“I FaceTimed with my family this morning. They don’t know about all the other stuff, and I won’t tell them. But they do know I stayed here last night with a friend. I showed them your room, your kitchen, your living room. Your photo.” He takes a sip of coffee. “I hope you don’t mind.”
I can’t answer because my mouth is full, and it’s rude to speak with your mouth full. But I don’t mind. I don’t mind at all.
“Oh, my cousin, Fernando? His daughter is turning fifteen next month. I can’t even believe it! In my country, when a girl turns fifteen, there’s a big family party, and we hire mariachis, and we make a big meal, and we dance all night. My mom, she had a cold, but now she’s all better. This Sunday, they’ll take a family picture at dinner and they’ll send it to us. You’ll see everyone. And my nephew, Teodoro. He went to the farm and rode a donkey. Now all he does is pretend to be a donkey. So funny… Oh, I miss them so much.”
I swallow the last of my crumpet and wash it down with some coffee.
“It must be so difficult,” I say. “Seeing them only through FaceTime.”
“They’re far away,” he replies. “But they’re also still here.”
I think of his father and of Gran. “Yes,” I say. “You are right.”
Before we can talk more, my cell phone rings. I’ve left it in the living room.
“Excuse me,” I say. “I don’t normally take calls during meals, but—”
“I know, I know,” he replies.
I walk to the sitting room and grab my phone.
“Hello?” I say. “This is Molly. How may I be of assistance?”
“Molly, it’s Mr. Snow.”
“Yes, hello.”
“How are you?” he asks.
“I am well. Thank you for asking. And you?”
“It’s been a trying time. And I owe you an apology. The police led me to believe things about you that were simply not true. I should have known better, Molly. Our rooms could use your care, and I’m hoping you’ll be coming back to work in the near future.”
I’m pleased to hear this, extremely pleased. “I’m afraid I can’t make it to work just this minute. I’m right in the middle of breakfast.”
“Oh no. I didn’t expect you to come in immediately. I meant, when you’re ready. You take all the time you need, of course.”
“How’s tomorrow?” I ask.
I can hear Mr. Snow breathe a sigh of relief. “That would be most excellent, Molly. Cheryl has unfortunately declared herself unwell, and the other maids are doing double duty. They miss you terribly and they’re worried about you. They’ll be so glad to hear you’re coming back.”
“Please send them my regards,” I say.
Something is niggling at me, and I decide to voice it. “Mr. Snow,” I say. “It was brought to my attention that some of my coworkers find me to be…odd. I believe one term used was ‘weirdo.’ I’m wondering if you might provide me with your opinion on this matter.”
Mr. Snow is quiet for moment. Then he says, “My opinion is that some of your colleagues ought to grow up. We are running a hotel, not a preschool. My opinion is that you’re one of a kind in all the right ways. And you’re the best maid the Regency Grand has ever known.”
I feel pride lift me. I may very well have grown a couple of inches as a result of his words.
“Mr. Snow?” I say.
“Yes, Molly.”
“What about Juan Manuel?”
“I’ll be calling him as well to make sure he knows he has a job here as long as he wants one. Apparently, his work permit situation is resolvable. None of what happened was his fault.”
“I know that,” I say. “He’s right here. Would you like to speak with him?”
“He’s…what? Oh. Yes, that would be fine.”
I walk to the kitchen and pass Juan Manuel my phone.
“Hello?” he says. “Yes, yes…I’m so sorry, Mr. Snow, I…no, I…”
At first, Juan Manuel can barely get a word in edgewise. “Yes, sir… I know, sir. You didn’t know. But thank you for saying that…”
As the conversation continues, it turns back to work. “Of course, sir. I will be talking to a lawyer today… I appreciate that. And I’m very happy to have my job.”
There’s a bit more back and forth between them. Then, at last, Juan Manuel says, “I’ll be back at work as soon as I can. Goodbye, Mr. Snow.”