Wait a minute, and then knock again.
No answer.
Hmm….A wave of disappointment falls over me, and I turn to head back to my place.Then it dawns on me.He was only signing the papers today.
I take off at a run to my apartment.He was here when I came home.I bet he was the one Mrs.Smith was flirting with!He was waiting on me!And I went in the back!
Holy Hades!
Once inside, I sling the cookies and wine on the counter and rush to my balcony.His truck is leaving the parking lot.
The air in my balloon escapes, and I feel deflated.I stand there watching his Raptor travel down the drive through the gaps in the trees until it is gone from sight.Plopping onto my lounge chair, I grunt, "Fuck!"
15
The next morning, I am determined to find out when his move-in day actually is from Mrs.Smith.I don't want to experience that kind of disappointment again.I tossed and turned all night, pissed at myself that I didn't think of the obvious.I call at precisely 9 o'clock.
"Mrs.Smith, this is Siri Wright in 9A."
"Oh, yes, dear, what can I do for you?"
"Listen, I was wondering if you could tell me what day Mr.Moore is moving in?I thought it would be nice to take him a welcome gift."
"Oh, sweetie, that is so thoughtful of you.You know how military men are.They are always being uprooted and all."
He's active-duty military.
"A welcome gift is such a nice idea.You know I stayed late yesterday talking to him.He was waiting to see you, but he had to leave before you made it home."
"There was a herd of cows on the expressway, and I was stuck in traffic.I hate I missed him."
"He is quite smitten with you, dear.He was trying to get information on you."
"What did he want to know?"
"If you were on a short-term or long-term lease."
"He did?Did he say why he wanted to know?"
"No.You know how pilots are.Well, maybe you don't, but they are very concise communicators.He didn't say why, but he must have a reason for asking.My first husband was a helicopter pilot too."
He's a helicopter pilot!That's dope!
She continues, "It was very frustrating talking to my husband.I was always playing 20 questions to pry information out of him.It didn't last.We divorced after…."
I clear my throat.
"Oh dear me, I didn't mean to rattle on.Where was I?"
"You were about to tell me how long a lease he signed."
"Oh, yes.He took the 3-month lease, which I thought was curious."
"Why was that curious?"
"Well, I must have misunderstood, you know I do get confused sometimes, but I could have sworn he told me his buddy coming in for training would need a year lease.Well, anyway, it doesn't matter really."
What?A buddy?Is he leasing the apartment for a buddy?
