Still, she is such a smart woman. Almost like a grandma to me. How could I not call her? Glenda’s been the head of housekeeping for as long as I can remember at The Williamson Hotel. Not only that, but she has three daughters. A little blood is no match for her.
“Do you have gloves?” she asks.
“No, should I?”
“Typically I would recommend it, but if it’s your blood, it’s fine,” she says.
It’s not my blood, but she doesn’t need to know that. Wait, should it freak me out that I’m touching her blood? Before my mind can wander too far, Glenda pulls me back into the job at hand.
“Do you think you got it?” she asks after she gives me step-by-step instructions.
“I do. That shouldn’t be too hard.”
She laughs. “It won’t be. If you need any more help, just call.”
“Thanks, Glenda.”
“You’re welcome, Max.”
I hang up and then start searching for what I need. Seven minutes later, I drape the cushion cover over the back of a chair to dry.
Good as new.
Now what?
My stomach rumbles, making up my mind.
Food.
I make myself at home in her kitchen and find everything I need for pancakes and even some sausage links in the fridge.
Perfect.
I get to work on making us breakfast. As the pancakes cook, I send Chad a text letting him know that Iris and I won’t be in today and to reschedule our meetings. Right as I’m finishing up twenty minutes later, I’m greeted by footsteps coming down the hall.
“Right on time,” I tell her without looking up.
“What’s all this?” she asks hesitantly.
“Breakfast,” I say as I finally look at her.
Her hair is up in a messy bun. Iris has on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt that looks suspiciously like one of mine that went missing a long time ago. She doesn’t have a stitch of makeup on, and I swear to God, even though I know she doesn’t feel great, she’s never looked more beautiful than she does right now.
“I was going to make you breakfast.” Her eyes dart to the couch. “You cleaned it?”
“I did.”
“You cleaned my couch and made me breakfast,” she repeats in disbelief.
“I hope it’s okay.”
When she looks back at me, I can see the tears in her eyes.
“Come here,” I demand as I open my arms.
Without any hesitation, Iris falls into me. She buries her face into my chest, and without overthinking it, I lean down and kiss the crown of her head.
“You okay?” I whisper.
