Sofia turned from the window to reach for a pillowcase, and paused. Mother, who sat on the stuffed chair in front of the television, perked up when baby Amélia toddled over. She smiled and reached a hand out to Amélia.
“Olá, bébé,” Mother said with a soft smile.
Amélia stopped against Mother’s knees and smiled back.
Margarida and Sofia shared a smile at the interaction between their charges.
Margarida stood and approached Sofia. “She seems to be doing well.” She indicated Mother.
Sofia nodded. “She’s having a good day today.”
Who knew that having a baby over could improve Mother’s mood this much?
“Is she letting you sleep any better?” Margarida asked.
Sofia leaned against the balcony door frame and shook her head. “Still waking up at least once every night.”
“Sleep deprivation is really hard. I know that well even though my sleep disturber is a lot smaller.” Margarida turned to her baby and waved at her, much to Amélia’s delight.
Sofia resumed her task and Margarida sat on the floor, within reach of Amélia.
“So you haven’t seen Josh in three days?” Margarida asked. “That’s not very good for such a new relationship, is it?”
Sofia turned from the line to glare at Margarida. “We’re not in a relationship.”
“I thought you said there was kissing involved.”
“Yes, but I’m not telling you the details.”
Margarida rose and handed the clothes pins to Sofia. “Well, you and Josh might want to have a little talk then, because where there’s kissing, there’s a relationship.”
Sofia returned the empty basket and pins to the laundry closet in the kitchen, and joined Margarida in the living room. “I’ll think about it. I’m not sure Josh and I are ready for that kind of talk.”
“What about his project? Don’t you think it’s a great idea?” Margarida held up a plush ball to the baby. “Paulo and I are very impressed with the direction it’s taken.”
“What project? Did he start something else?”
Margarida grabbed her cell phone from her purse. After scrolling for some seconds, she handed it to Sofia. “This is what I’m talking about.”
Sofia took it and read the last few posts Josh had written on his photography page. She read them chronologically, and when she got to the last one, her mouth formed a perfect oh of surprise.
Josh had started a fundraiser for a family who had lost everything in a fire. The amount raised stood at over twenty-five-thousand euros, and it had one more day left. She brought a hand to cover her mouth, unable to put into words the feelings in her heart.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Margarida asked.
“It’s so wonderful.” She took a deep breath, trying to get a handle on her emotions. “Why can’t he see what a wonderful, spiritual person he is?” She returned the phone to Margarida. “This is the true spirit of service. He just helps and serves and starts amazing fundraisers, and then locks himself out from church on purpose.”
“Paulo and I think it’s a fantastic thing he’s doing.”
“Sometimes I just don’t understand him.”
Margarida opened a small container of baby crackers and Amélia reached for one. “Don’t worry; that goes for all men.”
“Why is he so stubborn then? We can talk about anything else just fine, but as soon as I mention the church, this wall just goes up between us.” Sofia held her hands mimicking a barrier. “If he’d just come to the meetings once he might remember what it’s like to feel the spirit.”
“Just give him time,” Margarida said.
“That’s just it, isn’t it? I don’t know how much time we have.” Sofia brought her fingers to her collar bone and touched the pendant. “Has he said anything to Paulo about when he’s leaving?”
Margarida shook her head. “He had his work visa renewed a few weeks ago, but that’s all I know. But I can ask Paulo if you want.”
“I’m not even sure if I want to know.” Sofia rubbed her forehead. “What a mess this is.”
“Let’s talk about your new job instead. How do you like it?”
Sofia joined Margarida on the floor. “It’s fun meeting people from all parts of Europe and even beyond. But it’s very demanding. Standing on my feet all day and carrying those heavy platters back and forth.”
Mother and Amélia still played, passing toys between them, the language of smiles more prevalent than words. The thought crossed Sofia’s mind to ask Margarida and Amélia to come back soon. It warmed her heart to see Mother so engaged and calm.
“Do they really make you wear that uniform?” Margarida asked.
Sofia nodded. “Black skirt and button shirt and a little, frilly white apron. And black pumps, fortunately not too high or I’d be tripping all day.”
Margarida made a face. “That’s almost like a French maid’s uniform. I’m surprised you don’t have to wear one of those white lacy headbands on your hair.”
“And a hair net.” Sofia laughed. “That would be funny.”
“And are the tips as good as they promised?”
“Not yet since I’m still in training. But I’ve seen some of the other girls make over €30 in one shift on the good days.”
“That would be such a blessing to you. When is the first tuition payment due?”
“On the first of next month.” Sofia rose and headed to the kitchen. “If I miss more than three payments in a row, then they kick me out and I have to apply again next year.”
Margarida followed her and stopped at the door, keeping an eye on the baby. “But you have enough, don’t you?”
“For the first six months, yes. I’m hoping to start putting more aside with the waitressing job.” She removed a glass container with vegetable soup from the refrigerator and set it on the counter. “Do you want to stay for an early lunch?”
“No, we need to get going. But thanks anyway.” Margarida turned to the living room and started picking up the toys. She checked Amélia’s diaper, then laid out the changing pad on the rug and proceeded to change the baby.
