To play
-I tell you it is not necessary.
-And I say you could use it.
-If I take another job, the year will turn into a day of endless hours. You know, like the book, you know?
-No idea. Now stop fooling around and think. This is an excellent opportunity. Take advantage of it, period.
-Yes, Dad.
-Sofia, I'm not kidding.
Anthony stretches the white shirt highlighting biceps, triceps and all the muscles I don't know about that he works relentlessly. Since when did he become so bossy?
In this agency he is the executive account director. Rather, the Best Account Director. The rest of the directors are sure to kneel in his presence. To think that there was a time when even he didn't trust himself. All thanks to the opinion of people with shrunken brains incapable of accepting that we are much more than what we show. With such a majestic bearing, and such a wonderfully masculine beard, it is impossible for me to remember little Ana. The one who kept him locked up in a body that did not belong to him. When he confessed that he felt like Anthony instead of Ana, the tears came back to him like garlic on a chicken. I don't plan to recall such truisms as, he always loved to play with strollers, or that he loved to dress in men's pants, Anthony's sex change involved much more than the superficialities people love to gossip about. Since his brave confession his world changed milky way. Forced by his parents he attended millions of sessions with hyper expensive psychologists who wanted to find inside him the essence of some mental deficiency. I remember that his mother found it more decent to tell her friends that her daughter was a sick freak rather than a transsexual. A man suffering inside a body that did not belong to him, that was her reality. When Anthony, overcoming millions of prejudices, managed to be what he himself desired, his parents threw him out of the house. Not to mention his superfluous friends. Only we remained by his side. It mattered little to us whether Ana was Anthony or Anthony was a rock star. We loved Ana and we would love Anthony. I confess that the transformation was not a sweet walk through the botanical gardens. For any of the four of us. There were mornings of unbearable irritability and many others of inconsolable crying. The hormonal process almost got the better of our nerves. Karina talked to her psychologist cousin, who is one of those who likes to cure without thinking about how much she is going to charge, and explained to us how to help him in the process. Not everyone accepted our decision to support him. We also received their scorn. What can I say? Life is divided into lightning seconds of sincere love and endless hours of hypocritical companionship. And as Elvira would say, thank God everything turned out with the wind at our backs. Today those sorrows sigh past and forgotten. Anthony is a tall man, with a robust body and an endless heart. The girls sigh when they see him pass by. And we are his best and unconditional friends.
-What are you thinking about?
-In that you are the best friend in the world.
-You fool," he pulls me into the warmth of his torso. I'm only thinking of you. With this job you could give up cycling.
Anthony is referring to Ryder's job. Neither he nor the girls like the way I make my living. What can I say, not all lives have paths to choose from.
-I will think about it.
I don't want to argue. We both know that the proposal is temporary. Collaborating in the writing of the website is not something I can retire with.
-It's not for retirement, but it can be a start.
I hate that he knows me so well that the intangible thoughts between us become solid cement. Anthony opens the door to the living room to let me in.
Him! My mind bogs down and my eyes freeze. I'm stunned on the spot. How am I? I'm sure a mess. Blessed static of bristling hair. Maybe if I run my hand over it unnoticed. Ring! Ring! Finger caught, dammit. I'm never buying jewelry from the Chinese again.
-What a surprise. I didn't see you at home this morning.
-I had work to do and I left early," I say, stroking the bald spot that the ring just left me.
-I'm a sleepyhead. I promise to get better. Anthony tells me you haven't decided to work with us yet.
What great eyes. My favorite color. Winter morning coffee. Black is elegant, manly, handsome, intelligent, incredible... Aying.
-I hope you decide soon. I would love to have you. I think you would be an important asset to the company. People like you are always needed.
-Like me?
-Active, resolute, intelligent, fun and with an unbeatable presence.
-I have just accepted.
-Really? I didn't know," Blake looks at Anthony who raises his shoulders. Tonight I'll bring wine home and we'll toast the news. It's the best decision you could have made. I have to go now. I'm expected and I'm late.
Blake walks out the door leaving me in the clouds next to a pink unicorn. That boy is a lump of powdered sugar.
-I thought you needed time to think.
-I have the easy yes.
-Yes?
-Don't be silly," he tapped Anthony's shoulder as he amused himself at my expense. Blake is your boss?
-I have been told that he holds an important position. I haven't been able to find out much more. Everything about him is hard-to-access information," he replies, throwing his Hugo Boss jacket on the back of the chair.
-Even with the secretaries on the sixth floor? I've seen them murmur as you walk by. They sure don't deny you anything.
Anthony smiles mischievously before speaking.
-Even they have not been able to tell me anything. He moves with a strange freedom. Maybe he's a big boss or maybe he's screwing the boss.
He bursts out laughing as he sees my lips pucker.
-Sofia, just kidding. I don't think he's screwing the boss or that he's a big boss. If he was, he wouldn't have asked me for your address with the offer to share an apartment. Come, I want to show you this.
Anthony continues talking as I look away from the door to focus on the magazine-laden bookshelves. I never thought a new technology and advertising agency could house such an extensive library.
-What do you think?
-About what?
-The work.
-It does not seem difficult.
-Somewhat cumbersome, maybe, difficult, no. At least not for you. An active, determined, intelligent girl with... unbeatable presence -. The burning floods my cheeks -What did you give him? One day in your house and you have him eating out of your hand.
-Day and a half.
-Smart guy. He's seen what we all see.
-Yes? -What?
-Your impudence.
We both burst out laughing.
-So you're staying on as a web assistant?
-An extra paycheck wouldn't hurt.
-I thought that with Blake as a roommate the situation would improve.
-Being an orphan brings physical and financial loneliness.
I choke up remembering my grandmother.
-You know you can count on me for anything you need.
-I know.
Anthony holds me by the shoulders to place two good kisses on my cheeks.
-The girls and I are your family. Never forget that.
-I never do.
-So, let's get to work?
-When you order, captain.
Anthony offers me a chair next to him as I sit facing the door. Seeing Blake again wouldn't bother me one bit.