Interrupted (The Progress Series) (19 page)

“Give me the nastiest one you’ve got!”

Charlie smiled. “I already love you, Roxanne.”

That week, Roxanne came on staff full-time. Half of her days were spent as Charlie’s leasing consultant, and the other half were spent on miscellaneous projects that came up daily: parties to clean up after, messy hallways, and garbage on the property.

*

Charlie returned home from work Friday evening and was excited to have a quiet night in with Samuel, her cocoa, and pajamas. He’d be leaving the next day for
New York and as she opened her apartment door, she was sulking. When she walked in, there was a note on the fridge from Samuel. Attached to it was a puzzle piece. She set it aside and read the note.

Hey babe, we’re going to play a game. All of the clues are hidden somewhere in this apartment. The first one will be a gimme so that I can be assured that you understand how it’s played. Ready, go!

Find your dad, and you’ll find the next clue.

A game? What is this all about?

After changing into her pajamas, she ran to the framed photo of her dad on the shelf in the living room. She turned it over and stuck to it was an envelope containing another clue and a different puzzle piece. She ran to the piece she left in the kitchen and tried to connect them. When it was obvious they didn’t fit together, she read the next clue.

“Good job. Now turn around and go the other way. In a place you never stay, the next clue is hanging around.”

A place I never stay? What does that mean? What room do I spend the least time in? His studio, maybe?

She walked into the studio and it was a mess, as usual. She had no idea where to start. There were piles of paper, files, laptops, phones, shelves of plant and herb encyclopedias, World War II books, and art utensils everywhere with no discernable order to the chaos. It was too overwhelming. She considered the clue again.

A place I never stay… Oh! Hanging around! The closet!

She opened the closet door and found the next clue and puzzle piece attached to the hanger that held her favorite sweatshirt.

This is so much fun!

You’re on a roll! Keep going.

That’s it? What does that mean?

It must have been a play on words.
A roll? Do we have any buns?
She searched the bread container in the kitchen. She found the buns, but there was no clue.

She stared at the words while preparing a cup of cocoa, munching on one of the rolls.

Aha!

She scurried over to the cabinet where they kept the rolling pin and plucked it out from its spot. She found the next one.

How long did that take you? I have full faith I’ll be seeing you soon.

She went around to every clock in the apartment, assuming the clue had something to do with time. In the bedroom, hidden under their alarm clock was the next clue.

Wow! I’m impressed. Start putting the pieces together now. The last one will be under the surface.

Taking the most recent puzzle piece, she went to the kitchen table to arrange them. It was a postcard of what looked like a bridge. She couldn’t make it out without the last piece.

Under the surface. Under the surface. The surface of what?

She walked to the bathroom, thinking it may have been submerged in something. Nope. Standing in the center of the apartment, she looked around. She checked underneath the living room chairs. She walked to the bedroom and checked under the bed. She even walked down to the storage area below their apartment. Nothing.

She decided to try to make sense of the puzzle again. She sat at the table, arranging the pieces and the answer came to her.

Underneath the surface. Clever. How did he know I’d assemble the pieces at the kitchen table?

On the underside of the table was the last puzzle piece, attached with tape. As she fit the corners into their spot, the photo was revealed. The Old Cedar Bridge.

The
Old Cedar Bridge was built in 1920. It was a rickety old thing that was closed to automobile traffic in the 1990s. Since then, it had only been open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Complete with park area, the bridge had a large parking lot and was surrounded by trees. It sat atop a marshy area of the Minnesota River where wildlife and flora were abundant.

Charlie smiled, but was still confused. She turned the postcard over looking for more information, and there was a final note to her from Samuel.

How long are you going to make me wait here for you? Call Gabe, he’ll bring you to me.

Within seconds, she was on the phone with Gabe and he told her he was already en route to their apartment.

Charlie ran to the bathroom and fixed her makeup. She hurried into her room, put her work clothes back on and whipped off her bandana.

This is it. He’s going to ask me to marry him.

She heard a honk and looked out her balcony door. Gabe was waiting.

*

When they arrived in the parking lot near the bridge, Charlie didn’t know where to find Samuel. Gabe pointed her in the right direction and she took a deep breath.

“Wish me luck,” she said.

“Nah, you don’t need it,” Gabe said with a nudge.

She exited the car and walked toward a path. It was a quarter-mile of tarred pavement surrounded by maple, willow, and birch trees. There was barely enough wind to make the smallest branches sway. It was warmer now—warmer than it had been that morning, but still cold enough to quicken her pace. Squinting, she could see a man standing at the entrance of the bridge. She smiled. Her heart fluttered as she looked down at her ring finger.

