“It’s perfect,” she’d said, nodding. She reached out a finger and pushed down on a few keys, the corresponding silver pegs lifting out of the hatch.
I never got a chance to give it to Ed. I didn’t want it in my apartment because it reminded me of him, but I couldn’t bring myself to throw it out, either, so Fiona took it home.
“You’re a writer?” Sam asked.
“A lawyer,” she replied. She caught my eye across the room then quickly looked away.
“A lawyer?” Sam grinned at Sonny. “We know a few of those.”
“I mean, I’m in law school,” Fiona said.
That wasn’t true, either. She’d dropped out years ago.
“And what does this lovely young lady do?” Sam asked.
“Nothing,” I said.
“Nothing?”
“I manage an apartment building.”
“All by yourself?”
“It’s not too hard,” I said.
“You know about our foundation? If you ever need our services.” He slid a hand into his pants pocket and pulled out a business card.
“She’s the writer,” Fiona said.
I accepted the card from Sam, and my fingers brushed against the calluses curled in his hands. “I’ll definitely use you guys next time,” I told him, even though I knew I wouldn’t call, because I couldn’t leave Uncle Frankie’s team out to dry like that.
“She writes screenplays,” Fiona continued.
“No, I don’t,” I said. “You two always work together?”
“We can request it,” Sam answered. “I’m a team leader, so sometimes I get put up on bigger jobs.” He glanced over at Sonny and gave a nod. “One day Sonny will train to be team leader, too.”
“You’re from Chinatown?” I asked. Sonny looked blankly at me. “Chinatown?” I said again. “Sam said earlier you lived there.”
“Oh,” he said. There was a silence while Fiona, Sam, and I waited.
Sonny blinked rapidly several times, then raised both hands to his face and rubbed up and down. Finally, he said, “Grew up there, yeah. Don’t live there no more.”
In a kind voice, Fiona asked him whether he still had family in the neighborhood.
Sonny’s expression darkened. A scowl gripped his face, tightened the clench of his jaw.
“Sonny, you all right?” Sam peered at him, frowning.
Sonny leaned against the wall next to the door, looking as if he wanted to throw it open and sprint off. “I’m okay, boss,” he said. He turned his gaze toward Fiona. “Thing is—I’m not supposed to set foot near—after what I did to that old lady—”
“All right,” Sam interrupted. “All right, Son.”
Fiona backed away from him. “Let me just— Where’s my—” she stammered.
Sam opened up the front door and clasped Sonny’s elbow. “Come on, let’s go outside,” he said. Over his shoulder, he said to Fiona, “I’ll be back in just a sec, nothing doing. Be just a sec.”
Fiona drew in a sharp breath and let it out slowly after they stepped out. “I should’ve used the movers you recommended,” she said in a low voice.
“You’re fine,” I said. “He’s harmless,” I added.
“I’m living by myself now,” she said. “I have to be more careful. I’m on my own.”
We heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Sam hopped through the door.
“Where’s that clipboard?” he said brightly. He showed Fiona the tally, and she counted out the bills from her wallet.
“Let me see if I’ve got some change,” Sam said.
“No, it’s all for you,” Fiona said. “The rest is gratuity.”
Sam thanked her but explained their policy was not to accept tips. “I’ll write it down as a donation for the foundation,” Sam said. “You know, few years ago I might’ve taken it without writing it down,” he added, waving the wad of cash in the air. “This job changed my life. It’s all about integrity now.”
“I’m not in law school,” Fiona blurted out. “I’m just a legal assistant—”
“Ms. Lin,” Sam said. He hesitated a moment. “Wasn’t going to tell you this, but today was Sonny’s first day. He’s gone through all the steps—I trained him personally, and I’m the best we’ve got—but when it comes down to it, you never can tell how things will turn out.”