Nancy spent the ride back up the elevator, fighting with the keyboard on her new phone. The minuscule letters were not made for large hands. It took the entire ride to type out one sentence.
When the doors opened, she stalked to the front of Maurice’s desk. “This thing is terrible. I want my old phone back.”
Maurice looked up, his face pinching together. “I thought you were looking forward to sending messages instead of phone calls?”
“I was until you brought me this thing,” she said, placing it on his desk. “It’s too small. My fingers can’t work the keys.”
“Nonsense,” he said, taking the phone and typing on the small keyboard. “You just need to get used to it.”
“It’s not getting used to it. Is there a larger version? I’ll try that.”
Maurice shook his head. “They’re all the same size. You’re just frustrated because it’s new. You’ll get used to it.”
“I take forever to type anything. I hit the wrong keys and have to delete and start over. The only way that tiny thing works is if I hunt and peck with the tip of my nail.”
Maurice let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head. “Your hands are not that big.”
Nancy’s eyebrows went up, and she held up her hand. Maurice looked at her hand, then at her.
“Put your hand against mine,” she said.
“What’s this going to sol-”
“Put. Your hand. Against mine.”
Maurice stood up and placed his hand against hers. Nancy tilted her head around, seeing her fingers were almost an entire joint larger. Her eyes shifted to his.
“So,” Maurice said, dropping into his seat. “I have small hands. That doesn’t prove anything.”
Nancy laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “I appreciate you trying to keep me current, but I want my old phone back, please.”
She left his desk and walked into her office. Shirley was sitting on the floor near her desk, swaying back and forth as she babbled one of her made up songs. She had her stuffed elephant, lion, and seal in front of her, moving them around as she ‘sang’.
Nancy knelt next to Shirley, who looked up and gave her a huge grin, showing off two teeth peeking out from her gums.
“Are they having a business meeting or a party?” Nancy asked.
“Mmmm!” Shirley grunted.
“Very nice. What song were you singing?”
“Yaa,” Shirley said, this time with a bounce.
Nancy sighed and made the elephant bounce up and bop Shirley on her nose. Shirley giggled and hugged Elephant, her favorite stuffed animal.
“We’ll get you talking yet, little girl,” Nancy said, standing and sitting at her desk.
Sometime later, Maurice entered, putting his coat on. “Going to the mobile store. Need anything else while I’m out?”
“No, thank you though,” Nancy said, typing out an email.
“Be back,” Maurice waved.
A loud grunt sounded from under the conference table. Shirley emerged, crawling under a chair, then used it to help her stand. She did her little shambling run over to Maurice and latched onto his leg. Nancy smiled. Shirley loved her uncle something fierce.
“Actually, could you get lunch while you’re out?” Nancy said as she sent the email.
“Sure! What do you want?”
“Your pick,” Nancy said with a wave as she stood and walked over to the conference table. Shirley had, at some point, collected all her stuffed animals under the table. “Nothing heavy, please.”
“Can do.” Maurice picked Shirley up. “Think your mom might want sushi?”
“Mmmm.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said, putting her down after a neck hug.
Shirley turned and saw her mother, arms loaded with stuffed animals, walking away from her.
“Aaa!” She stumbled after Nancy and grabbed her leg. Nancy turned, seeing Shirley with outstretched hands.
“What do you want?”
“Mmmm.”
“I don’t know what ‘Mmmm’ is. Which one would you like? Seal? Horse? Lion?”
“Phaa!”
“I don’t know what ‘Phaa’ is.”
She turned to go and Shirley stomped her foot. “Mmmm!”
Nancy turned to see Shirley’s little scowl and balled fists. “You can ask for Elephant or she is going in the toy box.”
“Mmm!”
“You get nothing for temper tantrums, young lady.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a little harsh?” Maurice asked from the doorway.
“No. You’ve heard her. She singsongs all day. If she wants something, she can to ask for it.” She looked back at her daughter’s glare. “Very well.” Nancy turned and walked toward the toy box. Shirley wailed and stomped her feet.
“Too bad. You can have Elephant back tomorrow,” Nancy said, opening the toy box.
“No!”
Nancy paused and turned. Shirley’s little glare was doing its best to burn her where she stood. Nancy dropped all the other animals in the box. She turned and held Elephant out.
“Do you want Elephant?”
“Mmm!” Shirley grunted, running over and reaching up for it.
“Very well,” Nancy said, holding Elephant over the toy box.
“No!” Shirley yelled, fists balling up.
“Is she telling you no?” Maurice asked, coming around the conference table to watch the standoff.
“She is.”
“Is that her first word?”
“It is,” Nancy said, lowering Elephant toward the box.
“No!” Shirley said, this time with a little stomp.
Nancy smiled and handed Elephant to Shirley, who squeezed her with both arms. Maurice burst out laughing and had to use the table for support.
Catching his breath, he wiped his eyes and shook his head at Nancy. “You should have named her Karma.”
Nancy’s gaze snapped to Maurice. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Maurice, still giggling, scrambled out of her office. “Oh nothing! Gotta get lunch.”
