Chapter Four: Home Warming Party:

“Thanks man,” Wallace said to Ricky. His neighbor shrugged.

“Any time, buddy,” he said. “Say, have you eaten yet?”

“No…” the country boy said. Ricky grabbed him by the arm.

“Excellent,” he said. “I know a really good place for coffee. They serve the best baked treats. Glutton-free if you are into that.”

“Uh…” Wallace said.

“Great!” his neighbor said. “This place is the best in the city!” Ricky dragged Wallace further into the city. The country boy had no choice but to follow along. How long was this going to take?

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Wallace wouldn’t get back to his apartment until close to noon. Ricky didn’t seem to want to let him go until he said so.

“Can I please get home?” Wallace asked. Ricky waved him off.

“Not yet, man,” he said. “There is still so much of New York you have to see.”

“That sounds nice,” Wallace said. “But I want to get back and set up my apartment. I need to unpack.” Ricky pouted at him.

“Can’t it wait?” he asked. He looked like a hurt little child.

“Yes,” the country boy said. “If I don’t start now, it will bug me for the rest of the day.”

“Fine,” Ricky said. “I get it. You go on and get to unpacking.” Wallace breathed out.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Let me take you back, just so you can know your way back,” the neighbor said. “At least let me do that.” The country boy forced himself to smile.

“Alright,” he said. The young men headed back to the apartment complex. Somehow, that wasn’t going to be the end of the day for him.

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In truth, Wallace plotted to spend the rest of the day in, setting up his apartment. But first, he had to get rid of Ricky for the day. His new “friend” wouldn’t stop talking in the elevator. Wallace just nodded and tuned him out. Something told him that this guy would be hanging around him more often.

“See you later, buddy,” Ricky said once they parted ways from the elevator. Wallace waved him off. He expected to be alone for the rest of the day. The young man unlocked the door and walked into his apartment. His furniture would be by here by three o’clock. Wallace made it to his room and started unpacking his suitcase. The only thing be could fill up the kitchen. Speaking of which, he needed to buy some food soon. But yet this all felt so calming. Wallace could feel himself smiling. The only thing missing was some music. Not to worry.

Wallace reached over and pulled out his radio. He plugged it up and turned on the music. Pretty soon, his clothes and belongings were unpacked and placed in the rooms where he wanted them to good. There would be the bed, couch, and coffee table. Soon, he would get the rest of the furniture.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Wallace froze. Don’t tell me…

“Who is it?” Wallace asked. The young man walked over to the front door and looked out the peep hole. Another guy with what looked like a few more people standing in the hall. Confused, Wallace opened the door. The man had red headphones around his neck. Wallace wrinkled his nose as the paint-tagged t-shirt and ratty jean shorts. The young man outside wasn’t alone. There had to be about five or six more people behind him.

“Can I help you?” Wallace asked.

“Welcome, new neighbor!” they all said. It was then the country boy saw all of the containers of food in their hands.

“Hi…” he mumbled.

“Can we come in?” a girl asked behind the main guy.

“Uh… sure…” Wallace said. The people all started walking into his apartment.

“Nice digs, man,” the main guy said, looking around the empty living room.

“Thanks, I guess…” the country boy said. The other guy held out his hand.

“My name’s Rocky,” he said.

“Wallace,” Wallace said. The men shook hands.

“So, where are you from?” Rocky asked. The other people walked around the apartment like it was a museum. Wallace looked around uneasy. Why were these people here?

“Florida,” Wallace said. Rocky whistled.

“That far, huh?” he asked.

“Yes,” the country boy said. He raised his eyebrow. “Why are you all here?” A girl with bright red hair turned and looked up.

“It’s just a little tradition of ours,” she said. “We like to greet the new neighbors with a little party.”

“Huh?” Wallace asked. “Listen, I am flatter, but I am expecting some furniture around three and I don’t think a party is a good idea right now.” Rocky smacked him hard on the back.

“Not to worry!” he said. “We’ll help you get everything set up!”

“You don’t have to do that,” Wallace said. Rocky put his arm around his shoulders.

“Nonsense,” he said. “We are a village here. We help each other out.” Rocky looked up at the others in the apartment.

“Isn’t that right, everyone?” he asked.

“Yes!” the other people yelled.

“See?” Rocky asked. Wallace nervously laughed. The lead guy pumped his fists in the air.

“Let’s get this party started!” he shouted. Everyone else cheered aloud. Wallace looked around as he tried to figure out what the hell was going on.