Small Town Secrets: A Forbidden Romance Read online

  Chester spun and began waddling down the dingy hallway, his wifebeater showing a dirty stain on the back.

  “Sure, chica, but if you don’t have it by tomorrow, I wouldn’t bother moving in,” he called carelessly over one shoulder. “In fact, you might want to stop right now because you know what they say. No moolah, no boolah!”

  What the hell did that mean? Moolah was money, but boolah? Was that New Yorker for “trouble around the corner” or “pay up or you’re toast”? Was I supposed to watch crime family movies to make better sense of my new landlord’s lingo?

  But one thing was clear. There was a mistake somewhere. I’d definitely given my broker a thousand dollars for my move-in deposit, and Cheryl was supposed to give it to Chester. So where was the cash? The money couldn’t have just disappeared into thin air.

  Fishing for my cell, I furiously dialed the middle-aged woman. Fortunately, she picked up on the first ring.

  “Hiya deary,” sang Cheryl. “How’s your new apartment looking?”

  The truth was that it was horrible. The tiny studio had only room for a bed and a chair, and there was no space for a couch, much less a dining room table. Plus, the tub was in the kitchen, and all I’d have to do was reach past my dish detergent for my soap. But I was grateful for the place because at the low price of one thousand dollars a month, it was a miracle I’d landed anything at all.

  “It’s great,” I said hurriedly. “Listen, the manager just came by and said he never got my deposit? But I thought I handed it to you last week, and that’s why they gave me the key? Or has there been some misunderstanding?”

  Of course, there was no misunderstanding and Cheryl didn’t even try to pretend.

  “No, honey, it’s just different terms,” she said.

  “Different terms?” I parroted, perplexed. “What do you mean? I thought it was one month’s deposit, and they’d refund it to me when I move out.”

  “It is one month’s deposit,” Cheryl replied in a soothing tone. “But what Chester’s asking for is different from a deposit. He’s looking for key money.”

  “Key money?” I repeated like an awkward lump. “What’s that?”

  Cheryl spoke airily like there was nothing weird about all this.

  “Key money can mean a lot of things, sweetheart,” she said. “It can be the payment a landlord makes to a tenant to encourage them to move on. It can be the payment a new tenant make to a former tenant in return for handing their lease to you. But in this case, I think Chester means ‘key money’ in its most basic sense. He wants his palms greased, sweetheart. He wants a little extra as a part of this transaction.”

  My heart thumped as all the blood drained from my face.

  “So you’re saying that Chester wants to be paid a bribe,” I said slowly.

  Cheryl paused for a moment.

  “Not exactly a bribe,” she said like this was no big deal. “Again, it’s just something to grease the wheels, except in this case, you’re greasing his wallet.”

  By now, my heart was almost pounding its way out of my chest.

  “But I don’t have it,” was my hoarse whisper. “What do I do? Half my stuff is already in the apartment, and I can’t just lose the money I’ve already paid.”

  Cheryl was silent for a moment, although I could almost hear the wheels in her head clacking.

  “Well, do you have some family that can help? Maybe your mom and dad?”

  I sighed.

  “No,” was my curt reply. “My parents aren’t an option.”

  “Well maybe a great-aunt!” suggested Cheryl brightly. “Everyone’s got a fairy godmother somewhere, right?”

  I rolled my eyes although she couldn’t see.

  “No, I don’t have a great-aunt, a great-uncle, a god-mother, or a fairy anything who can help me. I’m sorry, but I’m just a small girl from Kansas who’s here to pursue her dreams. So is there something else I can do?”

  “Get an advance on your credit card,” said Cheryl promptly. “The gods at Citi and Bank of America will answer.”

  But that was the thing. I don’t have credit. As a recent high school graduate, I have no credit history to speak of. I’d only just applied for my first Mastercard last week, and it was a secured one where I put down five hundred dollars to open the card.

  So I sighed again.

