Andy felt numb as she'd gathered her things that her crummy landlord had rifled through to take in lieu of unpaid rent. Her TV, bed and a lot of what Nate and she had bought for their first place were now his. Not the too valuable stuff, Nate had taken all of that when he moved to Boston. His big break an award winning steak house. He'd snuck out during infamous Paris taking with him, her electronics, everything she'd paid for and all those copper pans and kitchen gadgets he couldn't live without that she had bought with her Runway Salary.
Help yourself. Slumlord. Like to that ugly lazy boy Nate had found on the street repaired it by putting electrical tape on the holes. He'd left that. Hated it. Or those thrift shop botanical plates she'd procrastinated over for their first dinner together in their big city apartment. How about Nate's birthday gift to her, a snow globe of NYC. Beat out the teddy bear and home depot gift card she received for Christmas.
If Andy had known how Nate would be so picky about labelling what was his and hers down to the edible contents in the fridge, when their living together was on the skids tethering on break up, would never have dated him. So childish. In all honesty she had eaten Nate's goat cheese caramelised onion tart and napoleons for his culinary exam with an esteemed Chef who'd written a gazillion books on cuisine, but that was beside the point, she was hungry, running around Manhattan ensuring errands for Miranda was havoc on stopping for lunch, like to see Nate survive Miranda Priestly with only crudités to consume like Emily.
Hadn't she made sacrifices been supportive attending every food festival in all five boroughs. From Taste the World to Taste Tribeca Andy had tried. For Nate. Hated the memories in this place now. Of them. None of it meant anything anymore. Nate was long gone. In Boston, now doing fantastically. Seeing someone new. He'd had a fresh start he'd left with what 6 months of rent to pay and left Andy with an angry landlord to deal with. Andy didn't want to think about Nate tonight. She didn't want to think of anyone tonight.
Just wanted to forget how messed up her life was at this moment.
What was she going to do? Hitchhike to her grandfather's. Give in finally and work for him. Nope. Sure who wouldn't want to work for the rest of your life with cattle in Texas or her Uncle's horses in Kentucky and Montana? Made it very clear why she mattered to him. Only because through Andy he could patch up everything ugly that happened between her mom and him. Thought he could fix everything, just like that, every insult of how her father wasn't good enough for Andy's Mom undone. Well Andy wasn't his shot at redemption. She wasn't crawling to him and telling him what a mess her life was and she sure as hell was not going to accept help from him. She had a shoebox full of unopened cards from him, maybe she should open them and see if there was any monetary gifts of guilt enclosed.
Andy's mom had never looked back when she eloped with her dad. Ran away, crazy in love in a '65 Mustang over the county line. Later Andy's grandfather blamed it on brat pack films. John Hughes scary as Communism. Saw in the framed photo true joy and bliss at city hall when they became Mr and Mrs Sachs. Six months later they had her. Andy inherited her mother's stubbornness and warm smile. Picked up everything she owned in two Hefty bags. Her few belongings. Andy had no idea where she'd sleep tonight. Seeming to exude more bravery than she felt. Andy's stepped outside, walking down her block. Starting to rain. Could it get any worse?
She clutched the garbage bag close. Second thought maybe she should bury her pride. Sniffling. Somewhere out there, was someone who cared if she was homeless tonight? Maybe she should phone him.
''Andy.''
Heard her name called. Lizzie jay walked across the street, exchanging good nature cursing with an irate yellow cab. She grinned shaking a bag full of take out and what looked like Krispy Kreme's. Yelling ''Comfort food to get over the job that sucked''. Her emo eyes took in the garbage bags and the look on Andy's face. Picking one up with her chunky ring clad hand. ''Moving, leaving the city? So soon. Absconding.'' Mouthing 'Evicted huh?' Andrea's eyes blurred stinging and heated, tears starting to slide. She had just been thinking of calling it quits and running away anywhere. Well to somewhere with open sky and mustang horses to be exact.
Lizzie was her saving grace, welcomed into her place, insisted stay forever or as long as you want type of offer. Shown around Lizzie's home. Kept her ex's record collection in retaliation, he loved those 2,000 albums more than her. It was satisfying like ripping his beating heart out of his cheating chest to keep them. Metaphorically. Lizzie's artwork was different. Andy heard how Lizzie was taking courses in entomology and taxidermy to expand her artwork. Lizzie sculptured and painted, her recent work was unique and provocative. Andy ran her long fingers, along sketchbooks and other mix media materials sprawled out. Lizzie insisting Andy should model for her. Sure. Andy stared at the nudes with pasted stars and insects. Vowing to herself absolutely never.
Given a key, made up the couch, Andy unpacked, soaking wet. Thrown a towel Lizzie cheerfully stated. ''My things are your things Andy.'' Me Casa is your Casa'
Andy borrowed a Guns and Roses T-shirt, had a choice of Nirvana or Green Day excused herself to the bathroom, unbuttoning her drenched black shirt that a few hours ago Miranda had been grasping to. Undoing her long chestnut brown hair, shaking it out.
Furrowing her brows at Miranda Priestly's negative reaction. Not the reaction Andy had hoped. To stay away from her. Andy shook her head bemused Miranda wasn't who she expected to ever feel this way for. If she'd known at her interview standing in Runway's office's that Miranda would be the one. Andy would have sought mental health therapy. Somewhere along the way she fell. Completely one sided. When Nate had told her the person who calls that's who you're in a relationship with had hit Andy. Every day before Paris had become torture, knowing she was completely invisible to Miranda, just another pair of hands. Slipping off her wet slacks, found a crumpled business card. Turned it over.
Chewing her lip. Wouldn't hurt to hear what Irv Ravitz was offering. Would it? He'd been very persistent as Andy had got on her train. Leaving Irv Ravitz staring after her. He wasn't the type of man used to a flat out no.
Miranda's stormy eyes and her warning ''Don't. Ever. Come. Near. Me. Again.'' Haunted her mind. Cautioned to stay away from Miranda Priestly like hell. Since when did Andy Sachs do what she was told?
Andy slid out her mobile, and dialled the number on the card.
