The Apartment
2: Rolling down the bay to old Millwaukie
Dinner continued with some small talk, until Fred, Stu and another neighbor, Don began discussing this seasons prospects for the Sea Dogs; Portland's AA baseball team. Sam, Ann and Don's wife, Holly were busy getting acquainted and discussing Holly's potato salad. After a while of 'across the men' talk, Ann asked Sam and Holly to come with her into the kitchen, explaining that she had some rum soaked melons, and could use help serving them.
The three women began to carve out some melon balls from the spiked and un-spiked cantaloupes and watermelons. Un-noticed by Sam, was quite a bit of glances and raised eyebrows happening between Holly and Ann… there was an entire wordless conversation going on between the two.
"So Sam, you've known Fred for some time, haven't you?" Ann asked after a bit.
"Yeah… we pretty much grew up together, and did a web cast for a while when we were kids." Sam replied without looking up from her melon carving.
"Fred's got photos of you and that other girl, Cassie was it? Although he's never really mentioned the brunette." Holly said.
"Her name is Carly… so… he's mentioned me to you?" Sam said looking between Ann and Holly.
"I remember hearing about your web show when I was a kid… I don't think I ever saw it though…" Holy mused.
"Oh, I saw it a few times, with my boyfriend at the time… I'm pretty sure he had a crush on either you or the other girl." Ann said grinning.
"…but, you said Freddie's mentioned me?" Sam asked again.
"I was just waiting to see if you'd change the subject back to him mentioning you…" Ann said, smiling. "…yes, he's mentioned you on and off… a bit here and there. On the way home after we ran into you today, well, that's when I found out you two had dated." Ann continued.
Sam looked up from the melon, but didn't respond.
"So, you're still interested in him?" Holly asked.
Sam put the melon baler on the counter top and plopped down in a stool by the kitchen island. "I don't know… it's been ten years… there's a lot of water under the bridge at this point. I liked him… heck, I guess I kind of loved him, but I wanted 'excitement', and… well, I dumped him. Even if I was still interested, he'd probably laugh and…" Sam said shaking her head.
"I don't know… he kept talking about you until he dropped me off to pick up my car… so, you're single I take it?" Ann interjected.
Sam nodded; "Yep, I had a boyfriend in Seattle, but I left him there… it wasn't working, I would have left him anyway. This move just made it easier." Sam said.
"We need to get back out to the guests, Ann. Why don't we three meet for lunch tomorrow?" Holly interjected.
"I'd really like that, but I have to find an apartment, fast. Can we do it another time?" Sam asked.
"Mmmm… no. I think we may be able to cure your apartment search also. If what Holly and I come up with doesn't work, then we'll help you find a place, okay?" Ann stated.
Sam looked to Holly, who was nodding; "…oh, okay…" Sam said, confused.
The sliding door opened and Freddie stepped into the house with his phone to his ear. He spoke something into the phone, flipped it closed and stopped in front of Sam.
"Sam, I'm sorry but I just got a call from a client and have to go… they've screwed something up and are having a meltdown. Now I've got to fix it… Look, here's my card. Call me and we'll do lunch or something, on me!"
He offered Sam the card. She took it, read it and pulled out her phone and touched in a number. Freddie's phone began to ring. He flipped his phone open, read the screen and smiled.
"Okay, there's my number, so don't lose it." Sam said grinning.
Freddie gave his apologies to Ann and Holly, gave Sam a quick hug, and was gone. Sam turned back to Ann and Holly, and took one of the melon bowls.
"So what was it you wanted to tell me?" Sam asked them.
"Nope, husbands are outside. We'll discuss this tomorrow at lunch where we can have some privacy." Holly said while Ann nodded her agreement.
Sam looked at them, still confused, but nodded.
The rest of the evening was strange for Sam. She really didn't know anyone; she smiled, laughed at the jokes and basically kept quiet. Holly and Ann kept giving her 'knowing looks'… about what, she had no idea. She was quite confused and felt slightly out of place. Not because anyone made her feel like a square peg in a round hole… everyone was very kind. She just wasn't used to this, and had never been a social butterfly. She stayed on though… if for no other reason, to try and figure out just what Ann and Holly were planning… and she wasn't at all sure about this lunch. She really didn't have time to take off from looking for someplace to live. Sam finally got tired of attempting to second guess her two new 'friends' said her goodbyes, exchanged phone numbers, and left.
About ten thirty the next morning, while Sam was going over the newspaper, looking for some possible apartments, her phone chirped, announcing an incoming text.
