The Laundress by Barbara Sapienza

Author:Barbara Sapienza
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2020-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16:

QUITTING DAY

At daylight she opens her eyes and sees the fig tree on the patio. The leaves reflect the golden rising sun. When she steps out onto her small patch of dirt, she remembers the redwood grove and dancing in Mario’s arms among the trees. She lets herself imagine having made love to him and wishes they’d done it in the fairy circle last night.

With these thoughts she gets dressed, places the pink rose in her jacket pocket, and heads for North Beach, reminding herself that she must pick up Nina’s blouse at the cleaners.

Just thinking of going into that house gives her the jitters. Chilled, she buttons up her jacket, questioning her judgment in working for them. Am I stupid, or just afraid to quit? More fearful, her heart races as she ponders this tangle growing inside her like the roots she imagines under the city streets. Walking toward Market, she decides to skip the bus and walk the full three miles in hopes of unwinding. With her hand over her chest, Lavinia approaches Columbus Avenue and Falcone Cafe. She steps inside and walks up to Mario.

“Did we really see an alligator and walk in the woods last night or did I dream it?” she says, though she knows they did it all; she’s holding the soft pink rose in her pocket, after all.

“The redwoods.” His eyes caress her.

“My God, they’re so impressive. Let’s do it again.” She hands him two pieces of Bubblicious in exchange for an espresso and a smile.

“Where are you going?”

“Russian Hill clients.”

“On a Friday?”

“Yeah, she asked me to come a second day this week,” Lavinia pauses, feeling that chill again. “The clients from hell.” She wrinkles her nose.

“You don’t have to go.”

“I know, but I told her I’d pick up her silk blouse,” she says, as if that’s a sufficient reason to show up.

His eyes seem to see through her excuses.

She smiles.

“Do that again,” he says, so she bares her teeth at him and growls. He puts his face next to her and whispers, “Let’s go dancing tonight.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” She downs the last sip of the espresso, winks at him, and waves good-bye.

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