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Post by JESS MORETTI on Feb 25, 2012 2:00:10 GMT -5
His sneakers were wet. That was the only thing that lingered on Jess' mind as he trudged along on the side walks of Cresting Grove. His foot had gone straight through what had seemed like firm snow, but instead gave way to a mass of wet slush that had soaked his shoes through to his socks, and the bottoms of his jeans. To be quite frank, Jess was pissed.
Shoulders hunched and a very attractive scowl twisting his features, Jess trekked along with the gleeful sun setting and painting the sky behind him. He had spent the whole day changing tires, fixing windows, and changing oil. He was not alone today, but he had certainly felt like it. Not a moment had been spared for him to sit down and read, have a beer, or even take a look at his car or the ads he had put online in search of parts.
It was a slow process, restoring this Barracuda. Most of Jess' income went towards bills and groceries and rent. What little he managed to save over a months time, he spent on car parts. Soon, Jess would have a car of his own. No more walking. No more getting his boots wet in that obnoxious late February slush.
Punching in the gate code a little too violently, Jess made it inside the small apartment complex without further incident. He checked his too-slow watch and made a detour to the mail room. Knowing Catherine their mail from the past three days was probably piling up in there. He ducked inside, grunting a greeting to the attendant as he gathered up his mail and promptly left.
The pile of mail in his hand was thick with bills and plenty of junk mail. Sighing, Jess flipped through the envelopes. Electric, utility...Wait. His brow furrowed. Salvadori was certainly not Moretti or Potter. He sighed and cast a look over his shoulder in the direction of the mail room. They did this all the time.
Wet shoes and all, Jess dragged himself up the old flight of stairs-- the elevator in their building had been broken for at least a year now-- and made his way down the hall. He stopped at his door and turned, facing the one across the hall. With a sigh, Jess brought his knuckles firmly against Ashleigh Salvadori's apartment door.
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Post by ASHLEIGH JASE SALVADORI on Feb 25, 2012 2:21:59 GMT -5
The only days that Ashleigh had off usually still consists of cleaning, except her own house and sisters mess. Groaning lightly, Ashleigh rubbed her temple and picked up the paint brushes from the floor. As bad as it sounds, at times like this she was glad her sister didn't really talk. "Cassidy, you can't leave your stuff out like this around the house." As she walked to the room she felt her eyes widen and she groaned louder. "Cassidy!" Walking farther into the room she felt her headache intensify, paint splatters were all over the walls, all in different colors.
Picking up Cassidy she let out a grumble and set her down into the bath room. "Clean up then get wet a rag and come help me clean this. No more paints! Understand me?" She saw a frown cover Cassidy's face and sighed, walking out of the bathroom and back to the room to see what she could see home much damage was done. Grabbing a towel nearby she got down on her knees, starting on the bottom and slowly working her way to the top. Though it wasn't that big of a thing, she found herself more frustrated then she's been in a while. It wasn't fully Cassidy's fault, it was mostly her work, her constant fear of being fired or losing the apartment. It was hard getting by, even with the check from both their father and their mothers insurance. Even when their family was all together they had always struggled financially, now that she was on her own, it was only worse and terrifying.
Resting her head on the wall, Ashleigh sighed and shut her eyes. She was beyond tired, exhausted, so many emotions flooded her mind. She didn't stay long wrapped up in her own thoughts before she heard a knock at the door. Lifting her head, pink and purple paint smudged on her forehead, she stood and walked towards the door, glancing back at Cassidy. "Keep cleaning yourself off. We'll continue cleaning in a few." Ashleigh tossed the now colorful towel onto the kitchen floor and peeked through the hole in the door. Confused slightly she opened the door and smiled weakly. "Oh, hello. Um. I wasn't being to noisy was I?"
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Post by JESS MORETTI on Feb 25, 2012 2:41:25 GMT -5
Jess mussed up his near-black hair as he waited outside the apartment door. He was making a very fine wet imprint in the ancient carpet floor, not that he cared much. If the damned place couldn't properly sort mail then he didn't give a rats ass how wet he got their carpets.
