Page 93 of Taking Turns

So I turn the lights off, make my way back down the ladder, and go with my original plan.

Once I’m showered and dressed, I grab my coat and head downstairs. It’s snowing again—which is highly unusual for Denver in December. But when I step off the elevator and look down the stairs, through the large revolving door, it’s so beautiful, I don’t even mind.

“Chella?”

I look to my left, up at Smith and Bric, where they are sitting at his table having a drink. “Hey,” I say, walking over to the stairs that lead up there.

They both stand as I approach the table. Am I allowed to talk to them if it’s Quin’s day? I’m not sure. But Bric called my name, so it must be OK.

“Where are you going?” Smith asks as I walk over.

“Out to buy ornaments. Quin took me up to the mountains yesterday to cut down a tree but I don’t have any ornaments.”

“Do you need a ride home to get them?” Bric asks. “We can get you a car?”

“I was just going to buy them new,” I say. I really don’t need another conversation about my lack of Christmas decorations at home. “At Walgreens.”

“Walgreens,” they both say at the same time.

“Chella,” Smith says. “No. That’s just not right. We have a ton of ornaments in the basement.”

“Oh, yeah,” I say, looking around. “This place is really decked out.” No fewer than three Christmas trees are in my line of sight right now. A huge one that appeared last week in the lobby. A small one on the bar, over in the dark corner of Smith’s room. And another largish one down in the Black Room. “I’ll take some Club decorations. If that’s OK.”

“I’ll have to go get them for you,” Bric says. “Have someone get them for you. You can’t go in the basement.”

“Right.” I say, resisting the urge to look at Smith.

“I’ll send them up later. Do you need anything else?” Bric asks.

“No,” I say, hesitating. “But I think I’ll go shopping just the same.”

“OK,” Bric says. “I’ll call for the car.”

“I’m gonna walk. There’s no place to park down here. It’s just a big hassle.”

I can tell they do not want me to walk, but they have no say in my day.

Because it belongs to Quin.

Chapter Twenty-Four - Bric

“Hello,” Chella mumbles into the phone when I make my midnight call.

“You were sleeping.”

“I’m awake. Are you coming up?”

“No.” But I smile at her interest. “Just checking in. Did you get the ornaments for the tree?”

“Yes,” she says, waking up a little. “They’re so pretty. Why didn’t you use them?”

“We have so many. And I only allow three trees. I like to make the Christmas season at the Club as short as possible. Can’t wait to see your tree though.”

“You could come see it now if you want. You live in the building, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I say.

“We’re neighbors.” She chuckles a little. “So no? Not interested?”