Page 34 of Head Over Skates

I’m about to give her the Owen-free version of my excitement with the stolen trophy, when something catches my eye. Sitting on the curb outside my building is a huge antique grandfather clock. Not just any clock, but an intricately carved oak beauty that looks like it's from the early 1900s. The case is decorated with curved legs, spindles, and carved rosettes. The only thing missing is the pendulum.

"No way," I murmur in awe.

"What's going on?" Jaime asks.

"Someone just left the most gorgeous antique grandfather clock outside my apartment building," I explain. “It's incredible.”

Jaime laughs. "Only you would freak out over trash furniture."

"It's not trash, it's vintage!" I protest. “Although now that I look more closely, this thing is pretty huge and heavy. No way I can get it up to my third-floor walk-up by myself.”

“Do you have anyone who could help you? A neighbor, maybe?”

“No, I don’t want to bother my neighbors. But if you and Maggie want to come over, I think we can manage it between the three of us. I’ll buy you Swiss Chalet and chocolate cake for lunch.”

I can practically hear Jaime’s stomach growling. Swiss Chalet’s mashed potatoes are her favorite.

"Ooh, bummer," Jaime says. "I'd love to come help, but I promised my mom I’d dye her hair."

“Isn’t your mom working right now?”

“Yes… but I need to go to the store for the color before she gets home and I really don’t have time.”

“Well, there’s a Loblaws around the corner from me. You can help me carry this heavy thing up to my place, and then we can go to the store together.”

“I’ll help you.” Cody, of all people, pops next to me so unexpectedly, I almost drop my phone.

"Oh, uh, it's really okay, Cody," I say briskly. “I got this.”

Jaime's voice comes through the phone. “Who’s that?”

“It’s… my neighbor.”

“The creepy guy from the other night?”

“Yup.”

Cody leans his arm against the grandfather clock. "Doesn't look like you can manage it alone. You could use someone… strong and manly."

I cover the phone with my hand. "No thanks, Cody. I'll figure it out."

"Are you sure?"

"Just let him help, Em,” Jaime says. “Otherwise, you'll never get that clock upstairs."

I sigh. She's right. And the clock is so perfect, I'd hate to leave it out here.

"Alright Cody, if you really don't mind," I concede.

"It would be my pleasure!" he says gallantly.

Jaime lets me go, and Cody and I each take one end of the clock.

It's cumbersome and heavy, but together we awkwardly maneuver it into the building and up the three flights of stairs to my apartment. The whole time, Cody is making weird grunting noises and finding excuses to brush against me while changing places on the landings between floors.

Finally, we get it situated in my living room.

I plop down on my couch, admiring my new find.

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