Chapter 23 Chapter Twenty-Three - Gabriella
I take a final sip from my water bottle before I slip it into my duffle bag as I step off the elevator onto my floor. My muscles are aching from the hours of rehearsal I did today at the Glitter Hole but it’s nothing a nice, hot shower can’t fix. I’m performing this weekend, and as Derrick mentioned yesterday, I love having backup dancers. I just love having a group of people working together to create an amazing performance and having us all in sync with one another.
As I turn the corner and walk towards my loft, I trip over a large cardboard box sitting right in the middle of the hallway and have to quickly brace myself against the wall to stop me from landing on the floor.
“I am so sorry!” exclaims a panicked Welsh accent. I look up as a young woman comes rushing over to check on me. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry, I should have moved that.”
I steady myself and give her a reassuring smile, “No harm done,” I say as I notice the hallways lined with boxes, “Are you moving into the building?”
“Yes,” she smiles, “We’ve been hoping a spot would open up in this building because it’s the perfect distance between my fiancée’s work and my kid’s school. We were lucky enough to get a call last night saying a loft had just become available and we jumped at the chance,” she says with excitement.
“Wow, congratulations and welcome to the building,” I say, offering her my hand, “I’m Gabriella, I live in 5F,” I introduce myself.
“Oh!” she chirps, smiling wide as she takes my hand, “I’m Kaley, we just moved into 5G, so I guess that makes us neighbours,” she says excitedly, turning to look behind her, “Babe! Come meet our neighbour!”
Wait, what did she just say?”
“Sorry, did you just say 5G?” I ask in confusion.
“Yeah,” she says as a woman walks over flanked by two children. “Callie, this is our neighbour from across the hall, Gabriella, Gabriella this is my fiancée Callie, and our two children Milo and Ophelia,” she happily introduces.
With a warm smile, I shake hands with Callie and give a friendly wave to the children, “Welcome to the building, it’s very nice to meet you all.”
“Can I have your hair?” asks the little girl. I chuckle, surprised by the question.
“Ophelia! God, you’re such a little psychopath. We don’t ask people stuff like that,” Kaley scolds her daughter.
“It’s okay. I’m actually surrounded by a lot of wigs at work; if I had been wearing one I’d probably let her play with it,” I chuckle. I smile down at the bright-eyed girl, “Sorry sweetie, but this hair is firmly on my head. I can’t give it to you.”
“You shouldn’t be rude to strangers, O,” her older brother gently reminds her, walking over and wrapping his arm around her.
Aww, they’re so cute!
“Sorry about them,” says Callie.
“I’m surrounded by drag queens regularly, trust me, this is nothing,” I say, waving a dismissive hand. They laugh and relax a little more. “Sorry to be nosey, but what happened to the previous tenant?” I ask, getting back to what had thrown me.
“We don’t know. We were just told she had suddenly up and left and her loft was now available. Were you friends?” asks Kaley.
I snort. “Far from it. Honestly, I’m thrilled to hear she’s gone, and I have new neighbours, I’m just extremely surprised. I just saw her yesterday, and there was no indication she was leaving. I never saw or heard her moving out any of her stuff,” I say in confusion when a sudden thought pops into my head.
No… he wouldn’t do anything… would he?
Jartre was hella pissed off yesterday hearing the shit Julie was spewing, and the way he reacted to learning I’d been cheated on, did have me worried all day yesterday. I don’t want to think Jartre was involved, but how else does someone just silently disappear without a trace? Last I checked, Julie wasn’t with the CIA and she’s not selfless enough to ever give evidence that would cause her to need witness protection. I don’t want to make assumptions, but my gut is telling me that giant God of mine, had something to do with this.
“Are you okay?” Callie asks.
I snap out of my thoughts and give them a nod and a smile, “Yeah, all good. Sorry, I just came from rehearsals, so my mind is a little fried.”
“Oh! Are you in the theatre?” Kaley asks with interest.
I chuckle, “God, no. I’m a bartender at the Glitter Hole, which is a gay bar not far from here. I also perform on stage every now and then,” I explain.
Kaley’s face lights up like a Christmas tree while Callie sighs in defeat. “We are so going!” Kaley cheers.
“I was afraid you were going to say that,” Callie groans.
I chuckle, “Well, if you two ever do end up going I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. Or if you ever want a night to yourself and need a babysitter, you know where I live,” I smile at them.
“Aww, that is so sweet of you. You might be the nicest neighbour we’ve ever had,” Kaley gushes, “But just so you know, our son is Autistic. He’s not a handful or anything, but I just know not everyone is equipped to handle him the way we can.”
I look down at the sweet little boy, who looks shy and like he’d rather be anywhere but in the hallway while adults talk about nonsense.
“I completely understand and respect that. How about we all get to know each other, and I’ll only do babysitting for you if Milo is comfortable being around me and once you’ve explained his do’s and don’ts?” I suggest.
Both women look touched by my words. “That honestly sounds amazing, thank you so much,” says Callie.
“Don’t mention it. I was going to go and have a shower since I’m all sweaty from rehearsals, but if you need help unpacking, I can go put my things inside and come help you. You look like you have a lot,” I say, glancing at the boxes filling the hallway.
“Oh my God, you would be such a lifesaver. Kaley is so shit at this stuff,” remarks Callie.
Kaley nods affirmatively, “It’s true. Heavy lifting is not my thing.”
I chuckle, “Okay, I’ll go put my things inside and come help.”
“Great! Thank you so much!” cheers Kaley.
“Thank you,” Milo quietly says.
“You’re all very welcome,” I say warmly.
I go into my apartment and put my things on the counter, taking a moment to process what has happened. I’ll never have to deal with Julie ever again, and I got some new neighbours who seem pretty awesome so far. If Jartre had anything to do with this, then I owe him a cooked dinner or a blow job or both, provided he didn’t kill her, of course.