Mother leaned forward, eyebrows close together and mouth tight.
Sofia wiped her hands on the apron and walked over. “It’s all right, mãe. Margarida is just changing the baby’s diaper.”
Mother sat back.
Sofia turned to Margarida. “Well, I’m glad you two had time to come over for a little visit.”
Margarida stood and shouldered the diaper bag, then reached for Amélia. “I hope we weren’t too much in your way.”
Mother raised a hand to stop Margarida. “Where are you taking her?”
Margarida bent down to Mother’s level. “We’re going home now, Dona Manuela. Thank you for playing with Amélia.”
Mother tried to rise from the chair and Sofia placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Stay here, mãe. I’m just saying goodbye to Margarida and Amélia.”
Sofia walked to the foyer and unlocked the front door.
“When are you working mornings? You need to come over for dinner.” Margarida stepped out and pushed the elevator button, and then returned to the open door.
“I have the evening free tomorrow,” Sofia said.
“Okay, tomorrow it is.” She winked. “I’ll have Josh pick you up.”
“You can’t take her.”
Sofia startled at Mother’s voice just behind her. She set a hand on Mother’s arm to stop her. “Margarida and Amélia need to go now, mãe.”
Margarida pushed the button again.
Mother raised her voice and swatted at Sofia’s hand. “That’s my baby. She can’t take her.”
“I’m sorry, Margarida.” Sofia stepped in front of Mother as she closed the door.
Margarida nodded and entered the elevator, her hand tight on Amélia’s back.
Sofia threw the deadbolt on the door.
“Why did she take my baby?” Mother clasped her hands tightly, her eyes
fixated on the door.
Sofia sighed. Mother had been doing so well just a few minutes before. She drew an arm around Mother’s shoulder and guided her to the kitchen. “How about a cup of lemon-balm tea? With some Maria crackers? I know you like to dip them.”
Mother shuffled beside Sofia. “I want the wide teacup.”
“Okay, we can do that.”
Sofia settled Mother at the kitchen table and filled the kettle with water. She opened the cupboard and grabbed the glass jar with the lemon-balm leaves.
Her shoulders slumped. The sadness of seeing Mother lose her mind in this unforgiving manner was more than Sofia could take at times. She barely had the energy to go through the motions until Nurse Antónia arrived. The anticipated relief warred with her sense of responsibility but caring for Mother was becoming more exhausting each day.
She’d call Margarida later and apologize.
At the end of her shift, Sofia changed into her jeans in the employees’ bathroom. It was the last day of her training, and tomorrow she’d start keeping all her tips instead of splitting them with the girls she’d shadowed for the previous days.
She powered on her cell phone and the notifications pinged immediately. There were over ten messages. Her forehead wrinkled in concern. Had something happened with Mother? As she scrolled through the list, the names of colleagues from school made most of it and she let a breath out in relief. She sent a quick text to Nurse Antónia, who confirmed that Mother was fine and nothing unusual had happened all day.
When Sofia arrived at home, she went straight to her bedroom and read the messages. Everyone in her English group at the secondary school had contacted her, a couple of colleagues from her former school, and three of her friends from university. With each one read, Sofia’s apprehension grew, hardly believing the turn of events and the impact of it on so many professionals. She followed the link to the largest national newspaper and read the headline: Ministry of Education to slash five thousand teaching jobs.
A knock sounded on her bedroom door and she jumped. “Entre.”
Nurse Antónia opened the door but didn’t go in. “Everything all right?”
Sofia held up the phone. “I’m just now finding out.”
“I was wondering if that would affect you.”
“It’s beginning to look like it.” She hadn’t read all the details yet, but the prospects weren’t good. Ministry decrees were final.
“Maybe it won’t be so bad,” Nurse Antónia said.
Sofia didn’t have a reply to that. Since when was being out of a job not bad?
“I’m leaving, if there’s nothing else you need.”
Sofia rose and followed her to the foyer. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As she read more news links, Sofia’s heart sank. Indeed she had lost her job, as had many other teachers across the country. The Ministry of Education had kept the decision under wraps until the announcement, surely anticipating the backlash from teachers’ unions everywhere. At least the students were now on summer vacation and wouldn’t be affected by the strikes.
Her phone rang. It was Margarida.
“Sofia, how are you doing? You’ve heard the news, right?”
Sofia sat on the sofa for a moment. “Yeah, I’ve heard the news. And I’m still too numb to know how I’m feeling.”
“Oh, Sofia. I don’t know what to say.”
“There’ll be a meeting at the school later this week. I’m trying to remain calm until then.”
“You’re a lot braver than I am. I’d be freaking out already.” Margarida paused. “I actually called to cancel dinner. I’m so sorry, but we had a horrible day.”
“What happened?”
“It’s Amélia. She was up all night with a double ear infection and then we were at the doctor almost all day.”
“The poor baby. Is she feeling better now?”
“She’s doing much better but I’m just beat.”
“Don’t worry about it. I completely forgot to ask Nurse Antónia to stay a couple more hours, so I wouldn’t have been able to come anyway.” Sofia walked back into the kitchen. “You should go to bed and catch up on your sleep.”
