The Neighborly Thing
Nothing angered Agatha more than the outside world. In this specific case, ‘the outside world’ being the sound of a truck backing up outside of her apartment window. Beep - beep - beep. She groaned and reached for her phone on her bedside table. 9:03am. Don’t people know that you’re morally obligated to keep noises to a minimum on Saturday mornings for the people who finally have a chance to sleep in after tirelessly working for 5 days straight?
No use in her trying to go back to sleep, as her mind is now racing with all the things she needs to do before the next week starts. She turned to her side with her phone now held at a comfortable distance from her face. She spends a few minutes checking her notifications, deleting useless spam emails that have come in throughout the night, and worse of all- mind numbingly scrolling through this morning’s round of eligible bachelorettes that have populated on her Hinge app. Too outdoorsy- swipe, too perky- swipe, too many filters- swipe. It seems as though she really only keeps this app active for doom scrolling purposes- a way for her mind to stay focused on something else without having any real hopes of meeting someone on there.
And it hasn’t been for lack of trying. Ever since her divorce 4 years earlier, Agatha had tried putting herself out there. She went on dates and put in effort until it got really… pointless. It seemed like a lot of the women she had met wanted to spend their weekends getting wasted and partying. Don’t get me wrong, Agatha loved her occasional glass of red wine in the evenings to take the edge off whatever stress her job had brought forth- but she felt like that was as far as she would take it, especially since bringing a child into this world. She felt a responsibility to always be ready and alert just in case he needed her. He spent a week at a time staying at Agatha’s, and the following week with his other mother, Agatha’s ex-wife Wanda. It was tough for all three of them to adjust to the new schedule at first, but Agatha and Wanda try to do everything possible to make sure Nicky has a normal childhood, despite his moms not being together anymore. Agatha wants nothing more in life than to see him happy and thriving, especially during these formative years. Hence why she doesn’t exactly mind her ‘singleness’ at the moment. Balancing everything that goes into taking care of a 5 year old and being the VP of Marketing at her firm is enough to keep her hands full and her days packed. Even though she only has Nicky with her every other week, she found that the week prior to his arrival was often spent planning and prepping for the next week of him being there. Adding a romantic relationship to the mix was not anything Agatha needed right now.
“Shit-” someone exclaimed loudly from outside, stories down from Agatha’s bedroom window.
Agatha immediately propped herself up on her knees and leaned into her headboard, looking out of the window behind her bed. She pulled the curtain away and veered down to the street, noticing a moving truck and a crew of movers shuffling to clean up something that had clearly just shattered under their watch. A woman stood on the sidewalk watching them and shaking her head, clearly unsatisfied with whatever personal item had just been broken into pieces.
“Oh great, new neighbors...” Agatha muttered to herself as she stood up and stretched her body, finally ready to get up and start her day. She had a few things she had to get done before Nicky arrived tomorrow, beginning her next week of craziness. She hopped in the shower, completing her morning routine out of habit- as her mind wandered through all the things she needed to remember this week. School pickups and drop-offs, playdate appointments, soccer practices- Nicky took after Agatha for wanting to keep such a busy schedule, even at such a young age.
Once dressed and ready to tackle the day, Agatha grabbed her reusable bags from the closet near the front door and her grocery list from the fridge, full of things she knew she’d need for Nicky’s lunches, snacks, and dinners throughout the week. When Agatha is on her own, she more-often-than-not opts for takeout. Quick, easy, and takes one thing off her plate of things to worry about for that day. But when Nicky is over she wants to make sure her apartment feels homey for him. And that includes a nice homemade meal made by his Mama. Something he could look back on with fond memories.
She threw her purse over her shoulder, whipped open the front door to her apartment and headed down the hallway. She pressed the ‘down’ button on the elevator and waited about a minute until both doors opened. However, when they did, it was packed with stacks of boxes- and a woman. The same woman she had seen standing out on the sidewalk earlier this morning.
