Chapter 2
Alexis stepped out of the subway car and onto the platform, looking out toward the steps she would need to take. Though not used to this side of town, she was always well equipped to travel the subways by using various apps on her phone. If being in the profession she chose has done anything for her personally, it’s how to travel within the borders of a city without having to stop and ask for directions. On the platform, she walked toward a tile wall and pulled out her phone, standing out of the way long enough for her to get her bearings so that her walk to Trisha’s new apartment would be unabated.
This was a new experience for Alexis, as she had only recently reunited with Trisha a few months earlier. Having her move back to New York City was a great thing for her, because it’ll give her someone else to spend countless hours at bars with, as Hannah was wrapped around a boy. “Four blocks,” she said to herself as she looked up from her phone and started walking toward the staircase that led to the street above. She took a few steps and placed her hand on the railing while leaving the other grasping her phone to ensure that she was following the directions to the letter. She took the staircase up to the street to be immediately greeted by the sounds of cars rushing by, honking at one another while traversing toward their destinations. “I love this place,” she said with a smile as she placed her foot on the solid ground at the end of the stairs.
Alexis and Trish spent a great deal of time together growing up, having attended the same school as Hannah. The three were very close, though Trish had another pod of friends she hung out with while Alexis and Hannah always chose to stay together. Trish enjoyed branching out and meeting new people while Alexis was content in her own world, meeting people as she chose, but only on her terms. For the longest time, Trisha tried to encourage Hannah and Alexis to intermingle with her other circle of friends, though both were incredibly reluctant. Alexis was always polite when she declined, while Hannah told her repeatedly that she didn’t particularly care for many of the people she consorted with.
That was one of the reasons that Trish moved away from Hannah and Alexis. While she loved them both dearly, once she moved away, she lost touch with Alexis and Hannah but always made it a point to keep in touch with them once or twice a year. Trish made it a point to go out of her way to try and see Alexis and Hannah whenever she visited her family, always promising that she would do what she could to move back to the city one day. Though her career flourished in Chicago, New York City was always home and when the opportunity arose for her move back, she leapt at the chance.
Alexis made the short trek to her apartment building and looked up at the giant structure. “She never wanted to be somewhere small,” she said as she tilted her head forward to see a doorman standing watch. Alexis was an invited guest, so getting past the doorman wouldn’t be an issue. She took a few steps toward the door and he leaned forward, placing his hand on a golden handle and pulling the large, glass door back. “Here you go, ma’am,” said the man softly as he turned and looked at Alexis’s figure as she walked past him. “Can I ask where you’re headed?”
“I’m headed to the thirty-fourth floor. My friend just moved in,” she said as he nodded.
“Absolutely,” he said politely. “She seems like a very sweet girl. I hope to see more of the two of you.”
Alexis smiled and turned around to walk toward the elevator, shaking her head in disbelief at how creepy the doorman was. She walked over to the elevator and pressed the up button, turning back to see the doorman still staring at her. She waited for what seemed like an eternity with the doorman still looking through the glass at her and undressing her with his eyes. He was an older man with uncombed grey hair flowing from the sides of his head and a pointed nose. She didn’t want to think about him anymore as the doors to the elevator finally opened and she leapt in quickly. Without hesitation, she pressed the button to Trish’s floor and the doors closed, relieving her of the tension of being watched by the old man.
“Weird,” she said to herself as she leaned up against the wall of the elevator. “I hate awkward moments like that.”
The elevator ascended quickly to Trish’s floor and the doors opened, revealing a small hallway with only six doors. The apartment building, while older, was shaped in a manner that the floors became smaller the higher up you went. Trish lived almost halfway up the building, but was fortunate enough to have a larger living space than she required. Alexis walked down the hallway and found the door to her apartment. She placed her hand on the door knob and turned it slowly, pushing it open to find a very uniquely designed space. “Previous owner must’ve had an odd perception on things,” she thought as she stepped inside, placing her foot on some very thick, shag carpet immediately upon walking in. “Oh, this is weird,” she said as her foot sunk into the carpet. She took another step and closed the door behind her, slamming it loud enough so that Trish would know she had arrived. “Hey Trish!” she shouted as she walked awkwardly through the front foyer.
The carpet continued throughout the living space with Alexis struggling to maintain her balance with every step. She continued to move slowly while she examined the walls, which were covered in zebra printed wall paper. She walked into the living area to find the same wall paper coving the outer wall but a giraffe print covering another of the walls. “Perhaps I just entered the zoo,” she said as she stood in the center of the living room, surrounded by unplaced furniture and boxes.
“The previous tenant was a zoologist at the Central Park zoo,” announced Trish as she walked out of the bedroom and into the living room. She hadn’t changed a bit since the last time they were together. Trish was a shorter woman, barely over five feet tall and was built thick. Her hips were well-defined and her breasts were very full, yet remarkably perky. She carried around a charm that encapsulated a room and made her the center of attention. Her charm and wit made it impossible to not like her and her demeanor and respect for everyone around her made it to where they wouldn’t want to. Her hair was dark and cut short, hanging just above her shoulders and framing her face very well. Trish was an amazing friend and Alexis was very happy to have her back in her life. “They had a mild obsession with animals,” she explained with a smile, looking at Alexis and thinking how amazing she appeared. Her tan skin was still one of her best features with her dark hair hanging down to the center of her shoulder blades. Her thin physique matched her personality, though she could tell that Alexis was a much stronger woman now than before.
