Page 37 of Save the Drama for your Mama
She probably wondered why the heck I called her a friend when we were practically strangers. I had no clue where the words had come from.
What else was I supposed to call her? An acquaintance sounded almost insulting at this point. Nobody uses that word in front of the person in question.
“There’s no need to be shy,” Alfredo bellowed. “You two make a lovely couple. Young love! Takes me back to the good old days.” He sighed.
I fidgeted with my shirt collar.
My face was feeling warmer.
“We’re not a couple, Alfredo.”
He grinned. “Well then, maybe you should be!”
“Anyway . . .” I was ready to change the subject. “Melody is a restoration expert. She’s working on our house.”
“Fantastic,” Alfredo said. “How’s that affecting your writing? I would imagine that would be hard to concentrate with workers in the house. I don’t recall the house needing much, but still, there’s noise.”
“Honestly—I’ve been more distracted with what’s up in the attic,” I said.
Alfredo nodded. “Not a surprise.”
“You know what’s up there.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Who do you think helped your mother take most of that stuff up to the attic?” he said.
I pulled the picture from my shirt pocket. “I found this.”
He glanced at it, then nodded again. “Your mother was a beautiful woman, no doubt about it.” He avoided eye contact, which was weird.
Was Alfredo hiding something?
“That’s not why I showed you the picture,” I said.
He turned back to face me. “I can’t help you.”
“I didn’t ask for your help,” I replied.
“You were going to,” Alfredo said. “You want to know who he is.”
“Maybe I do. And maybe you know.”
“And maybe I don’t.”
Alfredo was an open book, but he was keeping his mouth shut this time.
“What are you hiding?” I asked.
He threw his palms up in defense. “Your mother was the one with secrets, not me. She was trying to protect you. It’s not my place to tell.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Protect me from what?”
Alfredo wagged his finger at me. “Not goin’ there. I gave her my word that I wouldn’t say a thing. She was sure you would come around asking questions, eventually.”
I crossed my arms. “So, you’re not going to tell me who James is?”
Alfredo shook his head. “Sorry—I can’t do that. Don’t want her to come back and haunt me.” He chuckled.
