Page 30 of Zimyra

I figure I better call Zimyra to notify her of my tardiness. I take out my cell and pull up Atlantic Properties, then dial the number. After two rings, Zimyra answers, “It’s a good day at Atlantic Properties. This is Zimyra. How can I help you today?”

“Wow. You actually sound nice over the phone.”

The line goes quiet.

“Hello?” I ask to confirm we’re still connected and she hasn’t hung up.

“What do you want, Jennings?”

Jennings. I’m really starting to hate that she calls me that.

“I was calling to let you know I’m going to be late. I’m stuck in traffic.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“You think I have some control over the traffic?”

“No. Just get here when you get here.”

Click.

She hung up on me. I done really ticked her off. No, she’s not the sweet woman her sister-in-law described. She once was – I was a recipient of it, but the woman hates me now. I’m on her bad side and I’m not sure how to bring back the bubbly woman I first met – the one who answered the phone just now.

I finally get to the office a quarter until ten. I throw the whip into park, get out in a hurry, walk into the lobby, and say, “Good morning.”

“Mauricio has the report,” she says without even looking up from her computer screen.

“You mean, Saldana, correct? I mean, if we’re staying consistent, then—”

“He’s probably in the maintenance shed,” she says, cutting me off.

“Ah’ight. Got it,” I say and head out because after sitting in traffic this morning, I’m not particularly in a good mood myself. I’m not trying to go back and forth with her. I guess our truce meant nothing. I can’t win with this woman. I’ll just stick to work and leave it at that. That’s the safest bet for me.

CHAPTER 10

For lunch, I grab asandwich and a bottle of water, and head to the park. It’s a gorgeous spring day and I just want to be in the sun. I need the energy, Vitamin D, and fresh air to relieve my mind of stress. God provides everything I need for my sanity. I take advantage every chance I get.

After I finish my food, I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Of course my phone would go off the moment I try to meditate.

I open my eyes and take a quick breath before I answer the call. It’s my sister-in-law, Nykendy, so that makes a smile come to my face. She’s not only my sister-in-law but she’s become a good friend of mine, too. I love our talks and I especially love the woman she is for my brother Zavier.

“Hey, Kendy. What’s up?”

“Hey, girl. What’s up with you?”

“I’m on break right now. I decided to eat at the park today.”

“I don’t blame you. It’s really nice out today.”

“Girl…I don’t even want to go back to work.”

Nykendy chuckles then says, “So, I was calling to tell you your maintenance worker friend came by for coffee this morning.”

“Who?”

“I believe he said his name was Axel—tall guy, handsome, nice eyes. I didn’t believe him when he told me he was in maintenance. It wasn’t really givingmaintenance, if you know what I mean.”

“Wait—he came there this morning?”

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