The City - chapter twenty-five
In the middle of the following week Martin started his new job as office manager at Nina’s real estate firm. The subway trip up to Harlem was a long commute, but he was growing bored at home. And needed the money. Nina kept him busy all morning, then treated him to lunch. “How are things for Frederico since the opening last weekend?” she asked. “Great,” Martin said. “He got a new commission for some portrait work just yesterday. It’s not exactly what he wants, but he’s glad to have the work.” “He’s very talented,” Nina said. “He is,” Martin agreed, then pondering, added “and he’s my best friend.” “Just a friend?” Nina asked, trying not to sound piqued. Martin set down his fork and looked up. “I guess with our history he’s a bit more.”
Meanwhile, Frederico was busy preparing a canvas when his phone rang. He was glad he answered it when he heard Helmut’s voice. “Bad news, friend,” the German said. “My visa was denied. I’ll need to stay in Hamburg a while longer.” “How much longer?” Frederico asked, disappointed that his friend had to miss the gala and would now be away for his next triumph. “Probably a few months,” Helmut responded. “It totally sucks. I’m going to lose the job and will have to start all over again when they finally get this settled.”
Disappointed, Frederico decided to take a walk. He bumped into Jacob on his way into the building. “What has you looking so down?” Jacob inquired. Frederico explained the news from Helmut. Being less than friendly with the Hamburger Jacob wasn’t at all disappointed. ”Serves him right,” he said. ”I’m sorry your friend won’t be around for a while, but sometimes these things happen for a reason. If we’re lucky, he’ll find his dream job in Germany and he won’t be back at all. Let him steal some German’s boyfriend for a change.”
At the end of the week, Tyler stood in Franz and Leon’s dining room. He was staying the night with their dog Nairobi. Her walker Todd would be by in the morning to house sit while they were driving to Memphis. Spaz stood next to Tyler. She was accompanying them on the trip to visit Kimmie. “I called Adam this week and he has four tickets reserved for you to see his play,” Tyler told her. “Don’t dawdle on the way, your tickets are for Wednesday night.” Unaccustomed to being told what to do Spaz furrowed her brow. “I have the whole route mapped out, with alternates highways in case Leon wants to drive through Amish country. Although I think Franz said something about an amusement park in Ohio that might suck up more time than I’d like.” The two of them looked at the map while Franz and Leon loaded the car. This would be Leon’s first vacation since starting his new job.
Nairobi watched them nervously. Luggage going into cars upset her.
That night, after a long day at work of answering calls while Nina was out showing condos, Martin came home with a bag of Chinese take-out. He was planning to surprise Frederico, but found his apartment empty. He let himself in and put the food in the refrigerator. Writing a note letting his ex know that the food was in the refrigerator out of the corner of his eye he noticed a box of condoms sitting on the table. And in the trash an empty wrapper.
What does the City have in store next for our heroes? Stay tuned.
Initially based on actual events and real people, the story has progressed to such a point as to render everyone and everything unrecognizable. Nonetheless, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.
