REPRESENTED (2 page)

             
Each of them took a suitcase.  Karin shook her head at Miranda.  “You never did learn how to pack small” she said annoyed at the size of the immense suitcases that barely fit in the back of her Saturn and then only sideways.

             
“You never know what you’re going to need” Miranda defended herself.

             
Karin didn’t offer to help with the ginormous suitcases and instead headed for the elevator from the parking garage level.  “Hey, give me your key?” she asked Miranda for it and held out her hand.

             
Frowning Miranda asked “what for?” as she handed it over with its huge keychain.

             
“They keep the key on hand in case of an emergency, like a fire or something so they can get the cars out.”  She went over to a cage by the elevators and handed the huge keychain to the man behind the bars.  “Thanks Stan” she smiled as he looked incredulous at the amount of keys she had just handed him and hung them on her hook.  She headed to the elevator where the door had just opened up.  Putting a key in the control box the upper floors lit up and she pressed 25.

             
“Doesn’t the elevator go up above a certain level without the key?” Molly asked.

             
Karin shook her head “no, you pay for that security and normally there is an attendant who accompanies guests to the various levels.”

             
They were impressed.  When the elevator arrived at the 25th floor it opened into a large and wide hallway with wood floors with a set of double doors directly in front of them and identical sets at each end.  Karin headed for the one directly in front of her and unlocked the door.  Holding it wide she gestured the others in.  A large black and white dog came bounding, barking, growling, and promising all sorts of mayhem to greet them.  “Shh” Karin said and he stopped mid-bark wagging a tail madly in apology and happiness to see her.  Karin closed and locked the door.

             
“I have three bedrooms, two on the left, and the master bedroom at the end of this hall” she indicated the hall behind the doors to the right.  “You girls chose from the two on the left and your mom can have my bedroom.”

             
“Where are you going to sleep?” Molly asked.

             
She wanted to say ‘with your mom’ but knew that flippant answer would upset things so she answered “I have a study on the right that has a comfortable chair for me to sleep in.”

             
“I can’t take your bedroom, I’ll sleep in your study” Miranda protested.

             
“No, I need to be able to work at random hours so I need access to my computers and phones.  The study is the best place for me.”

             
Miranda didn’t argue anymore after that but she looked around the spartan apartment they had entered.  To their right was the hallway Karin had indicated with the tail wagging dog waiting to be introduced.  Karin bent down to greet and pet the dog who seemed happy with the attention.  Miranda and the girls looked at the kitchen which contained modern stainless steel appliances, oak cabinets, and a large counter with high-backed chairs that separated the room from the living room; it was very clean, very modern, and very boring.  An area beyond it should contain a dining room set but was open and empty to a set of patio doors with a doggie door in one of the panels and which flowed into a fairly large living room.  A rounded couch was the only furniture besides brown Tiffany lamps facing them and away from the windows along that side of the room.  To one side near the wall was a bike.  There were a few modern pictures on the walls but nothing else, the walls were painted a boring shade of gray.  Miranda wondered what the rest of the apartment contained and soon was shown. 

Each of the bedrooms contained a queen sized bedroom set but that was all, no pictures on the
off white walls, no personal items, no trinkets.  Each of the beds was neatly made but there were no personal items in either room, nothing to indicate a ‘lived in’ look.  A bathroom between the two opened to both rooms and the hallway.  The master bedroom contained a king sized bed and the room warranted it but there were few personal items here either.  The dresser was meticulously neat with nothing on top.  The double set of louvered doors contained a walk in closet with many suits similar to the one Karin was wearing.  A set of shelves contained row after row of shoes and boots.  The bathroom beyond contained a shower, a tub, a toilet, and a sink, nothing ostentatious, merely functional.  Nothing warm and cozy about this room except for the amount of plants lining the windows.  Here was something Miranda knew was pure Karin.  She had row upon row of plants lining almost all the available space of her windows.  Long spider plants, aloes, and jade plants in pots and hangers of all kinds as well as a few that Miranda had no idea of the names.  In a row along the window sill were long pots of Gloxinia’s and African violets their beautiful and vastly different blooms providing a splash of color and cheering up the place.  This was the only ‘homey’ thing about the apartment that Miranda had seen yet.  Otherwise it was spartan, unlived in, and boring.  Clean lines and a coldness, similar to its occupant.

             
Karin gathered a few things and said “my service was in today so there are clean sheets on all the beds, just make yourselves at home” she said as Miranda put her suitcase by the door.  She went into a door they had barely noticed and the three followed to her study and in this was the first warmth any of them could see.  Cherry wood shelves lined the walls with books, videos, and cds of every kind.  One wall was taken up by an enormous fish tank that seemed to be two with a set of tubes connecting them and enormous angelfish swimming majestically between the two tanks.  In the corner was an upright fish tank full of goldfish who, sensing someone’s presence in the room began swimming agitatedly to get their attention and fed.  Karin ignored them as she put her briefcase on the beautiful cherry wood desk; behind the desk was a matching credenza with a large flat panel television on top of it.  A warm colored set of reclining leather chairs could be turned towards the desk or the fish tanks; these too had a red hue to them.  The room was totally warm and cozy and more in line with the Karin that Miranda and her girls had known from years ago.

             
“Are you guy’s hungry?  Do you want me to order in or shall we go out?” Karin asked after she set her briefcase on the desk and took out her laptop computer.