----------------------------------------
Billie’s dented, paint scratched muscle car sat in front of Ikher’s house with the hood up and Billie leaning over the engine.
“Try it again,” she called out.
Ikher turned the key, producing a series of clicks. Billie’s hand waving signaled him to turn it off again. Ikher got out and came over to lean on the frame.
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“God damn it. It’s brand new. If they sold me a bad alternator...” Billie said, twisting the wipe cloth in her hand. She tossed the cloth onto the engine block and leaned on the frame, turning the socket wrench in her hands.
A car horn made them turn and see Vernard and Chuck pulling up behind Billie.
“What it do?” Chuck said, giving Ikher a pound.
Vernard punched him in the shoulder as Ikher did introductions.
“Guys, this is Billie. We’re trying to get her car to start.”
They both peaked into the engine and Vernard threw his hands up after a moment.
“It’s simple,” he said. “Your drive core’s shot. It’s gonna need a torque bath, or it’s totaled.”
Billie squinted at him. Chuck shook his head with his eyes closed, and Ikher looked from the engine to Vernard, then back to the engine.
“What?” Ikher asked.
“V don’t know nothing about cars,” Chuck said with a sigh.
“That’s what I have you for,” Vernard said, chuckling.
Chuck leaned into the engine.
“Starter or-”
“Alternator,” Billie said.
“Hmmm, new part,” Chuck said as he poked at a few things. “Clicks a bunch, but no start?”
“Yep,” Billie said, with a sigh. “Swapped everything out. Alternator and belts. Damn thing refuses to start. I’m about to put the old one back in.”
Chuck screwed his mouth to the side, looking back under the hood.
Vernard put his hand on Ikher’s shoulder and nodded back toward the stairs. “We best let the pros handle this.”
They walked back, sat on the stairs to watch Billie and Chuck go back and forth over options and attempts. Eventually, Billie and Chuck turned and leaned against the car, arms crossed, unconsciously mirroring each other.
Vernard laughed and elbowed Ikher. “He’s stumped. Watch. He’ll scratch his head and look up at the sky for a bit. Then he’ll kick something.”
Sure enough, after a moment, Chuck wiped his hand over his face, then scratched his head. His head fell back as he exhaled, then he turned and kicked the tire a couple of times.
“Wow. How d’you know?” Ikher asked.
Vernard chuckled. “We’re like an old married couple.”
“Pull it all out and put it back?” Chuck said.
“Fuck it, why not?” Billie said with a sigh. “Third times the charm.”
She handed Chuck a socket wrench. As he undid bolts, she walked to the trunk and grabbed another wrench. They worked well, removing the belts and the bolts on the alternator. As Chuck lifted it out, Billie’s head dropped and she put a hand on his arm.
“What’s up?” Chuck asked.
A disgruntled moan came out of Billie as she reached forward and held up a loose electrical connector.
“I’m an idiot,” she said.
“You sure you didn’t just unplug it?”
“I didn’t. I was about to. You being able to lift it out means it was loose. Fuck me.”
Chuck laughed. “Naw, mane. Everybody’s forgotten to plug some shit in. It happens. Hook it in and let’s see.”
They got everything put back together. Billie pointed Chuck to the driver’s seat and pulled on the belt before tightening once more.
“Start it,” she said with a nod to Chuck.
The engine roared to life before it settled into a throaty idle. Chuck got out and saw Billie with her fists on her hips, shaking her head as she looked at the engine. Ikher and Vernard had come over to watch as well.
“It’s always something dumb,” Chuck said.
“I know, right? Thanks dude, owe you one,” Billie said, punching Chuck in the shoulder.
“Naw, I just turned some bolts,” Chuck said with a shrug.
“Hey, awesome,” Ikher said as he and Vernard approached from the steps.
“All right,” Billie said, dropping the hood. “This took longer than I planned. I gotta eat.”
Ikher pointed back to the house. “I made some Roti Gluay since the guys were coming over.”
“What’s that?”
“Ummm... it’s like a banana crepe. Gonna do some grilled pork skewers and rice later.”
“Ok, now you’re talking,” Billie said, reaching in to turn off her car. “Foodie Eric said you could cook so I guess I need to try.”
“Bet!” Ikher said, waving them all in.
After they devoured the crunchy on the outside, sweet and soft inside crepes, Ikher got things out to set up for making the pork skewers. While he got dinner ready, Vernard and Chuck started setting up plastic music instruments. Billie watched for a moment before her curiosity got the better of her.
“Are ya’ll practicing to be in a band?”
“Huh? Oh naw, it’s a game,” Chuck said as he slung a guitar strap over his shoulder.
He used the controls on the guitar to navigate the menu and showed Billie each of their avatars, which looked like cartoon versions of them.
“You play and try to get the best score you can for the songs,” Ikher said from the kitchen. “We’ve been working our way up through the simple stuff.”
“Huh, that’s cool,” Billie said, watching as Chuck scrolled through the set list. “Ha! Cali Rest in Peace. I used to kill that song in karaoke.”
“Wait, you sing?” Ikher asked, his head popping out from the fridge. Vernard and Chuck’s attention snapped to her as well.
