Clean Sweep

by E. B. Lee

  She was about to make a purchase when a big blue city bus rattled past. She saw Vera sitting near the window. With golden yellow turn signals flashing, the bus slowed, pulled to the curb, and pneumatically lowered so its steps better met the sidewalk. Vera hobbled off, with two others disembarking behind. It had happened before. Vera, and several others Carli now knew from Outreach, occasionally crossed into her days and her world when Carli ventured into their Midtown neighborhoods. Carli ordered a second pretzel for Vera, and while she awaited her order, she remained near the pretzel cart to observe. The familiar dance began. Vera claimed her standpipe next to Mel’s Deli and waited. Two buses passed while Vera stayed put. Having just seen her arrive, Carli knew Vera wasn’t leaving. As Carli received her pretzels, she noticed a police officer approaching from the other end of the block. Carli had never seen it, but inside her, Carli could feel it: The Sweep was coming for a visit. The man in blue would soon ask Vera to move along. He would ask her to stand some other place, walk herself to a shelter, or maybe move to the drop-in room at Four Bridges. No matter the intentions or understanding manner, Vera’s intentions and The Sweep’s were about to clash. Carli had to move fast.

  She jogged toward Vera and winged it. “She’s with me … waiting for me,” said Carli. As she pushed the pretzels into Vera’s hands, she said, “Here, hold these.” Fearing Vera would expose her lie, Carli quickly added, “I’ll get us coffee,” and darted into Mel’s before Vera could say a word. Through the window, Carli peered at the officer waiting barely two feet from Vera. At first, he looked to have all the time in the world, but, as the seconds ticked, he seemed to be losing patience. Carli, with two coffees in hand, nodded through the window, stole four sugars, and watched the officer walk away. Carli set about delivering the steaming brew.

  With hands pressed inside her pockets, Vera refused Carli’s gift. With her eyes glued to a single spot on the ground, she refused to engage at all.

  “Try it. It’ll warm you,” said Carli. She wondered if she should have let The Sweep move Vera into a warm surround, but guessed Vera would never have gone inside. At least, not for long.

  Vera remained still.

  “Come on, Vera. Try it.”

  “No. No, thank you,” she finally said. “But thanks for getting that lousy cop off my back. I’m mighty tired of seeing his face. I’d think he would be tired of seeing mine too and bothering me all the time. I’d think he would get the message. I don’t feel like moving. Not to mention, I don’t move too fast these days.”

  “Like Grant said, they just have to do what they’re told. The Sweep won’t go on forever.”

  Vera said, “I sure hope not.”

  “I’ll leave this here for you,” said Carli. “Take it if you want. And I hope he leaves you alone.” Carli balanced Vera’s coffee on top of her standpipe, and was surprised to receive one of the pretzels back in return. It was the best she could do, given Vera did not want to move to a shelter. Thank God the mannequins had sent her Vera’s way. No need for Vera to waste energy with a fruitless confrontation.

  Fourteen

  “They turn their backs,” said Carli. “So many of them, just like I did – the people walking past on the street, the people in offices … the officials in office. I mean, I’ve lived here practically forever, and I didn’t have a clue what it was really like.”

  Grant’s nod was one of agreement. Then he said calmly, “Yes and no. Who do you think sponsors the programs? And ... me?”

  “Sure,” said Carli. “But they don’t know how much more there is to do. They give the same way I used to. Every week at church. Religiously! And are people really giving? Or are they buying peace of mind and taking a tax credit?” she asked.

  “Hah! Not everyone jumps with two feet, but they help, trust me. The city’s doing a good job,” said Grant.

  “Really? It seems to take so long,” said Carli. “And the city is sweeping our people off the streets like cattle. I saw it happen to Vera the other day. Or almost happen.”

  “I heard,” he said. “Good work.”

  “You heard? Wow ... that was fast.”

  “Carli, it does help. Besides, I’ve got good news.”

  “Lenny? Lucy’s man?” she asked.

  “Neither,” said Grant. “I have an atrium.”

  “Oh, thanks. Looking forward to more sarcasm.”

  “I do,” said Grant.

