My Quick Fairy Tale (Full Version)

Present: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The sounds of car in downtown Manhattan made me open my eyes. I stretched out on my bed and checked the time on my bedside table. Everything was still quiet. I guess Grace is still asleep. I sat down on the bed and tied my hair and sighed heavily as I realized that it’s Monday once again. I got the framed picture of my family beside the clock on the table and ran my fingers on it. It was taken during Jim’s wedding. I smiled at the memory. I got up and took a shower. With the water cascading down on me, I asked, “What would my day be like today?” I got dressed and went straight to the kitchen to have some coffee since it was the only thing that I could manage to do apart from heating things in the microwave.

The quiet atmosphere of my surroundings made me think about the appointments that I had planned last week with some clients. Monday was definitely scheduled for meetings at the office. Today I have 4 meetings lined up. Just as I was about to take the last sip from my cup, Grace emerged from her room with heavy eyes.

“Hey Ms. Droopy, help yourself with the coffee” I greeted. She just waved a weak hand to me and scratched her head in confusion. “What time did you sleep…this morning?” I asked worriedly.

Grace was now working for a magazine as a writer. Most of the days, she doesn’t get enough sleep meeting deadlines for articles that she has to write or in that case edit. I already how stressful her work is but after trying to convince her that she should be looking for another kind of job, she just ignores my plea. I guess she’s happy with what she’s doing. At least, she was doing something worthwhile.

“Thanks for brewing some beans up. I need about 5 cups of this today to make me stand straight. I slept at about 5:30.” She yawned and sat down on the chair across mine from the counter and rested her head on the table. I stood up, got her cup and poured her some coffee to get her nerves working. I placed it in front of her.

“I’m gonna head out first, if you don’t mind. I got four meetings lined up this morning. I’ll see you later, Gracey.” With that I took my bag and left the apartment and heard her groan. I smiled as I closed the door behind me.

Life is good so far. I was able to put up an art gallery which is of course the product of my hard labor in college. I managed to finish my major in visual arts with flying colors after the four-year-term at Columbia. I was able to have a couple of exhibits during that time sponsored by the university as they thought that my pieces were exceptional. I had my heart set on painting and sculpture. The gallery is doing well and I find this a blessing. Many people have been considering about putting some pieces of art on the wall these days and I am thankful to be one of the few who are able to survive in this business.

I’ve lived in New York for the last 7 years in an apartment in downtown Manhattan with Grace. Yes, Grace and I have lived together ever since we both entered college. We shared the same room in the dormitory in our college days and when we finished college, we got a place that was near our offices. It was very convenient for the both of us. My parents, on the other hand, moved closer to me. They’re somewhere in a private suburb in Manhattan because they wanted to live closer to me. They left our house and gave it to Jim who was now making a family of his own. My other two brothers, Nathan and Marc have set out on different journeys in different countries because of their jobs.

I became more independent, hardworking and patient as I grew up in Manhattan. The three traits accompanied me to success. Everything that I have now was something that I acquired without having to depend on someone except for my family of course. I mean, I never had to rely on a guy to become successful and neither did Grace. Not to brag, but there were a couple of guys who completely went out of their way just to court me. But none of them was able to break through my barrier. I learned a lot from that disastrous time in high school. Most of my friends in college back then called me a man hater but I didn’t care. I wasn’t and am not feeling bad about being single.