Chapter 135: New York Stories – The Beginning
Saturday, January 7th, Evening
The UBER pulled in front of the address Fallon had given him. Grant looked out the window and studied the place. It had seen better days. It was five stories tall with a central staircase, Grant surmised. More than likely there were at least two apartments per floor, more possibly, depends on how legal they were sub-divided. He noted several windows, even in winter had air conditioners sticking out of them, as well as the fire escape across the front of the building. It wasn't that deep of abuilding either. All too common for New York City.
Grant got out of the UBER and walked to the front steps. Even with it cold and dark outside this old woman was sitting in an old chair, looking out to the street.
"You're here to see Brooke aren't you, Mister?" The Old Woman asked.
"What?" Grant asked.
"Brooke that brilliant young woman in Three Bee. She has a dead-beat husband, and two beautiful baby girls," The Old Woman said.
"Umm, I'm not sure," Grant said.
"Don't worry fashion man, we're safe here, and you don't have to worry about the babies, her friend Peyton is here," The Old Woman said.
"Thanks," Grant said and went inside, shaking his head. He checked the sticky note on which he wrote Fallon's address. "Interesting apartment three bee."
Grant climbed the stairs to the third floor and knocked on the apartment three bee's door. He heard the locks being undone and the door opened. He was greeted by a tall, slender blonde woman, with blue eyes. He noticed she was dressed Boho Chic and had an easy smile.
"Hi. You must be, Grant," she said, "I'm Ellie, Fallon's friend, come in, she's still getting ready."
"Thank you," Grant said, and Ellie let him in. Grant noted Ellie's hair was worn long down her back in natural loose curls.
The apartment to say the least was vintage, Grant noted, as he ran a finger along the kitchenette counter. It was clean and looked like someone was into old things or bought what they could afford at a second-hand store. Everything here was old, lightly used was a term often associated with it, but functional. Grant noted the stocked drawing board in the corner.
"Who's the artist?" Grant asked.
Ellie laughed, "Not me, and certainly not Fallon, I used it for when I write," she said.
"You have an accent, where are you from originally?" Grant asked, being nice.
"North Carolina, would you like something to drink?" Ellie asked.
"You have a thicker accent than Fallon," Grant pointed out.
"Well Sugar, not all you New Yorkers have the same accent," Ellie said.
"Did you know Fallon from North Carolina?" Grant asked.
"Why yes I did, I'm her sister's best friend," Ellie said.
Grant smiled, but before he could respond the silence was broken. "Ellie, could you help me," Fallon called out.
"Be there in a moment," Ellie said, looked at Grant and smiled, "Excuse me a second, Sugar."
Ellie disappeared into what Grant assumed was the bedroom. After a few minutes, the door opened and Fallon came out. Ellie stood behind the shorter Fallon in the doorway. Grant took Fallon in, she looked stunning in her black cocktail dress.
"Well, what do you think?" Fallon asked.
"You look stunning," Grant said.
"Thanks, I borrowed it from a friend, I had nothing that would do for this evening," Fallon said.
"You'll probably be the belle of the ball," Grant said.
Fallon blushed a little, "Grant, you flatter me," she said.
"It's not flattery when it's the truth," Grant said, "I have an UBER waiting."
"Let's go then," Fallon said and grabbed her coat and bag.
"Y'all have a good time now," Ellie said, as the couple walked out the door and closed it behind them. Ellie locked the door and went to the sofa, collapsing on it in relief. At least that part is over.
Trin looked at Wyatt as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. Wyatt looked up at his Mom with Puppy Dog Eyes. Trin smiled at him.
"Mom, why do I have to stay at Madam Legrand's tonight?" Wyatt asked.
"I have something I have to do tonight and I'll probably be back late," Trin said.
"It was so sudden," Wyatt said.
Trin nodded, "I know, but hey how many times has something suddenly come up like this?" she asked.
Wyatt nodded, "Quite a few," he said.
Trin smiled, stooped down a little, Wyatt was getting Brian's height, and adjusted his shirt, "Anyways, Madam Legrand, Marguerite, and Léa love having you over," she said.
"Yeah, I guess," Wyatt said.
"They do, and let's get going," Trin said.
Wyatt nodded, and they left the apartment. They walked down the hallway and stopped a few doors down. Trin knocked on the door and waited. The door opened, and standing at the door was Madam Legrand, and even at night, she had this effortless but elegant look about her.
"Good evening, Trinity, Wyatt," Madam Legrand said.
"Evening Madam Legrand," Trin said.
"Bonsoir, Madame Legrand," Wyatt said.
"Ah Wyatt, votre français s'améliore," Madam Legrand said, "Et s'il vous plaît entrez."
"Merci, Je vais," Wyatt said.
Madam Legrand smiled and looked at Trin. "He'll be in good hands tonight," she said.
"I know," Trin said.
Madam Legrand turned to look over her shoulder, "Marguerite, Léa, Wyatt est ici," she said.
"Merci Maman," one of the girls called back.
Trin watched as the two Legrand girls came to the door and grabbed Wyatt. There might have been some greeting to Trin in English or French, but it happens so fast that Trin didn't catch it.
"So, Trinity, what are you really doing tonight?" Madam Legrand asked.
"I'm working," Trin said.