  Carli checked his eyes. Grant nodded. “It’s near Vera. East Side, mid-Thirties. Huge plantings and granite ponds.”

  “What are we doing with it?”

  Grant’s eyes dazzled. “We’re moving them in!”

  “What?”

  Carli could hardly keep up as Grant rushed to show off the enormous glass enclosure.

  “We’re moving them in here? An actual atrium?” she asked.

  “Absolutely. You had a great idea. So, I made a few calls. Worked the network. Three or four of them will fit to start.” Grant smiled a broad smile. “You didn’t know I was an attorney, did you?”

  “Right.”

  Grant stopped, his face deadpan. “I was. I might not be licensed to practice in New York anymore, but I wasn’t disbarred. At least, not that I know of. My old law firm did work here.”

  Carli remained silent.

  “Past tense,” he said, flicking his wrist to dismiss the topic.

  “You talked with the partners?” she asked.

  “Not exactly, but I have my connections. Like everyone.”

  Grant’s open-hearted laugh echoed, only this time, Carli didn’t find it funny.

  The atrium was warm and extraordinarily green with clusters of tropical plants rising to a patterned glass ceiling. Granite planters made natural partitions, and water flowed smoothly across artificial rocks into inviting circular pools. The sound trickled into Carli’s insides with the calm of a spa. It was the exact opposite of how the prospect of moving a few of them inside here made her feel.

  “Vera is closest, just one block, and several others aren’t far,” said Grant. “We need our best shots. We don’t want to blow it.” Carli was rooting for Vera but knew she was stubbornly attached to her standpipe and alcove. “Right now, Canada and his buddies can’t find a good grate anywhere without being nabbed by The Sweep,” he said. “Gives us a fifty-fifty chance. Oh, Carli, it’s going to be great. I’m going to like this lousy Sweep yet.” Grant’s laugh roared again. “My guess is Harry and Grudge won’t go for it, but it’s worth asking. Let’s see if we can track down Vera.” Grant was midway through a revolving door before Carli could say a word.

  Vera was curious and willing to make a block’s journey to see the mystery atrium from the inside. Her swollen joints forced a casual stroll, and Grant nearly exploded with impatience on account of it, but Vera couldn’t help it. Carli remained alongside her as Grant darted ahead.

  “Whoooee!” said Vera. She cupped her hands close to her face and pressed her nose practically against the outside of the glass. “Get a look at those planters. And them plants. What are they called? I know … Philliedendrims,” she said. They shuttled inside. Vera sounded ready to check-in.

  “Yes, indeed,” said Vera. “Mother used to have them all around the windowsills. Said they breathed life into a place.”

  Carli glanced at Grant and received a wink in return. Vera breathed in deeply, filling her insides with moist, warm, earthen air. It was the kind of air that revealed the plants were recently watered. Vera closed her eyes as she exhaled, then quickly opened them and turned around smiling. The smile folded back into her face as she said, “Ain’t doing it. Might lose my spot. Then where’d I be?” After a short pause, she added, “I don’t belong in here, but you sure know how to pick an atrium.”

  Vera moved to the revolving door. “You tell these atrium people to bring their plants on down aways. Tell ’em they can build a heated plant center around me anytime they want. Think I’ll write the mayor a letter, maybe even tonight.”

  “Vera, for G
od’s sake …,” started Grant. She raised her eyebrows, and he quickly switched course. “Ok, you win, but think about it. It’s not getting warm anytime soon.”

  “This isn’t about winning or losing,” said Vera. “It’s about good common sense and me keeping my real estate.”

  “If you change your mind, let us know,” said Grant.

  Leaving empty-handed was disappointing. Grant would try Harry and Grudge when he found them. The atrium seemed like a dream. How had he done it?

  At night, Carli settled into her own bed, and tears slowly soaked into her pillow. Seeing Vera in the atrium, talking of her mother’s philodendrons—or phillidendrims, as she called them—grabbed another memory from Carli’s emotional lockbox. Carli’s family used to feel so secure. Grant still seemed oddly familiar, but not familiar at all. Why couldn’t he be Henry? Why couldn’t she have him back? Carli’s musings turned into a pity party of one. Thankfully, she was asleep within minutes.

