Chapter 31

After the few scenes that they blocked for the day, Kim was more than happy to be headed home. Gary hadn't said anything outside work to her and she liked it. Kim got home to a pile of message on her email. All from Austin. He wanted her to meet up with him . Soon. The first message appeared urgent. The second was more soothing, calm and relaxing but it didn't do any good to her distressed mind. While Kimberly was on her way back, a woman in the company of her young son had been singing and sauntering away in the streets while the child giggled. Another woman had been tickling her little daughter who had a big candy held tightly between her fingers and Kim had forced a smile. Beautiful things she loved to see yet, her own worries weighed her down. Once when she'd been almost Depressed after one of those heated fights with her parents, a little girl had offered her a pack of half eaten tostitos in the train. The little girl In the company of a single dad who eventually introduced himself and stated he was a widower had thought she was perhaps, hungry or sad because she sat glaring moodily at nothing in particular.
"Miss, have some of these. You'll be fine", she'd said assuringly and Kim had been torn between a delighted laughter and a urge to cry. The concern in the little girl's eyes just then meant everything to her and even though she politely declined, she'd been warmed by the gesture.
For days, she'd thought more about the Little girl, her little innocent face and her affecting towards her, a total stranger.
The telephone rang and she halfed ran to it but it was only Austin.
"Hey, Kim"
"Austin".
"You got my text didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did"
"So, when are you free? I figured you might not wanna reply the texts so I called. I really wanna see you and talk real good, babe".
Kim rolled her eyes. She was not in the mood to talk about dates and meetups and reuniting with exes.
"Well, I did tell you that I'd let you know when I'm free, didn't I?"
" You didn't mention such to me, babe. You said you're never free which isn't entirely true".
" What makes you think I lied about my busy schedule? If I told you I'm never free, Austin, then I'm never free!", She snapped. A part of her longed to slam down the receiver and another part wanted to hear him out. To say goodnight at the end of the conversation no matter what they talked about.
" You're angry at me over something I don't know, Kim", he stated matter of factly and she sighed.
" It's not you. I've had a rather gloomy day. I'm sorry it rubbed off on you".
" I see. I'll talk to you tomorrow, then".
" Good night"
Lennox was having a hard time trying to work without different thoughts running riots in his head and distracting him from his work. A few calls came in from the Marilyn Sawer Hotels and after the calls, he was resolute to beat the deadline he'd been given. He worked, his muscles rippling and his stomach churning from hunger. He'd hardly left his office all day and then Hector stopped by with his girlfriend, Nora.
The duo looked good together, clinging to each other. Nora wore a sequinned blue dress and a pair of work heels.
" Oh dear, you look haggard! You must have been working all day!" Nora exclaimed as they stepped in.
" Yeah. What's up? Didn't go to work today, Nora?", Lennox asked.
Her dress was a fancy one and Hector looked too good to not be coming from somewhere.
" Of course I'm back from work. It's past four Pm .I'm sure you didn't know that!", Nora said. Lennox whistled. He hadn't realized it was so late. They walked into the flat and sat together.
" Where you off giving things to charity? Hector looks too good to have been coming directly to my place", Lennox said. Hector's face contorted in mock anger and Nora laughed.
" He was at work too, I guess".
" Yeah," Hector cut in " I was off signing a new deal. Man. It's so good to be awarded good contracts, you know".,
" Sure. Then we should have a toast to that like we usually do. What thinks you two?"
" Of course, of course!", They said in unison, giggling. They drank. The rumbling of Lennox's stomach halted their jokes.
" What? Do you starve?", Hector asked, irritated.
" Of course not. Just that I've not had anything to eat today. I've been choked up with work and if not for you two, I'd probably still be in my office working my ass out ", Lennox said. Hector laughed while Nora looked on with concern in her eyes.
" Oh, poor dear. You should make a delivery service drop you breakfast everyday and lunch too! Do you have anything in the fridge? I'd like to help you fix something", Nora offered without any hesitation. Hector took one look at her and nodded.
" I think that'd be nice. The fellow doesn't like to cater for his stomach. Well, you should help him, really".
Lennox began to protest but Nora was already heading to the kitchen. Lennox had shopped on Hester's insistence and even though he thanked her for urging him to go grocery shopping, he knew he might never cook any meals. Seeing Nora help him around his kitchen gave him a kick. He did appreciate it when people made him food. It was so much a thing of appreciation to him.
