of dark joke. Now, with all of these apartments, I have no idea how we’re going to find one damn piece of paper. One down, six to go. It could be anywhere.”
“You’re thinking too hard.” He pulled into a parking spot. “Remember, keep it simple.” He turned the truck off and sat there. For a while, all she could do was hear was his harsh breathing, smell his sweat and energy, and fall in love a little harder.
“I got it. It would be in a communal area, like a laundry room, somethin’ like that.”
She nodded in agreement.
“You’re probably on the right track. I didn’t think of that. I noticed something.”
“What?” They got out of the truck and stood hand in hand, staring up at the two big brick buildings with excellent curb appeal.
“The farm, I think, represented Kanso, which basically means elimination of clutter. You can’t get any less cluttered than just a huge plot of land. These two buildings are quite close to one another. One of the buildings here is taller than the other. Enso Fukinsei, according to the book I got these notes out of, means asymmetry or irregularity. One building is at least thirty feet taller or so than the other.”
Aries looked thoughtful as he tapped his finger against his chin.
“What if it represents me and him? Father and son?” A lump formed in her throat. Damn, he could be right. “Come on, let’s go.”
With his admirable strength and determination, Aries headed towards the smaller of the two buildings, his keys jangling in his hand. She hightailed it after him, invigorated and curious.
Just when I think I have you pegged, you surprise me, Aries. I like surprises. And God knows, I like you, too.
He unlocked the door and when he opened it, she inhaled the scent of burnt popcorn. Muted piano music played from one of the units. Something about the melody was melancholy yet beautiful. I wonder if that is someone really playing or is it just a recording from a computer or stereo? On the left was an office – perhaps the property manager’s. There was no plaque or sign to give an indication. A small window was set in the glossy white door. She looked inside wondering if there was someone they needed to introduce themselves to, while Aries pulled out his phone. Inside the room was a desk with a computer on it, file cabinets, and a few framed photos scattered around, but no one was sitting there.
She turned away. On the right side of the entranceway were a series of mailbox lockers, all with typewritten names on them – last, then first, and the number of the apartment unit above it. She then noticed the elevator as well as a door that led to the stairway.
“It’s nice in here.”
He slipped his phone back into his pocket.
“I have a few potential buyers. I was already given an offer a week or so ago, but they tried to low-ball me. These apartments are in great condition, recently renovated, and the area is sought after, built up with new construction. I’m not just going to give these away.” He paused briefly. “So, according to the blueprint I just looked at since I couldn’t recall off hand, the laundry room is actually in the far back here. Let’s check in there first.”
They made their way to the back of the building and he tried a couple of keys in the door before finding the right one. The room smelled of fabric softener. Neatly lined with washers and dryers on one side, one of them occupied with clothing, and two ironing boards on the other. Different items such as irons, starch spray, and dryer sheets in a bin sat neatly on some shelving.
“That’s nice that they provide these things to the residents.”
Aries was too busy casing the place to pay her any attention.
“The first time I had sex was in a laundromat.” They laughed and he shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just said. “It’s true. I was fifteen. Her name was Jessica, a classmate. The laundromat wasn’t too far from my mom’s house. I told ’er to meet me there because I knew after like eight at night, nobody was ever in that old place. It was run down and the machines barely worked half the time. I still remember how it smelled in there, too… Like wet pennies. Anyway, she met me there that night and of course I lied