She raised her eyebrows when she noticed Agatha, clearly startled by her appearance. “Oh shit, I’m so sorry. This should only take a minute.” the woman said, clearly aware that she was causing an inconvenience. She planted her left foot in front of the elevator door in order to keep it from closing, while quickly trying to move each box from inside the elevator, to outside the elevator. A task that looked like it would take well over a minute.
Agatha watched for a moment as the woman scurried to shift her belongings as quickly as she could, but she couldn’t help noticing how jaw-droppingly attractive she was. Especially in the tight-fitted olive green tank top that showed off two full sleeves of intricately designed tattoos, and dark denim shorts that displayed beautifully toned legs. It was a shame she couldn’t see how gorgeous the woman was from the view from her window earlier. After a good minute of staring, she suddenly became self-aware of her gawking and needed to end it before she let those thoughts turn inappropriate.
“Here…let me help.” Agatha said as she tucked a strand of her long, messy hair behind her ear and leaned into the open elevator, picking up one of the boxes.
“Oh, you really don’t have to. It’s totally OK.” the woman said, partially embarrassed and surprised at the stranger’s willingness to lend a hand. When she noticed that Agatha wasn’t stopping, despite her declination for help, she smiled and stood up straight, extending her hand forward. “Thank you. I’m Rio. I’m moving into apartment 352.”
Agatha dropped a box into the hallway and stood up straight to match the other woman, taking Rio’s extended hand, shaking it. “I’m Agatha, apartment 354. Which just so happens to be right next to yours. Nice to meet you, neighbor.” Agatha smirked at the slightly taller woman across from her, letting her eyes rake over Rio’s full body now that she was standing upright in front of her- not moving any boxes.
Rio visibly gulped and took her hand back. “Oh- um, amazing. Nice to meet you, too. And thanks again for the help, you really didn’t have to.” she stammered, seemingly feeling the effect of Agatha’s eyes burning into her.
Agatha shook her head, breaking her gaze and focused her attention back inside the elevator. She finished moving the last box from the elevator to the hallway and exhaled loudly. “My pleasure. It’s just the neighborly thing to do, I suppose.” She smiled, highly sensitive to the other woman’s timidness. It made electricity course through Agatha’s body. She proceeded to step into the now empty elevator and pressed the L button for the lobby.
“And if you need help with anything else…you know where to find me, neighbor.” Agatha said, flaunting another one of her signature smirks as the elevator doors closed in front of her, disappearing from Rio’s wide-eyed gaze.
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Rio stood there like a deer in headlights for at least a minute after the elevator doors had closed and Agatha had descended down to the ground floor. She knew she’d potentially be meeting her new neighbor today as she was finishing up the move, but she never could have guessed that it’d be someone like Agatha. In her mind she pictured it being some nice old lady with three cats that would ask her for help with her groceries from time to time. And although Agatha was an older woman- the two scenarios couldn’t be any more different.
Rio picked up a box and began carrying it down the hallway toward her new front door. Door #354 didn’t go unnoticed as she passed it by, only to be followed by #352 at the end of the hallway. When she toured the apartment with the building manager, she loved the fact that she had a corner apartment, with a neighbor to only one side of her as opposed to two. Knowing what she knows now, she may as well wish there was someone else on the other side to balance out whatever this feeling was.
She used her key to unlock the door and dropped the box down in the center of the room. She looked around at the empty apartment and had to pinch herself to remind her that this is hers. The large arch-shaped windows, complemented by the dark wooden features set throughout the living space were remarkable. She never imagined she’d be able to live in a place like this- especially being a tattoo artist.
