Sabina put the watering can down on a stack of newspapers on the coffee table and moved to the radiator. She crouched down to turn the black knob. “I half closed the valves because no one was here. I wasn’t expecting you back.”
Of course not. “Thank you for taking care of the apartment while I was away.”
“It’s my place to do so.” Sabina rose back up. “This is my building.”
Meena kept quiet instead of reminding her that this was Meena’s apartment. Honey and flies and all that.
“There is a blizzard in the forecast starting later tonight.” Sabina added a few more details about the coming storm. “If you need food or anything, I suggest you go get it now. They’re saying eighteen to twenty-six inches.”
“They mentioned it on the flight in,” Meena said. “I’ll run out to the market. Let me know if you need anything.”
“We’re fine. I’m surprised to see you back so soon. I thought you had work that takes you all over.” Sabina walked around watering the few plants, holdovers from Neha.
“I do need a base, somewhere to keep my things.” Meena tried to keep her voice neutral. She wanted to get along with this woman. “This is a good one. Close to New York, an international airport.”
“I see.”
Meena hoped she did. “Thank you again.”
Sabina finished up and nodded before leaving the apartment.
When Sabina left, Meena locked the door. She knew she’d have to adjust and keep it unlocked . . . at least part of the time. But she wasn’t ready for that. Baby steps.
She bundled up and headed out for storm supplies. As she turned left, she saw Sam walk with Wally down the block. They were on their way back. She switched directions and took the long way around to the small market on Newbury Street.
Neha could have outfitted a fifty-person ugly-sweater party. Meena folded a peacock-green sweater with a giant rooster embellished with glass stones. She’d already filled a box, one of a dozen empties she’d picked up from the corner liquor store during her presnowstorm supply run. She’d done it in four trips back and forth because a blizzard was the perfect time to clean out the apartment.
The wind howled, and she could see snow falling sideways through the french doors. Inside she was warm from the hiss of the radiators and her exertion. After her initial encounters with Sabina, Sam, and Wally, the previous day had been uneventful. No aunties had run into the apartment with a thermos of chai and conversation. Instead she’d sat in her designated chair at the dining table and eaten a solitary bowl of canned soup.
Funny. A few months ago, she’d craved time alone. Thought the aunties barging in for visits was intrusive. Now she kept waiting to hear footsteps. When she did, she’d hold her breath for a knock on the door. But the only visitors she saw were a snow-removal crew coming to clear out what fell to keep up with the blizzard.
Meena closed one box, shoved it to the side, and grabbed an empty one. The bedroom closet and dresser were going to use up all the boxes she had. But looking around, she saw she’d already made a difference in the room. This apartment was no longer a shrine to Neha and her belongings. Meena would ask the aunties if they wanted anything before donating them.
She had also decided to deal with the books last, if ever. Tanvi’s husband was interested, so she would have him take what he wanted. She might leave the rest, as they gave the living room a studious vibe.
She hopped up as she heard a knock on the door.
“You’re back.” Tanvi enveloped Meena in a hug.
Meena was stunned for a second at the casual affection. For the first time since she’d been back, she felt welcomed. She stepped back from Tanvi, who was dressed in a long purple skirt with matching tights and a white wool sweater. Her hair was up in a loose bun, and purple gems dangled from her ears.