The Rhythm Of Rescue

006 | Stupid, crummy building

Jean asked for another favor.

She'd sauntered over to my desk this morning, all casual-like, to thank me and hand me a box of these ridiculously delicious brownies that she said Ymani had baked just for me - Ymani's gesture of apology for all the trouble she said she'd caused the previous day.

And then, later that afternoon, when Jean saw that I'd totally caved in to my chocolate addiction and devoured every last crumb, she strolled over again.

"This is the last one, I promise," she said, just as I was licking the last bits of chocolate off my fingers.

I was super-hesitant on this one. Yesterday's subway drama replayed in my head like a bad movie. I'd managed to embarrass myself in front of a whole crowd of people, arguing like a hot-headed fool.

Jean reached out, her hand brushing against mine. "I promise," she said, her voice soft. "This is the last favor I'll ask."

Theodore's face flashed in my mind. The memory of Ymani's puke staining his shoes sparked a flicker of dark satisfaction.

"...Casey? Are you listening?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure," I mumbled a half-hearted reply.

My mind kept drifting, avoiding any thought of running into Theodore once more. He'd pushed me beyond my usual boundaries twice already, and two times was a handful for someone like me.

People with an abundance of rudeness and ego? They were the reason I never bothered to make new connections. That side of humanity grated on my nerves because, well, I was a nice, kind soul, and I didn't reckon I deserved all their negative vibes. It stirred up the worst in me, a side even I didn't like to witness.

I needed to stay clear off Theodore, but how could I manage that when the guy seemed to be everywhere these days?

Sure, his initial impression hadn't been stellar and I should have known he was bad news, but I chalked it up to a bad day. I assumed he had a lot of bad days. Not until yesterday when I found out for myself that he was a bona fide Grinch in the flesh.

Whatever fueled his negativity, it wasn't fair to unleash it on innocent people. I hadn't met someone as rude as him since Katie Simmons - some Regina George wannabe back in my high school.

"... Casey, you can just say no if you don't want to. I'll just-"

"No, no, no. Sorry, I got distracted. What were you saying?"

"Casey..." She hesitated, pausing for a moment. Then she shook her head. "Never mind. I'll-"

"Jean," I reassured her. "I've got less work - at least less than you do. I can pick up Ymani. You're lucky, by the way-she's really sweet." I grinned, and Jean smiled back, her expression wide and genuine.

"Thanks," she said, her tone appreciative. But that wasn't the favor she needed today. As for Ymani, her father would be handling the pickup, she'd explained with a hint of resentment masked by composure.

"I'm expecting a really fragile package right after 4 PM-snow globes and other breakable Christmas decorations. I need you to swing by my apartment, sign for it, and handle it for me," she explained.

"Ok. Where do you live?"

"Valleyview Complex."

"That old flat building right next to...what's it called? Vegan Vikki's ... Everything Vegan?" The same place where I'd followed Brutus to. Where Theodore resided.

"Yeah, that old dump," Jean confirmed.

My stomach churned. Oh no.

Jean handed me her key, instructing: "Apartment number 209 on the third floor. Don't take the elevator, it's a death trap. And, there's a vase right outside my apartment, so when you're done, hide the key in there."

***

A FEW MOMENTS LATER

Valleyview Complex looked rough, just as bad on the inside as it did on the outside.

Creaky floorboards whined under my heel boots, and the dim hallway lighting cast long shadows that danced with the dust motes in the stale air. A faint scent of mildew, like a forgotten gym towel, hung heavy as I finally reached the third floor. My heart thumped a nervous rhythm against my ribs as I walked to the end, Jean's apartment the only door with a welcome mat that wasn't completely threadbare.

The entire hallway was quiet, so quiet that even the creak of the floorboards sounded like a gunshot. So, when a voice broke the silence, it startled me. "I told you I'd get you your money, old man," it grumbled. "Why can't you just be patient?"

I glanced to my left, where I'd come from. An old man, his gray hair a wild tangle, had emerged from one of the apartments. Right behind him, striding out of the same unit, was the unmistakable figure of Theodore.

Of course.

Pretending to fumble with the lock, I strained to hear the rest. "Three months is patient enough, The-o," the old man huffed. "Two days left of your grace period. You don't cough up the rent by then, you're outta here."

"Fine then! Keep your stupid, crummy building!" Theodore yelled back, throwing his hands up.

"Same crummy building you can't afford?" The old man chuckled, a dry, humorless sound.

Theodore just stood there, likely fuming, while the old guy shuffled off towards the stairs, his laughter echoing down the hallway.

Theodore's fury erupted, and he let out a string of curses that echoed through the dimly lit hallway. His clenched fist collided with the nearby wall, and the impact made me flinch-I could almost feel the reverberation in my own knuckles. He remained frozen in that position, right hand still pressed against the rough surface, while his other arm leaned heavily against the plaster. His head hung low, as if the weight of his anger threatened to pull him down.

Then, in a sudden movement, he whipped his head around, locking eyes with me. Caught off guard, I stood there, practically gawking at the spectacle before me. My heart skipped a beat, and I fumbled with the key, twisting it urgently until the door swung open. I darted inside, slamming it shut behind me.

As I turned the lock, I hoped he wouldn't come knocking, ready to confront me at any second.

My chest tightened, and I pressed a hand against it, my breaths measured and shallow. Outside, another door opened and slammed shut, the sound reverberating through the thin walls.

I let out a long, relieved breath, feeling a pang of sympathy for Theodore. I couldn't help but wonder how he simply couldn't afford living in a dive that seemed to be held together by duct tape and prayers. I hadn't forgotten how he spoke to me in the subway, his harsh words making my skin crawl and my blood boil; no, I didn't like that one bit, but I could separate my distaste for his attitude from my concern for his well-being, and I genuinely hoped he'd get the help he needed to turn his life around.

***

If only she knew...

See you in next chapter... hopefully♡