Chapter 2

They laughed while Maria stepped into a one-piece bathing suit that forced her ample breasts together. She adjusted them so they bulged from the low neckline and threw the crochet cover-up over her head.

Jimmy followed Maria out the sliding door to the balcony and said, “That long tail bouncing on your butt is like candy for the eyes.”

Maria poked Jimmy in the chest. “Mind your manners.” They looked down on the ant-sized people walking by the pool. Maria put her arm around Jimmy’s waist. “Remember, honey, English and act your age, please.”

“I will. I’ll have fun like a kid.” Jimmy chuckled. “Let’s go.”

Maria stopped before they reached the elevator and said, “Wait for me, I’ll catch up in a minute.

The young girl had finished two rooms and was starting on a third when Maria found her.

“Hola, senorita.”

“Yes, ma’am, can I help you?”

Damn it, why did I assume she didn’t speak English? “Yes, I wanted to thank you for doing a wonderful job. What is your name?”

“Yolanda, ma’am, and you are very welcome,” the maid said. “It is my job, and I be as good as I can.”

“Por favor, llamame, Maria,” she said.

“No, we must be proper and use ma’am and sir, that is the way we are trained, and—”

“I understand.” A tear pooled on the rim of each of Maria’s eyes. “You are wonderful and very pretty. Here.” As soon as the hundred dollar bill was in Yolanda’s hand, Maria turned and rushed off, a tear rolling down each cheek.

Outside, Maria headed for their cabana. Jimmy was there at the mini-bar, opening a Coke.

Brent saw the sulky disappointment on Maria’s face the second she entered the cabana and saw him on the phone, so he said, “I have to go,” nodded a few times, and ended the call.

Maria sighed. “You’re not going to have to fly off on some urgent business, are you?”

“No, today is my last day with any meetings. Tomorrow we’ll be at the cottage, and, as promised, no computer and no phone or internet.”

“That’s so good. Thank you.”

When Brent stood, faced Maria, and said, “You look amazing,” he saw what looked like hostility on Jimmy’s face. How could he be sure, though, the kid was hard to read, except when he showed his wife affection. Brent kissed Maria.

Jimmy said, “Gross,” and let out a loud soda burp. “I’m going to swim.”

“I saw two girls in thongs going that way,” Maria said as her hand brushed across Jimmy’s abdomen. “Don’t get lost for too long.”