"Hello?" Pt. 1

March 11th 2016

"So, which neighbourhood do you want to live in? Brooklyn or Manhattan?"

"Daniel?"

"Yeah?"

"Nothing, I was just checking who it was. What are you banging on about neighbourhoods for?"

"Well, you're going to need a place to stay, aren't you?"

"Yeas, but-"

"So, I'm helping you house hunt. I'm on the NY Times website. They have a pretty decent rental listing page."

"That's sweet, but-"

"How many bedrooms will you need? Probably two, right? One for you, a second for guests."

"That could work, but-"

"Two it is. Oh, this looks nice. Flat in the Upper East Side, narrow kitchen but a nice view from the living room. Pricey at $18,000 a month."

"Maybe a little out of my budget,but-"

"What about Soho?"

"Nice area, but Daniel-"

"Chelsea or Tribeca?"

"Daniel, look-"

"The place in Chelsea has exposed ceiling beams and a walk-in closet. Huge bedroom with a balcony, if you want one."

"Not fussed about balconies, to be honest. Now, Daniel-"

"Holy crap! I found your perfect place!"

"Perfect?"

"It's a duplex apartment with a really nice staircase going from the living area up to the roof terrace. Stunning kitchen, even though you'd never use it. Stunning light features that you'd love, big master bedroom with lots of marble in the bathroom. Hey, it's even got a den! $17,500 a month, though."

"What do you mean, a kitchen that I'd never use? I can cook, you know?"

"You can?"

"Yes!"

"Great, you can cook for me on Sunday, then."

"Don't you have to be over Connie's on Sunday?"

"Not if I tell her that I'm with you. She'll let me have at least one weekend free from her tyranny if she knows I'm with you. And especially once I tell her that my time with you is precious and fleeting because you're moving to New York for a while."

"Basically, you're using me as an excuse to not see your grandmother?"

"Or,I just want to hang out with you as much as possible before I don't get to see you for a while."

"Right. Anyway-"

"Yeah, back to the property search, what do you think?"

"That's what I've been trying to tell you. I don't need to find a place to rent over there. My family own several hotels in the city, my mother has a loft there and plus, Emma lives in Brooklyn. I've got plenty of options. Thank you for helping, but I'm kinda already sorted."

"Oh... right. I just didn't want you to think that I was, you know, against the move. Like I said last night, I'll be there every step of the way for you. Going to New York obviously seems really important to you and I... I support you."

"Thanks, Daniel. It means a lot to me."

"You're not going to start crying again, are you? It was pretty freaky last night when you cried, but I don't have your father with me to help this time, so please- don't cry."