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fists.
    “We’re going,” Carissa said.
    Lina shook her head. “No, don’t do that.”
    “Why not? And you’d better not mention that damn coleslaw.”
    Lina covered her ears and winced as if in pain. “There’s no need to swear.” She let her hands fall to her lap. “It’s just that you both just got here and I’d hate for you to go so soon.” She sighed dramatically. “Glenn is away and I’m so bored. Oh, wait, there is something I wanted to show you.” She stood and started to lift up her blouse.
    Carissa quickly covered Malcolm’s eyes. “What are you doing?”
    “I want to show you some artwork silly. I’m not doing a striptease.”
    Carissa slowly removed her hand from Malcolm’s eyes and they both stared at the landscape painting on Lina’s belly.
    “I wanted to show you before I washed it away. He’s a top local artist. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
    The painting was nice, but Carissa had seen better work at a yard sale. She didn’t even want to ask how much Lina had paid for it. “You could have just taken a picture.”
    “Pictures aren’t the same, what do you think museums are for?”
    “And you are my living masterpiece,” a new voice said.
    They all turned and saw Glenn closing the door.
    Lina beamed. “Oh baby you’re so sweet.”
    “Not as sweet as you.”
    He grabbed her and they started to kiss, looking like the perfect couple they were. Her fine good looks matching his strong, handsome features.
    Malcolm made gagging noises and Carissa agreed. “Let’s go,” she said under her breath.
    The couple had moved into her building because Glenn wanted Carissa to keep an eye on Lina and the rest of the family agreed, although she couldn’t understand why. Lina had two sisters of her own, but when Glenn asked she’d said yes. She now regretted the offer to help.
    Malcolm headed to his apartment.
    “Where are you going? Don’t you want lunch?”
    “I can make it myself.”
    She grabbed the back of his shirt. “Don’t listen to anything Lina says. I like your company, okay?”
    He looked at her unsure. “You mean it?”
    “Yes. If I can get rid of Morris I’d have no problem getting rid of you, if I wanted to. Which I don’t.”
    Malcolm made a low hissing sound then pumped his fist in the air.
    Carissa looked at him confused. “What’s that for?”
    He looked at her and shook his head. “Nothing. Come on I’m hungry,” he said before she could ask him why he suddenly looked so pleased.
    ***
    Carissa enjoyed her lunch with Malcolm and the following day decided to treat herself to a celebratory break-up dinner for one when the doorbell rang. She looked at her spicy baked shrimp dinner, hoping it would keep, then walked over and opened the door.
    “Were you really angry with me the other day?” Lina asked.
    “Yes.”
    She patted her stomach then said in a baby voice. “Little York doesn’t like when Aunty is mad at Mommy.”
    Carissa shook her head. “Please don’t do that.”
    “Am I forgiven?” she asked inviting herself inside.
    Carissa shut the door behind her. “Only if you promise to stop doing that.”
    “I promise.” Lina turned and looked at herself in the hallway mirror Carissa had hanging by the door. “Oh, I hope I get to keep them.”
    “Keep what?”
    “My breasts. I mean, look how nice they are. The belly can go, but these babies can stay forever.” She lifted them. “Aren’t they magnificent?”
    “Hmm.”
    “Want to feel them?”
    “No.”
    “Come on, don’t be shy.”
    Carissa held up her hands. “I’m not interested.”
    “Aren’t those Morris’s things?” she asked looking at a box stuffed with his clothes and other items.
    “Yes.”
    “Are you finally moving in with him?”
    “No, we broke up.”
    Lina’s mouth dropped. “Why?”
    “It just wasn’t working.”
    “Oooh your mother isn’t going to like hearing that.”
    “That’s why she doesn’t need to know yet.”
    “Are you thinking of freezing your