Why would my answer be anything but yes? He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

This is the last time this finger will be bare.

As she strode closer, she could make out his face. Samuel was wearing a nice shirt and tie, and his face was clean shaven. His nose was red and Charlie could see his breath. He was nervously smiling.

“Hi,” she said.

“Come here,” he said, holding his hand out to take hers.

He pulled her close and gave her a brief kiss before he spoke.

“I’ve been thinking about you—about us. I can’t imagine spending a day of my life without you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said, his nervous smile returning. “You’re brilliant, you’re beautiful, and I love your warmth and your touch. I love that you wake up every morning with awful bed-hair, but that somehow you’re still wearing your lipstick. I think about all the times we’ve gone to the grocery store at one o’clock in the morning or stayed up for one more game of Scrabble and one more episode of
Star Trek
. I love that we can say absolutely everything without a word, but sometimes not be able to say exactly what we mean after we’ve talked for hours. I know it’s only been a year, but I’m still crazy about you, and I don’t think I’ll ever find anyone else that makes me feel the way you do.”

He reached into his pocket and got down on one knee. Charlie let a giggle escape her throat when she noticed his tremble.
Oh god, he’s really nervous.

“Will you marry me?” he asked, while opening a small black box that held a half-carat round diamond. The band was white gold and had four prongs that held the stone above its surface.

Charlie felt a moment of dizziness.
Breathe, just breathe
. As soon as she inhaled, the weightlessness was gone and she bit her lip with a reserved smile.

“Yes,” she said.

A grin, exposing the one dimple, rose to Samuel’s face as he stood and placed the ring on her finger. He scooped her up into a lengthy embrace and kissed her forehead.

“This ring is only temporary. I didn’t know what you’d like, so I just wanted to make sure I had one to give you. I’d like you to pick one out that you’ll love wearing. Forever,” he said.

She smiled. “I like that. Forever.”

They made out like teenagers in his car for another twenty minutes before heading out for a celebration dinner.

Saturday

Charlie dropped Samuel off early at the airport the next morning. Afterward, she headed straight for Uptown to shop for her new ring. It was sunnier than it had been since the fall, and she strolled down the street with a huge smile on her face, watching the ethnic diversity and lifestyles that Minneapolis boasted.

None of this feels real. It’s like being in a movie.
Charlie looked down at the ring on her finger. She loved it. But Samuel was insistent that she at least have a look to see if there was something else she would prefer. After all, he had said, she was going to be wearing it for the rest of her life.

She smiled again and glanced in
 the window of a shop, an orange handmade scarf catching her attention. As the bells on the door jingled, around her were woolen mittens in various colors, hand sewn socks in stripes, solids and dots, and racks upon racks of hats and scarves like the one that had caught her eye outside.

Charlie combed through the racks and decided to treat herself to a dark green, heavy silk scarf with light green fringe. Still smiling, she stood in line to purchase it.

“Charlie?” a woman’s voice said from behind her.

Charlie turned and her throat fell into the pit of her stomach. In an instant, every memory of a year earlier came crashing into her mind. She felt weak, out-of-control, and began trembling.

Just breathe.

“Oh, my… Lily?” She stuttered her words.

“It’s so good to see you! I always wondered what happened to you. Come here and give me a hug!” Lily said while throwing her arms around Charlie.

Charlie stood, shocked.
Her first instinct was to look around the store for
him
. Her second was to run.

“Are you here all by yourself?” Charlie asked.

“Yep, just doing some shopping. I thought I’d treat myself and take the afternoon off. The restaurant has been pretty slow these days.”

“That’s too bad,” Charlie said.

“What have you been up to? Are you still at The Crimson?” Lily asked.

“No, no… I haven’t been there for almost six months now. I’m a property manager for an apartment complex in
Eagan.”

“Oh, really? Well, then I’m glad I ran into you—”

“Are you thinking about moving?” Charlie asked.

“Oh no, I’ll never leave my house! But, Jesse is moving back in a few weeks and he’s looking for a place.”

Jesse. No.

“Oh, I don’t think it would be a good idea if I was Jesse’s landlord. Things didn’t turn out so great for the two of us.”

“Nonsense. It’s history. You two were such great friends, I’m sure you can pick right back up where you left off.”

Yeah, probably not.

