“Heyyyy,” James says.
“More elevens!” Tobias exclaims.
As they did with Arush and me, the guys meet Ellie and James in the middle of the room. They fist bump Paul and give Ellie kisses on the cheek. Mittens isn’t left out, either, getting scritches behind her ears. I think I can hear her purring from here.
Paul heads for the bike closest to the treadmills. I’ve seen these three work out. They take turns on the bicycle and treadmill with Mittens trotting along on the treadmill. When she gets tired, she’ll jump up on the front of the bike and place judgement on the rest of us mere humans.
Ellie stops at the side of the weight-lifting woman. I’m not surprised to find that they know each other. When I first met Ellie, I thought she went door to door, introducing herself to everyone in the building. I was also surprised she hadn’t organized a condo-wide newsletter to update everyone on the happenings in the building.
I’d totally read it. I can already imagine the spunk Ellie would inject the newsletter with.
Ellie joins Mittens on the treadmill, leaving one between her and I. “So, what have I missed?” Ellie asks.
“We’re discussing the odds of Julian being traded,” James says. “The pattern suggests he will, but he also proved his talent on the ice, carrying Chicago this year. Chicago would be stupid to let him go.”
I shake my head. On the one hand, I’m glad others see how hard I worked this year. People on the outside. Those who watch and cheer the game.
“Oh, no!” Ellie says, looking at me with concern. This is the very first time since meeting her I haven’t seen a smile on her face. “You’re not moving, are you?”
“Not at the moment, no. I haven’t been traded yet and I’m not saying I will be.”
Ellie looks at Arush. “Will you be staying, dear, if our Julian gets traded? We’d hate to lose you both.”
Arush looks at me and then leans forward to look at Ellie. I’m very aware of everyone watching us. Everyone except the girl with her headphones on. “No, Ma’am. I’ll be leaving with Julian.”
“Roommates for life!” Tobias and James cheer, stopping what they’re doing to high five with passion.
I exchange a look with Arush, and I can tell that he’s likely thinking the same thing I am. It’s either not at all the same thing or… maybe it is. Who knows?!
Ellie sighs just as the door opens again and Skylar steps into the room. She looks around and smiles as if it’s her birthday. “Awesome!” she exclaims.
“Heyyy,” James says.
“Hall pass!” Tobias and James say together.
Skylar skips her way to them and bumps her fists on one of theirs at the same time. “Hey, snorgls! Where ya been?”
“Here,” they say together and then laugh.
“Where have you been?” James asks.
“I’ve been going to the planetarium a lot. I’m trying to learn the stars like our ancient ancestors did,” Skylar says as she climbs onto the treadmill beside me. We watch as she taps the call button on her cellphone while starting the machine.
Her mother’s face pops up, and Skylar turns the camera to look outward. “Here’s my company today,” she says and sweeps around the room. We all dutifully wave. “I’m safe and secure and know everyone except that girl over there.” She points the phone at the woman resting on the weight bench.
She must see Skylar because she turns toward her, lowering her headphones. “What?”
“She’s fine, dear,” Ellie says, and Skylar turns the video to point at her. “That’s Betsy. She’s a grad student studying law. She lives on thirteen. Perfectly safe.”
The woman named Betsy smiles when Skylar points the camera back at her. “Hi,” she says. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude and ignore everyone.”
“Nah, you’re fine,” Skylar says. “I’m just showing my mom that there aren’t any weird people in here that might worry her.”
“All right,” her mother says. “Be good. I’d appreciate it if you’d come back upstairs with either Julian and Arush or Ellie and Paul, please.”
“Okay, Mom. Salute.” Skylar ends the call and drops her phone into the cup holder. Then she starts talking in gibberish.
“Es war glänzend, und die schlüpfrigen Zehen. Wirbelten und kreisten im Wabe: Ganz mimisch waren die Boroughs, und die Mome Raths ragten heraus.”
