Page 55 of Zimyra

“Oh. Okay. I guess you can get a pass for that.”

“You guess?”

“Yeah. So, what’s up, Boss Lady?”

“I’ma hang up on you if you call me that again.”

I grin and say, “Is that not who you are?”

“It is, but—ugh. And why are you asking mewhat’s up? You’re the one who insisted on talking to me precisely at five o’clock.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

“Mmm hmm…”

“I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m serious. I had a good time with you last night—was hoping a phone call would be an extension of that. So, what’s up?”

“Not much. I’m just now getting a chance to sit down after cleaning my apartment, folding clothes and all that.”

“You don’t have someone do all of that for you?”

“You’re funny.”

“What’s funny? I thought it was a legit question.”

“I don’t get paid enough to have housekeeping, if that’s what you mean, and even if I did, I wouldn’t hire anyone. I like doing those things. It builds character.”

“How does folding clothes build character?”

“My dad used to say that you appreciate things more when you worked hard for them, and then turned around and took care of them...some words of wisdom he left me with before he passed.”

“Sorry to hear that,” I say while thinking it’s yet another thing we have in common.

“Thanks.”

“My father died when I was young. My mother remarried and my stepfather raised me—took me in as his own. I’m grateful my mother chose a good man.”

“My mother didn’t try to meet anyone. She wasn’t married to my father, even though she was deeply in love with him. He ended up breaking her heart, but that’s all in the past now.” She yawns.

“What time do you go to bed on Sunday nights?”

“Ten.”

“Dang. You’re basically an old lady.”

“Shut up,” she tells me.

I laugh and say, “You are.”

“You better be going to bed early tonight. I got one heck of a list for you and Mauricio and it ain’t going to be no changing lightbulb stuff, either. You’re about to get downright dirty, so don’t come wearing your good clothes.”

“All my clothes are good clothes. I bought a new wardrobe when I got here.”

“Why would you do that?”

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