Page 66 of Tough Guy and the Show Off

“Ready.”

We enter the building as Cameron tells me it was built in the eighties. The lobby has tiled floors and a bank of silver mailboxes. To one side is a stairwell and across from that is the elevator. It’s plain. Basic.

Travis would hate it.

We take the elevator up to the tenth floor and step into a dated carpeted hallway. I’m tempted to turn around and leave now, but I’ll give the apartment a chance. Maybe it’s much nicer inside.

It’s not.

“It’s old,” I complain.

Cameron nods. “It is, but there are benefits, which is why I’m showing you the unit. Like I said, safe neighborhood, proximity to the arena, and the nightlife and restaurants around here are great. You’d be right in the mix of everything.”

Nodding, I walk around the tiny kitchen with outdated appliances. I don’t cook much so that’s okay. We continue through the unit, but I’m just not feeling it.

“Do you have anything else?”

“Of course.” Cameron smiles. “I have four units in total to show you. On to the next one?”

“Yes, please.”

We tour two more buildings that don’t feel right either, and by the time we get to the fourth one, I’m feeling a little discouraged. None of these feel like home.

As Cameron drives down the street, I gaze out the car window, noting how quaint it looks. It’s a lot quieter than the other areas we were in, with older, more historic looking buildings. Little shops and restaurants line the street, and people are out shopping, despite the cold.

“This does have underground parking that’s heated, and the unit comes with two spaces,” Cameron says.

“Okay.”

“Still no doorman, but this is one of the city’s nicer areas. This unit is a little pricier for less square footage given the neighborhood.”

“It’s just me, so that’s fine.”

Cameron pulls into the parking lot of a 1930s art deco style building. As we exit the car and enter the lobby, I have a feeling this might be the one. The floors are marble and the finishes are ornate, polished brass. On the ceiling are tin tiles and massive chandeliers. It feels straight out of old Hollywood. The mailboxes are tucked away in a corner to keep them out of view. It’s very clean too. I can actually smell cleaning products.

“Who cleans the building?”

“There’s a company that comes nightly. It’s included in your association fees. There are some nice amenities. A modern gym, indoor pool and sauna, and once a month there’s a brunch for residents. In the summer, you can enjoy a rooftop deck.”

“Great.”

Cameron calls for the elevator, and when we step on, he presses the button for the sixteenth floor. “There are city and Lake Michigan views from this unit.”

“That’s exciting.”

My hopes are dashed though as we enter the unit. It’s small. Very small. And it’s showing its age. The wood floors are worn and scuffed, the plaster walls heavy. It could use some fixing up, which I guess I can afford, but what a pain in the ass to deal with.

Cameron leads me through the barely there kitchen, mid-size living room, one tiny bathroom with only a shower, no tub, and a bedroom that has just enough space for my bed and one dresser and nightstand. I’m a minimalist kind of guy, but this is pushing it.

“Before you decide, you have to see the best part.”

“Okay.”

Cameron gestures for me to follow him back to the living room, where he opens the sliding glass doors to the large balcony. It’s almost as big as the kitchen, with enough space for a small table and chairs, and it wraps around to the bedroom. Sure enough, Lake Michigan sprawls out before us, churning with ice, but I can imagine feeling the summer breeze coming off the lake while grilling burgers.

With Travis.

He’d love this balcony. We always wanted one in Boston, but units like that rarely come on the market, and they’re expensive even for professional hockey players. I can afford this. I could give him a nice balcony when he visits during the offseason.