He settled next to Hector as the running of water began to sound from the kitchen. A good meal, he'd have at last.
Gary had an argument with a crew member, Dwayne and it wasn't funny. He'd fumed and spat abusive and vulgar words until Benny had stepped in and ordered calm. Blakes was around later and kept staring angrily at Gary who didn't even appear to be concerned about the impressions he gave about himself. Kim decided to spend the rest of her evening after work with the Pattersons. Hailey had called in sick and again, Kim was worried. A little girl Playing with her ice cream cone grinned at her from the pavement and she smiled back. A tight little smile.
Once the door was opened to her, the smell of Mrs Patterson's cooking wafted to her nose. Tickling her taste buds. She hadn't come for the food but surely, she would eat before leaving.
"Hello, Mr. Patterson", Kim greeted as Mr Patterson opened the door and grinned wildly. She hadn't informed the couple of her visit beforehand but they were always receptive and happy to have her.
"You look good dear. How are you?" , He asked as he opened the door broadly for her to come inside.
" thank you Mr Patterson. You do not look bad yourself", Kimberly said as she took off her coat and draped it around a chair just by the door before walking towards the living room. Mrs. Patterson was baking chocolate cookies and it excited Kim more than anything. The smell of good food ever cooking at the Pattersons was something her mind was getting acquainted with. Her thoughts were suddenly assailed by the thought of food and she felt her anger and frustration Accumulated during the day begin to slip into oblivion.
She sat on a chair and Mr Patterson quickly picked up his magazines again and pushed his glasses to rest on his nose like he always did.
"Winter's here again my dear. How are you? Did you start up your fireplac?", He asked without looking up from his magazine..
"Oh, well, I do intend to take care of it soon. I'll be needing all the warmth I can get", Kimberly replied as her eyes rested on the Patterson's fireplace. A crack of hot coal shot and twinkled in the small flames. The room was warm and soothing. Mrs Patterson walked in, her apron still draping down her neck and her fingers covered in a doughy mixture she'd undoubtedly been working on.
" Oh, look at you my dear!", She exclaimed and Kim smiled.
"Mrs. Patterson. Good to see you", Kim greeted back. Mrs. Patterson soon disappeared behind the doors again to resume her work. Kim sat there, breathing sigh after sigh of calmnes. She was sitting with Mr Patterson right in his parlour while his wife made food and cookies and there was nothing remotely unsettling about the worldlessness between them. She did not feel the need to regal him with untrue stories in order not to be considered boring or unenthusiastic. Her calmness and reserve around Mr Patterson just then was relaxed. He never probed words out of her. He'd rather talk more about himself and give you the choice to either talk about yourself or listen to him alone.
" Want some cookies, darling?"
Mrs. Patterson asked as she came out of the kitchen again, a dish cloth in hand.
"Absolutely, ma'am. I'd love some", Kim replied as she turned to look at Mr Patterson who seemed so engrossed in his magazine.
"Oh, don't worry about him. He doesn't eat chocolate cookies, my dear", Mrs Patterson said before placing the small tray of hot cookies on the center table right In front of Kim. Kim began to munch on it and Mrs Patterson returned to the kitchen only for a loud crash and thud to come from the kitchen. Mr. Patterson stood up at the same time Kim jerked up on her feet. Right on the kitchen floor Mrs Patterson layed sprawled. Her left hand twisted odly on the side and her head against a tray that had dropped from the stacks. She had slipped on a drop of vegetable oil which she hadn't noticed. She was stirring painfully and grunting as Kim and Mr Patterson approached and began to help her up. She'd sprained a few joints and a pint of blood trickled down her temple.
Kim took Mrs Patterson to the hospital in company of Mr Patterson who looked more worried.
" She'll be okay, don't you worry ", Kim said
", But she couldn't even walk! See, she's broken more bones than a wrestler In that single fall", He said, worried.
" She'll be fine. The doctors are going to make sure that she's okay, right? That's why we are here. That's why she's been attended to", Kimberly urged. He nodded. He didn't seem to be convinced his wife would be well soon but he was not going to show that he was too worried. He began to pace up and down the reception. Mrs Patterson had been admitted and the doctor had said she should be given all the time there is to rest.
" Wanna pass the night here?", Kim found herself asking.