“Exactly my plans. Josh is coming for you in a little while. Will you let him know?”
“Of course. We’ll figure something out.”
Margarida sighed. “Okay. I’ll talk to you later then. Hang in there.”
“I will. Xau.”
Sofia set the phone down and walked to Mother’s room. She helped her to the bathroom and then to the living room, where she turned the television on for her favorite show.
When she returned to the kitchen, she still didn’t know what to cook for Mother’s dinner. A little more planning and organization wouldn’t hurt, would they?
The doorbell rang. She checked the time on the wall clock. It was early, but it must be Josh.
Sofia opened the front door and Josh smiled at her. “Boa noite, Sofia.”
Oh that smile. What it did to her. She stepped aside and let him in.
Once in the foyer, Josh gave her a side hug and dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. Sofia leaned into his side and closed her eyes, letting her arm come around him to return the embrace.
She stepped back. “There’s been a change of plans. Margarida had to cancel the dinner.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Amélia was sick during the night and Margarida had to take her to the doctor. She’s feeling better now, but Margarida is tired.”
“What about you and I go out to dinner somewhere?”
Sofia gestured to the living room where Mother sat listening to the evening news. “I forgot to ask Nurse Antónia to stay a few hours longer tonight and I can’t leave Mother by herself.”
Josh looked into the room. “No, of course not. Did you start dinner yet?”
“I was about to start with dinner for Mother.”
“Well, if you don’t mind me inviting myself over, I could go for Chinese take-out and we could stay in.”
She liked that idea. Too much. A night in for Josh and her.
“I still have to cook dinner for Mother and then help her to bed. Could you come back in one hour?”
Josh smiled. “Of course. Do you have any preferences?”
“Just surprise me.”
One hour later, when Josh returned with a full Chinese dinner for two, Sofia cleared the coffee table in front of the sofa and they sat on the rug. After blessing the food, they opened the containers and filled their plates with the assorted dishes.
Sofia crossed her legs. “I so needed this little reprieve. Thank you so much.”
Josh used the chopsticks with ease. “You’re welcome.” He took a drink. “How did your day go?”
“Well, I’m out of a job.”
Josh put his chopsticks down on the plate and raised his eyebrow. “You’re out of a job? How can that be? You just started.”
“Not the job at the café. That one is secure. At least for now.” She picked at the noodles on her plate. “It’s my teaching job I’m talking about.”
“Your teaching job? What do you mean?”
“Hang on.” Sofia got up and retrieved her phone from the kitchen.
She found the link to the news about the Ministry of Education and passed the phone to Josh. After a few minutes of reading, he returned the phone back to Sofia, his forehead wrinkled in obvious confusion.
“Can they really do this?”
Sofia shrugged. “It’s the Ministry of Education. Their word is law. If they decide to cut five thousand jobs for whatever reason or under whatever excuse, they can. Of course, the teacher unions will protest, but in the end it won’t make much difference, and the students are the ones to suffer during the strikes when school starts in September.”
Josh sat in silence for a minute. “So there’s nothing you can do to protect your position at your school?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Will you
get your job back?”
“Not the one I have right now. They say they’ll start phasing in all the teachers laid off in one to two school years, but the longer you’re out of the hiring pool, the harder it is to get back in.”
Josh regarded her with an expression of concern. “What are you going to do?”
“For starters, I’m going to see if they can give me a full-time position at the café. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to search for something else.” Sofia pointed at the containers. “Let’s eat while it’s warm. We can talk about my career redirection afterwards.”
For a few minutes, they ate and talked about work, his and hers. Sofia’s favorite noodles had bits of seaweed and bamboo shoots, along with other vegetables, and she enjoyed her meal. She especially enjoyed the company. For now, she didn’t want to think about the changes that would soon take place in her life. Tomorrow would come in time. She tried to distract Josh from the topic and told him stories about the customers at work, but that cute wrinkle between his eyes took a while to soften.
After they cleared the table and carried the empty containers and trash to the kitchen, Sofia told Josh to sit back down.
“I have a surprise dessert.” She walked back to the living-room carrying two ice-cream bowls and spoons. She handed one to Josh and then sat down next to him.
“Chocolate mousse!” He smiled and buried the spoon into the creamy center.
“It’s not totally from scratch. I didn’t have time for that. But I had a quick mix and added extra melted dark chocolate and whipped egg whites.”
Josh closed his eyes and licked the spoon, then his lips. “This is heaven.”
She watched him, deriving great pleasure from the look of enjoyment in his face. At that moment, she wished she hadn’t asked Josh not to kiss her. A chocolate-flavored kiss—it would be so good.
When Josh was done, he put down his empty bowl. Then he reached for Sofia’s and set it next to it. “I’m going to honor your wishes and not kiss you, but I want it to go on record how much I’d like to right now.”
Sofia’s cheeks heated and she covered them with her hands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare at you.”
He tugged at her hand and they stood from the floor to sit on the couch, next to each other. “You can stare at my mouth all you want. Just know that one of these days we’ll have to revisit your request.” He winked at her.
The Secret Life of Daydreams Page 17