"Don't bullshit a bullshitter as your Mother would say," Madam Legrand said.
"What do you mean by that?" Trin asked.
"I've worked in the business, and I know this is not normal, and there are no emergencies," Madam Legrand said.
"What do you want me to say?" Trin asked.
"Trinity, we've known each other how long? You could share the truth with me," Madam Legrand said.
"Okay, I met this guy on an app and we're meeting for the first time tonight," Trin said.
Madam Legrand shook her head, "Trinity, an app really? Why didn't you just confide in me?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Trin asked.
"Oh, Trinity you've lived the city how long and didn't know there are clubs, and services for that sort of thing. I know several highly reputable ones that are discerning and very discreet," Madam Legrand said.
"Are you talking about sex clubs?" Trin asked.
"Oui, but I would describe them as highly specialized social clubs," Madam Legrand said.
"Really?" Trin asked.
"If you're not ready for that I could have loaned you, Monsieur Legrand, for a few hours," Madam Legrand said.
Trin nervously smiled and shook her head, "Thanks, but well, I'll give it a go my way first," she said.
"Okay, but the offer for help stands," Madam Legrand said.
"I got to go," Trin said.
"Well have fun tonight, and get the business done, as you Americans often say," Madam Legrand said.
"Thank you," Trin said.
"Also don't forget proper preparations and presentation," Madam Legrand said.
"Thank you, I made sure," Trin said, her tone showing her embarrassment starting to rise. She turned without hearing Madam Legrand's You're Welcome. Trin walked slowly down the hall on her smartphone ordering her UBER. Once she reached her apartment door, and she saw had plenty of time to shower and make sure she was presentable.
Her smartphone buzzed, and Ellie reached over to see who or what it was. Looking at it, she answered the phone.
"Is everything done?" Ainsley Wilcox asked on the outside.
"Yes, we got it started without a hitch," Ellie said.
"I don't get it, Libby, why would she be like that, she's hooked up and loaded?" Ainsley said.
"I don't know, Ains, it's her thing," Ellie said, "What time you and the gang picking my sweet southern ass up?"
"Did you just call yourself sweet?" Ainsley asked.
Ellie laughed, "I know you like it salty, but yeah, I'm sweet," she said.
"Whatever Libby," Ainsley said, "We're ordering the UBER now."
"Good, I have time to shower and change," Ellie said.
"You better look extra, Libby," Ainsley said.
"It's me Ains," Ellie said.
"That's why I say it, Libby," Ainsley said.
Ellie shook her head and went into the bedroom. She looked at the bedroom which was as sparse as the rest of the apartment. There was an old, cheap, full-sized bed that took up most of the room, a pair of equally, if not older, dressers, and this pathetic but functional nightstand. Ellie shook her head and wondered where Trin came up with this apartment.
She removed her dress and stretched out a bit. This was weird setting this up as Ellie's apartment and this was where Fallon was getting ready. Ellie shook her head and turned to look at the other wall.
There was an old crib there. Like the rest of the place, it had seen better days. Ellie canted her head, and curiously won out, as she took a step closer. There were two names written there, Ellie recognized the artistic handwriting, and the names were Chastity and Isabella. Ellie studied the two names then turned to the mirror.
Do not go gentle into that good night
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
After a moment, Ellie turned back to the crib and studied the pair of names, after a minute she nodded. They were the same handwriting or at least done by the same hand. The names in a younger confident hand, and the words of the tercet that was inked into her skin, by the same hand, just older, and shaker.
Ellie took a deep breath. Next, she counted to ten, then dried a tear from her eye. Finishing getting underdressed, she grabbed her towel and went into the broom closet bathroom.
The shower wasn't as good as the one at her Dad's Townhouse, but it would do. Getting out of the shower, she wrapped herself in a towel, as well as one of her hair. It wasn't great but it got the job done.
Drawing herself up, she looked at the fogged-up bathroom mirror. The look in her eyes didn't please her, she's fighting sadness.
"Ellie, you have to move on from it," she said, to her foggy reflection.
Once done in the bathroom, she put on a fresh set of bra and underwear and looked in the bathroom mirror again. Her Tar-Heel tattoo peeked out from her underwear waistband on her right hip. With the fakest cheerleader smile she could muster, Ellie did her make up. Just a little to accent her eyes and bring attention to them.
Returning the bedroom, she looked around it once more. In the corner hung the outfit she brought to change into. Tomorrow, as part of the plan, Fallon would pick up her clothes and Ellie's as well if they were hanging there.
Ellie slipped into her bodycon dress and smoothed it out. Studying herself in the mirror, she nodded and bagged and hung up her previous outfits. Slipping into going out heels she looked at her normal outfit. It was like night and day.
The last touch of her outfit was to put on her favorite choker. With a smile, she turned away as her phone dinged with a text message. Looking at her phone, her ride was here.
The phone went into her bag, she grabbed her coat, and the apartment lights were turned off, as she left. Ellie made sure the apartment door was locked and went downstairs.
"Nice to see you again, Peyton, I hope that deadbeat behaved," The Old Lady on the stairs said.
Ellie nodded and got into the UBER. Ainsley looked at Ellie and nodded.
"I said extra, Libby, not Super Nova," Ainsley said.
Ellie gave her a fake cheerleader smile and got comfortable for their ride to where ever.