Catherine had dragged him and baby faith into these apartments almost eleven years ago. It certainly was no pent house or brilliant loft, but Jess seldom complained. They had a roof over their heads, air conditioning when the North Carolina heat was unforgiving, and a heater when winter blew in through the mountains. He was grateful for the apartment, even if their staff was completely incompetent.
Jess' musing were interrupted when the door in front of him creaked open. He blinked a few times, long lashes brushing his cheeks as he did so. Not exactly a sight he had expected. His head canted to the side as he took in the painted young woman in the door way.
"Redecorating?" He drawled with an amused smirk curling at his lips.
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Post by ASHLEIGH JASE SALVADORI on Feb 25, 2012 2:49:33 GMT -5
Ashleigh's hands went straight to her pants, smoothing them out and dusting them off. After listening to his comment she tilted her head in confusion and glanced down at her clothes. "I..um." She let out a small laugh and sighed, shutting her eyes as she raised her hand to her forehead, attempting to wipe off the already drying paint. "Children, they're a pain." She teased lightly and sighed.
She had seen him a few times in the apartment complex but not so much outside of it, and when they did see each other, it was usually an awkward hello followed by an awkward goodbye. Licking her dry lips she glanced back to Cassidy, who was peaking by the side of the bathroom door to see who it was. "Are you all cleaned up missy?" She watched as Cassidy shook her head and hurried back into the bathroom to finish cleaning up.
"I have a little artist in the house, she decided to take a step up and use the walls instead of paper." Ashleigh smiled small and weakly, nodding her head. Thinking back to the reason why he was here she rubbed the back of her neck and took a quick look of him up and down. "Is there anything you need?" She didn't try to seem rude, though it probably sounded like it. "I mean..Um..Can I help you with something?" Yet again she sounded a bit snooty, even though it wasn't her intention and she shut her mouth, deciding on not making it any worse. She awaited a reply and crossed her arms lightly, feeling the breeze from outside.
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Post by JESS MORETTI on Feb 25, 2012 2:57:06 GMT -5
He caught sight of those big eyes peering curiously at him from inside the apartment. "Artist, huh?" A soft chuckle escaped him and he shook his head. He recalled Faith's artistry phase in which she marked up the table, floors, and walls with her different weapons of primary colors. There had been much cleaning, with Jess on his hands and knees and covered in the stuff much like Ashleigh had found herself.
At her line of questioning, Jess remained silent while she fumbled and placed both her feet in her mouth. One dark eyebrow quirked up as he peered at her questioningly. He was here to be a good neighbor, after all. Weathered fingers flipped through the stack of mail in his hand until he had extracted all the ones with Ashleigh's name on them.
"They mixed up our mail again." He stated simply, handing the envelopes over to her.
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Post by ASHLEIGH JASE SALVADORI on Feb 25, 2012 3:30:37 GMT -5
"Great artist indeed, just would rather see it on paper." Letting out a little laugh she tucked some loose hair from her face and tried another attempt at wiping off the paint on her forehead, feeling as foolish as ever. Mumbling to herself she gave up and dropped her hand before glancing back at the man. She watched as his hands flipped through a stack of mail and pull out an envelope, handing it to her.
Glancing at it, she smiled small and nodded. "oh. I'm sorry...Thank you." She grabbed it and placed it under her arm, glancing towards the kitchen then back to him. "I'm terribly sorry, I probably came off rude. I..Um..Thank you.." She nodded her head, feeling slightly awkward. After thinking quickly she cleaned some of the paint as best as she could off of her hand on onto her shirt which had already been splattered with small dots of paint. "I don't think we've officially met, I'm Ashleigh Salvadori." Before taking his hand she glanced back and called out for Cassidy, watching her run to her and wrap her arms around Ashleigh's leg. Pecking out from the side of Ashleigh, Cassidy waved. "And this quiet one is Cassidy." She nodded and rubbed her little sisters head with her free hand.
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Post by JESS MORETTI on Feb 25, 2012 18:57:07 GMT -5
After a moment's hesitation, Jess reached out to take Ashleigh's hand in his own. Funny how they had never really introduced themselves, as long as they had been neighbors. Jess vaguely remembered them moving in, but there had been one more tenant then. Catherine had baked them house warming cookies. Jess remembered because he had been coerced into delivering them. He somehow got away with leaving them on the floor, knocking, and slipping back into his apartment before any of the Salvadori women appeared.