It took Rio a while to get here, sure. She’d started out as an apprentice at her local tattoo shop and worked hard for many years to perfect her craft until she had a few clients of her own. It wasn’t until her best friend, Jen, practically forced her to create an instagram page to show off her work, that she really began to find success. A few of her posts went viral, causing her to have people traveling in from different states just to get inked by her. She’d found herself pushing her artistic expression further than she ever had and watched it actually pay off - in more ways than one. She’d never had such a steady, reliable income while working as an artist. She sometimes had to rely on side gigs like dog walking or babysitting just to get by. But now, she’s finally able to not stress about money and put some roots down somewhere without roommates.
She finished bringing in the rest of her boxes and let out an exhausted sigh. She sat cross-legged on the bare hardwood floor and stared at the boxes scattered around her. She didn't even know where to start. She mustered up the energy to get up, convincing herself that there was still plenty of day left to get shit done- it was barely even noon and she had a lot to do before the weekend was over.
About an hour and a half passed by and she’d officially finished unpacking the kitchen, which was a huge feat for her considering all of the baking supplies and paraphernalia she had. Rio found baking extremely calming and therapeutic, opting to stay in most nights, binging The Great British Bake-Off and attempting to recreate the most delicious looking treats on her own. It was her guilty pleasure she didn’t let anyone in on, as to not tarnish the image of her hard, heavily tattooed exterior.
Suddenly the sound of keys jingling shook her from her thoughts and she heard the next door neighbor's door close shut in the distance. The emptiness of her apartment really amplified every sound.
Rio wondered where the woman might have gone. She wondered if it were just her living there alone or if she had a family, a husband - yuck she thought to herself. She knew she’d eventually find out after living beside her for a while, but for some reason she ached to know sooner.
Rio looked back and forth between the pile of boxes that still needed unpacking and the kitchen which was now completed and ready for use. An idea popped into Rio’s brain and she began rolling up her sleeves.
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Knock - knock - knock
Agatha had just finished putting away her groceries and wiping down the countertops when she heard the knocking at her door. In all her years living here, she couldn’t remember if she’d ever had any unexpected guests or solicitors- especially being in a private apartment building with a doorman. She discarded the used paper towel in the trash and quickly bolted toward the door, leaning her face closer to the peephole to get a glance at who was there. Her one open eye that peered through the peephole narrowed and a smile began to grow. She saw her new neighbor, Rio, standing there - holding a plate of something she couldn’t quite figure out through the obstructed view.
She swung the door open and stood with her hand on her hip, “Well, hello neighbor. Need help with something else so soon?” she said, sarcastically.
Rio cleared her throat, “Oh no, um- I just wanted to say thank you again for earlier.” She motioned down to the plate covered in aluminum foil that was in her hand. “I made you some cookies…chocolate chip.”
Agatha let out a small laugh, “Aren’t I the one who should be bringing baked goods to you to welcome you into the building? Well- that is if I could bake anything good.”
Rio shook her head and smiled, “Not at all- you’ve already done your job of welcoming me. And plus, I needed something to do that had nothing to do with unpacking or putting furniture together.” Rio held out the dish toward Agatha and she took it, politely nodding her head.
“Well, thank you. I’m going to have to make sure I try one for myself before my son eats them all up.” Agatha said, playfully.
“Oh your- your son.” Rio said as she noted the new information she’d managed to gather about her neighbor’s personal life. Totally not why she decided to just pop over with a plate of cookies.
“Yes, Nicky. He stays with me every other week, so apologies in advance if you could hear any loud noise while he’s here…or when he’s not, for that matter.” Agatha teased, a playful smirk growing on her face.
Rio cleared her throat again and looked down at her feet. “Oh, um- don’t worry about it.”
“He’s turning 6 soon, so he has a ton of energy. I’m sure you’ll see him running up and down the hallway in no time.” Agatha laughs and rubs her forehead. “I’m sorry, how impolite of me. Would you like to come in?” Agatha opened the door wider and stepped aside, showing Rio more of her apartment.
Fuck- this is not what she expected when she decided to come over. She thought she’d just drop the cookies, see who else, if anyone else, was inside and bolt.
“No, no it’s OK. I wouldn’t want to bother you. I really just wanted to say thank you.” Rio said shyly.
