Page 19 of Mr Best Friend's Brother Grump

“There’s been a major gas leak and it is potentially explosive.” The policeman’s face is serious, but not unkind. “We’re on it. But it’ll be a while before we can allow anyone back in. You will have to be patient.” He was used to calming panicked people. “Do you have a place to go for a few hours? We’re doing our best to keep residents safe.”

“Of course. I’m just… It’s fine. I’ll come back later.” A wave of alarm has been and gone. I’m trying to process the situation. What should I do? Where should I go for a couple of hours? I hope my roommates are okay. I’ll call. Soon. I turn back to where Nathan is waiting by the cab. He looks concerned.

“You alright?” he asks as I approach. “What’s happening?”

I tell Nathan what the policeman has just told me. “Right then,” he says, decisively. “You are coming back to my place.”

“No. Nathan,” I say as casually as I can. As if a life-threatening situation blocking my road, happens every day of the week. “Thanks, but I’ll be fine.” My attempt to say this calmly is thwarted by the agitation affecting the pitch of my voice. “I’ll go back to the center and hang out there until it’s safe.” I wave his concern away and fix a smile to my face. “Don’t worry.”

“You could,” Nathan responds without missing a beat. “But it might be a couple of days before this gets the all clear,” he says with authority. “You might as well come back to Chelsea now and call in the morning. Why not?” Nathan makes this sound like a sensible option. “Kendra is away. You can stay in her room. I’m sure that’s fine. I’ll call to ask. What do you say?”

I think I am in shock or something. Not only does Nathan make the idea of staying at his place sound sensible, but it seems like my only option. I think quickly. It was Friday, after all. I didn’t need to be at the center until Monday. I had my laptop and phone with me. Nathan is my best friend’s brother, so it’s not like he’s an unknown random guy whom I have just met. I have stayed at his apartment before. I know where the spare towels are.

After a moment, I allow myself to relax and be cared for. Nathan’s offer of a safe, comfortable place to lay my head wraps itself around me like a warm blanket. I climb into the taxi again with Nathan, sinking into the back seat as we drive away from the blaring commotion.

Calls come thick and fast on our drive over to Manhattan. Delores, Donna, and Marlene were all worried but relieved at hearing I am safe. My roommates are all staying with friends for the night. The apartment is locked up. There isn’t much we can do until the emergency is over and we are allowed back in.

Chapter 16

Nathan

I can’t help but smile. I know it’s not an ideal situation for Rosa. But it means she is in the cab with me and is coming to stay in my apartment. Which means we’re probably going to be spending more time together. I try to arrange my face into an expression conducive to the somber mood that I should be feeling.

At my building, I can tell Rosa is a little shaken. She is quiet in the elevator and doesn’t say much as I unlock the apartment door.

“Welcome, Rosa. Make yourself at home… You already know where everything is. So, be comfortable and don’t worry, okay?” I resist the urge to hug her and hold her close.

“Thank you. Really. Thank you so much.” Rosa walks in then, stops to face me when she gets to the kitchen. “It’s nice to be back here… I’ll try not to get in your way.”

I start laughing.

“What?” she says, her head tilted to one side.

“Sorry. I’m laughing because you’re about the only person I have ever met who would say something like that… ‘Try not to get in your way’. Rosa. You are so… so refreshing.”

She looks down at her shoes, but a blush is coloring her cheeks. “Maybe it came out wrong. I don’t know. I don’t want to be the needy person. You’ve been very kind, and I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage.”

I shake my head and laugh some more, continuing past her to my room. “You are my guest, alright. End of.” I dump my camera and bags on the bed. “Now. What do you need?” I shout through the open door. “I’m sure we have a spare of everything here.”

“Maybe a toothbrush. But I can go down to the store. No problem.”

I rifle around in my room. Opening and closing drawers, I locate an airline pack of complimentary toiletries. I take it through to where Rosa is still standing in the kitchen.

“Here you go. I get a ton of these,” I say, handing Rosa the package containing toothbrush, toothpaste, mini soap, flannel, ear plugs, and an eye mask. “I keep a few, just in case of emergency. So, I guess, this is an emergency?”

“Thanks. This is perfect. There are even earplugs in case you snore.” She waves the package playfully, visibly cheered up.

“Sing out if you need anything else. Towels and bedsheets are in the cupboard here, as you know, ummm, and I’m sure Kendra won’t mind if you use her shampoo and girlie stuff.”

“Great. Thanks, Nathan.”

We stand, facing each other for an extended minute before Rosa says, “I’ll get myself organized, then… And call Kendra.”

I go back into my room and unpack my things. When I come out again, Rosa is in Kendra’s room. I can hear her talking on the phone. I make some herbal tea, pour out two cups and knock on the door that stands open.

“Ahhh, tea! You are an angel,” Rosa says, holding her phone to her ear. “I’m just talking to Kendra. Do you want a word?”

I take the phone and say hi to my sis. She thanks me for being so gallant and rescuing her friend. No problem. Then she asks me if I’ve heard from Ingrid. I tell her I hadn’t and didn’t expect to. There’s quiet on the line before I say goodbye and hand the phone back to Rosa.

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