Page 40 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“I don’t need your ideas.I’m off to meet my dad, the editor ofThe Big Apple, and I’ll probably see your deputy commissioners atThe Big Appleevent this evening.”She tosses her hair and leaves.
As if I could forget who her dad was.
The scaffolding provides some shelter from the cold wind as I hurry down the street.My phone beeps with another friend texting me about the photo of Nick and me, saying that we look so cute.The photos of Nick and me in theVarietyarticle came out better than I expected.I look like I’m in love with him.So that’s good for our fake-dating charade.Last night’s conversation during our walk home made me like him even more.That’snotgood.I didn’t know all that stuff about his mom not supporting his career.It feels like he’s trusting me more and opening up more, and our relationship is shifting.But that could also just be what I want to believe.I’m going to end up with a broken heart.I know I told Iris that I could do this and protect my heart, but not when he shares stories about growing up and introduces me to his best friends.
And his look was so very male when Luca hugged me, as if the hug bothered him.But maybe that was his big brother nature emerging.I shake my head.It definitely wasn’t.His look had been intense, and his green eyes had darkened.I shiver at the memory.
And yesterday when I stuck my head into the crook of his neck, he smelled so good.I wanted to touch my lips to his skin.And the way he swallowed then, and his Adam’s apple moved…Remember clause eleven of our contract.No physical contact.Nick seemed completely distracted, or he really was worn out from dancing.He put up so little fight when we were practicing jujitsu.
The bright brass doors of the Ted Weiss Federal Office Building gleam in today’s sun.Around the corner, large white columns frame the windows of the city building that houses the offices of the deputy commissioners.An old green clock withThe Sunin white letters protrudes from the façade.The Sunwas a newspaper published from 1833 to 1950 that had the famous editorial, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”This is newspaper history right here.The columns remind me of court buildings and give me renewed inspiration to pursue justice.Infrastructure Departmentis etched in gold on the glass doors.I clear security and take the elevator up to their offices, giving my name to the assistant.She gestures to take a seat.
I cross my legs while waiting in this small reception area.
My boss was clear that Commissioner Johnson had a reputation for being committed to cleaning up corruption and had worked in city government his entire career without so much of a whisper of impropriety.She seems to doubt that he or the deputy commissioners can be involved in this.But I have to come to my own conclusion.
Commissioner Johnson finally comes out to meet me, and we retreat into his office, where he provides me with a department overview.He explains that all the deputy commissioners have buildings assigned to them and are responsible for the day-to-day details, such as repairs.Deputy Commissioner Galliano is responsible for the area that includes the two buildings with kickbacks that I’ve identified.But that would be too easy.It’s like the rule that you don’t date your roommate.So much for that rule, now that I’m fake dating my next-door neighbor.
Next, I meet Deputy Commissioner Ward.He’s in his fifties, with a round, pleasant face, thin brown hair, and a slightly heavy build.His desk is covered in stacks of paper, but he offers me a drink as I take a seat.The walls are covered with framed old maps of the city.As he pours me a cup of tea, I admire his collection of miniature New York street scenes that fill his bookcase.
“These are amazing.This looks like the bodega around the corner from me,” I say.“And it even has a miniature bodega cat.”
“I made it.”
Wow.I look at the details he caught—the way the space is filled to the brim in true bodega style.It must have taken hours to make all the products to stock the shelves.Could an artist with this kind of eye for detail be the corrupt commissioner who is fine with shoddy work for families?
“The cat looks so realistic,” I say.“I’ve always been impressed by the patience it must take to add the fur.I make felted cats as a hobby, but it’s nothing like this.”
“I should clarify that I bought the cat at a miniature show.I made the diorama.”
“It’s amazing,” I say.
“I like to capture these scenes of New York before they disappear,” he says.
“I think that desire to capture places as memories is one reason why miniatures remain such a beloved hobby,” I say.
He nods.“It certainly gives me great satisfaction.I feel like I’m back in touch with my inner kid.It’s a great stress reliever.”
He shows me a scene of a former club on the Lower East Side.It reminds me of Nick’s last album cover, with its photograph of Pickles.It made me so happy that Nick had someone looking out for him, sort of like my teacher who “adopted” me.I shake my head.I need to focus on this interview, not replay my conversation with Nick.
“You really capture New York,” I say.“Are you working on anything now?”
“An alleyway.”He gestures for me to take a seat.“With a dumpster and graffiti.It’s coming along nicely.”
I take out my pad and ask him a bunch of general questions to set him at ease.He’s worked at the Infrastructure Department his whole career, while Commissioner Johnson moved here from the Department of Transportation to be “anointed” the commissioner.I finally turn to my more relevant questions.
“So obviously one area that might be of concern to our readers is repairs,” I say.“What happens when an apartment in a city housing complex needs repairs—like maybe the electrical wiring needs to be repaired, or someone needs a new refrigerator?”
“Well, they can log a complaint via the 311 system, but it’s now handled at the building level, so they can also speak directly to the property manager.”
I know that a property manager is basically the equivalent of a landlord for private housing.
“Is that recent?”
“Yes, as of a few years ago,” Ward says.
“And what does that mean—that it’s handled at the building level?”
“Each property manager of a building decides upon the contractors for contracts under $10,000.They know the contractors and what’s needed by the tenants.There’s less bureaucracy then.”
