LaTeesha, one of Smithie’s women, was standing in front of him at the bar. Smithie had clothes in the closets of four different women and they didn’t seem to mind sharing.
This could be because a little of Smithie went a long way. It also could be that Smithie had a big enough heart to keep them al happy. It could be a bit of both.
“Hey girlfriend, how’s it goin’?” LaTeesha asked, pul ing me into a hug.
“Much better now, thanks,” I told her and hugged her back.
When she let go, I turned to Smithie.
“Can I have my job back?” I asked.
His eyebrows shot up. “Thought your sister was gonna help out.”
“I’m sure she is.”
“Then why do you need two jobs?”
“I’m quitting Fortnum’s, this pays better.” Smithie stared at me, then he looked at LaTeesha, then back at me.
“What does your cop boyfriend think of that?”
“We’re breaking up,” I said.
Smithie looked back at LaTeesha, she was biting her lip and looking at me.
“Come a-fuckin’-gain?” Smithie said, his eyes back to me.
“We’re breaking up.”
“Breaking, not broken?” Smithie asked.
“I haven’t told him yet.”
More looks between Smithie and LaTeesha.
“You wanna tel LaTeesha about it?” she asked.
I shook my head but smiled.
“I just want to know if I can come back to work here.” Smithie sighed.
“Once a Smithie’s girl, always a Smithie’s girl. You want to come back you start Monday night. You don’t want to come back, I don’t fuckin’ care. You’l always be welcome here, wearin’ an apron or havin’ a drink. Though, I think you should let your sister work for awhile and just have the drink, but what do I fuckin’ know? I also don’t think you should be breakin’ up with a boyfriend who’d put his ass on the line for you.”
“Smithie,” LaTeesha said softly.
I ignored him.
Wel , I didn’t real y ignore him because I felt his words in my gut but I didn’t let him know that.
I nodded and said, “I’l be here at seven on Monday.”
“Or not, your cal ,” Smithie returned before he looked away.
LaTeesha squeezed my arm.
I left.
*
I went to King Soopers and bought a whole load of stuff, then I dragged it back up to the apartment and went straight into the kitchen, cal ing a hel o to Mom, Lottie and Ada who were al sitting in the living room. I pul ed the stuff out of the bags and started preparing to bake like a baking fool.
Mom, Lottie and Ada came into the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” Mom asked.
“Baking,” I said, opening up the flour with a little more force than it needed so it gave a dusty, white “poof”.
“Baking?” Mom asked.
“I can’t afford to buy nice things to say thank you to everyone, so I’m gonna make stuff for them.”
“That’s nice,” Ada said.
Lottie leaned a hip against the counter.
“Mom and I’ve been talking.”
Wonderful. Mom and Lottie talking. This spel ed Disaster for me with a capital “D”.
“About what?” I asked, though I didn’t want to know.
“Wel , Mom cal ed the landlord to this place and gave up the lease. He’s got a waiting list and wants to jack up the rent so he’s pleased as punch.”
I turned and stared.
“What?”
“I’m moving in with Trixie,” Mom said.
“You can’t move in with Trixie!” I kinda yel ed.
“Why not?” Mom asked.
I didn’t have an answer to that. She was getting around better al the time. Eddie was right, she didn’t need me as much as I thought she did.
I knew I couldn’t fight it and didn’t have the energy anyway.
I turned back to baking.
“Where am I going to live?” I asked.
“We found you a sweet one bedroom, in a big old Victorian house close to Eddie,” Lottie told me.
I closed my eyes.
I opened them.
“Where are you going to live?” I asked Lottie.
“I got some money stashed, I’m going to buy a place. I’m also going to pay for Mom’s OT, PT and medical stuff and give Trixie a little bit extra until Mom gets ful y back on her feet. I’l stay with them until I get my place. You’re off the hook.”
I turned to them.
“Who said I want to be off the hook?” I asked.
“No one, we’re just letting you off the hook,” Lottie replied.
I stared at them then turned back to baking.
“Whatever,” I mumbled.
“Listen, Missy…” Uh-oh, Mom used the m-word, “You’re al -fired determined not to live your own life, so we’re making you and you don’t have anything to say about it. Got me?”
I nodded. I knew better than to argue during a Missy Moment.
“Henrietta Louise…” Mom knew I wasn’t ful y committed to the nod.
Dear Lord.
I turned and looked at Mom and said, definitely snippy,
“What?”
“Don’t ‘what’ me. I don’t know what’s going on with you and that bag of yours being back in the house but I’m going to tel you now, you’re al kinds of fool if you don’t hold onto Eddie Chavez and hold on tight.”
“Mom…”
She gave me The Hand.
“You let go of Oscar for no good reason…” Mom informed me.