3 Chapter 3

“When do you have to be back?”

She laughed. “Not now. There is not time to do what I want to do with you and to you and for you.”

“And for you?”

“Yes, and for me too. I have off tomorrow. You?”

We arranged for me to pick her up and go shopping. My mother laughed when I asked to use the car, perhaps picturing who it was I wanted to drive with or to. Sofia did live in a difficult-to-find neighborhood, but she was sitting on the steps to the house as I pulled up. After she complimented me on the car—”it’s not mine”—we drove to an outlet mall in nearby Lee. Holding hands somehow, we wandered from store to store.

Entering one with lingerie, she took me to a display of lace bras and panties.

“Your babies are wonderful. They deserve something nice to caress them as you move.” I was silent as she pulled out various styles.

“Size?”

“Thirty-six C.”

She pulled out several and told me to try them on.

They did look nice. Both my boobs and the bras. I came out of the fitting room.