So many friends stayed with me in Hong Kong in the Eighties and got to know and love my Filipina maid Norma.
So, I feel a little more than déjà vu settling into Edmundo”s home here in Miami for three weeks with memories of Norma rushing back. Regina, Edmundo’s Brazilian housekeeper dances attendance on Edmundo but also loves to look after the very affable Michael from Australia.
“Being busy” here is not part of any plan. Our day seems to include many “naps” but Edmundo likes me to pull up the bed when I get out of it because “only whores and sailors get into unmade beds”.
I’m settling (somewhat guiltily) into other of Edmundo’s routines like breakfast on the table at 8, come rain or shine. But then going back to bed for an hour (as he”s done since childhood). Clothes disappear magically in the morning and hang immaculately ironed by afternoon. I caused a major kerfuffle when I wanted the bed spreads and extra pillows put away for the duration of my stay but Regina cried “no composé” or some such in Spanish, meaning that we can”t mess up the prescribed daytime “finished look”.
I think I know who is boss but Edmundo would have you think he is the “captain of his ship”.