“Pezzo di MERDA.”
“No need to get so angry.”
She shot her a look of haughty derision, “No need? Then you fix the fucking hole punch.”
Joanne raised a fine eyebrow and reached out for the colligated fragments of metal and springs. Her distraught friend flung it into her palm and returned to swiping the thick layer of dust from the empty shelves in the common rooms.
She closely examined the hole punch, deciding that it was most likely beyond repair. “No, I agree with you now, it can’t be fixed.”
The other woman refused to turn and face her, most likely growling with intended disparition – although they were nearly done cleaning the room, an unpleasant scent of formaldehyde and detergent was rising through the air. It was enough to induce a gag reflex in anyone.
“Kate-“
“How many fucking times have I told you that is not my name?”
“How many times have I asked you not to say ‘fucking’ all the time?” Joanne sighed.
Caterina stared at her, a frown plastering her face, “You’re a grown woman, and you say you can’t handle a little foul language.”
“Not the only foulness I have to endure…” A mumbled escaped Joanne. Caterina ignored her, the desire for conflict leaving her as a gust of lethargy. They cleaned in silence for a few more minutes, before Joanne threw down her cloth and spun around to face the other.
“This is ridiculous. I didn’t leave my family and country behind to work as a maid for some underpaying, undervaluing, and generally ‘under’ institution-“
Caterina cut her off, “-I’m sorry. Were you under the illusion that I gave half a shit?”
It was at this moment in time that Joanne seriously reconsidered the turn her life had taken. Illegal immigrant with no insurance, visa, or stable home, missing a family that lived across continents and currently residing in a room with one of the most disgruntled and unfulfilled women she had ever met.
“I’m aware you don’t.”
“You’re not the only one with problems, stop whining, per amore di Dio!”
Joanne stared in disbelief. Caterina paused and glared back, flames flickering in her eyes.
“You know what, Caterina?”
“What?”
“Fix the fucking hole punch yourself.”
