My grandmother Elena smiled back at me.
She had been the only member of the family who never asked me to make myself smaller.
When I bought my first duplex and everyone predicted I’d lose it, Grandma Elena had taken my hands and said:
“Build your own table, Sophia. Then decide who gets a seat.”
I reached for my office phone.
“Jenny.”
“Yes, Ms. Martinez?”
“Connect me with James Chin at Riverside.”
Seconds later, my property manager answered.
“Good morning.”
“James, cancel the Martinez Christmas booking.”
A pause.
“Patricia Martinez?”
“Yes.”
“Reason?”
I reread Patricia’s insult.
“Owner discretion clause. Enforce the forfeiture terms exactly.”
James was too professional to laugh.
But I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Understood.”
Less than a minute later, my phone became a fireworks display.
WHAT DID YOU DO?
ANSWER YOUR PHONE.
YOU HAVE LOST YOUR
