Rod, again - Chapter 14, Debbie meets Cindy

Debbie took a deep breath as she pulled into the apartment's main parking lot. It was almost one o'clock, the time she’d arranged to meet Cindy. Debbie parked and sat for a moment with the engine idling so she could run the air conditioning. Another hot day in Arizona, she mused. Debbie didn't mind it but she preferred cooler weather. After all, her company's success was built around a product spawned from colder climates.  Debbie smiled as she thought back to her first and most important clothing design. At the time, fashion design wasn’t even on her radar. She was just looking for a practical way to keep her hands warm while waiting for the bus. Adding pockets to the armpits of her sweatshirt seemed like an obvious solution. It was Phyllis, another rider on her bus, who recognized its potential - her potential. Phyllis brought her into the firm, taught her how to be a designer and together they launched the CozyPits line of apparel. It was an instant success and kept the firm afloat through what would have otherwise been very lean economic times. In recognition of this, and in an attempt to put her own mark on the company, Debbie had recently renamed the firm CP Designs. It was company policy that all designs strive to incorporate a CozyPit pocket, even if it was non-functional. Some designers protested but Debbie felt it was important for establishing brand recognition. Pants and slacks were, of course, exempt. However, they were encouraged to at least consider the less popular CozyCrotch pocket.

Debbie shut off the car and made her way into the apartment. She paused at the mail boxes and double-checked Cindy’s apartment number. Retracing her steps from the night before, she quickly came to Cindy’s door and knocked twice. The door was immediately opened by a pretty girl with short, dark hair. She was smiling broadly.

“Hi!” Cindy said, thrusting out a hand. “I’m Cindy.  How are you?’

Debbie smiled and shook Cindy’s hand. “Hi Cindy. My name is Debbie Glass, from CP Designs. I guess you already figured that out. I’m good, thank you. And you?”

“I’m super.” Cindy replied, bouncing back a step. “Please, come in. I’m so happy you’re here!”

Debbie entered the apartment slowly and tentatively looked around. “Nice apartment. Do you live here alone?”

Cindy closed the door and caught up to Debbie. “Yeah, but to be honest, I spend most of my time next door, at my fiance’s place.” As she spoke, she skipped in a loose circle around the living room, finally settling down on the sofa.

“Wow, right next door. That’s convenient.” Debbie set a bag on the coffee table and sat down at the other end of the sofa.

“Yeah, it’s how we met, really. He’s so sweet. I wish he were here so you could meet him but he had to run some errands. You know how it is, wedding plans and all. Gotta pack as much into every Saturday as you can.” Cindy popped up again and jogged out of the room.

Debbie breathe a sigh of relief as she watched Cindy disappear. “I suppose you guys are pretty busy.” she said, wondering if Cindy heard her. Debbie was about to get up when Cindy reappeared with a tray holding lemonade and cookies. “Anyway,” Debbie continued, “Should we get started? I need to get some basic measurements, plus I’ve got some almost-final design drawings for you to look at. I want to run a couple of ideas past you and get your input. Finally, I also have a few fabric samples that I’d like you to think about.”

“Let’s do it!” Cindy shouted, letting out a little squeal and spilling some of the lemonade as she abruptly set the tray on the table and jumped on the sofa.

Debbie winced a little. She was pretty sure she’d never met anyone as happy as Cindy. Happy and energetic and easily excitable. Yet, somehow not annoying. Like a puppy, a cute puppy with short brown hair. It was impossible to be annoyed by Cindy. Instead, Cindy’s enthusiasm was infectious. Debbie felt her spirits lifting as she rummaged through her bag for a measuring tape.

As the afternoon wore on, Debbie found herself chatting easily with Cindy. It was as if they were old childhood friends catching up again as adults. Debbie shared bits and pieces about her life and past, leaving out any mention of Rod. She wondered how long it would be until he returned, she was almost finished with Cindy. Debbie began to consider the possibility that she might not run into Rod at all. She thought this would relieve her, but instead, she felt a little disappointed.

Debbie packed away the last of the fabric samples after noting Cindy’s preferences. Cindy had strong opinions and, as expected, they mirrored Debbie’s own. She liked Cindy and was sorry she didn’t have anything else official to go over. “Well, “ said Debbie. “I guess that about wraps it up.” Debbie stood and reached for Cindy’s hand. “It was really a pleasure to meet you, Cindy.” Debbie said, shaking her hand.

Cindy sighed. “It was great meeting you too. I wish you could have met Rod, though.”

Debbie smiled and nodded. “I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.” she said, surprised to feel her eyes moistening. She turned away from Cindy and looked out the window. “Nice courtyard, do you use it much?” she asked, changing the subject.

“No, not really. It’s pretty hot out there during the day.”

“Maybe in the evening?”

“I suppose we could. There’s a creepy guy that’s been out there almost every night. Rod thinks he’s spying on us.”

“Really, that sounds scary.”

“Yeah, it won’t last much longer though. Rod called the apartment manager and he’s going to take care of it.”

“Take care of it?”

“Yeah, I guess he’s hired some of his ex-marine buddies to patrol the grounds and catch the guy. If he’s not a resident, he’d better have a really good explanation. Otherwise, ‘hello jail’.” Cindy paused. “It seems a little overboard, really. I mean, it’s just one guy. I hope they don’t hurt him.”

Debbie nodded but her thoughts were on Rico. Dear, sweet, easily frightened Rico. She remembered how he’d been scared of her. She imagined him encircled by muscle-bound, neck-less security guards. Rico would not have a good explanation nor would he be capable of fabricating one. Rico would end up in jail, or worse.

“I should be going.” Debbie said, trying to smile. “Again, it was great meeting you.”

Debbie left the apartment and briskly walked to her car. She’d spent the entire afternoon in Cindy’s apartment and hadn’t run into Rod. She still wasn’t sure if she was glad or sad about this. She spent little time pondering it, however. She was more concerned about Rico.