  “I’m sorry, Cheryl. I just don’t have the money. Can you lend it to me?” I asked quickly. “I mean, this has kind of taken me by the surprise. In fact, it’s like a punch to the gut knowing that I have to fork over an extra four figures when I only just moved to the city. Could you spot me a little?”

  I figured it would be no big deal for my broker because she dressed really fancy. During our week-long tour of New York, Cheryl had been wearing designer heels and carried a leather bag that was probably worth four figures in and of itself. Besides, we’d gotten friendly during our time together, and the real estate agent had assured me that once upon a time, she’d stood in my very own shoes.

  “You’ll see,” Cheryl had chortled. “The city is like a big gift box. You open it up, and the most amazing ideas and inspirations come flying out, one after another. There’s no place like New York!” she rhapsodized.

  This was exactly what I’d been hoping to hear. I’m an aspiring writer and the city was supposed to be my muse as well as the setting for the new book I wanted to author. So I figured Cheryl would be willing to help a girl with big dreams, since she’d once been that girl herself.

  But the moment I asked for money, suddenly the woman grew hard of hearing.

  “I’m sorry?” she queried coolly. “That doesn’t sound like the Susie Hemphill I know.”

  My mouth grew dry but I forced myself to ask again.

  “Please Cheryl,” was my quiet plea. “You know I don’t have a lot to spare. Otherwise, why would I rent a dingy walk-up in Hell’s Kitchen? And you said that you’ve been in my shoes before. Lend a hand to someone who needs it now?”

  But the broker just cluck-clucked.

  “I’m sorry,” she spoke primly. “But I don’t think we know each other that well. You’ll have to find another resource, Susie, but I’m sure it’ll all work out. And don’t forget to call me the next time you’re looking to move!” she sang before clicking off.

  The urge to hurl my phone at the wall was overwhelming, but I forced my hand down to my side. After all, that would be another fifty bucks that I couldn’t spare, plus a trip to the Sprint store when I didn’t have time. So I took a deep breath even as the movers hauled the last of my belongings into the apartment.

  “Thank you,” I said, opening my wallet and pressing a twenty into their hands. These guys deserved more than that, seeing that they’d just lifted my stuff up to the fifth floor, but I didn’t have more for the tip. So I shot them a nice smile. “I really appreciate it.”

  And thankfully, the Jamaican crew nodded before disappearing silently down the stairs. But now I was left alone in this apartment that maybe wasn’t going to be mine for much longer. The dingy yellow walls weren’t much, not to mention the leak from the kitchen sink. But it was private space, and the only thing I had even remotely been able to afford during our tour. So taking a deep breath, I went down the stairs, making my way to the manager’s office.

  “Chester,” I said, knocking on the door that had been painted so many times that it looked firmly stuck in place. “Can I talk to you? It’s Susie from 5B. I just moved in.”

  I heard some scuffling inside and then the distinct click of a laptop case shutting.

  “Come in!” bellowed Chester. As I opened the door, he shot me a smarmy grin. Sure enough, the guy had his legs up on his desk, a laptop perched on his belly with a ton of used tissues in the garbage can. Oh gross. Had Chester the Molester been masturbating while on the job? All I wanted was to get out of there as soon as possible.

  But right, business first. I had to negotiate this ‘key money’ thing that he seemed to expect.

  “Chester
,” I said peremptorily. “I didn’t know there was an additional fee on top of my deposit. I thought the deal was already signed, sealed and delivered.”

  The obese man chuckled, his laptop bobbling like a ship on a jiggly sea as his stomach vibrated.

  “No, it’s no worries,” he yawned, stretching both arms above his head. “Newbies to the city never get it. But yeah, we expect that money. It’s building management, you know,” he said conspiratorially.

  I knew this was all fake. Building management had nothing to do with it. Chester wanted to keep the money for himself. But fortunately, I was able to keep the expression on my face neutral.

