After Office Hours

by E Caroline Wilson

  Chapter 21

  “Happy birthday, Mama!” Devin gathered her mother in a bear hug. “Te quiero.”

  “Gracias, my darling Devin.” Mama hunched her shoulders in excitement. “I can’t believe I’m fifty. It seems like just yesterday I was a gay young girl of twenty with my whole life in front of me.”

  “This is for you.” Devin held out a wrapped package, complete with a bow and ribbon.

  “Oh, my. I feel so special.”

  “You are special, Mama. Now, open it.”

  Mama tore off the pink, white, and silver wrapping paper and opened the box. She gasped as she removed the shiny nightgown with spaghetti straps, in earth tones of gold, room, and brown, and matching peignoir. “Oh, Devin! This is beautiful.”

  “I’ll bet Rafael will love it.” Devin laughed at her mother’s obvious discomfort; she was so modest about sex. “Mama, I do believe you’re blushing!”

  “Never mind.” She fingered the lace-trimmed peignoir. “I think you spent too much. This must’ve cost a fortune.”

  “Don’t you worry about it. Just open the other gift.”

  “Other gift?” Mama’s brow knitted. She glanced inside the box, exclaiming, “Oh!” She removed the white envelope and held it up.

  “It’s a little bit crude,” Devin said apologetically. “They usually don’t make gift certificates. They did it as a favor to me.”

  Mama’s eyes widened as she read the handwritten paper from her favorite nail salon. “A certificate for a manicure and pedicure!” She blinked rapidly as she lowered her hand. “Oh, Devin. You shouldn’t have.”

  “Mama, you’re only going to turn fifty one time. And I hope it’s the best birthday of your life…at least up to this point,” she quickly added with a smile. “And I bet it will be. You’re taking some well-deserved time off from work, and Rafael is taking you to the beach in Delaware for four days. You should feel special.”

  Mama raised the certificate to her chest. “I do. I really do.” She brightened. “I’m going to use this today. I want to look my best when Rafael takes me to dinner tonight.”

  Devin opened the door for her mother’s suitor. “Hi, Rafael! Come on in. Mama is running a little late, what with shopping and getting her nails done and all. She should be back soon.”

  “That works out pretty well. I actually was hoping to talk to you for a minute.”

  “Sure.” She couldn’t imagine why Rafael wanted to talk to her.

  They sat in the living room, him on the edge of the sofa and her in a side chair. “What’s on your mind, Rafael?”

  “I’ll get right to the point, Devin. I don’t know if you know this, but I love your mother.”

  “I kind of figured that had something to do with your coming around all this time,” she said with a smile. How cute this was. It almost sounded as if Rafael planned on asking her for Mama’s hand.

  Her smile faded, just as quickly as it had formed. If Mama were to marry Rafael, where would that leave her? He was being pressured to leave his apartment by his landlord, who had brought the building co-op, and this place was too small for all three of them. If Mama and Rafael got their own apartment it would be a real struggle for her to pay the rent on her own and still have money left over for necessities, like food. She wondered if Mama had told Rafael about her settlement. Maybe he thought she could use that to pay the rent, but she didn’t want to spend her windfall on anything non-tangible, something that would only serve to make her landlord rich while she got poorer every month.

  “And I’ve asked her to marry me,” Rafael was saying. “You see, your mother loves me, too, but she says she can’t marry me because of your living situation. She knows this place is too expensive for you to live in alone, and of course, she would never leave you high and dry. But I think I might have a solution that will make everyone happy.”

  Devin’s eyebrows jerked upward. “You do? What is it?”

  “My building, where I’ve lived for nearly twenty years, is about to go co-op.”

  “Yes, I know.” Perhaps he was about to suggest they band together and purchase a two-bedroom. To Devin that was no solution. She didn’t really care for the building Rafael lived in, and she didn’t believe the owners planned to do a whole lot in the way of improvements.

  “I was given an opportunity to buy in at the insiders price…sixty percent of market price,” Rafael continued, “but I’ve told the owners I’m not interested. They really aren’t making a lot of improvements, and it’s pretty shabby. I mean, they aren’t even replacing the old clawfoot bathtubs. Also, it’s HFDC, which means there are income requirements.”

