Chapter 12 The Cheetah and the Dog
WREN
The Tortured Therapists Department
Would it be crazy to ask Tanner if I could move in this weekend instead of waiting?
Lacey:
I mean the room is available, so no. Why?
My upstairs neighbor moved a month ago, and I swear I heard footsteps coming from that apartment last night. I’m so ready to be out.
Gray:
Like a ghost?!?
Poppy:
OMG! So scary.
I hope it wasn’t a ghost, but whatever it was confirmed I’m ready to get the hell out of here. It’s too quiet.
Lacey:
Yeah, we need to get you out. Jace and I are free to help if you need. We’ve got nothing going on this weekend.
Poppy:
Logan and I can come too. Are you packed?
Thanks! I’ve started to, but I’m slow.
Poppy:
I’m an excellent packer. Why don’t we finish up Saturday morning?
Chloe:
I can see if my mom can take Ava for a few hours.
Gray:
I’m working on Sunday, but I can help Saturday.
Thanks y’all! I’m going over to Tanner’s tonight to measure, and I’ll let you know what he says.
Gray:
Measure what?
Bye.
Iwalk into my office and set my things down on top of my desk. I check my schedule, breathing out a sigh of relief when I realize it’s Wednesday.
There is a Bible study group coming from a local church at nine. Art group—my favorite thing in the world—starts at ten thirty and goes until lunch. Then, I’ll run a chair yoga group before taking a small group of residents to rec center at two for their bi-weekly pickleball lesson.
A knock on my door grabs my attention, and I find Gray standing there.
“Hey, girl,” she says, walking in and sitting down in front of my desk.
“Hey.” I check my watch. “It’s seven thirty. Shouldn’t you be doing therapy by now.”
“My first patient cancelled, so I don’t have to clock in for another fifteen minutes. Plus Margaret’s off until Monday for a family wedding or something. I wanted to check on you after your close encounter with that ghost last night.” She laughs.
“Laugh all you want, but my building is old as fuck and now very empty. Even Dolly acted like she heard it too.”
“Okay, I’ll believe you.” She giggles. “I’m a little offended you didn’t think my measure joke was funny?”
“It wasn’t.”
“Come on, you aren’t even a little curious how big his—”
“Please do not finish that sentence.”
She begins to laugh. “Did you tell your parents about moving in with him?”
“Wow, what a transition.”
“Well, you didn’t seem interested in discussing Tanner’s dick size.”
“And that led you to asking about my parents?” I eye her, sipping my ice coffee.
“My brain’s a weird place. Did you tell them?”
“Yeah. I broke the news last Sunday after breakfast. I don’t know if my dad is thrilled I’m living with a guy, but like you said, I don’t have a choice in the matter. He did seem more up for the idea once I asked if I could store some of my things in their basement.”
“Wait, why?”
“Because my dad is traditional and thinks men and women shouldn’t live together before they’re married.
One of the most liberal people I know, but he can’t get behind me shacking up with a guy he’s never even met.
Especially one who is six years older than me, but once I explained I didn’t want to have to move in a bunch of boxes that I’ll never unpack, he calmed down a bit. ”
“No, why aren’t you bringing all your stuff?”
“Because it’s a very temporary solution, and I don’t think I’ll need all of my furniture because Tanner’s place is mostly furnished.”
“So you aren’t bringing anything? Not even your art?”
“No, he already has stuff on the walls; he doesn’t need my artwork crowding up the place.
I think I have to bring my bed, but I’m not sure.
It’s part of the reason I’m going over there after work today.
I’ll figure out what I need, and then I’ll bring just the essentials to get me through six months or so. ”
Her mouth drops into a frown, and she studies me.
“Anyway, I talked to my therapist about it last week and I’m feeling better. She helped me come up with the plan.”
She nods her head and sips from the thermos she’s holding. “The plan?”
“Yep, my goal is no more than six months. I’m honestly hoping to be out in three, but I know that puts us around the first of the year, and it might be hard to find an apartment. I’m hoping that come the end of January, Dolly and I will be settled in our new place.”
“And then what?”
“I’m not sure yet. It definitely takes some of the pressure off of finding a place sooner, and it gives me time to look for something more permanent, maybe even a second job. ”
“A second job?”
“Yeah. I don’t plan on stopping my savings account, and I plan on giving Tanner something, so a second job will be good. Plus, it’ll also keep me busy, so I won’t be forced to be around him more than I have to.”
“I know the camp thing is important to you, but he said you didn’t owe him anything. Let him help you.”
“A second job isn’t that big of a deal.”
