“She ruins the garden.”
“She calls it gardening.”
“She dug up an entire row of tulips.”
“She was searching for treasure.”
“She discovered an irrigation pipe.”
Maria smiled again.
Then the smile faded.
“And she likes you.”
I stared at her.
“No, she doesn’t.”
“Yes, she does.”
“Why?”
“Because you listen when she talks.”
“I tolerate her.”
“She doesn’t understand the difference.”
“I certainly do.”
Maria shook her head.
“You bought the blue cereal.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“Last month. Sofia told Mrs. Greene she liked the cereal with blue stars.”
“That proves nothing.”
“The following morning, four boxes appeared in the pantry.”
I said nothing.
“You told the driver to slow down near the east gate because Sofia rides her scooter there.”
“That was about safety.”
“You had the loose stair rail fixed the same afternoon she nearly stumbled beside it.”
“It needed fixing.”
“You rearranged a meeting because she had a fever and I couldn’t come to work.”
I stared at her.
“You were paying attention.”
“I manage the house.”
“You manage everything.”
Her voice had changed.
Softer.
“You notice people, Daniel.”
“That doesn’t mean I care about them.”
Maria held my gaze.
“No. But I think you need to believe that you don’t.”
Something inside me tightened.
I nearly told her the conversation was finished.
Then the front intercom sounded.
Anthony.
Saved by an older man with inconvenient timing.
I stood.
“Stay here.”
Maria’s expression sharpened.
“Why?”
“Because Anthony might know your husband.”
“You called him?”
“Yes.”
“Daniel—”
“Stay here.”
She stood as well.
“No.”
I looked at her.
“No?”
“You don’t get to discover that my husband had a secret life and then send me out into the hallway.”
She had a point.
I disliked that she had a point.
“Fine.”
Anthony entered five minutes later.
His coat was damp from the rain.
His gray hair was flattened along one side.
He stopped when he noticed Maria.
The color drained from his face.
Not dramatically.
Just enough.
“You,” he said.
Maria rose.
“You know me?”
Anthony looked toward me.
“Where did you find her?”
“I didn’t find her. I hired her.”
His gaze returned to Maria.
“What’s your name?”
“Maria Torres.”
Anthony shut his eyes.
For one second.
Then he took off his coat.
“Of course.”
I felt my patience thinning.
“Sit down.”
He did.
Maria stayed standing.
