Frozen Blossoms

Chapter 4: Brooklyn

9:08 AM: "We were trying to get the New York feel," says the gray headed landlord opening the locks of the building. Cindy stood back and admired the building for its sleek architecture and fine details. It was a new spacious condominium converted this year from a 1950's sugar factory in Williamsburg far from her cramped apartment near the heart of the city.

It has been three days days since she sat by the Hudson River and thought of her life. She was retreating back to her neighborhood when a thought accorded to her. Cindy stopped and looked up at the nights sky. The next morning she gave up the keys to her apartment and only taking a barely filled box with her. She did not sleep the second night and by the third morning, she was standing in front of a building.

She followed the landlord upstairs to the condos. She stared at her hands grazing the handrail as they moved forward and could not help but frown. She knew it has started, she knew her hands looked darker and smaller. The landlord noticed her reaction and thought it was a reaction to the pristine building.

"I don't know if we got the New York feel but we sure are getting there. The extension to the North is almost finished," he states reaching the top of the stairs. Cindy stared at him and he dismisses her reaction. He knew his building was known as one of the greats next to the Astoria hotel and hilton suites.

"I want to see only the condos you have for rent," Cindy states very precise but with sadness overshadowing her vocals.

"I have two for rent but they are going fast," he replies happily.

"I'll take the one that is largest," Cindy replies bluntly and immediately still staring far of in the distance. His eyebrows rose and a look of confusion covers his face.

"But you haven't seen it yet," he whispered shocked at her comment. She wants to reply she could not go back, she can never go back so she stayed quiet and looked at him annoyed. She proceeded to take out a card from her purse.

"Charge it."

Residing in Brooklyn is different than Cindy Hu is use to. She is accustomed to a minuscule fast paced life with a worry some day. Now it's filled with thoughts of her boss firing her and her boyfriend drifting apart. The building she is currently dwelling in is fairly old but not historically pristine. The landlord did a paint job and some odd do-it-yourself fixings around the building but nothing that was noticeable.

Cindy sits on the floor with her legs elongated before her in her unfurnished large apartment. She stares at the tall windows sitting on brick covered by white sheer cloth to dismiss the exterior environment.

The landlord told her the tenant before her left a few minuscule items. It seems the previous tenant left the curtains and an old personal computer on the floor but it is working.

She smiles as she surfs websites after hours of troubleshooting for items for her new place. Her eyes lay on one site that sells home goods at fairly decent prices.

Her mouth twists and a small irk begins spinning in the pit of her stomach as she reads the terms under these pieces. She rolls her eyes at the remarks of the reviewers. With a few more clicks she sees her confirmation of the recent purchase. A small grin of satisfaction resides on her lips as she bites one of her fingernails.