'The Deli, 4160 SE International Way. 11.45 Ann'
She looked at the message for a moment and nearly messaged back an excuse of being too busy… but she wasn't, and she knew it. Mapping the address, she found it wasn't more than about ten minutes away… and she was hungry… besides, they did say they might be able to set her up with an apartment. Suddenly, she was curious about… she rummaged around for a moment until she found Freddie's card. She'd only glanced at the phone number last night, now she read it. All it said was his name, email address and phone number. No business or other information, not even his street address. Nothing…
She parked her car behind 'The Deli' at eleven forty two, and walked in the back entrance. They were both sitting at a table at the far side of the small sandwich shop. They greeted each other, made some small talk about nothing, ordered their lunch, then nothing, no one spoke.
"So, you know of an apartment?" Sam asked, breaking the silence.
"Maybe… but, we need to know…" Holly began.
"We need to know about a couple of things…" Ann said, cutting Holly off. "…we need to know first if you think you still have any feelings for Fred."
Sam looked exasperated, and began to reply, but Holly interrupted; "Look, I know how you must feel. You don't know us, we don't know you… and yes, this is pretty personal. But, we do know Fred, and we do know that he's dropped some hints, not that he'd know it, but hints none the less… things like pausing when he's discussing you or explaining something about you or showing us pictures of you and that other girl… or pictures of you and him. You know what I mean… so?"
"But, what's this got to do with an apartment?" Sam asked, obviously confused at this line of questions.
"Plenty… just tell us…" Ann responded.
Sam looked first at Ann, then at Holly. Frowned, sighed and slumped in her chair.
"I really don't know… it's been so long, and… and I broke it off with him… it wasn't a very clean break. I was stupid, I was eighteen… and really stupid. I'm pretty sure it really hurt him… I just don't know how I feel about him any more… besides, I just ended a lousy relationship in Seattle. I've got no intention of getting back with that ass, but still… I was with him for nearly a year."
"Are you over this guy? The ex guy in Seattle?" Ann asked.
"I was over him before the door closed." Sam answered with a grimace.
Holly smiled.
"Well Sam, here's the deal. Fred's house has a mother in law apartment attached to the back of the garage. It has its own entrance, and is completely private. It even has a tiny little kitchen area, but no stove or cook top, just a place for a small refrigerator and hot plate. It does have access to the house, into the kitchen. It was built by the previous owners for one of the in laws… I can't remember which at the moment since they moved about the time we moved in, and neither of us ever met them. They rented the house for three or four years, then sold it to Fred…" Ann said.
"And I know for a fact that the apartment is completely empty. Fred had Don's cousin paint the whole interior of the house about four months ago. Don was just in the apartment two weeks ago and mentioned to me that there was still masking tape on some of the doorknobs…" Holly interjected.
Sam was aghast; "You two aren't thinking…" Sam started to ask.
"Yes, we are. Look, we know how hard it is to find anyplace decent in the area. This would be perfect for you… and maybe him." Ann firmly stated.
"I can't think of anything less perfect… it could really get awkward." Sam said flatly.
"Or not…" Holly retorted.
"I can't think of a better way to get both of you… reacquainted. I mean at least you'd know how you felt, and how Fred feels about you. Right now you seem like you're in a sort of denial, afraid of a possible rejection. I also think Fred is kind of in shock. So try it, see what happens. Then at least you'd know. If it doesn't work, move. By that time you would have been able to find something. If things do work out, well, what better place to be than in his back yard… literally." Ann said.
Sam sat for a moment, then asked; "So, what's the deal? Why are you so interested?"
"Fred's a nice guy, he needs a wife..." Holly flatly stated.
"…or at least a decent girlfriend." Ann finished, Holly nodded.
"…a decent girlfriend?" Sam mused.
"He hasn't had the best of luck with women… and it seems that includes you, from what you've said." Holly said just as their food arrived.
They ate in relative silence for a while, until Sam said; "Okay, well how am I supposed to bring this up? Like I said, when I broke it off with him, it wasn't pretty. I was cruel… and, well it was not mutual. I think he would just tell me to get out of his life. I really don't want that kind of drama."
"You let us handle that. We'll find out by this afternoon and let you know one way or another. Don, Stu and the kids will be over at his house watching baseball this afternoon. Fred's got this huge television, so the guys go to his place to watch sports. It's just noon, now. The game starts at two… you'll know by three. Fair enough?" Holly asked.
"Wow, that fast, huh? Okay, I'm game if he is, I guess. If this works, I'd better start looking for some furniture. I sold most of mine up north." Sam said thoughtfully.
"Nope, you won't need too. The apartment is furnished. And… do you have a bikini? Fred's got an in ground pool and hot tub." Holly said.
"Oh! A pool! Yeah, I've got a bikini… and know how to use it!" Sam laughed.
So here is two
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I'm working on three
Just wait and see!
:pig~
Oh! Do you like angst? Well, just trot on over and find the collaboration I'm doing with BoxOfTrinkets! It's called 'Until You're Mine Again'. It's seddie, of course! (with a good ending… but not yet… the ending is a few chapters away yet!) Also, my buddy, KingXLeon21 has a couple things out at the moment. You should read 'em!
[grin]