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I asked Suroj and Lian whose desks are adjacent to mine:
Did you see the painter this morning?
he was standing on the window sill to reach the ceiling trim
I heard a beautiful voice from his phone
a woman chatting in Spanish on and on
I thought he’s listening to a television show
then he said a phrase and the voice replied
I imagined what their talk’s about
maybe she’s planning tonight
or her girlfriend’s old boyfriend is back again
her voice was lively and bright
he answered from time to time
their conversation had patience and energy to keep going
and then she began to cry
her voice slowed into sobs
she wept as she talked with love and
perhaps the fullness of God’s blessing in their lives
maybe with joyful tears on her cheeks
she said a few words more
he did too
painting as they spoke.
I asked Suroj and Lian if they heard her crying
they had overheard and
how beautiful it was.