CHAPTER 9

"So seriously, Kurt, tonight after work, I'll help you get the rest of your things over here…..but I don't know if I want you staying here without your furniture. Are you telling me that you WANT to sleep on the floor with only a few comforters between you and the hardwood? I mean, I know it's beautiful hardwood and all, but c'mon, Kurt….NOT comfy, honey."

"You're right, and I think I'll just stay with you again tonight….one more night, if that's ok with you?"

"Of course it is! I'm going to miss you so much, though! I've grown quite used to you being there. And who's going to cook now?" she laughed.

"Rachel, we're lucky, or maybe not, I'm only 6 blocks away from you!" Kurt said, looking down his nose. You know damn well you'll be here all the time, and we'll still hang out as much as ever when Finn's at work!"

"I know, I know…..but I'll miss you not being 'right there', ya know?" she sighed. "Enough of that, though. Ok, so they're delivering your stuff tomorrow, then?"

"Yep, everything I wanted was in stock, except for that one chair, so it'll be here tomorrow! Rach, I'm so excited, I can't even stand it!"

"I can tell, and I'm excited for you, too" she smiled. "I want New York to be everything you wished for and more. I know you're going to …" she trailed off, looking for her ringing phone. Glancing at the number, she hesitated to answer, as she didn't recognize it. Curiosity won out in the end.

"Rachel Berry, how can I help you?" she said sweetly.

"Ms. Berry, I was hoping to catch you….." the voice drawled. "This is David Perry….I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"

"I…yes…sure…anything!" she stuttered out. "How can I help you, Mr. Perry?" she said, exaggerating his name and giving Kurt the "OMG!" look. Kurt's eyes were bugging out of his head.

"Ms. Berry, you mentioned a couple of weeks ago that you had a friend, I believe, who is apparently a wiz with a needle and thread? And we've…'shared information' about this friend as well. I was wondering if that friend would have a moment to speak with me? Would you be so kind as to give me his contact information?"

"I'd be more than happy to, sir….in fact, I can do you one better than that. I happen to be standing here with him in his new apartment at the moment. Would you like to speak with him?"

"Absolutely! Saves me a call later!"

"Wonderful, here's Kurt, Mr. Perry….." She put her finger over the speaker and did a little happy dance around Kurt before handing over the phone.

"This is Kurt, Mr. Perry. It's a pleasure to speak with you. How can I help you?"

"Kurt, I'm intrigued. I'm assuming Ms. Berry may have mentioned to you that I was taken with the garment you made for her?"

"Yes, sir, she had mentioned it to me. I'm flattered, thank you, sir."

"Wonderful, well, Kurt, here's why I'm calling. I have an idea for something, and I have been letting this idea flounder around in my head for years now, gathering dust. Then I saw Rachel's skirt and something went off in my mind. Kurt, I'm hoping you can help me?"

"You want ME to help YOU with something?"

"Absolutely….I'm assuming you wouldn't be opposed to meeting for coffee and discussing a few things, perhaps this evening or tomorrow?"

"I'd be honored, sir. Just say when and where and I'll be there!" Kurt nearly yelled.

"Ok, there's a small coffee shop called 'Higher Ground' on the corner of….." he went on, at length, giving Kurt directions and telling him what time to meet. "I hope that's not too far from you?"

"No sir, actually, it's practically right around the corner from my apartment. I'll be there. "

"And Kurt, if you happen to have any photos or sketches of things you've come up with, please bring them along, especially if you have sketches or ideas for men's attire. The more, the better. " Mr. Perry finished. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon, Kurt."

"Looking forward to it, sir!" Kurt beamed

"And Kurt? Please, just call me David…." He said, hanging up.

Kurt pushed the disconnect button without a word and stared at Rachel with huge, wide eyes. She stared back, her countenance the mirror image of Kurt's. Suddenly they grabbed each other and began squealing and jumping around like 6 year olds hopped up on sugar.

"Oh Kurt, what does he want? " Rachel asked, excitedly, babbling endlessly about Mr. Perry's call and asking a million questions at once.

"He said he's been toying with an idea and he thinks I can be of help to him. ME helping HIM, Rachel! Oh my God, I'm dying!" Kurt squealed.

"What in the name of all that's holy is all that noise?" Blaine thought? It sounded like it was coming from his kitchen, but when he went in there, he realized it was too muffled, and it was coming from the other side of the wall from his kitchen. This was the first time he'd heard anything at all in the building, except for very muffled voices and a copy machine running downstairs during the day. Apparently they'd found a tenant for the other apartment, and unfortunately, they weren't quiet people. In fact, it sounded like a troop of teenaged girls on speed.

Blaine frowned. He'd realized that he hadn't seen anyone at all in the apartment across the hall that Kyle told him was previously rented. That was two weeks into his stay in his new home. He asked, wondering if there would suddenly be a bad smell emanating from the flat, but Kyle informed him that the tenant, Mr. Smythe, was on business in Europe, and would be back at the beginning of the month. Well, that would be this weekend, and now all three apartments were going to be occupied. And apparently, much to his chagrin, all the walls in New York were indeed all as thin as the ones in Cooper's apartment. Let the fun begin.