CHAPTER 7
The seedy area of town had long plunged into darkness. Streetwalkers had finished collecting customers, everyone went under cover. Everything was calm and soon a streak of morning light appeared over the rooves of distant houses overlooking the bay.
The apartment was no longer so cold. Fred didn't want to turn on the heaters, but took the decision yesterday. The reason? He came into some easy money, but no-one knew. So, they were all warm for the night without sweaters or socks. In the early autumn, they complained to the landlady and she provided window tape in the mailbox. The message was clear – if you don't want to pay for electric heaters, tape up the windows.
Fred had fallen asleep at the kitchen table, head in hands. The light had stayed on when everyone went to bed and as Fred drank his coffee the previous night, he'd forgotten about it. It was the table's sudden vibrations that awoke him - there was an incoming call on his phone. Fred picked up the phone, flicked his eyes up at the screen, and soon lounged back on the sofa. His back and arm were numb, meaning he couldn't feel the phone. He couldn't concentrate on anything, jerking his head from side to side, and only when he'd regained a feeling in his hands, picked up the phone.
'Did you sleep?'' a familiar voice said.
'Well, yes, I took a nap in the kitchen,' he said hoarsely. 'Damn…'
'What happened?
'It's nothing. My back... and my arm are numb. They'll be better in a minute.'
'Did you pay the rent yesterday?'
'Yes, but I wanted to ask you for a favor,' Fred felt that persistence appeared in his voice and quickly stopped short. He did not want his caller to feel this. Money gave him confidence, but it was better not to tell anyone about it yet.
'I can't stay here any longer. I'm tired. True, it's safe because of Simon's help, but the landlady's constant hints are getting to me.'
'Are you talking about Nancy?'
Fred stayed calm.
'Of course, I am. Yesterday she came for her rent, cuddling up to me like a cat. She hinted that she wanted us to spend some time together,'
'Nancy is a harmless transvestite. Don't worry. She won't hurt you. These are just emotional tricks.'
'You said we'd be here for a couple of years, but it's been four now. I've saved some money, so maybe it's time to move? Prices near Los Angeles aren't so high and it's warmer. I've found employment already. Yesterday, I wanted to take a walk with Sofia, but we didn't go further than the laundry,' chatted Fred, worried.
'You must be tired. Let's think this over together in a couple of days. I've got some extra shifts for the next few days as the clinic's worried about some kind of virus – you may have heard?'
'Yes, I heard, but everything's okay with us. Sofia hasn't…well, no hysterical fits or spasms. She's become kind, even giving you hair for your wig. She's unbelievable, she cooks, cleans and does everything for herself, although occasionally, does talk loudly to herself, but that's it. Over the past year, it's been getting better.'
There was a slight pause at the other end. Fred was wary.
'I agree, but don't forget about her medication,' the answer finally came and he was ready. Everything was fine up to now. Raising the drugs topic meant the caller was calm and approved. More importantly, there wasn't a 'No' in the answer. His friend's voice was calculated and not sharp. 'Don't you think that medication helped?'
'Yes, of course they did', Fred agreed.
'Okay, get some sleep. It's good that you're calm and since you've paid for two weeks rent, we have time to think. We'll find an apartment, don't worry, Simon won't say no. Now go, you'll be getting up soon.'
In the morning, it was little Lisa who got up first. She woke everyone and started playing little games with them. She had a runny nose, and demanded the handkerchief that Sofia had knitted for her since there were no napkins to hand. Lisa loved to play with this handkerchief, and it also aided in Sofia calming down. They'd both forgotten that this handkerchief was in Danny's possession and now they needed a way of getting it back. Cereal usually helped.
It was time for Fred's shift at the hospital. He moved there a few years ago and earned 15k a month. It was a lot of money, so he was clearly well thought of. Sofia came into the kitchen in a long T-shirt and no shoes. Her hair was long and unkempt. She smiled and raised her thumb. Lisa had finished her cereal and was now smearing milk on her cheeks. Grabbing a candy, the baby allowed him to wipe her mouth and then ran into the room.
'How are you? Did you take your pills yesterday?' he wanted to talk to Sofia but didn't want to be late for work.
'Yes, I'm okay. Don't worry. You're asking like you want to put me in the clinic again,' Sofia answered in a calm tone with an expressionless face.
'Don't be like that,' he said with sincere pity. 'We're all one family now, put the past behind you.'
'It would be nice', Sofia sighed as she said this. Suddenly, she put her cup on the side and turned to Fred. 'I want to go to work. The church is hard, people are strange. Father Roger is nice, but it's not what I want. I want a job where I can work and chat without think about it. I want to go somewhere,' Sofia sounded determined, but an air of sadness hung in her last words.
'Sure, why not?' it became clear that Sofia had changed a lot. She'd lost weight and it suited her. Fred found himself wanting her, then he shook his head to clear it.
'Anywhere. I don't really care. I can't just sit and watch TV! I want to do something with my life.'
These words seemed strange coming from a woman with several mental disorders, treatment for drug addictions and then compulsory treatment from a psychiatrist following a suicide attempt, as well as several courses of antidepressants.
'You're right,' he agreed.
'Sorry, I'm breaking down again. Fred, don't look at me like that! I'll be alright. I have been for a while, just believe me. There's been no sudden fits. I don't smoke, nor inject. I just want to be normal. Do you understand?'
'Yes, I do. We discussed this yesterday and you agreed to wait a while before finding a job. Had you forgotten?'
'No, I hadn't. I just wanna find my parents as well.'
'We'll find them, don't worry,' said Fred, but she didn't hear him.
'I don't remember where they are, but I'm certain they're alive. You said they didn't want to see me. I'll tell them that everything's alright, that I've changed, got a daughter, that you've helped me a lot,' Sofia started to turn slightly red as she said and a feverish glow appeared in her eyes. 'I'm just a little worried, that's all. Fred, I know you sympathise with me, but I've changed. Now I'm going to take something to calm down. I'm shaking. Just thinking about that makes me tremble.'
'Okay, calm down, take two tablets and it'll get better. I've got to go to the hospital, sorry. Everything will be fine. Are you going to behave yourself and play with Lisa?'
'Of course, I am. Thank you! I just want this to happen as fast as possible.'
'Okay, understand, we'll try. Believe me, we're lucky,' Fred wanted to tell her about the money, but decided against it. She was still not right and he was frightened she'd let too much slip when he wasn't around.'