Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
“You're late,” the manager bristled as Emma huffed out of breath, rushing to the building’s front door. The little hint of expression on the woman’s face read wary and perhaps slightly annoyed, her lips puckered. If she hadn’t looked so put out, Emma would have complimented her beautiful brown skin. Her hair was cut to a short, tapered fade and mini hoops pierced her ears. Her dark eyes swirled with intensity as she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest. She’s giving both relaxed and irritated.
“I'm sorry, I forgot my keys and then parking was really difficult, but I’ve made it and I'm just so excited to see this place! I can be quick–I didn’t mean to keep you waiting,” Emma panted enthusiastically as she reached out her hand in greeting. “I’m Emma.”
“Well, come on,” the woman droned, turning away from her.
Emma's eyes widened as she followed the woman through the building lobby and up the stairs. Yikes. Is she gonna be a pill every time we have to speak?
“Okay, well, this is Unit 5.” The woman unlocked the door and stepped inside to hold it open, Emma walking past her into the bright apartment.
The large living room led to a decent sized kitchen. There was enough space for a small dining table, but Emma pictured a couple of stools at the kitchen counter being sufficient for her. She opened different doors and craned her neck to assess the storage. “Oh, wow, there's so many closets!”
“Yep, there's a coat closet. And then this door here is actually for the in-unit washer and dryer–they’re stackables. And then you've got an additional closet here before you get to the bedroom. Only the studios don’t have laundry, so there are card-operated washers and dryers in the basement.”
“Nice.” The wooden floors gleamed in the light, looking as if they’d been recently polished. “Do you have a rug requirement?” Emma asked. She wasn’t a huge planner, but there was a good amount of furniture she’d have to get for a space like this to look lived in.
“It's preferable that you have some sort of a rug if you're going to live here, considering this happens to be directly above my apartment,” she deadpanned. She’d leaned her shoulder against the door jam, her legs crossed as she stared lazily.
“Right,” Emma smiled quickly, her heart pounding nervously as she stepped towards the bedroom. Note to self: buy padded rugs. “Wow, what a great space.”
The bedroom had its own door into the bathroom, which was also accessible through the hall. There was a small walk-in closet, but there was plenty of space within the room itself for a dresser and Emma's desk. “This is great. I love this place! Would you mind terribly if I came back and brought my best friend to see it?” She wrung her hands. “I feel really good about it, but I can be indecisive at times, and I just want to make sure that I'm not getting ahead of myself.”
“If you feel like it's necessary, yes. But I can tell you that there are other people interested in this place.”
Emma’s eyes widened. No!! “Oh, I would be happy to pay an initial deposit to hold the place, just so that we can come back and see it. I could bring her by tomorrow at the very latest–possibly today!”
“Yeah, fine, whatever.” She looked at her watch testily.
Emma bit her lip. “I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name before.”
“It's Sadie,” the woman said quickly.
“Right, it’s nice to meet you,” Emma ventured cautiously. “Well, I completed the application online already and paid the application fee. Um, I have my checkbook if you want a deposit. Or would you prefer that I go get a certified check?”
Sadie shook her head, her tiny hoops swaying. “You can pay the deposit online. I'll send you an invoice so that you can do that today, preferably as soon as possible, otherwise I won’t hold the space for you. If you delay, then by the time you come tomorrow, this place could be rented.”
Her mouth was drawn into a tight line, but something in her eyes made Emma curious to know more. She wasn’t about to ask though. “No, I will definitely pay it immediately–I'll be watching my email for the invoice. I just want to bring her by and get her opinion. We can be quick.”
“Yeah, that's fine.” Sadie showed Emma other features of the building–the mail boxes, the package room, a small garden in the back of the building with one parking spot for each tenant and a couple of first-come, first-serve guest spots.
“Oh, I didn’t realize I could have parked back here,” Emma observed, fighting not to give Sadie a side-eye.
“I guess you’ll know for when you come back.” Sadie walked Emma back to the front of the building before silently retreating into an apartment without a goodbye or any closing communications. The door clicked with finality.
Emma looked around the lobby to see if anyone else witnessed what just happened, but no one was there. She shrugged and ambled back to her car, assuring herself that whatever was affecting Sadie’s vibe was surely temporary.
Hours later, she brought Zora back with Granny.
Sadie stood in the lobby, confused when she opened the front door to see Emma. “I didn't really expect you to come back until tomorrow.”