“Umm, yeah. I mean, I’m not Whitney Holston, but I can carry a tune.”
“Oh man, do you want to sing for us?” Ikher asked, coming over. “We can’t get the highest score unless we use every instrument. Mic included.”
“She’s got it,” Vernard nodded, then pointed to Chuck. “Pick that one on hard.” He grabbed a microphone from under the tv, plugged it into the game system, and held it out to her. “Time to shine, B.”
“Get her a glass of water,” Chuck said, nodding to Ikher, then pointed to the couch by where the drums sat. “Take a seat next to E. Or stand if that’s your jam.”
“I dunno,” Billie said. “I don’t want to mess up your game.”
“Naw, you can’t do worse than our tone deaf asses trying to hum into the mic,” Chuck said, then winked. “Besides, you owe me one.”
Billie laughed and stood. “All right. Fuck it. Let’s do this.”
----------------------------------------
Sun entered the kitchen well ahead of Eric, wafting her hand in front of her face.
“Okay, I don’t know if it’s your cologne or deodorant, but it has to go,” she said, staying on the other side of the kitchen. Her father stood at the stove, flipping vegetable skewers over the grill.
“I’m not wearing cologne, and this is the same deodorant I’ve always used,” Eric said.
“I don’t know what it is then. Stella came by at work today with her usual cloud of perfume and that gave me a low grade headache that didn’t clear up till I was halfway home. Then something on you set it off again.”
She sat rubbing her temples. Her father glanced around at her, then returned to his grilling.
“Are you sick?” Eric asked, coming forward until she pointed and glared at him. “Do you have a temp? Did you eat something weird?”
“No temp, and I had a grilled chicken salad for lunch. Nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t know what it is. Ikher’s food the other morning set it off as well.”
She laid her head on the island. Her father turned around and cleared his throat, drawing their attention. He stared at her for a moment with a small smile before he said, “You’re pregnant.”
Eric’s eyes grew enormous as he looked from her father to her.
Sun pushed herself up and glared at him. “How do you know that?”
“Your mother,” he said with a shrug, and turned back to making dinner. “Each time she was pregnant with you and your sisters, she couldn’t take any kind of potent smell.”
Sun looked down at the island, then up at Eric. “We need to get a test.”
“On it,” Eric said, bolting out of the kitchen.
She heard the door close a minute later and lowered her head to the island. Her father finished cooking and plated everything on the table before coming to sit beside her.
“Sung-min,” he said in Korean, rubbing her back. ”Is this bad?”
She rolled her head to the side to look at him. “Eric will be happy.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’d be okay with it.”
“Have you been trying?”
“No, but we haven’t been trying to prevent it.”
Her father laughed. “Not preventing is trying.”
Sun dropped her head back onto her folded arms. “Ugh!”
Several minutes later, the door opened and Eric ran in with a bag. He reached in and pulled out a fist full of tests and asked, “Ready?”
Sun took a deep breath and nodded. She walked toward Eric but stopped as soon as she could smell him.
“Put those on the counter,” she said, taking a step back. “And go clean off your deodorant.”
Eric tossed them on the kitchen island and took off upstairs. She could tell he was excited. Grabbing the tests, she started upstairs, unboxing them as she went.
Eric found her in the bathroom on the toilet, holding the last test between her legs. His face was a mixture of worry and excitement. She shook the test off and laid it in the sink with the others. Sun pulled her trousers up and sat on the toilet lid while Eric paced back and forth outside, looking at his watch.
After what seemed like an hour, Eric’s watch beeped. They flipped a test over to see a plus sign. The second had a plus as well. And the third and forth.
“Well, I guess that’s it,” Eric said, walking away from the sink. He turned a moment later. “What do you want to do?”
Sun squinted at him as she laughed. “What are you talking about? You’ve been friendly with all the little kids we’ve met as of late. I know it’s been getting to you.”
Eric chuckled. “Yeah, but I know you want to get further at your job. Getting pregnant will just give them another reason to screw you over.”
Sun turned and leaned on the sink counter. She crossed her arms and exhaled.
“Maybe not,” she said, tapping her chin. “If I’m out on maternity leave, I won’t be there to clean up after them. When it’s time for me to come back, I give them an ultimatum: promote me or I’m gone.”
“You don’t think that’s a bit harsh?”
“Not really,” she said, looking up at him. “I’m pretty sick of picking up after them. Plus, a recruiter from Young & Earnest called me last week wanting to know if I was looking.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Cause I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she said, then nodded. “I think I do now.”
“What’s that?”
She squinted at him and laughed. “Haven’t you been listening? I’m going to have your baby and get my promotion. Or another job.”
Eric made her squeak when he picked her up and squeezed her. He twirled her around in a circle before setting her down and kissing her.
“Our baby,” he said.
“Yeah, yeah,” Sun said, rolling her eyes. “Take a shower or something. You’re still making my head hurt.”
As Eric victory danced out of the bathroom, Sun looked down at her stomach and exhaled. She wasn’t sold on this, but it was best to do it now before she was in the job she wanted and wouldn’t have time.
She let out another sigh. “Our baby.”