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Follow The InnKeeper on:
Day 14
My first full day in Tampa. I woke up and got a hold of Chris. He gave me directions to his house. He's only a few blocks away from Denayer. Denayer got ready for work and I bid him goodbye. I headed towards Chris' apartment complex. He had me pull into the little shopping strip next door and he met me there. He drove me and Misty to his apartment.
I was stunned. It was absolutely beautiful! The trees arched over the drive, completely covering the street. It was green and peaceful everywhere. Large, white, Southern-style buildings with huge columns were nestled among the trees. We drove all the way towards the back of the complex. We got out of the car and Chris led me to his apartment. He opened up the door and I walked up the stairs. The place is huge! It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with a little kitchen, large living area, dinette area and a large, covered and screened porch.
Chris's girlfriend called and invited me along with them to her grandparent's house for a cookout. However, she didn't want to stay long, she only wanted to pay a visit to her family, then Chris was taking us out to dinner.
We drove all the way to Katherine's house to pick her up, then drove to her grandparent's house. I met her rather extensive family and we hung out there for a little while. There was an upright piano, and Chris and Katherine talked me into playing a little bit. I warned them that I didn't have any of my music memorized anymore. So I played the beginnings of several songs. One of the little kids came up and wanted to sing, so I played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" at her request while she sang. A few of the family members heard and called some more people in, so we played an encore. More family members came in and asked for it again. She and I played and sang several times so everyone could hear her. Finally, she got bored and left, and several of the adults requested to learn the song so they could continue to play and sing with the little girl in the future. I attempted to teach one or two of them, but I don't know how long they'll remember.
Finally, Chris, Kat and I managed to escape to dinner. Chris took us back into Tampa and to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. It was a pleasant meal, however, Kat seemed a bit shy and didn't talk much. After dinner, we went back to Chris' house. We all hung out for a bit, then Chris had to take Kat home. He dropped me off at my truck, and I drove my car back to Chris' place.
Chris came home and we sat and talked for most of the night. He doesn't have to be up for work until 10:00, so he normally stays up late. Finally, we went to sleep. Misty absolutely loves this apartment. She had a ball on the porch, and she kept running around the apartment, inspecting everything. She eventually got comfortable enough to cuddle up on the couch. She seems to really like Chris, too. This is such a beautiful place, and the rent is within my budget, I'm considering taking Chris up on his offer to just move in here. I'm already staying with him while I look for a job and a house, and I won't have to pay the various deposits, since Chris already took care of those when he moved in 2 years ago. And I have to return the Ryder truck in a few days, I need to put all my stuff somewhere, fast. He and I seem to get along wonderfully, and I have to move out again in 10 months when I go to school, so if things don't work out, I'm already expecting a temporary situation. Normally, I would recommend against people moving in with someone they just met over the internet and haven't even spent time together in person. I've been talking with Chris for about a year, and we seem to have a lot in common. At least enough to not kill each other after spending a few weeks together. Plus, I have to move out soon anyway, so if things don't work out I'll be ready to leave. And, if anything ever happens to me, Denayer will just come over and blow up the apartment.
I know my mom will be upset, but I think I'll stay here. I think things will work out just fine for me. Although, I miss everyone back home terribly. But my friends here, Denayer, Chris, Heidi, Tim, everyone seems very nice and they're all helping me to adjust. Yeah, I think I'll be ok.
The Inn Between © 2002
