Diverse

Chapter 2 - Chopin

NOTES

I cannot do ballet or play the violin. I've also never been to New York. I was doing research, looking up places and distances. If something is inaccurate, consider it as writer's freedom.

New York

When Henry landed in New York and turned on his phone, it beeped non-stop. He didn't check his messages. Not a single fiber of him wanted to deal with his father's bullshit. With a sudden idea, he deleted all his social media and google accounts. Then he took out the SIM card, broke it in two and threw it away. One less problem. At the airport, he bought a new SIM card and put it in his phone. He was exhausted. He took a cab to a nearby motel.

"How old are you, kid?" asked the grumpy clerk when Henry was about to get a room.

"I'm 21, sir."

"I need your ID. But you should know, I can spot a fake ID from 100 yards."

Henry was too tired to argue with the grumpy clerk, so he took out his passport. The man looked at it, then took a key from the wall behind him.

"Room 221. And no girls. You understand?"

"I certainly have no intention of taking girls." said Henry. If he hadn't been so exhausted, he would have said, "I would prefer to take boys." But he kept quiet. He was glad to have a room for a few nights.

Henry decided not to do anything that day. It was only early afternoon in New York, and the jet lag was starting to get to him. He fell tiredly on his bed. He'd paid for the room for three days, figuring that would be enough time to visit his mother's cousin. He hoped he was still living in the same place, and hoped he could find his way there. He was 15 when they visited Uncle Rupert. If he was lucky, he could ask him for help. Maybe a place to stay.

He remembers that Uncle Rupert lived in a large apartment in Manhattan, not far from Central Park. The rumbling in his stomach disturbed his thoughts. That's when he realized he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon. He put his stuff down, locked the door, and went across the street to the hot dog vendor. He bought three hot dogs and went back to the motel. It's been a long time since he's enjoyed food so much. He ate, took a shower and fell asleep. He had suffered from insomnia since his mother died, but that night he slept like a baby. The next morning he woke up late and felt more rested than ever.

He had hot dogs for breakfast. He took out his violin, a few scores and started practicing. He had barely started when someone banged on the wall and shouted.

"Quiet!

A few minutes later the clerk banged on his door.

"Hey boy, you can't make any noise here. Put that thing away. You're disturbing the guests." the old man barked, pointing to the violin.

"Okay, okay. I don't want any trouble. I just wanted to practice."

"Well, you have to practice somewhere else." said the man, and left.

"Great...I need to find another place as soon as possible." Henry said. But he didn't want any trouble and had paid for 3 nights, so he decided it was time to find Uncle Rupert. He didn't dare leave his laptop or violin at the motel, so he took them with him. It took him an hour to get from Queens to Manhattan. He didn't know the address, but he remembered where Uncle Rupert lived. If he still lived there anyway.

When he got off the subway, the place was familiar to him. When he stopped in front of the house after a 15-minute walk, he felt a knot in his stomach. What if Uncle Rupert doesn't remember? He hesitated. He was about to turn and leave when someone came out of the house. Henry grabbed the opening door and went inside. He took a deep breath and went up to the second floor and knocked. But it wasn't Uncle Rupert who opened the door. It was a woman in her 60s.