The Way He Looked at Me
“I’ve lived for eighty-two years, young man. I’ve kept fish for over twenty years. I don’t just know them I understand them.”
I almost smile.
“You seem confident,” I say.
“I am,” she replies. “And you’re lucky.”
There’s something in her voice that makes it clear she won’t accept arguments.
She walks to the elevator and presses the button several times quickly. “Come,” she says over her shoulder. “You’ll decide for yourself.”
Not a request.
An instruction.
I follow her inside.
“I’m Mavis,” she says as the doors close. “But call me Mae.”
“Vincent,” I reply, shaking her hand.