“Oh please, you’re not a bother. Plus you said you needed a break from unpacking. Come in, come in. I promise I won’t bite.” Agatha smiled, motioning with her hand to step in further toward the living room.
Rio took a deep breath, not sure if she’d ever be able to say no to the stunning woman in front of her, practically insisting she come inside. She put her hands in the pockets of her jean shorts and sheepishly took a few steps inside, not wanting to seem too eager or awkward. She looked around Agatha’s apartment curiously. She had designed her space with such a clean, modern aesthetic- and everything looked to be kept pristinely. Nothing like how she kept her own living space before.
“Your place is beautiful.” Rio said politely as she slowly moved throughout the space, looking at everything intently. Her eyes landed on a few picture frames propped up on the TV console. Photos of Agatha and what Rio assumed was her son, Nicky, filling up all of them. She noted that it didn’t seem like Agatha had been married. There were no pictures of anyone else and she had been told about her custody situation with Nicky earlier. Rio couldn’t help but feel the building curiosity grow inside of her, begging to find out more about her new neighbor. “Are you and your husband separated?” she asked quietly, still looking down at the photos.
Agatha laughed loudly from across the apartment and she made her way over into the living room with 2 glasses of iced tea.
Rio quickly realized that she’d asked a super personal question and may have let her curiosity get the best of her without thinking through how that could come off to a complete stranger.
“I’m so sorry, that was rude of me to ask.” Rio followed up anxiously, hoping that she hadn’t scared the other woman away.
Agatha sat on the couch and looked over at the other woman, standing directly in front of her- still standing by the TV console along with all of her family photos.
“I’m laughing because you said husband.” Agatha smirked and took a sip of her iced tea.
Rio’s eyes widened in embarrassment, “Oh shit, I shouldn’t have assumed…or even asked. I’m sorry.”
Agatha brushed off Rio’s apology and didn’t give it any time of day. Instead she stated what she assumed the other woman really wanted to know. “My ex-wife Wanda and I divorced 4 years ago. She’s Nicky’s other mom.”
Rio’s eyes widened even larger, now hyper aware that she’s made another bold assumption that turned out to be extremely off. She’s not sure why she had assumed Agatha was straight, especially with her being a raging lesbian herself.
“I’m sorry, I-”
“Stop apologizing. I appreciate the curiosity- it suits you well.” Agatha said flirtatiously, taking another small sip of her glass. She motioned toward her other glass of iced tea Agatha had set down on the coffee table for Rio. “Please. Drink. Sit.”
Rio nodded her head in appreciation and picked up the glass, sitting on the armchair across from the couch where Agatha was planted. She took a sip and tried to shake off the embarrassment she felt from this conversation.
“What about you? Any husbands, wives, partners that I should also be welcoming as neighbors?” Agatha smirked, “Although I’m not so sure they’ll be given the same warm welcome I’ve endowed you with.”
Rio nearly choked on her tea, swallowing hard before attempting to answer the other woman’s question. “Nope, nobody. Just me.” she answered shortly.
“Mmm. Wonderful.” Agatha replied with a smile that looked like she could have eaten the other woman whole.
Rio blinked a few times, trying to shake off the burning sensation she felt running down over her fingertips and down her body. “Anyway. I should get going. I’ve got a ton to get done.” Rio said, standing up and setting the glass back on the coffee table. “Thank you again for the warm welcome. I guess I’ll be seeing you around.” Rio smiled sweetly at Agatha and began walking toward the door, eager to get out of this headspace and back into her own apartment. Where there are no awkward encounters or burning sensations awaiting her.
“Well, I do hope so.” Agatha said, still sitting on the couch. “Until next time, Rio.”
Rio opened and closed Agatha’s front door behind her and walked a few feet down the hallway to her own front door. She quickly entered and leaned her back against the closed door behind her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. What on earth has she gotten herself into?