  “Madison, or Canada, as you call him, agreed to try it with his buddies,” said Grant. “We toured the atrium, went over the ground rules, and they said they’d do it. Harry’s sticking to the highway and, thanks to The Sweep, one of their backup locations. The atrium is too bright, and Grudge is content.” Then he said, “I haven’t given up on Wilson. Let’s go.”

  Wilson was stationed in his park. “Do you need anything?” asked Grant.

  “I’d take a bottle of something.”

  “Try some heat instead. It’s better for your health.”

  Wilson responded with an empty gaze and, no, he wasn’t interested in the atrium.

  “I’ll ask him again later,” said Grant. “This wasn’t the best time to ask, but it was worth a try. Hoping he’ll change his mind.”

  At Lucy’s church, Grant moved quickly from one seat to the next. Marvin and Leo talked of an upcoming concert, and Lanna and Kris bragged of another exam passed. Harry didn’t show. Grant wanted to know why and left quickly to find out. But not until he said to Carli, “I think you and Vera are both ready for an official one-on-one visit. Why don’t you look her up? Should be at her usual address.”

  It felt like Grant had just told her to hit in the older kids’ stickball game with all the marbles on the line. Carli slowly gathered her belongings, wondering why he thought she was ready. Truth be known, she did feel ready.

  From inside Mel’s Deli, Carli sipped coffee and eyed the vacant standpipe. For twenty minutes, she soaked in the mixed odors of cooking oil, grilled burgers, falafel, and pickles. Finally, Vera settled herself along the deli’s outside wall. Carli ordered a second cup of coffee to go.

  “Vera! Hi. I brought you coffee.”

  Vera turned quickly, likely surprised to hear her name.

  “For you. If you want it.”

  Vera glanced at the coffee and then settled her gaze on Carli.

  “Sometimes, it helps to have something warm inside you, as well as a good coat on the outside.” Carli held the cup forward a slight bit more.

  Vera almost smiled. “Coffee’s great, but then I’ll need a bathroom.”

  Carli hadn’t thought this part through. Hadn’t known to. She balanced the coffee on the sprinkler head and placed the sugar and cream on the window ledge of Mel’s. “In case you change your mind,” she said. “Maybe have half a cup.” Then she said, “It’s good to see you. How are you doing?”

  Vera thought a few seconds before answering. “I’m doing all right. Yeah, okay, I guess. I wanted to thank you for getting rid of that Sweeper.”

  “I knew you didn’t want to move.”

  “Of course not. This is my space, and I intend to keep it.”

  Carli considered Vera’s words. “What makes it so special?”

  “Prime real estate,” said Vera without a second’s hesitation. “Plus, it’s mine, and it’s special. Just is. Ain’t no one can take it from me.”

  Carli didn’t understand. She stuck to her original plan, formulated inside Mel’s Deli: a bit of small talk to start, and then a few seeds of more serious nature if the opportunity arose. First, she had to wait with Vera for a bus. In the distance, she saw one rumbling toward them. It wasn’t long before the blue double tandem, completely full, rolled to a stop practically at the standpipe. That’s when Carli asked, “How come you think the buses are all blue?”

  Vera gave Carli a funny look. “Beats me.”

  “Could be any color at all,” said Carli.

  “Sure, they could. Green. Purple. Red. Any color.”

  “It’s my favorite color. Blue, that is,” said Carli. “Not necessarily bus blue, but blue.”

  “Blue? Nah. Mine’s green,” said Vera. “Always has been. But blue’s okay. I think that’s my second favorite.”

  “Well, what do you know? Green is my next favorite, after blue.”

  “What do you know? Almost like twins or something.”

  “Exactly. Something in common,” said Carli. “Wonder why we even have favorite colors.”

  “Now, that’s a good one; beats me,” said Vera. “Likely some scientific reason ’cause seems like there’s one of those for everything these days.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  “There’s a lot of things we don’t know,” said Vera. “Like why those cops keep coming here to bother me.”