“If he’s looking for a place in Eagan, I can get some information for him with some of my competitors. I just need to know his budget, whether or not he has pets, and any additional amenities he’s looking for. I could call or mail you some stuff.” Charlie spoke so fast that she ran out of breath for the last words.

“Why don’t I just give you his number—” Lily said.

“No, if anything you can give him mine. Here, this is my business card. If he has any questions he can give me a call.” The words spilled out of her mouth faster than she could think. All she wanted to do was to get out—out of the conversation and out of the store.

Digging into her purse and pulling out the first credit card she could find, she handed it to the cashier before she was even given the total.

“Well, I’m not sure about his budget, but he doesn’t have any pets,” Lily said. “I’m sure he’d like a washer and dryer in the building. Does that help?”

“Sure, he can give me a call if he wants. I’d be happy to help him.” The cashier handed Charlie a receipt to sign and bagged her scarf. “Gotta run, Lily! It was great seeing you. Good luck at the restaurant.” After giving Lily a hug goodbye, she scurried out of the store.

Charlie’s heart pounded through her chest the rest of the afternoon. She was frightened about the amount of anticipation she had at the thought of Jesse calling her. She was also embarrassed and distressed about the fifteen pounds she had gained and whether or not he would notice. Her mood had shifted dramatically and any urge to continue shopping was now gone.

Stopping by the gas station on her way home, she bought a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She tore open the package with trembling fingers and lit the best tasting cigarette she’d ever put to her mouth.

She sat in her car, inhaling drag after drag. When she was finished, she threw the butt into the parking lot. She sat for a minute, silent, until she had to release her hurried thoughts with a very long, excruciatingly loud scream.

*

I hate that I want to see him!

Work was a welcome diversion for the next few days: maintenance checks. Supervising her crew, Charlie’s job was to enter each apartment, assess living conditions, and go through a checklist with her employees to make sure all the appliances and plumbing were working correctly. The checks weren’t terrible as she was allowed to dress casually and Roxanne was able to maintain the office while she was out on the property.

Not only was she still upset about running into Lily, but she also had to spend her evenings alone, as Samuel wouldn’t be returning from New York until Saturday.

*

Tuesday

“All right, boys, listen up! Eat your donuts, drink your coffee. You’ve got eight minutes before we head out. We’re going to start on the third floor today, since starting on the first floor didn’t do crap for our luck yesterday. We’ve got to keep the pace up to make up for the time we’re going to lose having to come back to the first floor today…” Charlie assigned her maintenance guys to team up and then ran to the office to make sure Roxanne had everything she needed for the day.

“Hey, hon. How’d it go yesterday?” Charlie asked.

“It was really quiet, so I was able to get to some filing,” said Roxanne.

“Oh good! Here, I brought you a donut and some coffee. Two sugars, right?”

“Oh, thank you! Oh, we have two appointments today. One this morning, and another at two o’clock. I’m ready to lease this baby up!” Roxanne said.

“Sounds good. I’ve got my phone on me, so call if you need anything.” With a wink, Charlie stuffed half a donut into her mouth and turned to head back to the maintenance gathering. Her cheeks puffed out with chocolatey goodness, she rounded the corner and plowed straight into Roxanne’s morning appointment.

Charlie fell backward and landed hard on the floor. The other half of her donut went flying down the hall and she made a strange grunting noise. “Oww!”

Charlie looked up at the potential leaser and saw
him
.

Silver-blue eyes staring down at her, he crossed his arms over his chest, revealing a long-forgotten tattoo. A tiny dancer.

“Well, I was hoping I’d run into you, but I didn’t quite imagine it so literally,” Jesse said.

Panic. You’re panicking, Charlie. Lily said a few weeks! It’s only been a couple of days! I need more time! Hide your necklace. Compose yourself! Jesus, I forgot how absolutely gorgeous he is. Shit! Stop staring at him with your mouth open! Talk, Charlie!

“Hi—”
Oh god, I think I’m going to puke.

Roxanne rushed to the scene. “Is everything okay out here? Oh, no! What happened? Charlie, are you okay? And why are you all red?” she asked while offering a hand to help Charlie to her feet.

Jesse walked a few feet down the hall and retrieved the other half of Charlie’s donut. “You dropped this. Actually, you sort of threw it.”

“Roxanne, this is…Jesse. He’s,” she paused a little too long, “an old friend of mine,” Charlie said.