" Of course, you should be headed home. My wife and I will make our way home tomorrow…whenever she's fit to come home", he said. Kim was reluctant. She didn't want to leave him neither could she pass the night with the since she had work to do the following day. Kim wondered if perhaps the accident wouldn't have happened if she'd been in her flat rather than the Pattersons. Was she the cause of the misfortune? Did she remotely cause it? Questions plagued her as she kissed the Pattersons goodnight and went back to her apartment, sad and forsaken. More than anything, she wanted and needed to talk to someone, anyone.
The Athletic looking lady was somewhere around when Kimberly stepped into the elevator. On the third floor, the lady joined her and exclaimed,
" A pleasant surprise, Mrs. Foster. It's good to see you!", She exclaimed. Kimberly was taken aback by the warmth and her sudden reappearance and she didn't try to conceal her disgust.
"I see. Heading upstairs?", She asked, an unnecessary question.
" Oh, yes. Came to see a friend actually", she said. Kimberly nodded as the elevator stopped at her floors. She stepped out and the lady stepped out too.
" Can I please come in for a bit? For a cup of hot coffee at least?", She asked, smiling. Kimberly was suddenly angry and she began to speak with rapid anger
" I do not know you on a personal level. You seem to be stalking me and until now, I never thought it reasonable to inform the police. I don't know where you're from or who sent you, keep away from me! This should be the last time you stalk me ".
" Woah! Take it easy, girl, I mean no harm. Told you I'm a big fan but you wouldn't have that. Surely I am. I'm just a fan who happens to know your residence and shows up randomly. I'm not stalking you, I promise".
"Then I'm glad to inform you that i do not receive strangers in my apartment. I don not, young lady, keep away from me"..
" I see you're so worn out. Must have had one hell of a gruelling day, right?", She asked feelingly and more than anything, the sudden change of topic and show of concern was annoying to Kim.
" It's not your business how my day went! It's absolutely none of your bloody business!", She snapped. She fished out her keys and open the door, her hands trembling from exhaustion, anger, fear and all the emotions that she'd beautifully restrained. She stepped in and shut the door. A near slam in the woman's face. She heard her heavy booted steps as she began to walk away and sighed. She would call the police and report once she was in a more collected state of mind.
✓✓✓✓
Lennox didn't mention anything about Hester to Hector. He'd handle her himself. He didn't want commit to her and he didn't want to hurt her. She was still battling her feelings for Parker and leaving her totally might damage her. When she called him, he spoke about abstract things. Never once giving ideas that he might be interested in her. He knew for a fact that If ever she offered her body again, he'd not be interested and so he refused to talk in those lines. Hector was having a good time with Nora and Max called him a few times, asking if Kim was very busy that she wouldn't talk to him and he'd told Max at last that she'd moved away from South Florida and they had lost connection. It had saddened max and he'd called a few days back, imploring Lennox to find out the lady's whereabouts and make peace with her. Whatever their problem had been. Lennox had explained severally that they had no dispute whatsoever and had ended the call promising to return it which of course was untrue.
Lennox spoke with an agent about buying a house in New York and the agent fixed an appointment with him at his office.
The man was a big fellow with a Raucous voice and small eyes that disappeared easily behind the folds of flesh around his eyes.
"Do sit down Mr. McCurdy. It's good to have you", he said and grinned boyishly. Lennox reciprocated by flashing him a smile too.
He began to swing in his chair. His tie was crooked and his bald head gleamed under the translucent lights.
"Well, you know my purpose of coming. Surely, you'd like to know how my taste run so that I can see samples of what there is up for sale", he said.
"*Right, what would you prefer, where precisely would you like your property to be situated?", He asked, still grinning.
Lennox took his time and explained the qualities he'd love. Why he wanted a house in New York, he hadn't decided. He'd wanted a property alright, but where it would be situated, he hadn't thought of. He knew that it was not so that he could chase Kimberly but because her moving there had suddenly made the place special. Had suddenly made the Town interesting to him. That, he could not and would not deny..
The agent shoved a few photos towards him, urging him to pick wisely. The photos where so detailed and crisp smooth that he spent more time rubbing on the photos than looking at the pictures. In the end, he picked one of the properties and the selling price looked fair enough to him.
"I should be on my way now, do have a good day", he said as he rose to his feet shuffling the chair he'd sat on a bit backward.
" You too, Mr. McCurdy. Have a blessed day", he said.
Lennox alighted the elevator and looked up at the block of offices. He began to walk to his car when Hester materialized from behind him.