"Jess...uh Jess Moretti. I live across the hall..." He furrowed his brow. Well that was a moronic thing to say. By now Ashleigh surely had at least figured out he was her neighbor. He rubbed the back of his neck and peered down at the tiny thing that had ran up to greet him from the shelter of her older sister's leg. He clammed up slightly as those minute fingers wiggled in his direction.
Children, without fail, somehow had something sticky on their fingers at all hours. Jess had a little sister, he knew this fact to be true. Glue, jam, and substances unknown found their way onto her curious little hands. Hell, even at eleven Faith still succumbed to the sticky-hands ailment from time to time. This rug-rat in front of Jess had just waged war on the walls with paint, there was no telling what she got on her hands.
Jess forced an awkward smile to the little girl. "Hey, Cassidy." He was surprised by her quiet demeanor. Most kids would not shut up. He tilted his head to the side, watching the minuscule monster in disguise for a spell until he finally turned his attention back to the painted older sister. "Do you...need help?" He asked slowly, as if not quite sure of his own offer.
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Post by ASHLEIGH JASE SALVADORI on Feb 25, 2012 19:39:00 GMT -5
Ashleigh smiled lightly, shaking Jess's hand, she let go and dropped her hand to her side, glancing down at Cassidy. Clearing her throat she glanced back up and nodded her head. "Well it's very nice to finally meet you." She spoke politely and nudged Cassidy, who just nodded her head and smiled big. Ashleigh let out a small laugh and shook her head. She never could understand why Cassidy never said anything, she had talked to plenty of doctors and they all said to wait some time, let her get fully comfortable around people and she should start talking. Being that she was five already it had worried her that she wasn't chatting it up, and even to her. Being that Ashleigh was her caretaker, practically her mother, she'd have something to say.
Do you...need help? Ashleigh thought for a second before answering, not to sure what to say. She was never one who took well with getting help, she was stubborn like that, even with the smallest things. "I..um..think we got it." She let out quietly, and rubbed her upper arm. "I believe we're almost done anyways.." She nodded her head before glancing back to the kitchen then back to him. "But uh, if you'd like a cup of coffee or hot chocolate..You're more then welcomed inside." She felt Cassidy tug on her shirt and she glanced down, already knowing the idea comforted her, she always loved hot coco. Laughing lightly Ashleigh nodded and glanced back up to Jess.
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Post by JESS MORETTI on Feb 25, 2012 20:30:45 GMT -5
At Ashleigh's denial of his offer, Jess was already moving the three steps across the hall to his door when she spoke up again. He paused, an eyebrow aloft and with a curious expression. No help cleaning up her paint splattered home, but she was okay with him coming inside for coffee? The girls in this town were so undeniably odd.
Jess pondered it for a few moments, watching Ashleigh and her sister with a critical eye. Why did she invite him in for coffee, but refused any help with cleaning up the place? His shoes were still damp, and his hands and jeans dirty. It was a wonder that oil did not stain his face much like paint stained Ashleigh's. Finally, he worked up a lopsided smile and stepped forward towards the door. "Sure..wouldn't mind that."
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Post by ASHLEIGH JASE SALVADORI on Feb 25, 2012 21:02:48 GMT -5
Watching has he began to walk away she nodded her head and pulled the door towards herself and Cassidy, not quite closing it yet. In her home they never excepted any help, from anyone. Her father would always get angered when her mother or even when Ashleigh excepted help or anything from other people. Pride was all it was, and growing up with it made her feel the same when it came to just about anything. It was quite sad to be honest, but it was just one of her many habits.
Smiling small, Ashleigh nodded her head and opened the door more so he could come in. Cassidy hurried towards the kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling out the creamer and milk for the coffee and hot coco. Ashleigh laughed and glanced around her house, thankfully it wasn't a huge mess. "Make yourself comfortable, living room or kitchen, either is fine." She smiled small and walked towards the kitchen as well, that wasn't very far from the door.
