Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
The following week, Emma made sure to be right on time to pick up her keys from Sadie, who was fresh faced and dressed in yoga shorts and a hoodie. Her toned legs made her look even taller, the muscles in her quads and hamstrings looked shapely and strong. Sadie cleared her throat, shaking Emma’s stare loose with a raised brow, her dark eyes penetrating Emma’s soul.
“Sorry about that,” she stammered hurriedly. “Uh, do you practice yoga? Are you about to head somewhere to work out? I'd love to know where you go if you have a recommendation for a studio,” Emma inquired as Sadie placed a key ring in her open palm.
“I prefer to have my privacy, but there are tons of spots in the area,” Sadie replied simply before turning to leave the building. “When I come back, if you have questions, I can answer them via text. I don't plan to be home all day."
“Sure, no problem. I’ll let you know if anything comes up. I did bring some flyers for anyone here who might want to come to a community event at the bookstore.”
Sadie pumped her brakes and turned around, holding a palm up toward Emma. “Hold on a second. You should not be bothering your neighbors. There's no soliciting in this building.”
“Oh, no, I wasn't going to solicit,” Emma assured her. Shit. I’m gonna be on her bad side already. “It was just an invitation. People can take it or leave it.”
Sadie held up a finger. “Don't drop these off at people's doors. You can leave a few by the mailboxes, and if somebody wants one, they'll take it, but leave people alone.”
“Well, good morning there, Sadie.” Granny greeted the landlady with a smile as she stepped through the open front door.
“Miss Marion, it's so good to see you again.” Sadie's face softened immediately, her husky tone exponentially friendlier, earning a side-eye from Emma. “How are you doing? I didn't expect to see you here on moving day.”
The elder waved her hand. “Oh, well, you know, everybody needs someone to help them get situated and decide where to put things. I'm that kind of mover. I don't really lift anything these days.”
“Well, I'm sure that Emma is lucky to have you.” Sadie nodded in Emma's direction.
Emma stared at the woman, stunned by the kindness that was coming out of Sadie's mouth given the constant gruffness directed toward her. It’s like she’s an entirely different person . Maybe it’s me. She hates me. If Emma could elicit even an ounce of the energy Granny received, she’d bask in it. This woman was raising Emma’s blood pressure, and Emma wanted nothing more than to experience Sadie’s softer side–there was something alluring about it. Emma just couldn’t put her finger on what it was.
“Well, I hope that you will take a look at that flyer yourself. You know, our community events at the bookstore are extremely important to the neighborhoods and demographics that we serve. And certainly I can imagine that you would want your friends to come as well. We make sure that students of color are supported and encouraged to write and be creative. I just know that you would want to join us at some point.” Granny clasped her hands in front of her body and looked at Sadie expectantly.
“I will definitely keep that in mind and I was just telling Emma that she can set these in the mail room so that people can pick them up if they'd like. But, you know, we can't have anybody going door to door.”
It was like watching the two negotiate on Emma’s behalf–like she wasn’t even there, or worse–like Sadie would rather talk to Granny than her. Emma preferred Granny to most people herself, but in this instance, she wanted to understand how Sadie ticked.
“No, that's perfectly fine. I'm sure that your tenants will want them because so many locals are familiar with Opus Northeast.” Granny retrieved a flyer from Emma and handed it to Sadie, who accepted it willingly.
Am I invisible? Is Emma in the room with y’all or nah?
“Oh, is that your granddaughter's bookstore?” Sadie glanced at the flyer with interest. “Looks like there are some good events coming up.”
“Yeah, that's mine,” Zora huffed, heaving a cardboard box in her arms as she made her way up the stairs. Sweat dampened her forehead as she shot a glare in Emma’s direction.
“Oh, let me come up and open that for you.” Emma rushed up beside her so that she could unlock the door and prop it open.
Reid advanced behind them with a dolly carrying banker's boxes full of books.
“We'll be careful with the stairs.” He nodded at Sadie as he adjusted his glasses, his tall frame towering as he passed Granny.
Emma watched Sadie nod from her vantage point at the top of the staircase.
Granny continued her chatter sweetly. “You headed to yoga?”
“Pilates actually.”
“Oh, do you use one of those reformer machines? I've always found those so fascinating.”
Sadie smiled–a broad, genuine smile that crinkled at the corners of her eyes.
Emma stared in amazement. It’s like watching the tin man find out he has a heart.
“I do, yes.”
Granny’s expression brightened. “I wonder, how did you get into that?”
Sadie pressed her lips together and shrugged. “It looked really challenging and I like to work out and push myself. And so I really gravitated towards this.”
Granny Marion glanced up the stairs. “You know, our Emma loves yoga and barre classes. I bet she'd love to go to a Pilates class sometime.”
Sadie hid a smile, never tearing her eyes from Granny. “I'll keep that in mind.”
“Alright, well, best be on your way. You don't want to be late for your class.”
“Yes, ma'am. I hope I see you again soon.”
“Count on it.”
Sadie turned to leave as Emma made her way back down to Granny to offer her arm and help her to the second floor.
Granny's eyes lit up as she grinned at Emma. “She's a fiery one!”
Emma smiled ruefully. “Fiery is one word for it. She seems to like you though.”
“She likes you too.” She patted Emma’s arm.
Emma chuckled. “I am not seeing what you’re seeing at all. I think I’m already on her bad side, and I really love this building. She seems to like her space. Maybe I should just leave her alone and she’ll warm up to me?”
Granny eyed her strangely. “Let’s see how that works out.”