  “Well, seeing that you understand that I’m new to New York, maybe we could work out a deal,” I said in an even tone. “Could I maybe pay an extra two hundred per month going forwards? That means I’d have the entire sum to you in five months. Or if we could reduce it, I’d be even more grateful. Maybe to seven or eight hundred? It’d make a world of a difference to me.”

  But Chester shook his head regretfully.

  “Naw, I’m sorry sweet’ums, but it’s building management calling the shots here. I’d happily reduce it to zero for you, but they’re expecting to be paid up there,” he said, pointing his finger to the ceiling. Where exactly was he referring to? Upstairs? My apartment? Heaven? But I decided to ignore it.

  “Listen, I need to work out a deal,” came my firm voice. “I don’t have the money. There’s no one I can turn to, and I need to wait until I get my first paycheck to start making payments. So if you could help me out here ….”

  To my surprise, Chester didn’t turn me down flat. Instead, he stretched again, showing his flabby white under arms, the yellow half-moons under his armpits gross and disgusting.

  “Sure, sweet’ums,” he said casually again. “But if I reduce the amount, what do I get?”

  I was flabbergasted.

  “I thought you said it wasn’t up to you?” came my confused voice. “That you had no decision-making power over the amount?”

  Chester’s expression grew crafty then. I could almost see him sensing an opportunity and tapping his fingers together while hissing, “My Precious.”

  “Well, I have a little wiggle room,” he said suggestively. “Like maybe if you wiggle for a me a bit, I’ll reduce it fifty bucks.”

  I stared at him.

  “I’m sorry?” I asked with a dumbfounded expression on my face. “Wiggle what?” Was this some sort of New York-ese that I wasn’t understanding again?

  Chester rolled his eyes like I was a country bumpkin wearing overalls with a piece of straw stuck through my teeth.

  “You know, shake da bom-bom,” he said, jiggling a bit in his chair in demonstration. “Do a little dance. Make me want it.”

  And the dam burst in my mind then. Make it more like the great floodwaters rushed over my consciousness, making me feel horrified, shocked, and disgusted all at once. Chester expected me to dance for him, and in return he’d lower my rent? Oh god, no. This was like out of some sick Law & Order episode where a ruthless predator preys upon the young girl new to the city.

  But fortunately, I’ve seen a lot of episodes of Law & Order, not to mention Blue Bloods and old episodes of Cops. So I know when things aren’t kosher and I stared daggers at my new landlord.

  “Absolutely not,” was my flat declaration, hands on hips. “No way.”

  Chester shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.

  “Suit yourself,” he said, already flipping his laptop open once again. “But be sure to have your money ready tomorrow at noon. I’ll expect it hand delivered to this office,” he threw out there, stabbing a button on his keyboard. “In cash.”

  And to my utter disgust, a woman’s moans filled the shabby office with lots of breathy “Unnh, unnh’s” and “Yeah, right there’s!” I shuddered before beating a hasty retreat.

  “I’ll have the money for you,” I called once I was safely into the hallway. “Don’t you worry!”

  But Chester didn’t even bother to look up, his eyes already fixed on the screen hungrily. And with another shudder, I slammed the door before bolting up the stairs back up to my apartment.

  Oh god. What was I going to do? I certainly wouldn’t do a striptease for my new landlord because it was disgusting not to mention probably illegal. But I needed money, and unfortunately, there were no ready sources at hand. My job at the library didn’t start until next week, and besides, I wouldn’t receive my first paycheck for two weeks after that. So caught in a quandary, I let myself back into the apartment and looked at my stuff scattered around the shabby place. Was my first day actually going to be my last? And with a heavy heart, I sat down on an unopened cardboard box to think.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Susie

  My eyes took in the bright neon sign.

  The Pink Flamingo, it screamed. And just to be clear, the words Girls! Girls! Girls! flashed below an outline of a flamingo, in case you thought they were actually a pet store.

