I was just about to do some more unpacking when there was a knock on the door. I was in half a mind to ignore it but then there was another knock, this time much louder. Damn, I wasn’t in the mood for uninvited guests. However when I opened the door I was pleasantly surprised.
“Hi sis, I thought you were coming tomorrow?”
“I was, but I couldn’t wait to see your new place.”
“It’s in a bit of a mess, I haven’t finished unpacking yet.”
Suddenly her smile disappeared, it was replaced with a frown.
“I have a question for you.”
I waited, but she just stared at me.
“OK, what is it?”
The smile came back and then she said “Can I come in?”
I laughed, then I moved aside so that she could enter. As she passed me I muttered “Very funny.”
I liked my new apartment, I was anxious to hear her assessment of it. She can be very critical, and at times quite rude, so I was prepared for the worst.
“I like it, the kitchen could be bigger, but it will do.”
“Thanks, I wasn’t sure if you would approve of it.”
She smiled then said “Why, because I am such an awkward bitch?”
With a straight face I answered her with “You are not awkward.”
Luckily she found that really funny.
We then talked for a while. I offered to make her some lunch but she declined, she was meeting some friends later on and would eat with them. As she was leaving I noticed a slight limp.
“What’s wrong with your leg?”
She turned round to face me then said “It’s nothing serious, just some problem with my right calf muscle. Too much exercise, I think I have been overdoing the running.”
I was concerned, “I think you need to get it checked out.”
She shrugged her shoulders then said “It will get better with time, or if I get a sports massage.” She then continued with “Normally I see a guy who works at the Gym, but he is booked up for the next two weeks.”
“I could do it?”
I had intended it as a joke but she wasn’t laughing, instead I could see she was considering it.
“Are you serious?”
I hesitated, then I said “Yes.”
However as soon as I had said it I wasn’t sure if I could deliver on what I had just agreed to. Lily would expect me to do a proper job. I was just about to tell her I had changed my mind when she spoke.
“OK, but when?”
It was now too late, I would just have to give it my best shot. When was I free to do it?
“How about tonight?”
She was obviously keen. I couldn’t think of a reason to say no, so I agreed. We decided to do it at eight, that would give me time to do more unpacking.
“I need to go, otherwise I will be late meeting up with Carol and Janet. I will see myself out.”
I was deciding what box to tackle next when I heard the front door close, then I heard knocking. What had she forgotten
“Sorry, I should have said before I left. I will bring the massage oil and you provide the towels.” Then she quickly added “I am assuming you have some towels?”
“Very funny, now go and leave me in peace.”
“OK, but I think you should let me have a key.”
I shook my head before saying “No chance.”
As I closed the door I heard her say “It’s a good idea me having a key.” I just ignored her.
I spent the next hour working, most of the kitchen stuff was now done so I decided to take a break. I smiled as I sat on the sofa drinking a mug of coffee, at twenty-three it felt good to have my own place, even if I was only renting. I checked my watch it was just after four, I would stop for fifteen minutes.
At seven I decided to call it a day. I still had a few boxes to unpack but they contained non-essentials, mostly books. I had neatly stacked them in the spare bedroom so they were out of the way. I desperately needed a shower and a change of clothes.
As I showered I thought of Lily and how I would conduct the massage. I have always played a lot of sport and consequently I have had a lot of injuries, mostly minor ones though. If it was a sore or stiff muscle then a massage always helped. What I would do to Lily is to try and copy what has been done to me in the past. That was the theory, we would just have to see how it worked in practice.
“Sorry I am late.” It was eight-thirty.
“No problem, but I was beginning to think you had changed your mind.”
She just smiled then proceeded to check the apartment again.
“You have been busy, I am impressed.”
I beamed, proud of what I had done.