Page 39 of Zimyra

What a night and day difference! I likethisversion of her. She’s nothing like she is at work. She’s relaxed. Her face even looks brighter, but that could be the yellow blouse bouncing off her caramel skin tone.

“Um…let me go get this key. Come on, Kaden.”

While she walks down a short hallway, I slide my hands into my pocket and check out her crib. She lives in a nice place, but isn’t nicer than Atlantic. And I wonder why she opts to have a two-bedroom unit as a single woman. Whatever the case, it’s neat and decorated beautifully like she had someone come in and design it for her. I know she doesn’t make that kind of money, so how was she able to pull that off?

“Here you go,” she says, coming back with her little nephew right behind her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I have so many questions I want answers to, but I know this isn’t the time. This woman has many layers, and I plan on peeling them all back every chance I get.

“UncleAssel, Auntie Myra is taking me to the park.”

A joyful laugh escaped her lips. “I’m sorry. He thinks everybody is his aunt or uncle.”

“That’s cool,” I say, stooping down to Kaden’s level. “You’re going to the park, lil’ man?”

“Yes. Can you come with us?”

Zimyra chuckles softly and says, “Kaden, Axel has to get back to work.”

“Yes, I have to work, but maybe next time, okay?”

“Okay.”

I stand back up tall and say, “Sweet kid.”

“Yes, he is.”

“Anyway, I’ll get out of your hair now so you can start your day.”

“Okay. Have a good weekend, Axel. I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Yep.”

When I get into the car, I call Peter and after he answers, I say, “If she ever decides to get another job, the number of empty apartments will increase substantially.”

“Why do you say that?”

“She’s built a rapport with these people. She knows them. She takes the time to get to know them on a personal level. And get this—she hosts community activities that she pays for out of her own pocket. Next Friday, she’s hosting a paint and sip.”

“That’s phenomenal, but why would she do that?”

“Because she’s that good of a person, Peter. I don’t think there’s nothing shecan’tdo. In my opinion, she should have a top-level position where she can teach the things she does to other property managers.”

“Maybe that can be an option. Just keep at it for now. If you still feel the same way after this is all said and done, maybe we’ll look into it.”

“Alright. I’m going to get this work done so I can go home and relax.”

I wake upon the sofa. After finishing work at noon, I grabbed a quick lunch then came home and passed out. Now, it’s after seven. I pick up my phone to check my messages when I see a text message from Zimyra. She messaged me at 6:14 p.m.

Hey. How’d it go today?

I message her back:

Everything went well. Came home and crashed. Just waking up.

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