Finally he arrived at Jupiter Apartments on the corner of Rousse and Polaski and sidled into the front door just as the snow really started to kick in. He rode the rickety elevator all the way up to the twelfth floor, one from the top, and felt his heart skip a beat from the starling downward jerk necessary for the elevator to line up with the outside door.
He walked down the hallway, slightly more awake from his near death experience, to apartment 1246. After the customary fight with the lock, he was finally home. He flipped on the lights just long enough to spot a cockroach scurrying across his floor. He threw his hat and coat onto the chair, then loosed his tie. Alexander thought about hanging up his suit jacket, but decided against it, and instead threw it into the pile with his hat and coat. Once in the bathroom his own reflection caught his eye. He ran a hand through his short black hair and looked at the dark circles under his hazel eyes; his angular jawline was covered with a few days' worth of stubble.
Alex collapsed into his bed, immediately relaxing, knowing, unfortunately, that it would be a long time until he'd fall asleep. Many times like this he'd lie in bed wondering what he was doing here.
Alexander Darcy woke up with a start as the alarm on his phone went off. Fuck, Kara! He ran around the apartment putting yesterday's clothes back on and hurried down the hall to the elevator. No matter how many times he pushed the button for the damn machine, it still wasn't coming faster. Once in the small enclosed space of the elevator, he began tapping his foot expectantly, willing the machine to go faster. At some point a girl with wandering eyes got in and he almost ran into her, thinking it was the ground floor. She was studying him as they rode down the last few floor, but Alex had resumed his tapping and didn't care or seem to even notice her existence. The elevator lurched to a stop and the instant the doors opened Alex darted out, his coat furling out behind him.
After running a few red lights and barely stopping for even more stop signs, Alex finally arrived at Guiding Light Christian School for Girls. Sitting all alone on the steps was a little 10 year old girl with her chin in her hand.
"You're late," said Kara narrowing her brown eyes, but smirking all the same.
"Would you expect anything less of me?" retorted Alex.
Kara sighed, gave up on being mad, and ran down the steps to give Alex a hug. Alex loved the little kid like she was his own, but wanted to keep her dad out of trouble so he'd be the one raising her.
"How was your day?" asked Alex, ruffling up her hair.
Kara scowled, patted her black hair down and shrugged, "Well, I liked the learning part, but I still feel out of place."
Alex nodded, understanding completely, but had no advice or comforting words to give. They got into Alex's car and the drive back home was a silent one, both lost in thought.
Kara's dad Taylor came home very late that night as Alexander Darcy was attempting to keep the roaches at bay and made a beeline for his room. Alex raised a quizzical eyebrow, but then decided he didn't want to know. Alex didn't want to know anything that would separate Taylor from his little girl. When Taylor came back out, the two grabbed some beers and settled down to watch Leno when the power returned.