  That explained the lack of improvements, Devin thought.

  “If I bought a two-bedroom, the three of us would be well over the cap. But that’s neither here nor there. Since I told the owners I’m not going to buy, they really want me out of there. Apparently, they have to have a certain percentage of resident owners for the conversion to go through. The law says they can’t evict me, that I’m entitled to stay in my apartment as a renter. So they offered me cash to move out, a pretty tidy sum.”

  Devin leaned back, listening intently. She couldn’t figure out where he was going with this, but she was eager to hear it.

  “I have a lot of friends who live in New Jersey,” he said, “and you can really get more bang for your buck over there.” He shook his head. “This damn city…it’s becoming more and more a place for the rich. Anyway, I’ve managed to save some money over the years, and between that and the payout I was offered to vacate, I can afford to buy a home.” He chuckled nervously. “Well, not really a home, but there’s a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in a development in Passaic I found during an online search. It was built specifically as condos, not apartments that were later converted. I’ve already spoken with my bank and several others, and they all tell me I qualify for a mortgage.”

  “You want to move to New Jersey?” she asked.

  Rafael shrugged. “Passaic is only about fifteen miles from midtown. It would be a slightly longer commute, and more expensive. But think, Devin. It’s an opportunity for your mother and I to own our own home. And what’s more, there will be room for you. You’ll have your own bedroom and your own bathroom. And we’ll only ask you for a nominal contribution while you live with us…say a hundred a week. Best of all, your mother can give up that second job cleaning offices, because the mortgage won’t be that much.”

  Devin liked the sound of that. She looked at him for a long moment before her lips curved into a smile. “You’re a good man, Rafael Vega. I know you love Mama, and I love her, too. I know she wouldn’t hesitate to marry you if our rent on this apartment wasn’t so expensive. Because of that, my first thought is to say yes, yes, yes…but I really would like to see firsthand what the apartment looks like. Although,” she added with a smile, “it would have to be a real dump for me to say no.”

  “I can assure you, it’s no dump. I’ve only seen pictures of it myself, but I’m planning on bringing her to see it tomorrow on our way to the shore. Why don’t you come along? As long as you don’t mind taking public transportation back to the city. That way you’ll get a firsthand feel for the commute.”

  “I already have an idea. My friend Glenys lives in Union City…even though I know Passaic is farther. It sounds really nice, Rafael. And of course, if I’m only paying four hundred a month, I really can’t complain, can I?” She sucked in her breath as an idea occurred to her. “Wait a minute. Before we go any further, I have to clarify something. Is this condo something you and Mama can afford by yourselves? Not that I’m planning on going anywhere anytime soon, but I don’t want us to end up in the same situation we have now, should I decide to move out for any reason…like meeting a nice man and settling down.” She managed to smile at that thought, although her heart still belonged to David. “Will, um, you and Mama be able to manage without me if I were to leave? And without Mama having to go get a second job again?”

  “Yes.
I had the bank run all the figures, and I got an estimate of what the monthly escrow would be. That’s why I only want you to contribute such a small amount. The condo will be in the names of your mother and me. You’re sort of a renter.”

  Devin nodded agreement. She couldn’t rent a room with a private bathroom anywhere for a hundred dollars a week. She’d be able to save quite a bit, and so could Mama and Rafael.

  Funny how she’d managed to speak about the possibility of getting married without sorrow or pain at what happened between her and David.

  Perhaps her heart would heal after all.

  *****

  “I’m so glad we were able to give you a lift, Devin,” Mama said as they drove through the Lincoln Tunnel. “What a nice coincidence that your friend invited you to see her new place on the same day Rafael and I were going to Delaware.”

  Devin, in the back seat, met Rafael’s smiling eyes in the rearview mirror. “Yes, it was a nice coincidence. I just hope I’m not taking you too far out of your way.”

  “No, not at all,” Rafael assured. “I’m kind of curious to see what the place looks like myself. Is it in a single building, or a development?”

