Like Loving the Dead - Peter Steele

Two Glass Houses

The heels of Lizzy's boots clanked up the metal steps of the spiral staircase that lead up to a loft area of the den of the house that she and Peter were looking at. She could hear Peter in the other room with the landlord discussing the logistics...what maintenance would be done, if the plumbing and electric was up to code and date, but she wondered if he wasn't just wasting his time and energy in doing so.

They both hated the place as soon as they strolled up to it hand in hand. They stared up at the old brick building that was part of a series of nearly matching brick buildings. A row house. Row houses were some of the most common types of housing in Brooklyn, and though Peter might have been used to row houses being born and raised in Brooklyn, Lizzy knew that was not at all what he had in mind for them even on a temporary basis. It was also not what she wanted either. Lizzy liked more classical styles of housing, like Victorian or Tudor houses, whereas Peter liked more modern architecture with lots of angles and windows, something like Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater House...something you would never find in the heart of Brooklyn. She wondered to herself if they'd ever be able to compromise and find something they would both equally like, but this house upon first sight would clearly not be it. Still, she had turned to Peter who had been frowning up at the building and gave him a smile as she took both of his large hands in hers and said, "Hey, let's give it a chance. Maybe it's nice on the inside."

"Alright, Angel," Peter said with a nod and sigh before pulling her close and wrapping his arm around her waist before guiding her up the steps and inside to where they met the landlord of the property.

As soon as they stepped inside it was clear the entire space was in dire need of an overhaul. The floorboards were scuffed and damaged, the wall paper yellowing with stains she couldn't identify (and she figured she was better off not knowing), and appliances that were so extremely out of date she wondered if any of them functioned properly. So she left Peter to the landlord as she browsed around for at least something she liked about the place and she found the small den in the back. It had white built-in shelves in the wall where she could stack their books so they could have an in-home library, and a small fireplace. It could be cozy for the winter. They could get a couple of arm chairs and sit by the fire at night drinking tea, hot chocolate, or wine when he wasn't away on tour. He could have shelves dedicated to Iceland and science and hers could be filled with horror novels and art history.

Then up in the loft she could create a cozy little nook where she could tuck herself away to read when he was busy working and creating music.

The shelves would need a paint job and the floor would at least need to be stained...but it would probably just be better to replace it along with the wallpaper. She knew Peter actually loved home projects, but this seemed way too much to be worth the effort to her.

"So, uh, if it's alright could I talk with my girlfriend a little in private?" She heard Peter say from another room in the house.

"Yes, sure, take your time. I'll wait outside," The man responded. She heard two sets of footsteps. One set faded before the door opened and shut and the other, Peter's heavy boots, trudged around.

"Angel? Where'd you run off to?" She heard Peter's deep voice call for her.

"In here, Behemoth!" Lizzy called back as she peered over the banister of the loft.

She heard Peter's boots trudge around some more before his Brooklyn accent came again, "Where exactly is 'here?'"

Lizzy giggled before she called, "Marco!"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Peter grumbled before stepping into the den and looking around. He had pulled his thick black mane into a ponytail, and was wearing his black leather jacket, green shirt, and tight black jeans. She watched his head swivel in confusion before he relented, "Fine...Polo."