Page 23 of A Bossy Roommate
“Well, that’s one stylish way to kickstart the day. Also, are you sure you don’t want me to come in earlier? It doesn’t make sense for me to hang around here doing nothing when there’s stuff that can be done at work.”
“If you want to. Obviously, we can’t drive in together.”
“About that, I don’t really have gas in my car.”
I remember her telling me yesterday about not having enough money to buy gas. I’d thought it was an exaggeration in order to work out a better deal for herself. I hadn’t believed sheactuallydidn’t have enough to cover all of her basic needs. I stop the treadmill. It slows enough for me to step off, and when I do, I turn to give her my full attention. “I will pay for your gas.”
Eden sighs, fiddling with the towel around her neck. “No, no, please. I don’t want that.”
“Then how are you going to get into work?”
She gives me a nonchalant shrug. “I’ll catch the train. Or better, I’ll walk. I love walking, that’s how I stay fit. It’s not that far.”
“It’s at least a forty-five-minute walk, and that doesn’t count waiting for traffic to stop.”
“Easy-peasy. I’ll have plenty of time to get there before my day starts.”
Her optimism is on the verge of naivety. She has no idea what the city is like, and I doubt she’s prepared for the city’s unpredictable weather, nor to join the mass of impatient born-and-bred New Yorkers who flood the streets every morning.
“Okay, here’s what we’ll do then. I’ll add you to my Uber account,” I say, pulling my phone out of my pocket. “You can use that until your first paycheck.”
“Carter, it’s really not a big deal. I’ll just walk.”
“What about when it rains? Or when it gets really hot? Or when you’re late?”
“Then I’m going to use the train.”
“No, you’ll use my Uber. At least that way I know you’ll make it to work on time.”
“Way to do something nice while simultaneously making it sound bad.”
“Eden, don’t argue with me. Just take the Uber.”
“Okay then.” Her shoulder drops, and she gives me a genuine smile. “Thank you.”
Once she gives me her info, I follow the app’s prompts to add her name and phone number to my profile. After a quick second on my phone, I put it back in my pocket. “There, you should receive the invitation. I’ve got to get ready.”
I shower and dress.By the time I finish fastening my cufflinks, there’s a knock on the front door.
“I got it!” Eden calls brightly.
I hear her open the door, and a few seconds of exchanged pleasantries with the delivery man. A moment later, he leaves, and the unmistakable British accent of Mrs. Hutton floats through the front door of my apartment.
“Good morning, Eden, dear. You look very lovely today!”
“Thank you, Hattie. Would you like to come in?”
Don’t invite her in, I think as I leave my room. It’s not that I dislike my neighbor, it’s that she’s chatty, and pulling away from a conversation takes more time than I have available. When Ireach the hallway, Eden is standing there with the bags of food. Hattie is still in the hall.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hutton,” I greet her. “Eden, we better hurry. We’ve got to get to work.”
Thankfully, Eden is smart enough to take the hint. So is our elderly neighbor. “Oh gosh, of course. You two enjoy your breakfast before it gets cold.”
I take the bags from Eden and turn to carry them to the table around the corner. Mrs. Hutton stops Eden from leaving. Under her breath, thinking I won’t hear, I hear her whisper, “Such a handsome young man. Stern and grumpy, I know, but handsome nonetheless. Anyway, the reason I popped in, dear, was just to make sure you made it through the night safe.”
“Perfectly safe, Hattie,” I hear Eden whisper back, brushing over the fact she almost set the whole apartment building on fire. “Thank you for asking, that’s very thoughtful of you.”
“I must tell you, I heard some rather peculiar noises. High-pitched shrieks and sudden whooshing sounds.” I imagine Mrs. Hutton opening her eyes dramatically as she always does when she discovers a neighborhood scandal unfolding right before her very eyes. “You must have heard it as well, love?”