“Mild?” asked Alexis sarcastically. “I feel like I’m walking on spongy grass.”
Trish laughed as she walked up and hugged Alexis. “It’s good to see you,” she said. “Welcome to my apartment that’s filled with spongy grass carpet.”
Alexis laughed as they embraced. “I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined I would be in a place like this.”
“It was cheap,” said Trish. “Because of the carpet and wall paper, I was able to get this place for half the price.”
“I bet you were,” said Alexis. “You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.”
“Nah, I think I’ll keep it,” said Trish. “It gives the place a unique character.”
Alexis shook her head, shocked at what she just said. “Trish, there is zebra wall paper in the foyer.”
“Correct,” said Trish. “And I rather like it.”
Alexis chuckled. “You’re still quite odd.”
“And I will never change,” she continued. “How about your apartment? Is it boring and overly organized?”
Alexis nodded. “Absolutely,” she replied. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, though I’ve only recently been back there. I was staying in Dubai and Sydney and other places in Asia over the past few weeks.”
“Oh, that sounds fun,” quipped Trish. “I bet your job allows you to have a great time. Are you still working your way through some oil company?”
“Well, sort of,” she replied. “I’m no longer with the large company here in the states, I now work for the Consortium of Oil Traders. I handle acquisitions and logistics for all of the companies around the world.”
Trish nodded, though she had a look of confusion as she tried to process everything. “So, you do what?”
Alexis smiled. “I work with various ports around the world and all of the companies within the consortium. I move the entire excess product and handle the transactions so that it moves seamlessly.”
“Oh, that makes more sense,” said Trish. “So, you’re not in New York that often now?”
“I am for now,” said Alexis. “Fortunately, my bosses have agreed to give me an office here so that I can at least work from where I’m comfortable. As much as I love traveling, I really don’t like living out of a suitcase. It’s difficult to put any roots down when you’re constantly on the move.”
Trish smiled. “That’s very true. Where’s Hannah tonight?”
“She’s on a date,” answered Alexis. “Hannah decided that it was time for her to spend time with a boy finally.”
“Oh, so is it going to be a one night event?”
“Actually, this boy may have a chance to go the distance,” explained Alexis as she stepped away from Trish and walked toward the window to look out at the New York skyline. “I think Hannah is maturing and changing her stance about men. Perhaps, this man may be the one that finally convinces her to change her ways.”
“That’ll never happen,” said Trish as she walked over toward the window as two movers stepped out of one of the bedrooms to continue moving boxes. “Thank you, guys!”
Both men nodded without saying a word as they grabbed a few more boxes and moved them into the bedroom. “They’re working so hard,” said Trish with a smile as she stood beside Alexis. “The company I’m working for spared no expense in getting me some amazing interstate movers. These guys have been professional, fast, and very careful with my belongings.”
“Well that’s good,” said Alexis as she turned and leaned her back against the window. “Are you going to try and get yourself settled in quickly or are you going to take your time and reintroduce yourself to New York City lifestyle at a much slower rate?”
“I just moved from Chicago, not Iowa,” said Trish sarcastically. “It’s not like I’m coming off the farm. I grew up here and I’m used to the lifestyle. I’ll probably throw myself right back in.”
“So, no time to really get adjusted then?”
“I don’t think I’ll need it,” continued Trish. “I’ve got a support system here that’s really good for me. I’ve got friends, family, and I know what all New York has to offer. I don’t think I really need much time to adjust and reacquaint myself.”
Alexis smiled. “Good, then you won’t have any objections about going out and getting something to eat in a few minutes?”
“Oh, thank God,” she said. “I was hoping you’d bring that up first. I’ve been dying for some Chinese food from Chinatown.”
“Then tell your movers you’re going to go grab a bite to eat and we can take a cab,” said Alexis. “We’re not that far and I don’t think the subway would save us much time.”
Trish nodded while walking away, heading back toward the bedroom. “Oh, we have to talk to James though on the way out,” announced Trish. “He’s a bit creepy but he means well.”
“Is that the doorman?” asked Alexis. “He creeped me out a bit.”
Trish walked back into the living room and laughed. “Yeah, it took me a few times to get used to it, but he means well. He’s harmless.”
“I felt like I was on display.”
“Oh, you were,” said Trish. “He’s a dirty old man but he’s harmless. He’ll look all day, but there’s nothing you can do to stop him. Might as well at least embrace the fact that a man finds you attractive.”
Alexis shook her head. “A lot of men find me attractive,” she said with a cocky tone. “I just prefer to not feel like a piece of meat.”
“That’s fair,” said Trish as she grabbed her hand bag. “Come on, I’m craving an egg roll.”
Alexis smiled as she walked behind her. “I could go for one as well,” she replied.