Antipodes

One

NEW YORK, JUNE 2015

Summer was around the corner and the streets of New York were -as always- full of people running in all directions. Some were heading to their work, others to meet friends and lovers. This is what they called Life. Yet, "life" had some odd over rated reputation for him. As he was exiting the Grand Station, he looked up. He always thought that he would never forget how it felt to be in New York, but he did. And after all the time he lived here, the city always managed to surprise him like a little kid in his favourite candy shop. The buildings seemed bigger, taller and somewhat fiercer. His eyes scrutinized the slightest detail of the new constructions- there were always new constructions here, and he smiled for the first time in months feeling home again. That was the secret of the Big Apple.

However, he needed to head for his apartment and pack some stuff for his -he hoped- last train before a long period. He was sick of trains.

The sun was high in the sky and the air was hot and sticky. But he was glad to finally be home. He had covered all the way from San Diego by train. It took some time but it gave him the opportunity to be by himself and to think. Think about what he had done and what he should have done. San Diego was a great getaway for him but mainly a hiding place. He felt like everyone who would see him would immediately read in his eyes like an open book. Sometimes he didn't think about it anymore but it never lasted more than a few minutes and this only happened when he could sleep, which he didn't in the past few days. He felt worn out by time like an old t-shirt washed over and over again.

He hailed a cab and hopped in as soon as the vehicle stopped in front of him.

"Court Street, Brooklyn, please."

When he was in front of his apartment door, he felt a bit anxious. It seemed like nothing has changed but he still was afraid of whatever happened that he missed. He turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open. A blinding light escaped from it and he put his hand over his eyes to protect them. He took a step forward and a deep breath.

Nothing has changed. Nothing moved. No one came here. He stumbled upon some envelopes on the floor. Flyers and advertising mostly and some bills. At the bottom was a pack of letters. "Return to sender" was stamped on all of them in a faded red ink. It was the ones he sent her, this is why she never replied, he thought.

All the furniture was covered in dusty white sheets. He took them off and opened the large windows looking down the street. The neighbourhood was calm and that's what he liked about it. That made him feel like an old man sometimes.

He went to the kitchen and checked the fridge and the cupboards: they were empty of course. He made a mind note to himself that he should get some groceries. He then headed for the bathroom and took a long deep shower.

When he finished, he looked at himself in the mirror and was stricken by shock. His eyes were ringed, he was depressed and joyless. "I look like shit" he sighed.The bruises of the fight at the bar were still cringing on his skin. He shouldn't have taken it too personally when that drunk guy harassed the young girl beside him. It wasn't his business anyways. 

He looked for a towel and wore it around his waist then he went to the balcony and lit up a cigarette. "I need a coffee", he said to himself. But instead he took his phone and dialed her number.

"Hi, it's Zoe ! I'm not available for the moment but please leave a message and I'll call you back", said her voice-mail. Hearing her voice made him shiver.

He sighed and dialed another number this time, his sister's.

"Baby girl !", he exclaimed when she picked up the phone after only the third ring.

"Hey, bro!", she exclaimed with her sweet voice. "What's up?"

"Nothing much, I'm bored. You?"

"I'm packing for the beach house, are you coming or not?"

"Ah it's today? I totally forgot", he lied. "I'm still at San Diego actually".

"You said you were coming this year", she said in a sad tone.

"I'm sorry Sunshine but the doctors said that I should stay for at least two more months" he told her, lying again. "They think I'm mental", he added whispering like someone could hear himhim. She laughed.

"Okay, I see", she said, he could feel her smile through the phone. "Gotta finish packing up, I'll call you later".

"Yes, later", he said smiling. She had no idea what was waiting for her later. "I love you Sunshine".

"Love you too!", she added before hanging up.

The fresh air and the sound of his sister's voice did him good, he felt better but he knew he needed to get some sleep instead of relying on coffee and cigarettes. However he did not have time for sleep, he still had a train to catch and he could always try to close his eyes for a while during the ride. So he pushed himself inside and dressed, ready for his last hours of four years of solitude.