“I just don’t want you working yourself into the ground.”
“Says the person who works three jobs and barely has time for a social life.”
“Fair,” she puts her hands up. “It’s just I have to pay back my loans. You don’t have to stress out about Cody or the future. It’s okay to relax and take things easy.”
“You sound like my therapist.”
“Maybe we both have a point.”
I offer her a small smile. I wish life was that simple. I wish it was that black and white, but the truth is, every decision I make includes me thinking about my brother.
“It’s complicated. Opening up camps like this would be huge for my family and so many other people. You should have seen my parents…they’re exhausted. If there was a camp they could send Cody to for a week, and they could get some respite, do you know how huge that would be for them and him?”
“I just wish you’d put yourself first and stop worrying about everyone else. Tanner isn’t going to force you out. You could literally ride that wave as long as you wanted.”
“I will not be riding anything,” I deadpan. “They did finally agree to start looking for backup caregivers next week, which is a relief. I told them I’d help with the interviews if they need me to, so maybe I don’t have to worry about them getting hurt.”
“You’re a good sister.”
I take a deep breath and force a smile. “It’s nothing you wouldn’t do for your brothers.”
She smiles. “When was the last time they had a physical therapist train them on how to properly lift and transfer your brother?”
“Maybe a year and a half ago. They had been using a lift until recently. My parents said it’s broken and the insurance company is giving them the runaround.”
“What if I give them a refresher. See if there is anything I could suggest to make things easier on them and Cody.”
“When are you going to have time to do that?”
“It won’t take long, and they don’t live that far from me. I’ll just pop in, or I could even do it this Saturday since we are moving all your stuff into their basement.” She rolls her eyes.
“Very funny, but you don’t have to.”
“Stop. You’re one of my best friends. I should have offered it a long time ago. I can’t treat him, but I can go make sure your parents are doing a proper transfer.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes. “Thank you. Dad did say he was lifting with his back.”
“No!” She rubs her hands down her face. “No wonder he hurt it.”
“I know. I tried to tell him, but they don’t always listen to me.”
She stands from the chair and walks around the desk, pulling me into a hug. “Stop trying to do it all on your own. No one expects you to.”
My eyes find the clock on the wall behind her. “You better go clock in. I need to prepare for Bible study.”
“Sounds thrilling,” she deadpans. “Oh, I know Clara has signed up for pickleball, but she really shouldn’t be playing. I told her she could cheer Eugene on from the sidelines.”
“I bet she hated that.”
“Oh, yeah. Told me that it was none of my business what she and Eugene did.” She laughs.
“Don’t worry, I know her balance isn’t great. She watches with Ethel from a bench.”
“Perfect.” Gray disappears out of the door, and I gather what I need to get my day started.
At six o’clock, I knock on Tanner’s door, and it swings open immediately. He’s wearing a black T-shirt with the words “nepo baby” in white letters across the chest, dark gray joggers, and his hair is tied up on top of his head.
“Hey, roomie.”
“Nice shirt.”
He looks down at what he’s wearing and laughs. “My dad hates it.”
“I’m sure he does.” I fidget, rubbing my hand up and down my arm. There’s an awkward pause, and I wish I had a drink. The night at The Local felt easier. I’m overcome with nerves, and I’m not sure why. “Um, can I come in?”
“Oh, shit, yeah.” He moves out of the way.
I walk into the apartment and am immediately hit with the smell of maple syrup and bacon.
“Are you about to eat breakfast? It smells like a pancake house in here. I could’ve come over at a different time.”
The faintest tinge of red paints his cheeks.
“I made us food.”
“Food?”
“Yeah. I got the idea from Jacks. He made Lacey fries before their big talk, and it seemed to make it less awkward. I don’t know. I thought you might be hungry, and if we’re going to live together, then we should get to know each other better.”
“You made breakfast for dinner?”
He rocks back on his heels, stuffs his hands in his pockets, and shrugs his shoulders. “Lacey said that’s what you liked.”
“Did she?”
“Is she wrong? Jacks told me she said you liked waffles.”
“They’re my favorite.”
“So, what do you say roomie? Want some waffles and to get to know each other a little better?”
I manage a small nod, and he begins to walk toward the kitchen. “So, do you want the grand tour before or after we eat?”
“After? I’ve been here before, so I really just need to measure the room to figure out what furniture I need to bring. Remind me where the bathroom is.”
He points down a small hallway, and I make a beeline for the door.
God, why does this feel so awkward?
The Tortured Therapists Department
He made me dinner.
Gray:
Tanner?