Page 12 of Amor in the 305

Melida’s name flashes across the phone’s screen and I scoop it up and press the green button to answer. “What’s up, Mel?” I drag a stool out from underneath the kitchen’s island.

“How are you settling in?”

“Well, the movers came yesterday just in time to move into my new apartment, which I got the keys to the day before.”

“Nice. Speaking of, I turned in your keys to your apartment here. The landlord was nice. He said he’d mail you a check once you give him an address.”

“Awesome, I opened a P.O. Box, so I’ll reach out to him to give him the info.”

“When I was inside the apartment waiting for him, I saw Carmine through the window but by the time I got outside that fucker was gone.” My spine straightens.

“Do you think he knows it’s empty, that I moved?” I ask, uncrossing my legs and pulling my knees up to my chest.

“I don’t know, but your curtains and stuff are gone so I don’t think it would be too hard for him to figure it out, especially if he’s peering in the windows.”

“Ugh, what a creepy stalker! Be careful, Melida. Make sure you’re always aware of your surroundings and try not to walk alone.”

“I’m not worried about him doing anything to me, he’s obsessed with you, and I don’t think he’d harm me. Anyway, let’s not talk about that douche anymore, all he does is ruin everything. Tell me more about Miami and what you’ve done.”

My lips curl up at Melida’s change in conversation. “Well, I got the job with Mona’s friend, as expected, and start next week. This way I’ll have time to finish unpacking and setting up the apartment. I think we’re about halfway done with the boxes.”

“Where’s your mom?”

“Taking a shower. We’ve been unpacking most of the day. She’s gonna make us dinner when she’s done.”

“Mmm, your mom cooks so good!”

“I know. I’m gonna miss it. Miss her.”

“I bet. When does she fly home?”

“Sunday.”

“Does she like it there?”

“Yeah, at least the little she’s seen since we’ve been here. Although, she’s not used to everyone speaking Spanish around us. Neither am I. Today we were at the grocery store, and she was commenting on how people were dressed, you know she’s super judgmental. Anyway, I had to remind her that people here understand when she’s talking shit about them.”

Melida is laughing. “Oh my God! What did she say?”

“She made some remark about a woman’s short skirt and said the lady was too old to be wearing so little clothes. The lady gave my mother a dirty look and walked the other way with her head held high.”

Melida’s laugh turns into a cackle and I can picture her throwing her head back in laughter as she so often does. “That’s frigging hysterical! I can totally see your mom and the face she made.”

“Sure, now that I’m telling you about what she did it is, but it wasn’t while it was happening, I wanted to die,” I say, chuckling. “When you’re getting dirty looks from strangers because your mom is talking shit about them, there’s not much to laugh about. I hope she learned her lesson and won’t do it again.”

“To be fair, it is Miami Beach. I remember the few days we spent there. People weren’t wearing a heck of a lot of clothes.”

“Not necessarily. I mean, here on the beach maybe. But when I was downtown the other day, people were professionally dressed so it’s probably a good mix.”

“Alright, Sol. Just wanted to check in. I gotta go to my parents’ house but need to run to the store first. We’ll talk soon.”

“Okay. Love you, Mel,” I exclaim, a smile spreading across my face.

“Love you more.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Soledad

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