  This isn’t where I want to be, but it’s where I’ve ended up. Because after the horrible encounters with Chester and Cheryl, I dialed up my best friend from back home, Mary-Kate.

  “Heya Suse,” my buddy burbled. “You just caught me baking a pie. You know there was a bonanza of apples this season, and after we got back from the orchard, we had so many bags that it was crazy. But when God gives you apples, make apple pie!” she squealed happily. “Get down, Buster! I said, get down! No apple pie for you,” she scolded.

  I smiled and my heart flipped over a bit. Suddenly, homesickness washed over me, and my mouth curled downwards involuntarily.

  “Mary-Kate,” I said with a waver to my voice. “I want to come back.”

  “Down, Buster!” called my friend again. “No pastry dough for you either. Down, down!”

  I choked back a silent sob because I could see what was happening in my mind’s eye. Mary-Kate was engaged to her high school boyfriend Darnell even before we graduated. And two days after we got our diplomas, Mary and Darnell tied the knot at her parents’ house with all of us watching. It was really sweet, actually. My friend’s dream is to be a homemaker, and she was happily ensconced in her kitchen now with her dog and the yummy smells of home-cooking. It was a far cry from where I found myself, alone and miserable in a shabby apartment. A painful lump rose in my throat.

  But Mary-Kate and I have been friends since first grade, and she could sense my distress from thousands of miles away.

  “Why, what’s wrong, Suse?” she asked, the snuffling of Buster still audible in the background. “What’s got you down? This is your first day in the city. It can’t be that bad.”

  But I swallowed again painfully, tears springing to my eyes.

  “It is that bad,” I choked over the phone. “The landlord wants an extra thousand dollars in rent, and I don’t have it.”

  “What?” asked Mary-Kate disbelievingly. “Didn’t you already pay that company a thousand bucks upfront? Now they want even more, on top of that?”

  I nodded again even though she couldn’t see.

  “Yeah, it’s this weird thing called key money,” I said pitifully. “And I have to have it by tomorrow afternoon.”

  I could almost hear my friend’s thoughts. I’m so glad I never wanted to go to the big city. I’m so glad that it’s Susie having these problems, and not me.

  But Mary-Kate is kind and would never voice feelings like that aloud. So my buddy shuffled into the bathroom and closed the door, locking Buster outside.

  “What are you going to do?” she asked in a hushed voice.

  A small sob escaped from my throat again.

  “I don’t know,” was my croaky reply. “I don’t have the money. Maybe I should just get on a Greyhound and come home now. It’s what I deserve, isn’t it?” I asked ruefully through the tears.

  Because the good citizens of Littleton would laugh if I came back so soon with my tail between my legs. After all, I was the golden girl of the local hig
h school. Not only did I graduate with straight A’s, but I was also elected Homecoming Queen and Class Vice President. I didn’t ask for these things, believe it or not. They just happened to me because I was there.

  But success breeds jealousy, no matter where you are. So if I came home licking my wounds and looking worse for the wear, people would coo with sympathy but more than a few bitches would also be secretly happy. Looks like someone got taken down a couple notches, they’d whisper. Seems that someone wasn’t able to make it in the big city, hmmm?

  I didn’t want that to happen, especially not so soon after leaving. But at the same time, what were my options? It was better to go back home than to stay at a homeless shelter or out on the streets.

  But fortunately, Mary-Kate still had her wits about her.

  “How about your brother Oscar?” she suggested. “Wasn’t he living somewhere out there too?”

  I sighed.

  “I haven’t seen Oscar in years. In fact, no one has seen Oscar in years. You know that once he left Littleton, it was see ya, peace out. He wanted nothing to do with us then or now.”

  Because it was true. While I rebelled against our small-town upbringing by excelling, Oscar chose a different path. My older brother became a delinquent, and the minute he turned eighteen, he high-tailed it out of the Midwest and disappeared to parts unknown.