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“You settling in okay? Hope they’re not working you too hard.” he says as I dig into my huge salad.
I finish chewing my mouthful of chicken and tabbouleh before I respond. “No, it’s fine. Just lots to do. It’s just the normal stuff that comes with finding a rhythm and getting the story direction together, but I think we’re off to a good start.”
“Well, let me know if you need anything. I know how intimidating Reece can be.” He smiles knowingly at me.
I want to say that Reece isn’t intimidating at all. That he’s been nice and has my back. But I don’t say any of that. I don’t want to give anyone the wrong impression.
“Thank you.” I smile warmly at him. “Uh, I actually stopped by to tell you that I need to go into town to do some grocery shopping and get a few things. I have tomorrow off. Do you think you could take me in the morning?”
His smile dims, but his voice is friendly when he says, “Sure thing. I’m around and you’re my priority when it comes to driving. So just tell me when you need me and I’ll be there.” He winks and stands up.
“Thanks, Coco. I’ll just text you when I’m ready.”
“It’s a date, Lu.” And with a short wave, he walks away. Was he flirting with me? He’s been so nice to me that I decide to give him the benefit of the doubt. But recalling Sol’s warning, I resolve to be a little more professional in our future interactions.
I catch a glimpse of Reece. He’s in one of the conference rooms. He’s on the phone, his face a mask of concentration. He’s cleanly shaven, wearing shirtsleeves and no tie, but much more formal than this morning. As if he senses me looking at him, he looks up as I walk by. His eyes light up and he flashes me a quick smile, and waves for me to come into the room.
“Sure, Zev. I agree,” He’s saying when I walk in.
“I still think it would be good to have those numbers ready before we’re done.” He holds up a finger, as if saying he’ll only be another minute.
“If she’s being difficult, cut her loose. I’m sure we can find someone to replace her who’d be happy for screen time.” He leans back in his chair, tension creating brackets on either side of his mouth as he purses his lips.
He rolls his eyes and holds the phone away from his ear. I can hear Zev talking and Reece mouths a silent “sorry” before he puts the phone back to his ear with a resigned shake of his head. I smile sympathetically and then wave before I duck out of the room. And just like that, my unease about Coco is forgotten. I walk back to my desk with a huge smile on my face.
It’s Friday morning and I’ve put off my shopping trip as long as I can. I hate shopping. So, I try to be really efficient about it. I already know which two stores I want to pop into. I need a bathing suit and groceries. I send Coco a text to tell him I’m ready and then sit down to wait.
It’s weird being driven by someone other than an Uber driver, a bus driver or Jess. It’s strange having doors held open and a car waiting for me when I exit a store. I’m not sure that it’s something I want to get comfortable with.
For anyone who’s ever been in a position of service, it’s hard to forget what it feels like to smile at someone who barely acknowledges your existence. The experience is exhausting, but it builds character at the same time.
The first time I went out to eat with Sol and his family, he told me to stop thanking the waiter every time he refilled my water glass. I can’t imagine not thanking him. He’s someone’s child, father, brother or uncle. How can I act like he’s invisible just because he’s serving me?
That’s how the family my mother works for treats her. She lives in the same house they do, yet, they only seem to remember she’s there when something is broken or goes missing.
She’s like a ghost who cleans up after them. She keeps their house running so they don’t have to think about it. When she started working there, they made it very clear I was to be not seen or heard. I stayed in my room and only left it when I was going to school. I ate there, played there and never made any noise. And despite all of that, their children found ways to make me miserable. They sought me out to pick on me.
That’s how it was until the day she sent me to live with my aunt and uncle.
That was the night our relationship changed for good. She distanced herself from me. Sometimes, I can tell she’s thinking about what happened because she can’t bring herself to look me in the eye. She still works for that family, but I don’t blame her. I know she was scared. And she knew I’d be okay. But her losing her job would
have meant both of us were out on the street.
I start to pick up my phone to invite her here for dinner when my doorbell rings. I grab my purse and keys and rush out to the door. Coco is standing on the porch and when he sees me, he smiles his friendly smile. “Your chariot awaits, my lady,” he says with a dramatic bow.
“Hey, Coco. Thanks.” I smile at him and get in the car. My phone buzzes and when I look down, I see it’s a notification from the Google Alert I created.
I’ve been anxious for news about what the new President is going to do with the DACA program that allows me the right to work. My application is pending, but I’ve never had trouble getting it renewed before. I’m deep in thought and don’t realize we’ve arrived at our destination until my door opens and Coco’s standing there smiling at me.
“Sorry, I spaced out. I won’t be long,” I say to him as I start toward the boutique where I plan to buy a swimsuit. It’s the first one I’ve ever owned.
“Take your time, princess,” he calls after me. I know he’s just being friendly, but that nickname . . . it isn’t right coming out of his mouth.
I manage an awkward wave as I set off for Nati’s boutique. This shopping center is typical of Malibu; rustic, eco-friendly and expensive as hell. I grab the first white one-piece I find, check the size and then head to try it on. This is the part of shopping I hate, trying clothes on. But, they have a huge No Returns sign over the bathing suit section, so I can’t take any chances with it.
As I approach the dressing rooms I see a tall, gorgeous blonde smiling widely at me. “Hi, I’m Lila. Let’s get you into a room,” she says as I approach. She touches my arm and steers me to one of the dressing rooms. It’s bigger than my closet in Los Feliz and very brightly lit. The mirrored walls create a three hundred and sixty-degree reflection, that lets you see your whole body at once. I keep my panties on, but otherwise strip.
I pull the bathing suit on and immediately see why it won’t work. It’s white, without a lining in the top and I can see my cinnamon colored nipples clearly. I can only imagine how much more transparent it would be if it was wet. But I like the cut, the fit and decide to ask for it in black.
