That was funny. Sissy had blamed the residents for liking the previous ones.
The man gave a little grin. “You look a little more normal than the last couple.”
If only he knew. “The last instructor wasn’t normal?”
“Normal in that all he cared about was money. And getting in the women’s pants. You know the story.”
“Sure.” It wasn’t like it was a new one. “And the one before?”
“He wasn’t so bad, as a person. Actually, he was a pretty nice guy. He just didn’t have any idea what he was doing, job-wise. Injured more people than he helped, probably. One day he just stopped coming. Never showed up again, and good riddance. Guess he realized he was about to get fired and took things into his own hands.” He shook his head. “There was a while Sissy was having such bad luck she wasn’t sure if we should even keep the fitness center open, or should at least stop offering classes led by ‘qualified’ instructors. But then, she’d lose a lot of residents if she took that away.”
“The last guy—what happened with him? Did he just stop showing up, too?”
He glanced toward Maria, then stepped a little closer to Casey. “Sissy found out one of the older women had changed her will to include him and about blew the roof. He was gone the next day. He may have known what he was doing as far as fitness, but he was an idiot people-wise.” He crossed his arms, which were just as muscular as his legs. “You’re qualified?”
“People-wise or fitness-wise?”
He smiled, revealing a gap between his front teeth that took several years off of him. “Either.”
“Don’t answer him,” Death advised. “At least about the people part.”
“I’m licensed as a personal trainer. You want to arm wrestle me, just to be sure?”
The man laughed. “I’ll take your word for it. Wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Oh, come on.” Death was suddenly behind the man, throwing air punches. “Give him what for. Show him who’s boss.”
“Del?” Maria was back.
“Hey, Maria. Just meeting the new instructor.”
She looked uncomfortable. “Actually—”
“I don’t have the job yet, remember.” Casey smiled. “Del.”
He shrugged, and grinned. “You’ll get it.”
“You’re sure?”
“I can tell about these things.”
“Well, I hope you’re right. Nice to meet you, anyway.”
He moved back toward the weight area, then stopped and turned around. “So you know my name. What’s yours?”
“Daisy. Daisy Gray.”
Death held a hand around Del’s biceps, but looked at Casey. “Sounds almost like you mean it when you say that name. But you should practice some more in front of a mirror.”
Del shivered and glanced toward the air conditioning vent in the ceiling. “So, anyway, Daisy, see you around.”
Maria watched him go. “I hope he was…”
Casey could see the word choice going on in Maria’s head—Discreet? Welcoming? Appropriate?
“He was very nice. Seems to like this place.”
Maria led Casey across the room. “He’s a good guy. A good resident. He’s been here five years, or so, which is longer than most.”
“So the turnover’s fast?”
“Depends. Here in the Flamingo you’ve got some long-term folks, who come in their early twenties and stay a while, but you’ve also got people who show up for a year or two, and then are off to other places. The Palm and Pelican buildings are different, filled mostly with people who want to move somewhere warm in their older years. There’s also a good portion that comes only during the winter months, and their condos sit empty half the year.” She looked like she didn’t think this was the best policy.
They walked past a counter, where a young Hispanic woman was folding towels.
Maria waved. “Hola, Rosa!”
Rosa looked up shyly, her eyes darting to Casey and back to Maria.
Maria rattled off something in Spanish, then turned to Casey. “I’m telling her you’re applying for the fitness instructor job.”
Casey smiled at Rosa, reaching deep inside for the bit of Spanish she’d learned from Reuben. “Hola, un placer conocerte.”
Rosa’s shyness turned to pleasure at Casey’s attempt to say it was nice to meet her, and she stood up straighter, her face growing serious with concentration. “Hello. It is a nice day.”
“Yes,” Casey said. “It is.”
“Adios, Rosa!” Maria flipped her a wave. “See you later!”
Casey waved, too, and followed Maria through a door into a large, airy room. “Is Rosa new to the States?”
Maria frowned. “Why?”
“Just wondered.”
“She’s been a citizen for almost a year now. Came over from Cuba a long time ago. Completely legal. You have a problem