The retrieval of Jupiter’s heart complexity

His house was gone. Not just gone, but removed, as though erased. Eric looks around the empty lot. A feeling of surprise, mixed with shock, washes over him. He looks at Emma. Her gaze is apprehensive and expectant. She walks forward to greet him.

**** They are sitting in the tiny living space in the apartment above the garage. Emma has made hot tea. She serves them both in silence, then sits at the small table across from Eric. She appears to be waiting for him to speak.

He feels surprised and perplexed because he is expecting all sorts of information. In fact, he was half expecting to find a building official in the upstairs apartment. Therefore his phone is ready to call the police, but he can’t make the call. Yet. As he looks at Emma he can no longer contain himself.

The retrieval of Jupiter’s heart complexity

“Well? Where is my house Emma? What happened? Was there a fire? How is this even possible?” Eric pauses to catch his breath. He rattled the questions out so fast, he had forgotten to breathe. He holds the rest of his thoughts while he waits for understanding.

Emma speaks quietly at first, then the words come out in a rush. “They said they had a work order. I was at work, and when I got back here, they had already removed most of the house. They said they were from the city. They showed all these forms and papers.”

The retrieval of Jupiter's heart complexity

Emma quickly hands Eric a stack of papers. He studies them briefly as he listens. There was a demolition order. The house was slated for removal by the city. Condemned. Eric feels less shocked, and more and more incredulous as he listens.

It takes fifteen minutes for Eric to realize his house is gone. Furthermore, it appears to be a colossal mistake. However, this realization does nothing for his current dilemma. Emma has been watching him closely and she speaks again. Her voice is calm and her words are reassuring.

The retrieval

“They had no interest in this apartment or the garage. I did find that peculiar. Additionally, they were in an extreme hurry. There was never a supervisor available to answer questions. Only referrals back to the city. Of course I can stay with friends and vacate this place. I’m so sorry Eric, I have no idea what happened.”

Emma speaks quickly, and without reservation. Her words are certain and her tone perplexed. For the first time Eric notices her worry and concern. Further, he has to agree with her feeling that this is peculiar. Likewise, he can’t help but think he should have shelved the traveling idea from the start.

Eileen leaves the bank and walks the two blocks back to her car. The day is overcast and warm so the walk is refreshing. Furthermore it is helping her collect her thoughts. Her time at the bank this morning, was for helping Mr. Thomas. She couldn’t help but feel slightly nervous. As though she were a spy, or secret agent.

Complexity

Indeed, there had been a curious bank teller, and a mysterious phone call. However, everything had gone smoothly and as far as Eileen could tell, she had been able to help Mr. Thomas with his request. Now as she makes her way to her first appointment of the day she can’t help but think and speculate.

She had the resultant papers that Mr. Thomas would need for confirmation. She would be able to deliver them later that same day, as he was her third appointment in the day. Once again she remembers the curious bank teller and the strange phone call. She distinctly remembers overhearing one word in particular, one that piqued her interest. Condemned.