Bells are Ringing

I was only a little surprised when Jake and Jack had also shown up with Dillon. They'd brought a curtain for my living room window as a housewarming gift. Dillon had brought enough food to feed ten of me. Or one me, one Dillon, a single Jake, and possibly Jack.

Just to be safe, I brought out some chips to snack on.

"So, I know this is a bit out of the norm, but the landlord is visiting Japan at the moment. He likes to travel the world, only pops in once or twice a year. So, here's the lease, since you're going to just take it over no need for a credit check." Dillon explained pulling out over twenty pages of the leasing contract. "You can reed it through, I'll also send a digital copy, Jake, down boy!" Dillon teased as Jake was once again staring at the top shelf with the dolls.

Jack was also glancing up, "You sure we can't toss em?"

Dillon rolled his eyes, "They're just bean bag dolls, just think of them as guardians of the apartment okay?" Jake and Jack snorted, but left them alone.

I glanced over the contract, everything seemed in order. There were a few odd clauses, like no removing the dolls, no harming the dolls, no additional tenants, guests could only stay one week a month. No unapproved pets, plants, or alterations to the apartment made sense. I made sure the rent was only two hundred dollars, no safety deposit, no utilities, all items left behind by the previous owner(s) were considered donations.

I nodded, "Uh, it looks, good to me. Uh, where do I send the money? A check? Or direct deposit?" Dillon flipped to the third to last page.

"So, before the fifth of each month, unless there are extenuating circumstances, you can direct deposit, or send a check. There are also reminders in the binder I showed you last time in case you need to send cash. If everything looks good, go ahead and sign. I'll scan and send it to the landlord." Dillon added pulling out his tablet. Technology was so nice, he could just send pictures instead of finding a fax machine.

I glanced over the contract one last time before signing my name throughout the packet, initials, and dating almost every page as the 25th of February. As soon as I finished the last signature I heard several bells ringing. I glanced up, everyone was glancing at the top shelf.

Jake tensed, he'd reached for the shelf… but hadn't touched it. Narrowing his eyes he pulled one of the bean bag dolls down. Squishing the yellow bird repeatedly, only the eyes were hard.

Jack was doing the same to the dog. "I don't like them." He announced when after a few more minutes nothing happened.

Dillon sighed, glancing at the dolls nostalgically, "As long as Max doesn't mind them, if they become an issue, reach out to the landlord. Honestly, I didn't like them when I first moved in… but they've grown on me."

I stared at Dillon a bit confused… hadn't… Dillon forgotten about them until Jack found them when I'd been freaking out?

Dillon clapped his hands to draw everyone attention, "Okay, so I'll be off grid for like two or three weeks with a work project! Deadlines are ruff! So I won't be hitting the gym much, but I'll have my phone on me. Text if ya need me, I'll respond or call as soon as I have a moment. Soon good mate?"

"Uh, yeah, sounds great." If Dillon wasn't going to suddenly strapped for time, they would have waited until the first to sign the contract, it was only a few days early so Max wasn't upset. Securing the apartment was also a relief, though I was worried his my paycheck wouldn't hit until after I needed to pay rent… I would be cutting it really close.

"If I didn't have to be at work before midnight, I'd totally say we should celebrate, so we'll have to postpone for after my first project as team leader! You guys still good to show Max around the gym if I'm still slaving away?" Dillon asked taking pictures of the contract to send to the landlord.

"Yeah, just text us Max." Jack agreed putting the dolls back on the top shelf.

"We'll drop by if you don't." Jake added glancing up at the shelf again.

"Uh, sure, maybe next week? I just, uh don't know how tired I'll be with work." I agreed nodding. I was really glad they didn't think of me as a nuisance, not to mention… Jake and Jack seemed really worried. Dillon too, of course, but… maybe I would reach out after I paid rent to see if I could get rid of the dolls.

"Cool, wish I could stay longer, honestly mate, but I gotta catch some z's before I head into work tonight. Big update needs to be live before the big boss rolls in at eight. IF anything comes up, don't hesitate to contact us, or the police." Dillon added as he started attaching the pictures to an email.

I gave a hesitant nod, "I will," I wanted to offer something. Anything as thanks, offer to buy a meal, pay for their gas… but… I wasn't even sure if I'd have enough to pay rent after my monthly subscription payments on the third…

Dillon glanced up, then gripped my shoulder. "We got this mate, you can always buy our protein shakes after you pass your work… dang whats the word…"

Max grinned, "Probation?"

"That! Yes! Work probation! Protein shakes on you yeah? Until then we'll just let the interest build." Dillon added with a wink. "You're gonna rock this. Then we'll get to brag we knew you had it in you. Ready boys?" Dillon asked turning to Jake and Jack.

"Yeah." They chorused as they gathered up the mess from their lunches.

I stood up to walk them out when for the first time, I saw Dillon had red eyes and flushed cheeks.

Dillon wiped his face as he glanced over the apartment. He cleared his throat, but his voice still cracked, "So, awkward request. Ahem, Max, would you mind if I just… If I just had a moment alone. Just," Dillon took a deep breath, "One last goodbye as the tenant of apartment 210?"

I felt my eyes go wide. Dillon looked… like he was going to cry. "Oh! Uh sure, I'll, uh take the garbage out." I agreed grabbing the mostly full bag. I still needed a garbage can. Add it to the forever growing list. I slid my shoes on, then followed Jake and Jack out. As I closed the door, I saw the first teer slide down Dillon's cheek.

Jack glanced down at Max, "Took some time, but… he's come a long way."

