Susan, I asked, you still seeing Ed Flores?

Went back to his wife.

Lucky she didn’t kill you, said Ann. I’d never fool around with a Spanish guy. They all have tough ladies back in the barrio.

No, said Susan, she’s unusual. I met her at a meeting. We had an amazing talk. Luisa is a very fine woman. She’s one of the office-worker organizers I told you about. She only needs him two more years, she says. Because the kids—they’re girls—need to be watched a little in their neighborhood. The neighborhood is definitely not good. He’s a good father but not such a great husband.

I’d call that a word to the wise.

Well, you know me—I don’t want a husband. I like a male person around. I hate to do without. Anyway, listen to this. She, Luisa, whispers in my ear the other day, she whispers, Suzie, in two years you still want him, I promise you, you got him. Really, I may still want him then. He’s only about forty-five now. Still got a lot of spunk. I’ll have my degree in two years. Chrissy will be out of the house.