Epilogue
Wilder
New York is loud. Unusually loud.
I can’t even think.
There’s horns honking, construction tools filling the humid air, and dogs barking. I don’t even see any dogs, but they’re somewhere. I can hear them.
“I thought you said Cash got us a really nice place,” Ingrid says, frowning as she looks up at the dilapidated building. “Are you sure it’s the right address?”
“It’s the right address,” Mr. Winthrop groans. He’s carrying two suitcases full of Ingrid’s clothes.
Jill is right behind him with towels, sheets, and pillows. “How far up do we have to walk?”
“Second floor,” I answer as I hand Ingrid a box. “And Elowyn said it was nice,” I whisper to Ingrid. “She sent pictures from when they signed the lease.”
“I can’t believe your sister decided to move with us,” Ingrid sighs. “How cool is this? All four of us in the city, working, going to school, experiencing life. It’s going to be the best year ever.”
I swallow hard. Going to NYU is intimidating. I’m more nervous than excited.
“Don’t you think it’s odd that she helped Cash find a place here?” I ask her as Jason leads the way.
“No.” Ingrid shakes her head. “We’re all friends. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Honestly, I’ve been too busy filling out applications, getting scholarships, and trying to find a way not to take Cash’s money. As it stands right now, I have the first semester paid for. The next one is not my problem right now.
“What are we going to do first?” Ingrid asks excitedly. “The Empire State Building? Ellis Island? Broadway?”
“How about you just get settled first,” Jason says, saving my ass.
NYU is only a few blocks south, but I still need to buy my books and figure out a schedule. I’ve crammed way too many classes into this first semester. I’m hoping to get two years done in a single year.
Big plans. Potentially catastrophic plans.
“Wait!” Jill yells. “We have to get a picture of Ingrid and Wilder before we head up.”
Ingrid groans. “Later Mom.”
But Jill insists. So, we hold our boxes in our arms and smile for the camera. But Jill drops her phone. We have to do two more pictures, then prop the camera up on my truck so we can set a timer and Jill and Jason can be in the picture with us.
My arms are aching and sore. We still have quite a few boxes to take up with us next.
Still, these are Ingrid’s parents. And they paid for our gas here. They’re helping us move. They’re being supportive.
I can smile for three more excruciating photos.
“I think we’re good now,” Jill says.
We head inside and stop in front of the elevator. There’s an Out of Order sign taped to the front of it. Great.
“Guess we’re walking,” Ingrid chirps with enthusiasm.
The stairs are steep and Ingrid clips one, tumbling forward. I drop the boxes and grab her.
“Why are these stairs so tall?” she grumbles as she rubs her knee. “I feel like I’m walking up a stairwell built for a giant.”
“Are you okay?” I ask her.
She smiles. “I’m fine.”
We gather the boxes and continue climbing. The second floor is surprisingly high up.
Ingrid tries the door, but it’s locked.
Cash and Elowyn were supposed to meet us here, but maybe they’re out sightseeing.
I balance the boxes on my knee and slip the key out of my pocket. It takes me a while, but I finally get the door unlocked and push it open.
Ingrid goes in first, me right behind her.
But I run straight into her and nearly topple over as she stands perfectly still.
My eyes follow her line of sight.
Cash.
Elowyn.
No clothes.
Couch.
I blink once. Twice.
Are they seriously having sex on our couch?
“What the fuck?!” I holler.
They scramble off the cushion and grab their clothes.
I stare at them, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
This is going to be the longest fucking year of my life.