“I'm sorry, but I was just so eager to get back to you. I paid the deposit like you asked and I brought my friends today because, barring any major issue, I really would love to go ahead and rent the place.
Sadie pointed at Zora, her lips a straight line. “So are you going to be living here with her?” She asked, her tone almost hostile.
“No, I'm her best friend. She just likes to run some things by me,” Zora looked from Emma to Granny, her face frozen in that smile as if to ask “What’s this chick’s problem?”
“I'm her other best friend,” Granny Marion piped up as she stepped forward, her eyes twinkling. “And how are you, young lady?”
“I'm well, ma'am.” Sadie softened slightly as she greeted the elder.
Emma watched quietly, unmoving, as if she was seeing a fawn come into a clearing and any sudden change might scare it away. So is it me? Her mind ran through all of the possibilities of ways she could have offended Sadie–from her tardiness to wondering if she’d forgotten deodorant or needed a breath mint.
“You may call me Marion, dear.”
“It's nice to meet you, Miss Marion.” Sadie reached out a hand, which Granny shook and then cradled with both of hers.
“Well, let's go on and see this place. I'm sure you have other things that you need to do.”
“Yes, ma'am, I do.”
“Thank you so much for taking the time,” Emma said warmly. “I really appreciate it.”
Sadie nodded once before directing them up the stairs. Granny held the banister and looped her arm in Emma's as she climbed the stairs, Zora stepping behind them, and Sadie following. They all stood aside as Sadie opened the door and held it for everyone to enter.
Emma stood with Sadie once inside, though she found herself holding her breath to avoid disturbing her future landlady. Zora and Granny admired the place.
“This is beautiful,” Zora murmured. “I love all of the light. And having a washer and dryer in your unit–that's perfect!”
“Yeah, and the kitchen's a good size. You know I don't know how to cook, but there are plenty of drawers for takeout menus,” Emma laughed. “Maybe I'll take a cooking class at some point.”
She caught Sadie rolling her eyes before she made eye contact with Zora, who mouthed, “The fuck is her problem?” She was clearly irked by Sadie’s demeanor, and the last thing anyone needed was for Zora to go all mama bear in protecting her bestie. Emma shrugged, toying with the handles on the cabinets.
“I really like your style.” Granny turned to Sadie, gesturing toward her outfit.
She stood in a simple white tank top and distressed jeans ripped at the thighs and the knees, her richly moisturized skin peeking through. “Thanks, uh, I don't really put a whole lot of thought into it,” Sadie responded awkwardly, adjusting a black bra strap.
“Well, it works for you. You're a very lovely young lady. I wish I could pull off such a short haircut like that.” Granny gestured toward Sadie’s hair.
Emma observed their conversation. It was true, Sadie’s fade had a hard part, her high cheekbones on display. Her face was bare of makeup, but her dark brown skin had a dewy glow in the light, making Emma wonder what skincare routine Sadie had put together. It was completely impossible to decipher her age–she could be anywhere between her late twenties and mid-forties. I wonder if she uses those viral TikTok masks.
“Don't you think she has a nice style?” Granny pointed at Sadie, whose dark eyes darted to Emma questioningly.
Emma nodded, smiling. “Yeah, it's very casual chic but with an edge. Your skin is amazing!”
Sadie snorted. “Thanks.” She crooked a brow and gestured around the room as her head tilted. “So, what do you say?”
Emma glanced silently at her best friend, who nodded, before turning back to respond. “If my paperwork goes through, I’d love to rent this place.”
“Well, I'll call to let you know. I have all your information at this point,” Sadie pulled open the door and moved to leave.
Emma held up a hand. “Thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate it.” Sadie nodded. “I'll lock up when y'all are done.” And she left.
“That's an attractive young lady,” Granny observed thoughtfully.
“I don't know, she seems a little irritated today,” Zora eyed her best friend cautiously.
Emma grimaced and tried to wave it off. “Maybe she’s got something going on. Or maybe she just has to warm up to people.”
“Everybody's got something, baby. Let's see what time says,” Granny smiled brightly. “Come on, my darlings. I'm hungry.”
Emma’s eyes lit up, ready to release her nerves and anxiety. As much as she wanted the apartment, she and her therapist had been working lately on releasing stress. She wasn’t always great at it, but she tried. What is meant to be will be. “You know what? Me too. Let’s go.”