CHAPTER 12
Mauricio comes by to get the maintenance report for the day. On the list is a repair for 402-B, Mrs. Hernandez, who reported that her smoke detector is chirping, so I need the battery to be replaced. The other maintenance for the day is outside. There’s a pothole in the parking lot in front of Building 2. A rideshare driver backed into the handicapped parking sign overnight in front of Building 1. I saw it mangled as soon as I came in this morning, so I added that to the list. Then there’s the pool. It’s mostly not used during this time of the year because it’s late April. Still, it needs to be cleaned.
Again, I don’t see Axel. I hope I didn’t run him off. I do not want to go through the hassle of trying to find a replacement, so perhaps I could be a tad nicer when he’s around.
Anyway, the morning is breezing by. I finished notifying tenants of the maintenance that was completed yesterday. I also take the time to vacuum the fitness room and sterilize the machines. Afterward, I go outside to take in some fresh air and get the cleaning fumes out of my nose. Since I’m already outside, I do a walk around the grounds, just to visually inspect for trash and such or to see if anything is out of place or issues that need to be addressed. That’s when I see Axel heading my way. He looks hot and sweaty and for a man like him, that’s definitely not a bad thing. Even with dirty clothes and sweat running down his face, he looks like a million bucks. I’d never tell him that, nor do I act like these women around here who fawn over him. One tenant even asked me if he was single.
Steps away from me, but still taking steps, he asks, “How am I supposed to get ahold of you when you’re not in the office?”
“Is there a problem?”
“The problem is, I need to be able to contact you when you’re not at your desk.”
“Okay.” I take out my cell phone and ask, “What’s your number?”
He frowns a bit, but rambles off his number. I key it into my phone, and then dial his number. When I hear his cell ring, I say, “There. Now, you can reach me. Is there anything you need?”
He stares at me for a moment, or maybe it’s a glare. I really can’t tell. He says, “On the list for the day, you have a repair for the handicap sign.”
“Yep.”
“It’s a little complicated. The post is cemented into the ground. And it’s bent. We straightened it out, but it’s not in good enough shape to be salvaged.”
“It’s metal. How hard could it be?”
He flashes a frown, and then says, “That would require welding. I’m not a welder, and neither is Mauricio. Plus, I know how you like things to look around here and nothing says cheap like a bent, patched-up pole.”
“Hmm…yeah, you’re right.”
“If you want it replaced, you’ll need to hire a contractor since it would involve tools we don’t have.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“Uh…it would probably be best to get a handicap sign painted on the cement.”
“Is that something you and Mauricio can handle?”
“Yeah. We’ll take care of it.”
“Good. Is there anything else?”
“Yes.” He glances at his watch and says, “I would like to have lunch with you to discuss some things.”
“Say what?”
“I took the liberty of ordering some food. We can sit in the clubhouse if that’s convenient for you.”
“I usually like getting away from the office on my break, but if you already ordered food, I suppose I can compromise this once.”
“I appreciate that. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”
He turns away from me and heads back to the maintenance shed.
I walk back to my office with all kinds of thoughts as to why he wants to meet with me. What is there to talk about? Is he going to quit? He’s going to quit! I know he is. What else could it be? I’ve never had a maintenance person request a meeting with me, and I actually liked the last crew. I still don’t know why they quit and that bothers me.
I wash my hands. Food is delivered shortly thereafter. I have no idea what Axel ordered, but it smells good. Axel comes inside shortly after and asks, “Do you mind if I use the bathroom to clean up a little?”
“Go right ahead.”
I proceed with taking the bag to the clubhouse. I usually don’t use it for a breakroom—don’t use it for anything but community events. Today, it’s being used for an impromptu meeting between me and him .
I don’t know what he wants to discuss, but I’ma keep an open mind since I’m playing nice.
He steps inside with clean hands and begins taking food out of the bag. “So, how has your day been so far?” he asks me.
“It’s been okay, I suppose. What about you?”
“Busy.” He flashes a smile – one that looks fake to me because just as easily as he flashed it, he snatched it back like it never existed.
I open the tray of food he placed in front of me to see that it’s a Hibachi chicken plate. I haven’t had Hibachi in so long, my tongue can already taste the flavor. He ordered the same for himself.
“Okay, I don’t like being kept in suspense. What is this about?”
“It’s about us getting along. I don’t like this back and forth between us. I thought we called a truce, but you still seem to hate me.”
“ Hate is a strong word, Mr. Jennings.”
“Stop calling me that.”
I glare at him as he eats. “Why?”
“I don’t like it. I see you every day—”
“So what?” I shrug while forking a piece of chicken. I scoop up a little rice along with it and say, “I see my tenants every day and I call each and every one of them by their proper name.”
“Yeah, but they’re not unclogging drains and replacing light bulbs for you, are they?”
“No, but—”
“And you call Mauricio by his first name.”
I grin. “You sound jealous?”
“No. I’m making a point. You call Mauricio by his first name because you don’t have a problem with him. Your problem is with me. So, let’s get it all out on the table so we can move on,” he says, placing his hands on the table with his fingers spread apart for emphasis.
