The Exciting Days of Charles Baxter 2

Day 2 - Darkness.

The power is not on yet. The landlord said it would be ready by three ‘o’clock. It is already half passed seven. Which means the only light source will be coming from my Accer laptop. And two hours after it will be from my iphone. Which will provide a tiny fraction of an hour until I am left at ten ‘o’clock, in the dark--alone.

Well, not truly alone.

During one of my many excursions for ice. I made acquaintances with a collection of delightfully colorful folks.

On the third floor, I met a young woman of ninety-two. She was of hobbit-like proportions, almost like a small child, refusing to vacate the pool. The sight of her alone caused my anxiety for aging to double. Still, she was a sweet woman, who invited me into her home to enjoy a cup of tea among her horde of feline companions. I of course decline the offer, due to my allergies, and continued my adventure in search of ice.

Three doors down, I met a rather passionate Yiddish man by the name of Oscar. Truly a pure example of the every man in this city. He quickly lamented to me on the troubles of his house and home, how his hours were cut back at the meat packing plant, and his fear that his wife, Sarah, was cheating on him with their neighbor, Patricia. She of course was the cat lady on the third floor, my apologies for not making that clearer. Oscar offered a drink of brown liquor he made in his kitchen. I of course declined his offer and continued my quest for ice.

My search took me to the rooftop, where I would meet a man named Pigeon Tom. The onsite handyman for the building. He had erected a pigeon coup on the roof early in his career in order to provide friendship during his lunch breaks. Twenty-five years later, and not a single pigeon has taken up residence in his shabby bird fort. Just as before, no ice, not a single cube. Someone one was out to spite me.

Without a cold source, I am not sure on how I will be able to keep my quarter gallon milk cold once the ice packs reach room temperature. And I cannot find a light source great enough to enjoy my window to Peru.

But, no matter how rocky this first day in the apartment may be. I know there will soon be that great reward. I will prevail.