Margaret - Chapter 5

“Give me some time to consider…I think it’d be best to think about these things before I decide, if you don’t mind.”. Her eyebrows raised at the request, but a small smile followed afterward. She leaned back in her chair and sighed. “So you’re rainchecking me, that’s what’s happening here.” Her shoulders shifted in her seat, letting her hair drape over the seat's back. “I totally get you, it’s hard, especially since we just started talking to one another…I swore the cafe plan would work!” She rubbed her hands through her hair in playful frustration.

Seeing her reaction caused me to settle down somewhat. She seemed disappointed by my answer, but she was taking it very well. I’d often rejected working with others, since they’d only do it out of what seemed to be pity. But this is a new feeling. Why do I feel that she actually wants to work with me? I began to finish off my drink, making sure to do so so that Delilah didn’t waste her money on me. After finishing, we both walked out of the establishment and said our goodbyes. She mentioned having to meet up with some friends that night, and I waved her off as she hopped on the arriving bus. She mentioned to me to make sure to think about her proposal over the weekend, and to check my phone. I nodded as the bus took off seconds after.

“She’s something else,” I whispered as I turned to walk home. It wasn’t too far from the cafe and work, so I was able to manage fine. After a few blocks of walking, after the sun began to set, I arrived home to my apartment building. It was shabby and somewhat dusty, but it was home. Pulling the keys out of my pocket, the jingle of them was interrupted by a large grunt. The sound caused my skin to shiver as I turned to see an older woman, wearing an oversized robe and fuzzy slippers, leaning against the wall. “Oh…hello there, Mrs—” she held a rolled up newspaper in which she slapped against the wall behind her, causing yet another yelp to leave my lips. “I’ve told you already! Your rent’s about to be past due. Everyone can pay the amount on time, BUT YOU!” Her voice was shrill, and her breath smelled of cheap cigarettes. This caused the aroma of said product to fill the area surrounding us. “I’m sorry! I told you, I’ll be getting the money to you when I get paid!”

“Oh, so you’re gonna be paying on time for once? Please.”

“I swear! I’m just waiting for the money to be deposited.”

“Yeah, sure. Like you’d do such a thing.”

“Mrs. Pettigrew, I promise!”

I clasped my hands together, bowing my head in apology. It was true, I’d been slacking on paying rent, mostly due to troubles with work pay. But other matters are getting in the way. I could only beg for forgiveness and patience as Mrs. Pettigrew let out a deep sigh, palming her face before slowly wiping it. She’d grown tired of my antics, but she’d often hear me out.

“Fine, fine. This weekend and no further, make sure to deposit it.”

“Will do! I’ll make sure of it!”

“You'd better, I can’t keep giving you passes.”

“Definitely, I won’t let you down.”

The older woman reached into her pocket and grabbed a pack of cigarettes, taking one out and lighting it. No wonder she smelled like she smoked a pack already. Her eyes closed as she inhaled the stick, letting out a nasty puff of air afterward. “I know things have been hard since…you know.” Her eyes lowered, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes at her words. “Just be on time, alright?” I nodded to her request before she motioned for me to leave with the rolled-up newspaper in her hand. Letting me go about my business, finally, I put my key into the lock, allowing myself into my own humble apartment.

I reached for the light switch by the door, flipping it upward. The low hum of the electrical unit buzzed before lighting up the room. Small piles of paper sat around the room, filled with scribbles and notes. I placed my things on a countertop before walking over to a small table. A picture of a man and a woman sat with candles and flowers.

“Hey, Mom, Dad. Today was an interesting day.” I sat on the small pillow that sat in front of the table. “I went and somehow made a new friend, they’re very forward. But that’s what you always told me to look for, right?”

I continued to talk, going over all of the ups and downs of the day. From the competition to the talks of working with someone. Including the small nags from Mrs. Pettigrew when it comes to rent. This was the usual tradition for me whenever I returned home. With my parents gone, it’s been just me and my grandparents. The thought of them being around even after all of this time gives me comfort, yet it’s not the same.

As I lifted my head before standing up to clean myself up for the night, I decided it’d be good to give the notes one more look. I grabbed them out of the bag, checking over each paper extensively. Scribbles filled the page, much like the others surrounding me in the room. As I skimmed the words, I noticed something peculiar.

“This isn’t my pen…” I said, looking over a large red circle on the page. It covered one of the many ideas I planted on it. Did Delilah secretly write on it while I wasn’t paying attention? It’s admirable how she was able to do so without me noticing. Maybe it was when I took a sip of the concoction, she called a drink. I knew my reaction was rather over the top, but seeing the notes written over truly surprised me.

After looking it over some more, I decided to take a photo of the picture. Thinking it’d be best to go with this idea was surprising, since I felt it was one of the more throwaway ideas I had. Though after further inspection, I could see how this could work out. I have to give her props next time I see her…

My eyes stayed focused on the product idea for another moment, looking over the details more and more. Did she see something that I didn’t? What was it? How would I know unless—I asked…

At that moment, curiosity festered within me so much that I could not help but deal with it before doing any other tasks. I mean, I have her number. It shouldn’t be too hard to talk to her, right? Though she did say that she was going to meet up with friends…would it be rude to talk to others while they’re out? God, I’m not good with this social interaction thing. During my moment of indecision, a sudden buzz of the phone came about, vibrating within my hand. It was Delilah. I fumbled the phone in my hands, trying to catch it before calmly pressing the answer button. The phone chimed and answered, and a sudden blast of loud music came about, letting me hear the sounds of different beats and chatter. Her voice came through the speaker in the chaos.