  “She said it’s in a development…and that she never could’ve afforded anything so nice if she stayed in the city.” Devin suppressed a smile. There was no friend who had bought a place in Jersey; this was all an act for Mama’s benefit.

  “The city has just gotten so expensive,” Mama lamented. “It isn’t fair. People work hard. They deserve to be able to live someplace decent.”

  “What bothers me is how close the buildings are,” Rafael added. “When fire breaks out, it’s way too easy for flames to jump to the neighboring buildings.”

  They all grew silent, thinking of the tragedy in Rafael’s past. Twenty years ago, while Rafael, an HVAC technician, was on a late-night service call, a fire had broken out in his apartment building, and his young wife and infant daughter both died of smoke inhalation.

  “My friend Glenys and her new husband have a nice condo right in Union City, just across the river from New York,” Devin said, wanting to break the somber mood. “But theirs is in a regular building, not a development. It’s a small building, too, with only eight units.”

  They busied themselves taking in the surroundings as Rafael followed the directions from his phone. When they arrived, Mama remarked about how lovely the three-story garden development was. Rafael swiftly pointed out the sign advertising an open house and said they should take a look, to which Mama shrugged and said, “Why not?”

  The three of them went to the second-floor unit and greeted the Realtor, whom Rafael had told ahead of time that he was looking to surprise his fiancée. Mama raved over the unit, and Devin was impressed as well. It had a spacious U-shaped kitchen with the latest appliances, gleaming granite countertops, and a breakfast bar. The bedrooms were a good size, with a bathroom with large shower stall inside the master suite. Devin gasped when she opened a door in the hall and saw a front-loading washer and dryer—the Realtor explained that the current owners’ new house was wired for a gas dryer rather than electric—tucked away in a utility closet. “Imagine,” Mama said, her palm flying to her heart, “not having to go to the Laundromat. And having a private bathroom inside your bedroom.” She let out a dreamy sigh. “Oh, what wouldn’t I give to be able to live in a place like this.”

  Devin shot a look at Rafael, who sprang into action. “Amparo,” he said, “if you like this apartment, let’s buy it.”

  She gave him a look that dripped sarcasm. “Sure, Raffie. All it takes is money.”

  Rafael took Mama by the hand. “I have a confession to make. Devin has no friend living here. That was just a ruse so you wouldn’t suspect. We planned on coming here to look at this apartment to see if we liked it. The fact is, Amparo, you and I can afford to buy this place. My landlord gave me a generous cash bonus to move out, since I’m not going to buy my apartment. Along with my savings…well, we can commute to the city, and, of course, there’s a nice room for Devin. And you can quit your second job. You said you couldn’t marry me because you couldn’t leave Devin to fend for herself in that expensive apartment. But the mortgage on this apartment will be less that what you’re paying in rent now. So…” He got down on one knee.

  Devin gasped, her eyes filling with happy tears.

  “Amparo, I suffered a great loss,” Rafael began, looking deeply into Mama’s eyes, “and I didn’t think I would ever know love again. It took nearly twenty years for me to find you, and that’s a long time. You and I aren’t young anymore, but we still have plenty of good years left, and I’d like us to spend them together.” He kissed the back of Mama’s hand. “We can live happily ever after, and walk off into the sunset, loving each other until the day we die. Amparo DaCosta, will you marry me?”

  Mama was crying openly now, her head bent, but the wide smile on her face told Devin they were tears of joy. “Yes! I love you, Rafael. And of course I’ll marry you. I’ll be proud to be your wife.”

  Rafael stood, and they embraced. Devin, although feeling slightly guilty for witnessing a private moment, found herself unable to turn away. Instead, wanting to remind them of her presence, she began to applaud. “Bravo, bravo!” she cried.

  Mama turned, a somewhat embarrassed expression on her face. “Oh, I just can’t believe it! The three of us, actually living in this…this palace! I never dreamed I would ever have a home of my own.” She turned back to face Rafael. “This is so beautiful. Are you really sure we can afford it?”