“Move on to what?”
“To a good, productive working relationship.”
I take a napkin from the plastic bag on the table, dab my mouth, and remind myself to be kind. He wants everything on the table – that’s what he’s going to get. I say, “Okay, my problem with you is, you’re very arrogant and when you wasted my time with the tour and all, you had a smirk on your face like it was funny. I’m here to tell you it’s not. I take my job seriously. I like processes. I thrive off order – not chaos.”
“Chaos?”
“Yes. I had a headache the entire day after that stunt you pulled—not to mention I was already having a bad day before you showed up. I’m not a go-with-the-flow, reckless person, Mr. Jennings. I don’t do spur-of-the-moment stuff and live life on the edge like I imagine you do. I do things that make sense. I play by the rules and respect people’s boundaries. You don’t.”
“Does that make me a bad person?”
“Absolutely not, but it does make you a person that I avoid.”
“Wow.”
“I’m just being honest. You asked—I’m telling you.”
“Well, therein lies the problem.” He takes a sip of water and says, “I don’t want you avoiding me, so how can I approach you in a way that won’t make you loathe my very existence?”
Loathe.
“Your word choice is fascinating.”
“You haven’t answered my question,” he says, staring at my mouth.
“Okay. First of all, I don’t loathe your existence. Second, I don’t want you to be anyone but yourself.”
I can’t tell if I’m irritating him right now because his poker face is sick and it doesn’t help matters that he’s handsome right along with it. He came here for a resolution. I respect that. The issue is, how do you resolve a problem centering around personality clashes? I thought avoiding him was the right move, but clearly, it’s a problem for him.
I say, “Axel.”
He looks up at me and a smile grows on his face. Did my heart just skip a beat? I could punch myself in the chest for that kind of betrayal. My heart shouldn’t skip for a man who annoys me, should it? But he’s an overwhelmingly handsome man who annoys me, so there’s that.
“Yes, Zimyra?”
“You initiated this meeting, which means you’re serious about trying to have a good working relationship, so I’m willing to try.”
“I bought you lunch, too. Don’t forget that.”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling. “You bought me lunch. This is one of my favorite restaurants. And speaking of restaurants, why didn’t you tell me you went by my sister-in-law’s place?”
“Because you were on a warpath. I figured I’d stay out of your way.”
“I wasn’t on a warpa—you know what? I’ma leave that alone. We’re turning over a new leaf.”
“That’s right. Now tell me, what’s up with these flyers I’m seeing all around here?”
“Oh.” I finish chewing, and then clear my throat. “That’s for the paint and sip next Friday.”
“Did you organize that?”
“I did. I plan something once a month for the tenants.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Last month, we had bingo night. This month, we’re painting and sipping. I’ll have food, wine, soda, water…pretty much whatever they need.”
“Does the company cover the cost of that?”
I furrow my brows. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I’m curious.”
“I’ve noticed, but you’re curious about things you shouldn’t be curious about—just like when you asked me about the maintenance request I made.”
“I can’t be curious about the company I work for?”
“Yes, but certain things are none of your business.”
“I don’t think so,” he says, closing the food container after he finished eating.
“I’m going to answer you this time, but don’t get in the habit of thinking you need to know certain things to be successful at your job. No, the company does not cover the cost of the activities that I plan. The company isn’t even aware that I do them.”
“Why do you do them? The last complex I worked for didn’t do anything like this. What gave you this idea?”
I check my watch to see that I only have about ten minutes before getting back to work. I need to wash my hands, brush my teeth and step outside for a breath of fresh air before planting my butt in my chair for the rest of the day, so I close my tray and respond, “When I got this job, I was elated. I had been trying to get a position like this for a while, and then I landed this one. For the first two weeks, I sat back and watched the tenants come and go, and I realized something. These people didn’t even speak to each other. Shoot—they didn’t speak to me either. They all looked sad, overworked, and downright miserable. When you have to work to pay bills, you’re too tired to go for a swim, or exercise, so I asked myself what I could do to lighten the mood around here and make people more neighborly. The first thing I did was learn everyone’s names and apartment numbers. Then I noticed when I would call them by their name, they were a lot friendlier. So, I learned more things about them – their occupations, who they work for, when they leave for work, when they return, and what kind of car they drive. After getting to know them individually and realizing how awesome they were, I wanted them to get to know each other, so I started with having coffee in the lobby. Some days, I even have muffins and crackers. Then from there, I got the idea to have slightly larger gatherings in the clubhouse. They love it. Now, they speak to each other and they look out for one another. It makes where you live feel more like home when you create that sense of community. Home shouldn’t feel like a prison. It should feel welcoming, especially after a long workday.”
“That’s very nice of you to do something like that for these people. I’m sure they appreciate it.”
“Oh, they do. I hear it all the time. Anyway, it’s time for me to prepare for the rest of the day. I’ll see you later, and thanks again for lunch.”
“You’re welcome, Zimyra. I hope our talk makes you feel better about hiring me and being in my presence.”
“Ummm…maybe just a teeny bit.”
“You drive a hard bargain, woman.”
I chuckle as I exit the clubhouse.