Page 48 of Share with Me

She paced up and down the creaky porch, walking past two dirty white plastic chairs and a side table up against a window. Between the plastic chairs was a low plastic side table. On top of it someone had placed a small flower pot of what looked like silk flowers.

“What about you? Send yourself. I’m sure you still remember how to fix—What? You need to answer the phone? Am I hearing this right?”

Brinley stopped at the edge of the stairs. The floorboards needed new nails. “This is too funny, Felipe. I’m sure Dad would get a kick out of—oh, you can send someone? When? Twenty minutes? Very good. No, I don’t care what your super emergency rate is.”

Brinley’s iPhone told her it was three o’clock. It wasn’t like she had all afternoon to spare, but it was best if she were here when the plumber showed up, considering that Ivan wasn’t home. She’d rather not leave Yun alone with a stranger. Felipe was Brinley’s business associate, not Yun’s.

She went inside and sat with Yun in the family room.

Rocking in her chair, Yun seemed to have second thoughts. “Maybe it’s not a good idea. Ivan would be mad.”

“We’re helping him. Why would he be mad?”

“He doesn’t like handouts.”

“If he wants to pay me back, that’s fine, but the bottom line is that your commode will be fixed today.”

* * *

Brinley heardthe crunch of gravel. Like the sound of a heavy truck was rolling on it.

“Must be them now,” Yun declared.

“I’ll get the door.” Brinley opened it only to find it wasn’t Felipe but an older version of him. “I don’t believe this. Felipe’s dad to the rescue.”

“Alonzo Vega at your service, Miss Brooks.”

Brinley laughed. “So Felipe is sitting in the office answering the phone and he sends his dad?”

“Don’t forget. I’m still a master plumber. I taught him everything he knows.”

“I know.” Brinley held the door. “Come on in.”

Alonzo stepped in and stopped right there with his heels on the rotting threshold.

Oh no. His knees have gone arthritic.

Then Brinley heard Yun’s voice in the background.

“Thank you for coming.” It was in a sweet, low voice.

Alonzo began to stutter something unintelligible.

“Alonzo, this is Yun McMillan,” Brinley said as stoically as she could. “She owns this house. I’m helping her fix the toilet her son doesn’t have time to work on. Yun, this is Alonzo Vega, master plumber at Plumb Good.”

“That should be Plumb Well, don’t you think?” Too sweet.

“Grammar’s not my forte, ma’am.”

Brinley’s eyes darted between the two of them.Something’s going on, but I know not what.

Alonzo’s knees unlocked themselves and he propelled forward, except in the wrong direction.

“The powder room’s over there.” Brinley pointed.

Alonzo must not have heard her. He went straight into the family room. “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. McMillan.”

“Yun.”

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