to even think about that,” Leon snapped. “Let’s get this event behind me and then maybe we can discuss a trip.” Tyler sat wide eyed and sipped his latte. He’d never seen Leon and Franz argue. Leon slammed his cup down and said “I am so stressed by this damn job!” ”It’s your first project, it’ll get better,” Tyler tried to be soothing. “The company has gone through 3 project managers since the start of the year. I’m #4!” ’Wow,’ Tyler mouthed.
Halfway through the week, Greg and his bartender went to see a movie. Greg squirmed uncomfortably through the film, a chyck-flick starring Drew Barrymore, Ashley Judd, Hilary Duff, and Ashton Kutcher. He wasn’t sure how, but the purely physical relationship with the bartender had turned into date night.
Adam, on his way to Memphis, dropped his cat - Mr. Sulu - off in Brooklyn for Tyler to watch over the summer. Mr. Sulu promptly hid under the bed and wouldn’t come out. Earlier in the week Adam had agreed to sublet his apartment to Ivan, whose roommates had kindly asked him to leave on the grounds that he was entertaining way too often. Ivan was looking forward to having his own apartment for the summer. He rearranged the bedroom furniture and changed the pictures on the walls.
During another day of unemployment, Martin went up to the roof to sunbathe. Jacob was up there taking a break from his work on the apartment. The two introduced themselves. “What’s the deal with Tyler?” Jacob asked. ”He seems to embarrass easily.” “Don’t let the blushing white boy act fool you,” Martin said. “He knows how to play the game, he’s just out of practice.” “Oh?” Jacob asked. “Bad break up last winter,” Martin explained. “Three year relationship. He needs to get over it and come out of his shell.” “Hmm, good to know,” Jacob said. ”And you and Frederico?” Martin rubbed sunscreen on his shoulders and looked off towards the Manhattan skyline. “That ship has sailed,” he said.
At the end of the week, Frederico came home from the project site for a long shower and a raw meal of celery, carrots, apples, nuts, berries, and greens in lemon juice. He invited Jacob up to his apartment and told him “I’ve got a couple hours of free time. What’s the story with Helmut?” He poured two glasses of chilled wine. “Well,” Jacob started, then took a long drink. “It’s probably not as dramatic as you might think, but the main reason I moved in downstairs is because I’ve been struggling to pay the rent in Soho since my boyfriend moved out last year.” Frederico said nothing, indicating with a head nod and warm eyes that Jacob should continue. “You said Helmut has been here for 3 months?” “Yes,” Frederico said, “he came on a tourist visa, decided he wanted to stay, found a job, and is on his way back to Germany to work out the visa.” “Well,” Jacob said, taking another long drink and offering his empty goblet for a refill. ”He was also here a year ago and made a move on my boyfriend. More than a move actually, they had some ridiculous two week long affair while I was in California for my mother’s funeral.” Frederico’s head tilted and his mouth opened. Helmut had told him he’d never been to the City before. ”He told me he’d never been to the City before,” he said. “No wonder you didn’t warm up to him last week.” Jacob smirked, “Chalk it up as another lie. He comes every summer.” and he lifted his glass, this time to offer a toast. “To new friendships and old nemeses.” Their glasses clinked.
What does the City have in store next for our heroes? Stay tuned.
Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.
