CHAPTER 10
For lunch, I grab a sandwich 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 giving maintenance , if you know what I mean.”
“Wait—he came there this morning?”
“Yeah. He said you told him about my coffee bar—thank you, by the way.”
“Nykendy—listen to me closely. That man has worked my nerves since the day he walked into my office, almost demanding that I give him a job.”
“Well, you suggested my coffee bar to him, so y’all must have built some kind of rapport.”
“Not so much…”
She grins.
“What are you laughing at?”
“The way you sound right now reminds me of what he said about you.”
“He talked about me?”
“Sort of. I told him you were sweet. His response was, ‘ I must not know you as a boss’ .”
My eyes move to slants as if Axel is in my line of sight when I respond, “He would say something like that.”
“Sounds like you have your hands full.”
“Trust me—I do, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. How are you, Kaden, and that big head brother of mine?”
“We’re doing just fine. Oh, by the way, me and Zavier got an errand to run Saturday morning—was wondering if you could keep Kaden for a few hours?”
“Of course! You don’t even have to ask. Shoot, I can keep him for the entire weekend if you want me to.”
“Nah. I gotta pick up my baby, and Zavier couldn’t handle that. One of his favorite things to do is wake up and have breakfast with Kaden. It’s their main bonding time.”
“Aw. That’s sweet.”
“It is. I get to sleep in and sometimes I get up early to see him sitting at the table with Kaden watching TV or just talking to him about life, and teaching him how to write his name. That’s what they’re working on now that Kaden has mastered all of his colors and the alphabet.”
“That’s Zavier. Kaden is in good hands.”
“He is. I’m proud of his progress.”
“As you should be….but, yes, bring him by. I’ll be glad to spend the day with my lil’ nephew.”
“Okay, girl. I’ll let Zavier know.”
At the end of the day, after I’ve finished all of my closing duties, Mauricio comes inside with the report which catches me by surprise because Axel is the one who usually brings it in.
I take the report, look it over, and discover that all tasks are checked off. I’m grateful. It means my tenants are getting the service they need and just the feeling of knowing they’re satisfied greatly pleases me.
“Gracias,” I tell Mauricio and give him the thumbs up.
“De nada,” he replies.
I stand up and follow him to the door, at which time I notice Axel’s car is not in the parking lot. I can’t ask Mauricio where he went, not that I’m concerned enough to even try. It’s just curiosity. Maybe he had somewhere to be – an appointment or something.
Fine by me. At least I don’t have to worry about any awkward stare-downs before I leave to go home.