             
“I’m hungry” Molly confirmed as Jana said the same thing at the same time.  They looked at each other and laughed.

             
“I could do with some food” Miranda answered.  “I take it you don’t cook?” she laughed knowing the answer before Karin could voice it.

Just then the dog, who had been patiently ignored, made his presence known, demanding Karin’s attention with a well-placed nose under her hand.  Karin smiled as she gave him the desired pet across his top not.

“What’s your dog’s name?” Miranda asked watching her.

“D.O.G.” Karin answered with a perfectly straight face and pronouncing it Deeooogee.

“Of course it is” Miranda said dryly knowing Karin’s unique sense of humor.  “What is it?”

“
He
is a Parti-poodle” Karin said affectionately as she leaned down to pet the happy black and white dog. Originally poodles were two colored.  They were so used to the blacks, the whites, the reds or tans, people didn’t realize the history of poodles and Karin loved her Parti-poodle.  “You guys will see my cat too around here somewhere” she looked around as though she should see it.

             
“Let me guess C.A.T?” Molly asked laughing pronouncing it seeaaytee.

             
“Of course” Karin answered returning the laugh which they all joined in on.

              They decided to go out to an Italian restaurant Karin had mentioned but only after everyone had showered.  20 hours by car and they were all a little ripe.  Karin changed from her business suit into slacks and a nice blouse with a designer jacket.  This was her version of dressing down and she still looked a bit upscale at least to their Midwestern eyes.  She had let her hair down from its customary bun and the long tresses at least relaxed her look a little.  She was comfortable in Italian loafers though as they walked to the elevator.  D.O.G. had looked crestfallen when she told him he couldn’t go along and she had promised him a walk later.

             
“How do you afford all this?” Miranda asked.

             
Karin grinned “I work,
very
hard.”

             
Miranda didn’t doubt it.  Kreske Public Relations was a large firm and Karin had gotten in through their Chicago branch and in a relatively short time was promoted to the New York main headquarters.  It had happened fast and she had disappeared since.  They had rarely seen each other in the last five years but had still kept in contact through Facebook, emails, and a rare phone call.  That she was a success was no surprise to any of them, Karin had always been ambitious.  When she went back to school when her boys were in high school they had all applauded her efforts.  A Master’s degree in five years was nothing to sneeze at.  It was obvious from the corner office at the firm to the large apartment when space in New York was at a premium that she was doing well, exceedingly well.

             
“How many apartments are on this floor?” Jana asked noticing the other two sets of doors.

             
“There are three on this floor, I think there are more on other floors but I don’t go on those too often” Karin told her.

             
“Why not?”

             
Karin grinned at the teen’s questions “it’s none of my business and to be honest, I’m not here often enough to care.”

             
They stepped into the elevator which was now manned.  “Good afternoon Ms. Myers” he greeted her and looked curiously at the others.

             
“Good Afternoon Carl, this is my good friend Miranda Green and her daughter’s Molly and Jana.  They will be staying with me for a few days, could you pass the word?”

             
He nodded to acknowledge her question and tipped his hat to the others “the parking garage?” his hand hovered over the button.

             
“No” Karin shook her head “we are walking this afternoon.”

             
“Of course” and he punched the G button for the ground floor as the doors closed them in.

             
Reaching the ground floor they all got off into a beautiful lobby with rich leather chairs and matching ottomans.  A fireplace was against one wall.  “Nice” Karin heard Molly whisper.

             
“Hey, I’ll meet you out front” she waved the others on as she stepped to the desk that Gary was sitting behind.  She smiled “done with car duty?” she asked him kiddingly and he grinned back in acknowledgment of his least favorite part of the job.  She whispered to him and he nodded and listened as she slipped him a C note.

              They walked down a few blocks and turning the corner entered a typical New York neighborhood with shops on one side and old houses lining the other.  Miranda and her girls were surprised when several of the shop owners popped their heads out to greet Karin yelling “Hello Ms. Myers” or “Hello Karin” in their crisp New York twangs.  She greeted them all by name and teased a few knowingly.  It was a little odd to hear people, men and women, greeting her as she walked with them.

             
“You’re popular” Molly said sarcastically in a typical teenage tone.

             
“I know my neighbors; you never know who you might need to know.  I’ve lived here for a while and I shop here.  It isn’t difficult to know them” she answered smiling.

             
Miranda looked at her in amazement.  She had lived near her in Wisconsin and not known any of her neighbors.  This Karin was a totally different one from any they had known.  She watched as strangers, both men and women admired her friend.  She was dressed casually but nicely.  Her classic good looks were looked on favorably time and time again.

             
“Ms. Myers” the decidedly Italian accent of the proprietor greeted her kissing her on both of her cheeks “I’m so happy to see you!” he enthused.

             
“Mr. Martonelli, I can’t be in New York and not eat at my favorite Italian Restaurant can I?” she asked as she smiled broadly.

             
“Ah, I see you have brought friends” he looked happily at the three with her.

             
“Yes Mr. Martonelli, these are friends of mine from Wisconsin, they are visiting her brother who lives here in the city.  This is Miranda Green, her oldest daughter Molly, and her youngest daughter Jana.” Karin said it as though announcing a grand entrance.

             
Miranda was surprised when he grabbed her and kissed her on both cheeks.  She smiled and he was momentarily stunned at her million watt smile.  “Welcome, welcome, ah, your daughters become you.  I have grandson’s I could introduce them to....” he smiled.  Miranda was startled.