“The remaining family there has four teenage boys,” Ellie says. “It’s only speculation, but maybe they’re loud. Sloppy. Slamming doors. In and out at all hours of the day and night.”
“Have you met them?” Skylar asks.
“I’ve met two of them. They seem like rather good children. Very polite. Quick to offer smiles.”
“One even offered to take the bags we were carrying for us,” Paul adds. “Strapping young men.”
“It doesn’t sound like they’re bad neighbors then,” I say.
Ellie shakes her head. “I agree. But I’ve only met two of the four. Maybe the other half makes up for the good behavior of those two with bad behavior.” She leans forward again and murmurs, “Maybe they’re involved in gang violence.”
“Ellie,” Paul chides. “Let’s not go suggesting things we don’t have a smidgen of proof about.”
Ellie clucks her tongue. “Very well. But it’s a very strange situation on the second floor.”
“Oh,” Skylar says. “One of the families had a little kid. She was seven or eight. We used to play outside together sometimes. I didn’t know they were gone.”
“I hear they moved out months ago.”
“That’s sad. There aren’t a lot of kids in the building,” Skylar says.
“That might have to do withsomeone,” Ellie says, giving me a pointed look. “Thatsomeonebrought in not just one, buttwopeople for their… deals.”
I’m guessing she’s referring to Sally. Which means Ellie witnessed her maybe hooking up in a threesome. I try to keep my grin to myself and nod understandingly. Would they really care if they knew Sally was a sex worker? Something tells me they’ll take even more interest in her activities.
“My mom let me hang out in the gym with the guys on four—do you know them?” Skylar asks. “Tobias and James. They’re really cool. They know the way of the ashiknak, too.” She inclines her head and then takes a long sip of her lassi.
“I do know them,” Ellie says while I’m nodding. “I think they’re secretly in love.”
“With whom?” Skylar asks, eyes widening.
“Each other, of course,” Ellie says.
“Ohhhh,” Skylar squeals. “That’s so cute!”
I grin. Ellie and Paul exchange a smile, very clearly agreeing.
“And on the eighth floor, the young couple, Darius and Asia, are expecting their first baby,” Paul says, proving that he gets in on the gossip as much as Ellie does.
“She has the most adorable little bump,” Ellie says. “I’m knitting her an afghan.”
“Yes!” Skylar says. “Another kid in the building.”
“They’ll be too young to play with for quite some time, but it’ll definitely be nice to see some young children around,” Ellie agrees.
“Do you know what happened to the weird guy on the top floor? The one who dresses like a spaceman?” Skylar asks. “I used to see him all the time and now he’s gone. Maybe he returned to ragnninggok.” She shrugs.
“Do you mean Mr. Maples?” Paul asks.
“The one who always wore shiny one-piece suits,” Skylar says. “Like space pajamas.”
This is like being in the audience for a show. I have no idea who these people are. I’d never be able to pick them out in a crowd. But I’m about to know little tidbits about everyone’s lives.
“Yes, that’s Mr. Maples,” Paul says. “He has condos all over Chicago. I think he’s just staying in another one.”
Skylar frowns. “Why would you have multiple homes in one city? That seems frivolous.”
I nod, agreeing. It does seem like an extravagant waste of money.