  Carli worked up her nerve. “It’s like Grant says, they’re trying to help. They want you to be safe, Vera. That’s all.”

  “They just need to leave me right where I am, and I’ll be fine.”

  “You know, when I was younger,” Carli said, as casually as she could, “I lost someone special.”

  Vera’s eyes darted to Carli’s face, and she carefully listened, likely as interested in why Carli was sharing this news as in the details of the story.

  “What do you mean you lost someone?” asked Vera. “Kind of hard to lose a person.”

  “He vanished. Into thin air.”

  “Thin air? That’s impossible,” said Vera. “Sounds like some kind of fairy tale or something.”

  “No. Not at all. It was someone in my family.” Knowing Vera and Grant shared news, Carli hesitated to say who it was. “I looked for years but never found him. It was painful.”

  Vera pursed her lips as she thought over the situation.

  “I’m wondering,” said Carli. “Not that it’s my business, but do you think anyone is looking for you?”

  Vera nodded once and began to smile. “I knew this was going to come around to me somehow. And I was right.” Vera said. “Well, some things just can’t be helped.”

  “I was just wondering,” said Carli. “That’s all. Those cops working The Sweep are just trying to help. Keeping everyone out here safe.”

  Vera’s next words came out as a grumble, nothing Carli could decipher, but she understood their meaning, nonetheless.

  “Do you need anything, Vera? You know about the drop-in and the atrium. Just keep them in mind, right?”

  “Sure, I know about them. And I’ve got what I need right here.”

  “Okay, Vera. I get it. I’ll be back again. I will.”

  Carli left, wondering if it meant anything to Vera that Carli was watching out for her, because it was beginning to mean something to Carli.

  Several days later, Carli ventured up Sarah’s way, knowing full well she wasn’t yet ready to wade solo into Sarah’s life. Vera had been challenging enough, and she seemed one of the easier ones. No, Carli was hoping to learn whatever she could, simply from watching the woman in blue. As she followed the path into the park, who she saw wasn’t Sarah. Grant smiled back from Sarah’s usual bench.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Resting. I’ve been running all day.”

  If it was anything like his running during the atrium visits, Carli was certain the rest was needed. “Where’s Sarah?” she asked.

  “Haven’t seen hide nor hair, and I’ve been here nearly an hour. The pigeons are distraught. Bored out of their minds.�
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  “You haven’t seen her at all?” asked Carli.

  “Haven’t seen her for the last few days, actually.”

  “Days?” Carli was suddenly on edge and must have shown it.

  “Don’t worry,” said Grant. “She’ll resurface.”

  Carli took in a deep breath. It helped diffuse the fear. Then she asked, “When do they move to the atrium?”

  “Friday,” said Grant. “Atrium party for the weekend, as they say. I’m picking up Canada’s group at the synagogue at eight. And good news, Wilson said he’d try it. Meeting us at Midtown Synagogue. Want to help them move?”

  As a matter of fact, it was exactly what she wanted.

  Come Friday night, a few minutes before eight, Carli caught Grant a block from the Midtown Synagogue. Darkness was just beginning to settle down for the night, and the restaurants were starting to fill. Before she even said hi, she asked, “Are you sure this is okay?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What if someone doesn’t want them in the atrium?”

  “Not to worry. Rocky will handle it.”

  “Rocky?”

  “The night man – security,” said Grant. “Got to know him doing late hours.”

  Carli wondered why he hadn’t mentioned him before.

  “It’s my bet Rocky will welcome the company,” he said. “Nice change from the late-night TV shows. What’s the difference between TV and reality, anyway? We need to get in as many as we can.”

  Wilson stood waiting with Canada’s two street buds at the Midtown Synagogue, as planned, but Canada was conspicuously absent.

  “Don’t tell me Mad’s off buying,” said Grant. Together the men nodded. Grant sighed deeply. Then, for a full five minutes, he paced, checking the sidewalks in all directions. Finally, he gave up on Canada and started the caravan moving. As they walked at a surprisingly comfortable pace, Grant revisited the rules, with the men alternately listening and volunteering their interpretations of the “do’s” and “don’ts.” Everything sounded on track.