Chapter 14

We finished pretty much everything on the table before I belched my satisfaction. Loudly. “Excuse me,” I said.

“No worries. I take it as a compliment. Help me clean up? We can eat ice cream on the deck on the second floor.”

“Sure.”

It took us fifteen minutes, but eventually, Elias led the way upstairs. It was almost sunset by now, and I could see fireflies below us.

“Man, you hit the jackpot with this place,” I commented as we sat next to each other in comfortable chairs. I had a bowl of mint chocolate ice cream, and he had peanut butter scoops in his.

“I know. I thank the universe daily for my fortune. It’s a haven away from the craziness, and so quiet here. People are friendly, but they keep to themselves. It’s perfect.”

“Well, you’ve seen my apartment. It’s not bad, actually. I have enough room for my drawing table and it suits my needs. My hours are erratic enough that I don’t have much more than a passing acquaintance with my neighbors.”