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It was Christmas a few years back. Usually, Noelle’s mom came to stay with her for the holidays, but she was sick and the elevator in Noelle’s apartment was under construction. Since her mom was in a wheelchair, a visit was impossible. So we went to her instead.
“Now, you can see why I was so desperate to get out of here,” Noelle said the moment we pulled up outside the rundown apartment building. “One day, I’ll get my mom out of here, too.”
The cracked sidewalk leading to the front doors is overgrown. Grass reclaims the pavement in large swaths. Soon, the sidewalk won’t be visible at all. I wonder how Noelle’s mom navigates her wheelchair up and down this path.
As soon as the thought enters my mind, I realize she probably doesn’t.
I try all of the buzzers outside the front doors, but nothing happens. Based on the loose cords hanging out of the contraption, I’m guessing it doesn’t work. Then I notice the door is propped open with a rock.
If I was involved with the Albanians and worried about my safety, I’m not sure this level of security would make me feel particularly secure. Then again, maybe Noelle is counting on no one caring about her enough to show up here.
The thought makes me sad.
I open the door and step into the corridor that passes as a lobby. A yellow bulb flickers near a wall of rusted metal mailboxes. A sign next to the elevator reads “400 LB WEIGHT LIMIT. DO NOT EXCEED.”
I opt for the stairs.
Her mom’s apartment is on the third floor. When I get there, I’m met with four identical doors. But I remember it’s the one directly across from the stairs. I hurry forward and knock before I can lose my nerve.
I hear the muted sounds of a television coming from one apartment. As I’m waiting, a loud voice emanates from the one next door. It sounds like a man watching sports. Or someone getting in an argument.
I stare straight ahead and try not to listen. I’m here for one reason and one reason only.
I wait for so long that I knock again. Then I wait some more and finally shove my hands in my pockets to keep from knocking a third time. I’m glad for that, because a few seconds later, the door finally opens.
“What is it?” A squinted eye set in a well-creased cheek peeks out at me through the crack in the door.
I smile and then stop, deciding casual friendliness is not the order of the day. “Mrs. Levin? Hi. It’s me, Piper. Noelle’s friend.”
The single eye looks me up and down, but the door doesn’t open any wider. She repeats herself. “What is it?”
“I’ve been trying to get in touch with Noelle. She isn’t at home, and I’m worried about her. I wanted to know if you’ve seen her.”
I’m prepared for her to slam the door in my face. I expect her to shout at me to leave her and her daughter alone and mind my own business.
If she does, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Breaking down her door and having the police called on me ranks incredibly low on the list of Things I’d Like To Do Today. Then again, I’m not sure the police would respond in time to catch me. This part of town in general doesn’t rank high on law enforcement’s list.
But the woman surprises me. She looks me up and down one more time, and then throws the door wide.
“Thank God someone is here.” She wheels herself back into the house. “I’m not sure what to do.”
“Is Noelle here?”
She waves me inside. “Close the door. Come in.”
The door is swollen with humidity, and I have to lean into it with my shoulder to get it closed. I’m not sure how Mrs. Levin manages it on her own in a wheelchair.
“I’m sorry to show up like this. But Noelle isn’t answering her phone. I haven’t heard from her, and—”
“I have her phone.” She points to Noelle’s phone laying on the rickety kitchen table. “It stopped ringing yesterday. I think it died, but she didn’t have a charger for it.”
I frown. “Noelle was here?”
“Sheishere.” She’s whispering now, her eyes glancing nervously down the hallway. “She’s asleep. Has been asleep for… for days.”
“Is she sick? What’s wrong with her?”
Mrs. Levin lays a trembling hand over her face. When she looks up at me, her eyes are glassy. “I don’t know. Maybe I should have called someone sooner, but I don’t have insurance. Or a car. I didn’t know where to take her. And she won’t walk on her own.”