I glanced up as they walked slowly. Biting my lip, I decided to ask, "So uh, he wasn't always so…" I wasn't even sure what word to use… competent? Confident? It was hard to imagine he'd grown up in an abusive household…

Jake shook his head, "He used to barely say a word, he's grown. Though, not sure why he didn't find a new apartment years ago. Anyway, it's good."

Jack stared at Max for a moment, then gave a reassuring grin. "He probably sees himself in you. Maybe sees you as the younger brother he never had. Keep in touch shorty."

I just… couldn't imagine it. If Dillon was all alone… extending the same chance that someone gave him… maybe Dillon saw the three of them as some kind of misfit family. I grinned at the idea. I love my brothers, parents. I just wished… they understood I wasn't as extroverted as they were… having friends like Jake, Jack, Dillon… they weren't too outgoing… they were… so easy to interact with. They listened, even with Jake and Jack checking on me, it didn't feel intrusive.

I smiled at how I'd reacted to Jake and Jack, if they had been the ones to meet me in that diner… I may have run for the hills… but now they seemed so approachable. Silently helping, just being around… "Yeah, he's an awesome guy."

As I approached the door, I hesitated, then decided to lean against the railing. This apartment had clearly been a big part of Dillon's journey, leaving had to be hard. Honestly, if I could buckle down for a few years, get my life together… would I ever find such a sweet deal again?

After a few minutes, the door opened. I looked back to see Dillon wiping his eyes.

Dillon grinned, "Thanks mate. Just, hard to know that after midnight… this won't be home anymore. But this is going to be a great place for you." Dillon pulled me in for a hug before I even registered what was happening.

"You're going to rock this Max. Weird shit is going to happen, it's going to be ruff. Hell, some of it will be fucking terrifying. But… give it some time. Give us some time. Trust this place. And no matter what…" Dillon's voice cracked as he squeezed me tighter for a moment, then pushed me away. Looking me in the eyes with such solemnity I nodded before he even spoke. "No matter what, trust your gut."

My eyes followed as another teer slid down Dillon's face. I turned my attention to Dillon's earnest gaze, "I, uh, will." After a flush I repeated himself more firmly. "I will, I am going to rock this."

Dillon pulled me in for another quick hug before letting to wiped his face with his sleeve. "Life moves on, here's my copy of the key. You can change the locks if you want, just make sure to send a copy to the landlord. Ha ha, dang, look at me. You got this."

"Yeah, I got this." I assured grinning as my own nose soured. Dillon nodded quickly before he started to walk away. As he did… I noticed a pink string on Dillon's otherwise white shirt… I also realized one cheek was pinker than the other. When was facing Dillon I'd thought it was flush from crying… but now… in the sunlight it looked more like… smeared lipstick.

I told myself not to pry into Dillon's love life, at least not yet. Maybe next time. As I lay on my bed… this was now my place. My apartment, my… home. With a wide grin I set to making a list of things I still needed, then watched another true crime show until a little before ten.

With a plan to spend time tomorrow looking over Dillon's notes, I had a hard time falling asleep. There was still so much to do, but… I had a plan.

I wasn't sure what woke me up, but I stayed completely still. I felt like a predator was watching me, every hair on my body rose slowly, then… bells started ringing all around me. Not just bells, whispered voices.

"He's sleeping like a dead pig. Like what the fuck." An irritated male voice growled near my ear. Then there was a sharp tug on my blanket, but I didn't react. Unfortunately, the next tug had me sprawled on my back as the blanket was ripped away.

"Is he pretending to sleep? Not sure that's a good thing." A disapproving male voice stated.

"What did you expect after stealing his food? Poor thing must be terrified. Wakey wakey Maxxie, we're not going to hurt you." A female voice promised as something brushed along my now uncovered cheek. I didn't move, laid out like a… well dead pig.

"Sleep… is good. Can't… this wait?" A lethargic male voice complained as a weight settled on my chest. I shivered despite my best effort.

"This cannot wait, the longer we delay, the worst its going to be. Come on Max. Get up." A sharp female voice ordered as something started tugging at my shirt.

"Well, it's certainly not going to earn us any favors by waking him out of a sound sleep. Not to mention, how's he supposed to function in the morning." Another male voice snapped.

"We should have made coffee. This is going to be a long talk… sighs. Coffee…" A softer male voice complained.

"Maxxie, love, we're not going to hurt you. Would you feel better if we all moved away from the bed?" The first female voice asked as it was already moving away. "Come along, no doubt we've scared him half to death."

"Ugh, this is not going well. Great first impressions guys."

I wanted to pretend this was all a dream… but after a thump on the bed had me flinching… well they'd clearly already known I was awake. I slowly opened one eye… didn't see anything. Slowly I sat up half expecting to see half a dozen crazed murders just waiting to jump me. I was not expecting… seven colorful dolls to be looking up at me.

"Hello Max! You can call me Mai."

I stared… maybe… I'm still dreaming. There was no way… there was just no way the pink fox doll was talking to me. As she spoke the bell around her neck jingled merrily as if I should be expecting a pleasant dream, not in the middle of a nightmare.

"Sup Max, they call me Ire." The red Tasmanian devil doll stated waving its paw.

"I'm Reed." The green rabbit stated as it… closed a tiny composition notebook.

"I just go by Pride. The sleeping one we call Acedia, or Ace for short." The white horse announced pointing a hoof at the black bear.

"Oh! I'm Tony!" The brown dog greeted chasing its tail.

"Lilith or just Lilly is fine for me." The yellow bird greeted raising a wing.

I stared at the small, hand sized dolls. Yep. I was still dreaming. That, or I'd lost my mind.