Page 61 of Catching Feels

“And you’ve just been through an ordeal.”

“I hope he’s okay.”

“We’ll pray for him.”

The little bells ring, and Lena walks in.

“Mom, I have to go. Lena just walked in.”

“Call me, text me, and most importantly, you need me, don’t hesitate. These are planted, and it’s not like they need me to be present to grow.”

“I’ve heard that plants do better if you talk to them,” I tell her, hoping my words are heard by Lena, and that she may talk to me today.

We end the call.

“Lena, do you remember me?”

She nods.

“When I came in, I found Burt sitting on the floor. He’s on his way to the hospital.”

She doesn’t react at all.

“Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“Karma,” she huffs. “Damn fool, that man.” She walks around, speaking in Spanish, which I am familiar with, but textbook familiar and never having truly used it is far from fluent. What I do know is Lena’s pissed. “Ette angry,” she says, shaking her fist to emphasize her statement. “No sell. No. Sell.” She puts her hand to her chest. “Her heart, right here.” She points upstairs. “My home up there. Burt angry bastard.” She throws her hands in the air in frustration. “She no want to go; the angels call. No choice.”

“Was she your friend, Lena?” I ask quietly.

“Only friend.” She holds her hand to her heart. “I come here for her. Now no home. No job. I go? I no want to go. I stay.”

“I’m so sorry. I wish I could help.”

“You buy. I stay. I work. You help.”

Holy shit. “I’m going back to school soon.”

“You buy. I stay. I work. You help,” she repeats.

“Lena, I don’t have money.”

“Flowers money. Make pretty sell. Money.” Her eyes shine with unshed tears. “I help. I work hard. Make beautiful. You give rent money, flower money to bastard.” She holds her hand to her heart again. “I help.”

After taking Ellie and the flowers back to the house, I drove back to Etta’s, not wanting Lena to be alone. I was probably more a hindrance than a help, but we got the order finished and delivered to the funeral home in plenty of time.

When we came back, I asked her how long she had before her visa expired. Lena led me up two flights of stairs to a large apartment that was nearly spotless but needed a lot of work.

“Too big.” She cringed. “Too much.” She then gave me a file. “You take.”

Knowing one of CeCe’s friends was a lawyer and could possibly help me, I took it.

She then showed me the empty shell of another massive apartment across the hall and pointed upstairs. “Two more. Loud. Smoke. Kick out. Make nice. Get new.” She holds her hand up and rubs her fingers together. “More money for you.”

Exhausted from spending the day at Etta’s. I napped like a champ and would have been late for the game if CeCe hadn’t come and woken me up.

“You feeling okay?” she asked when I came out of the downstairs bedroom from my shower.

“Yes. Why? Do I look like shit?”

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