  “Yes. I’ve already talked to the bank. I had to estimate your income, of course.” He named a figure, adding, “That will cover both the mortgage, the taxes, and the insurance. The place itself doesn’t need any work done. Besides leaving the washer and dryer, the owner has agreed to install new carpeting before the closing, so it’ll be move-in ready. Unless, of course, you want to paint beforehand.”

  Mama looked around at the white walls. “Yes, I’ll definitely want to get some color in here. And our bedroom…I’ve always wanted a bedroom in coral and green, with light-colored furniture, maybe in rattan. Oh, Rafael! I’m so happy!” She went into his arms once more, and this time Devin did turn away to give them privacy. No one deserved happiness more than her mother, who had worked so hard to raise her and who for the last three years have been working a second job in order to help pay for their apartment and the new furniture they purchased for it. Their new home would be gorgeous. Best of all, it would belong to Mama and Rafael. They wouldn’t just be paying a landlord each month.

  She turned to see Mama leading Rafael into the master bedroom, eagerly chattering about where each piece of the new furniture she wanted to buy would go. “Maybe I should hold onto my second job for a few more months, just to pay for the furniture.”

  Devin knew Mama wasn’t joking, and at that moment she knew what she would give Mama and Rafael for a wedding gift. She would let them pick out whatever light-colored furniture—whitewashed oak or perhaps rattan—bedroom furniture they wanted, and she would pay for it out of her windfall. Just wait until she told them…

  As happy as she was for Mama, Devin couldn’t help but think, I hope that one day I’ll meet a man who loves me as much as Rafael loves Mama.

  Chapter 22

  Devin offered sunny smile to Thomas Chenault, a black man of about forty who was a regular client of one of the attorneys. “How are you today, Mr. Chenault?”

  He returned her smile. “I’d be a lot better if you called me Tom.”

  Her eyes automatically went to his left hand. He wore no wedding ring. That made his flirting with her just fine. “All right, Tom it is.”

  “Things are actually going quite well,” he said. “I reached a settlement with the party I was suing, and I’m here to pick up my check from Paul.”

  She knew he meant Paul Logan, his attorney. “Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations.”

  “Thank you. I’m very pleased with the outcome…but not s
o much when I think this is the last time I’ll get to see you, since once I pick up my check, there’s no reason for me to return here.”

  Devin’s sixth sense told her what was coming next.

  “But it doesn’t have to be that way,” he said. “I’d be honored if you’d have dinner with me tonight. You can celebrate my win with me. I don’t work far from here. How about I meet you in the lobby at five-thirty?”

  Why not? she asked herself. Perhaps he was a little old for her, but it was only dinner. And it wasn’t as though she had anything else to do…or anyone to do it with. “Sure. I’d like that, Tom. Five-thirty, in the lobby. I look forward to it.”

  “Great!” At that moment, Paul Logan’s secretary appeared to escort Tom to Paul’s office.

  *****

  David returned from court, messenger bag hanging from his shoulder. He stopped short, seeing the lingering look the visitor gave to Devin, and saw her smile back at him. Jealousy stabbed at him like a knife to the chest. Who was that guy, anyway? And why was he grinning at Devin like he just won a lottery? Surely he hadn’t made a date with her…

  Or had he?

  *****

  Devin hadn’t been seated at a table with Tom Chenault ten minutes before she realized she’d made a terrible mistake by accepting his dinner invitation. She’d never seen anyone talk so much about himself. He seemed to have no interest in her whatsoever. She might as well be a mannequin sitting opposite him. No wonder he’s not married.

  “But enough about me,” he said after their steaks were delivered.

  “Well,” she began, “my life isn’t nearly as exciting as yours.” She kept her voice sweet and doubted he would pick up on the sarcasm in their meaning. She summarized her life in two sentences, then concluded with, “I’m an office manager, presently in between jobs. I’m getting close to the end of an extended temporary assignment at Holt & Cotten. I’m filling in for the regular receptionist, who’s out on maternity leave.” She shrugged. “I guess I probably need to start checking the want ads for something permanent.”