Taking the Maid

It was never that dirty, and it wasn’t even that big. Mr. Chambers house was Leifang’s favorite to clean. And Mr. Chambers himself was a nice man, she came early and he gave her breakfast and coffee in the morning and they talked. He was in his fifties, balding, and a widower. He lived here alone with his big mutt, Buster, who was well trained, but a total goofball.

Lei was nineteen, and had immigrated with her mother when she was four, and spoke fluent Mandarin as well as unaccented English. Since her mother had died two years ago, she had been supporting herself as a maid. She was small and cute, with light brown skin and shoulder length hair.

This particular Tuesday, breakfast was laid out, bagels with lox for Mr. Chambers and just cream cheese for the vegetarian Lei. She smiled. Mr. Chambers was so considerate. He always asked about schooling and paid her more than average. Lei really liked him, even developing a crush on the middle aged construction manager.

Today Mr. Chambers wore a suit, not the usual jeans and flannel. “Lei, could I ask a huge favor? Could I leave Buster here with you? He’s usually fine to come to the site with me, but I have a meeting in the city and I can’t really take the big guy. Just for the morning, you understand.”

“Of course, Mr. Chambers. I love dogs! I wish I had one actually.” Hearing his name, the big brown half Dane half something else sauntered up. “You’re just a big sweetie aren’t you?” she said, scratching his head.

Buster snorted happily and pushed against the little Asian woman and she laughed. He had thirty pounds on her and was almost as tall as she was.

Mr. Chambers left and Buster went off doing whatever dog’s do. He really was good, but if he was left alone he might tear the place up. Lei set to work in the kitchen, scrubbing counters and cupboards and floors. She flit about in her short maids uniform, which she wore for male clients as it always lead to a better tip, scrubbing both the bathrooms, even though the second one hadn’t been used since she was last there.