The City

Standing alone in Frederico’s kitchen, Martin pondered the empty condom box he’d discovered.  Not sure what his emotional response should be, he took a deep breath.  Hearing footsteps in the hall, he slammed the box down on the counter and walked out of the apartment.  He came face to face with Jacob.  “What’s up?” the new neighbor asked, sounding chipper. “Have you guys had dinner yet?”      “Not yet,” Martin said. “I just got home, picked up some Chinese on the way, was just about to eat it.” He stared at Jacob blankly. “Do you want Frederico’s?  He’s not here.”       “Oh really?” Jacob said coyly. “I thought I heard the two of you earlier.  It sounded like you were having a good time.”  He smiled, then stopped suddenly. “Oh.  That wasn’t you.  I have trouble keeping it straight in my head who is with whom.  Umm..  I think I’ll go back downstairs now.”      “Wait,” Martin said.  “You heard them?” he pointed over his shoulder.      “Just a little.” Jacob was being cautious. ”Through my ceiling.”      Martin sighed. “Fuck him,” he said.  “Here, take my food, I don’t feel like eating it anymore.” He pushed his way past Jacob into his own apartment.  Jacob followed. “What’s wrong?”       “Isn’t it obvious?” Martin shouted. “Why do I let this happen time after time?”     “Sit down, I’ll make you dinner,” Jacob said.  He took the food out of the bag and began setting up two plates on the kitchen table.     Martin sat down and fumed. “Just when I think he’s out of my system, I get sucked back in and I’m doing all these nice sweet things thinking that we’re on the same page.  Then I come home and find an empty box of condoms in his kitche - a brand I’d like to point out that he and I never used together - and confirmation from you that you could hear them going at it through your ceiling!”      Jacob set a plate of rice and chicken in front of him. “I guess you guys need to have a conversation about where you’re going instead of where you’ve been.  He might feel the same way, but considering you get together, break up, get together, break up again I doubt he knows either.” He shrugged.         “I’m such an idiot,” Martin said.

The next day Frederico worked in his studio.  He whistled as he painted, clearly in a good mood.  He went to the refrigerator to grab a beer when he noticed the box of food and the note from Martin.  “That was nice,” he said to himself. “Too bad I didn’t come home last night.”

In New Jersey, Tyler was on the phone with Leon.  “No, he’s not here yet.  I just took Nairobi for a walk and now we’re watching some cooking show.   How far did you guys make it? Where are you now?”        “We’re in Pennsylvania,” Leon said. ”Stayed at a motel last night outside of Harrisburg, planning to stop in Amish Country today for a bit.”      “That should be fun,” Tyler said.  Hearing the sound of a key in the lock he said “Sounds like the house-sitter is here.  Do you need to talk to him?”       “No, he should know what to do.  He has Franz’s number if he needs it.”       Tyler turned off his phone and went to the door.    His jaw dropped when Todd walked in.      “Hey Tyler, good to see you again,” Todd said.

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.

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.