She would have been ninety-six at the end of January. Her name was Evangeline, but most people called her Ann. She lived in Paris for a year, working for Anne Klein as a fashion designer. She studied maritime law in the 70s, the only woman in her class and the program. She made most of her money by working as a set designer for two male fashion photographers. She returned to school in her thirties and began teaching middle and high school science courses. Geology was her favorite.
I’m on my hands and knees, my most frequent posture whenever I visit Mother. This time, I’m scrubbing the floor in her living room. “What does she do, this housekeeper of yours?” I ask.
“See these linen pants?” Mother replies, plucking up the smooth white fabric. “Elaine keeps a nice crease in them for me.”
It was one of those old-fashioned public phone booths that were so common before mobiles. He was grateful to have spotted it because this way she wouldn’t recognize his number. He fed the slot several coins and shivered in the autumn air as he dialed.
He felt that familiar rush of adrenalin that came from anticipating her mood. She picked up on the second ring.
Yeah, it was my niece’s fifth birthday party, and you paid him five bucks. He seemed pretty surprised it worked and started losing his shit. You laughed and put me in your shirt
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