9. Rochelle
9
ROCHELLE
I shift the bags in my hand. The braided handles are digging into my palms, making me uncomfortable. How much stuff did we buy?
Checking my watch, I’m startled by how late it is. “We need to be heading back,” I say, shifting the bags again and switching them from one hand to the next.
“We can take my car. The garage is just below.” Frederick points as he speaks. He looks at the bags in my hands and offers again to carry them.
“No, thank you. I need to be able to carry them myself when we get back, anyway.”
“You’re assuming I won’t walk you to your door? What kind of gentleman do you think I am?” Frederick chuckles and winks at me.
“Well, when you put it that way, I guess you can take the heaviest bag.” I hold it out for him, and he snatches it without hesitation.
“I’ll help!” Sigourney says.
“Me, too!” Walken adds.
“It’s a little too heavy for you,” I tell them.
“I guess I did go kind of overboard, didn’t I?” he asks as he feels the weight of the bag in his hand.
“It’s your money. I won’t tell you how to spend it,” I reply, smiling.
“Come on, I’ll show you where the car is.” Frederick heads to the cavernous opening of the garage below, and the kids follow, but I stop him.
“Actually, I’d prefer if we take the subway. Is that okay?” I ask.
He looks confused. “The subway? But my car is right over there.”
“I know, but I’d just feel more comfortable on the subway. No offense,” I say sheepishly. I hope he doesn’t feel weird about this whole situation. But, in my experience, it’s always better to be in a public place with someone you barely know. He seems like a good guy, but I’ve been burned before.
After a few moments, his expression changes. “Okay, where’s the nearest station?”
“Wait, we’re not going in his car? What gives?” Sigourney asks. She seems more upset than Frederick.
“Look, Frederick has been super nice with buying you guys all of these clothes and supplies. I don’t want him to have to take the car out and then find parking. Not to mention the gas he’ll use.” A flimsy excuse, but I hope it holds.
Sigourney scoffs and drops the issue. We head toward the nearest station, which is about a block away.
“Hey, thank you again for all this,” I tell Frederick as I sidle up to him. The kids are walking slowly in front of us. It’s obvious that they wish they were taking the car instead.
“No problem. I enjoyed it. Who knew shopping for kids was fun? Parents make it sound unbearable.”
“That’s not exactly what I meant. I mean, yes, thank you for paying for all of this, but I was actually thanking you for being such a good listener and being so supportive. Normally, I don’t share that much information, especially with someone I just met.”
“Really, I’m someone you ‘just met?’ I’m your fiance!” Frederick smiles as if he’s joking, but I can see a twinge of annoyance.
“You know what I mean. I’m not the type of person who trusts someone right away. I really need to get to know you before I get close.”
“Or get to know me before you let me drive you home?” Fredericks asks wryly.
I jokingly punch him on the shoulder. He winces and moans, making a big scene as if I really hurt him.
“That’s right. Just the subway until you’re properly vetted.”
“I passed the fitness and character section of the New York Bar, but I guess you require more proof than that.”
The station is packed. We’ve been out all day, and now it’s rush hour. I tell the kids to stick next to us at all times and to watch the bags. I know Walken and Sigourney well enough to know that they forget something on the subway platform on a weekly basis.
The noise of the crowd is almost deafening. Frederick squeezes my arm as if to let me know he’s there to support me.
I give him a smile and a nod. The train approaches and screeches to a halt.
“Are you sure you don’t want to take my car?” Frederick asks jokingly when we step on the crowded train and stand around the pole, trying to make space for the bags.
I shoot him a dirty look. I don’t appreciate it when someone keeps pushing for something after I already told them no. And obviously, it’s not the first time he’s done that.
My eyes dart back and forth between the bags and the kids. They’re not paying attention to the bags, and my paranoia is getting the better of me. We have a few stops before we reach the destination, but the sooner we get there, the better.
The ride is relatively quiet, save for the noises coming from the train and the announcements. At each stop, a bunch of people get off, but the same amount of people get back on. It’s going to be a long ride back.
Finally, we reach ours, 125th Street. The doors open, and we race out. After getting off, it’s like emerging from a steam bath. Maybe it’s just my nerves.
Out on the street, the sun has started to go down. I’m glad we’re close to home.
“Where do we go?” Frederick asks, bags awkwardly in his hands.
“Three blocks down, then one block to the right.” I point as I reply. I pick up the pace, and everyone notices.
“Are you in a rush or something?” Frederick asks, peeking over the bags.
“Kind of. I like to be inside before dark, especially with the kids.” I turn back to face him. I try to keep an upbeat smile on my face, but he knows I’m telling the truth.
By the time we reach the apartment, it’s dark outside. The light from the streetlamps gives the street an ethereal glow against the brick buildings. If I didn’t know better, I would say the scene was almost magical.
“Here, I’ll walk you to your apartment,” Frederick offers. I debate whether I want him to come up or not.
After a moment, I realize we’re all just standing at the entrance of the building. “I can open it!” Sigourney says.
“Oh, yes, the keys! Of course. Give me a second,” I mutter. I fumble with the keys and open the door.
We make our way to the elevator, the bags making a huge ruckus as we walk down the hall.
“What do you think your mom’s going to say?” I ask Walken and Sigourney as we wait for the elevator.
“She’s going to freak. She’ll probably assume we stole it or something,” Walken replies, grinning.
“Don’t worry, I’ll put her mind at ease,” Frederick chimes in.
The elevator arrives, and we barely fit in with the bags. This is probably the most clothes I’ve ever seen in my life.
Once we get home, I knock on the kids’ apartment door, just to be polite, but there’s no answer. Caroline isn’t home, so the kids open the door themselves.
“Thanks, Freddy. Thanks, Rochelle!” Walken says. He holds out his hand to shake Frederick’s, who obliges.
“Do you think we can go shopping for video games sometime?” Walken asks.
“Of course we can, buddy,” Frederick says, and I give Walken a scolding look, hinting that he shouldn’t ask for too much at a time. We don’t want to wear out our welcome.
“Thank you, Mr. Frederick,” Sigourney says.
“Yeah. Thanks,” Walken adds. “Today was a lot of fun.”
I give both kids a hug. “Good night, Walken and Sigourney. I’ll see you tomorrow. You stay in until your mom gets home, okay? If you need anything, you know where I am.” They agree cheerfully and close the door, and I can hear the locks turn.
“You heading out, then?” I ask Frederick as I open my door. I don’t know if I’m quite ready for him to leave.
“Yeah, I got to get my car, remember?”
“Well, thanks again for everything.” There’s a palpable exchange of silence between us as he hangs in the door. One foot in and one foot out, I feel the urge to kiss him, but I stop myself. He wants a fake wife, and I’d want a real kiss.
“It was my pleasure. I’m happy to. And besides, it’s part of the deal.”
I can’t stop focusing on his soft brown eyes. I change the subject instead. “You said you’re meeting your mom and uncle tomorrow, right? Want me to come with you? As part of the deal.”
“No, it’s all good. I’ll call you afterward, though. Have a good night, Rochelle.” He puts his hand on my shoulder and looks into my eyes. Part of me thinks he’s going in for a kiss, but he just heads out the door.
I lay awake all night wondering what would have happened if he had tried to kiss me.
I wonder. Would I have let him?