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Post by JESS MORETTI on Feb 25, 2012 22:49:57 GMT -5
Jess hunched his shoulders and gave his hands a comfortable home in his pockets. Quietly, he shuffled over the threshold after Ashleigh, still considering whether or not he could make a break for it. Once the door was closed, however, his choice and fate were sealed. For however long, Jess would sit in this near-stranger's apartment with her little sister and sip coffee and make awkward small talk.
He followed her into the small place, giving his surroundings a cursory glance. It was laid out much like his, so he walked through the place easily and with little hesitation. He looked over as he sat down in the living room. The little one seemed happy enough. He could not imagine why it was she was so silent. Shaking his head, Jess leaned back and laced his fingers behind his head, sniffing the coffee brewing.
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Post by ASHLEIGH JASE SALVADORI on Feb 26, 2012 10:51:30 GMT -5
Ashleigh headed towards the kitchen, rubbing Cassidy's head before getting to the cupboard. The Antonelli house had always been an odd one, her parents were always strict about the rules of the house and what they should accept and deny from others. A pridefull family, most would say, they were. Even when they were struggling financially, almost losing their home ore then once, her father never wanted help from others, family or close friends. It wasn't something he could live with. Ashleigh cleared her throat, digging into the cupboards, spotting the cups she set them down and arched her back to take a glance at Jess. "So..uh..Jess. How long have you been in town?"
She couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable but she laughed it off and brought to cups to the counter across from the other, where the coffee was brewing. It had finished somewhat quickly and she started serving the two some. Ashleigh grabbed the pot that was on the stove and served Cassidy. "Here you go Cassidy, grab the two handles it's hot, alright love?" Watching as Cassidy grabbed the side handles carefully, she nodded and turned her eyes to Jess.
"Creamer, sugar?"
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Post by JESS MORETTI on Feb 27, 2012 22:50:33 GMT -5
As she addressed him, Jess was back on his feet. He turned, hands deep in his pockets and shoulders hunched. How long had he been in town? "Something like thirteen years?" He pondered aloud. His sister had been nearly a year when they moved from their sorry excuse for an apartment in Brooklyn to make a new life down in Cresting Grove. So much for a better life. Jess supposed it was slightly better than the dangerous New York streets, especially for curious little faith.
"Oh, uh..I take it black." He replied, mussing up his already tousled hair. He peered around and shifted his weight from one foot to another. "Um...how old is your sister?" He asked, grasping desperately for some kind of conversational topic as he stood in the middle of the room.
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Post by ASHLEIGH JASE SALVADORI on Feb 28, 2012 0:03:52 GMT -5
"Something like thirteen years?"
Ashleigh nodded her head as she poured the creamer and sugar into her own cup, once she had mixed her coffee till it was a light brown she grabbed her own cup and Jess's and walked into the living room, handing him his. "Really? Well then." She let out a small laugh and smiled small, leaning against the kitchen counter as he continued to talk.
"Um...how old is your sister?"
She took a small sip of her coffee before glancing up at Jess, then to her little sister. "Cassidy is five. Going to be six in February" She nodded her head, as she thought about his question she was kinda thankful that he said sister, instead of daughter. There had been a couple of times where she was either shopping or out and about when someone had asked her how old her 'daughter' was. It was a big shock to her when she first heard some one ask that, being that she would've been quite young if she did give birth to Cassidy. Then again, you never know in these times. She laughed lightly at her thoughts and glanced back to Jess. "You said you had a sister as well, right? How old is she?
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Post by JESS MORETTI on Mar 1, 2012 20:02:04 GMT -5
Jess' hand curled around the warm ceramic mug. Just feeling the coffee's heat seep through the mug and into his skin comforted Jess a bit. Though his feet were still very cold and he imagined, somewhat exaggeratedly, that when he took his shoes off his toes would have begun to blacken from frostbite. Shaking that morbid thought off, Jess brought the coffee mug to his lips and sipped the bitter drink.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other again, generating blood flow to keep himself warm even as he ingested the hot beverage, as well as to keep himself from locking his knees and passing out. How embarrassing that would be. He turned his eyes down to the coffee, hot steam warming his face. He would finish this, he decided, and then go home.
Ashleigh commanded his attention once again as she responded to his question and asked one in return. "Faith? She's twelve." He nods faintly. "In middle school and all that. Interesting years." He sipped his coffee again, not caring about how it scalded his tongue.
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