When I got back to the truck Jeanine was holding out my phone.
“Someone named Marlon?” she said. “I think he’s pissed.”
“It’s just early,” I responded, grinning in anticipation. I snatched the phone and started talking.
“Brando! Good morning.”
“Ronny! You have my truck?”
The difference between us was that he loved his nickname while I hated mine.
“What do you mean, do I have your truck? What do you think of me? I just got it washed and everything.”
“And the floozy?”
“Okay, that’s just rude.”
He laughed in his characteristically understated way.
“Vacuum and steam-wash the seats today. Out of your pay. And in between, I need you to add a couple cleanings to your route. Capiche?”
“I can’t tell if you’re kidding.”
“I’m your boss, what do you think?”
Nick Denardi 