The next couple of days flew by and pretty soon it was Saturday. Bailey’s only plans for the day, after working his four-hour morning shift, were doing laundry and a few household tasks. Plus he’d picked up a new box of books for sorting. He’d been grateful to get Ryan’s text that morning, wanting to hang out, otherwise he probably wouldn’t have spoken to another soul until later that evening when he was planning to do a quick round of the city. He’d put a load into the washing machine, bought a few groceries, and picked up Ryan on his way home, happy to have someone give him a hand with the books.
“I hope you’re not planning on leaving the van there.”
Bailey stiffened as his landlord’s voice cut across the front yard. He looked at Ryan, who rolled his eyes, before steeling himself and slowly turning around.
Mr Green stood on the top step of the old house, arms folded across his chest, his displeasure obvious even from across the expanse of sparse grass.
“Not for long, Mr Green. Just unloading a few things.”
“You park there too often. That spot’s for visitors. I shouldn’t have to keep telling you.”
“I’ll only be a moment. The boxes are really heavy and I’ve got some groceries. There weren’t any parking spaces nearby on the street and it’s too hard to carry the boxes that far plus the shopping bags. I’ll move the van once we’ve got everything inside.”
Mr Green narrowed his eyes and Bailey prepared for a lecture, but the old man must have changed his mind. “Make sure you do.” With a final glare, he turned and went back into the house.
Bailey exhaled and turned back to the van.
“He’s an arsehole,” Ryan said, as he opened the back of the van.
“He’s just old,” Bailey justified. “He doesn’t have much family, at least no one that cares to spend any time with him, and there’s nothing else in his life so he fusses over stuff like this.”
They both leaned into the back of the van and reached for the large box.
“He may be old, but that’s no reason to get pissed off about everything,” Ryan said. “And no wonder he doesn’t have any close family. I mean, who would want to hang around someone like that?”
“You’ll be old one day.”
“God help me.” Ryan shuddered, his arms full with the heavy box.
Bailey used his hip to slam the van door shut.
They carried the boxes down the side path to the entrance of Bailey’s apartment, the journey made more difficult by the overgrown foliage and the uneven sandstone pavers, but eventually the boxes were sitting on the living room floor.
“No wonder you don’t have to go the gym, what with lugging these boxes around all the time.” Ryan flexed his arm, making exaggerated movements. Bailey laughed at his teasing. Ryan was all about hitting the gym, something Bailey had neither the inclination or time for.Not to mention the money.
“Actually, the donations have been drying up a bit lately so I mightn’t have to lug as many boxes around. You want a beer?”
“Nah. I’ve got to go out later. I’ll take a tea or coffee if you’re offering though?”
“A tea?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“Jesus, what’s happened to my friend Ryan?” Bailey looked around the room. “I thought he was here a moment ago—”
“Dickhead.” Ryan punched Bailey’s upper arm, his smile wide. “I’ll tell you about it later. In the meantime, why don’t you go move the van so arsehole landlord doesn’t key it or something, and I’ll put the kettle on.”
“Cool.”
By the time Bailey got back to the apartment, Ryan had installed himself on the couch with two steaming mugs of tea on the coffee table in front of him. “You took your time.”
Bailey flopped onto the couch. “I had to park three blocks away.”
“Ah, the joys of city living.” The sarcasm in Ryan’s voice was heavy. “Can you ask the landlord from hell for off-street parking?”
“You think I haven’t tried that already?” Bailey reached for the tea. “He’s got the garage full of stuff and according to him, needs the spot out front for his visitors. Not that he ever actually has any guests except for his obnoxious grandson who only visits a couple of times a year. But it’s okay. I knew the situation when I moved in—no parking and having to use a local resident’s pass to park on the street.”
“Maybe you could pay extra for the privilege of parking on the arsehole’s lawn?”