Oh, and did I mention, a gorgeous, tattooed, bad-boy with a soft heart that can still manage to make me shiver just by looking at his…

“Oh! Jesse! You must be my
nine o’clock! Well, come on in!” Roxanne said enthusiastically.

“Just give us a minute, will you, Roxy?” Jesse said, winking at a flushed Roxanne. She nodded and headed back into the office.

Roxy? Did he just call her Roxy?

“I see you haven’t lost your touch, Jess.” Charlie tried to straighten out the fresh wrinkles in her pants.

Jesse smiled and handed her the donut.

Get your head straight, Charlie. Focus.

Shaking her head, she said, “You can’t live here. You can’t possibly
want
to live here. I run this place, Jess.”

“Oh, I don’t know… I was speaking to Roxy on the phone yesterday and she pretty much sold me on it,” he shrugged. “Seems everything I need is right here.”

Remember he said that, Charlie. Process his words, later.

“I don’t mean to be rude. Really Jess, I don’t. But I just don’t think that this is the best idea—” Charlie’s walkie chirped and she noticed the time. “Damn it! Look, I’ve gotta go. This conversation is
not
over; we seriously need to discuss this.”

“I haven’t signed anything yet,
Charlene
. Roxy is going to show me the place and I’ll think about it. That’s it. Go do your thing, and maybe I’ll see you around,” he said.

Smirking as though he had a sudden idea, he turned back to Charlie, who was still gawking at him. Slowly bringing his hand to Charlie’s mouth, he wiped some chocolate from the corner of her lip and sucked on his finger. “Mmmmm. Delicious,” he whispered, wrinkling his nose with a sly smile, and walked into the office where Roxanne was noticeably eavesdropping.

Charlie scratched her forehead, exaggerated a sigh and walked back to maintenance, groaning and mumbling obscenities the whole way there.

*

The morning buzzed by. Charlie couldn’t decipher if it was the chocolate for breakfast or all the possible things Jesse said to Roxanne that made her stomach throb and her heart feel scrambled. Or maybe it was the other way around. She couldn’t wait for the lunch break to begin so that she could get to the office and see Roxanne.

When Charlie walked in, Roxanne was on the phone. “Yes, Jesse. That sounds just fine. Yes? Oh, I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem. I will let Charlie know, I’m sure she’ll be thrilled! I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know. In the meantime, if you have any other questions, just give us a call. Yep, b-bye!”

“Woohoo! I got a lease!” Roxanne shouted as she hung up the phone.

“No, he didn’t—” Charlie said.

“Yes! Your friend Jesse filled out an application this morning for apartment two-oh-nine!”

Charlie rolled her eyes and sulked as she walked over to sit across from Roxanne at the desk. She buried her face in her hands.

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy,” Roxanne said.

“I’m so happy you got the lease, Roxanne. You did a great job, really. I just don’t know how excited I am to have Jesse living here, that’s all,” Charlie said.

“Oh. I thought you were friends.” Roxanne’s smile turned down.

“Yeah. We
were
. May I see his application?”

“Did I screw up here?” asked Roxanne.

“No, not at all! I’m very proud of you. We really need to fill this place. I just need to get over it, I guess.” She faked a smile to Roxanne. “Did he leave a phone number?”

“Yes, right here.”

“Did he say anything else? Did you show him the actual apartment?”

“Yes, I showed him two-oh-nine and he loved it! He liked the view and loved that it was getting new carpet. He said he’s moving here from the east coast and wanted a fresh start. He wants to move in before the weekend, too! You know, Charlie…he’s very cute.”

“Yes,
Roxy,”
she said, emphasizing his pet name for her. “I am fully aware of his good looks.”

Roxanne gave Charlie a half smile and began processing the application.

Summoning her professional voice, Charlie scratched her temple and fidgeted with her necklace. “We had pizza delivered to maintenance, so if you’d like some lunch it’s on me today. Good job again, Roxanne.”

Walking slowly back to the maintenance office, Charlie contemplated her dilemma.

Why does he want to live here? What is he up to? Is he out for revenge? What did he mean by ‘everything I need is right here?’ What if he hits on you? What do you say? Do you just tell him about Samuel and end it right then and there? No. You can’t let this happen. You have to get his phone number from the application and put a stop to this
—
today. You’ll jeopardize everything if you have with him around distracting you: your relationship, your job and most of all, your sanity.

Why does this shit keep happening to me? Why does JESSE keep happening to me? This is all moving too quickly.

Damn it! Everything was absolutely perfect one week ago. Now everything has gone to shit. I don’t think it could get much worse.