New Kid Part 2

I am just about to bite into my Vietnamese pork roll with extra chili and coriander when New Kid comes over to my desk.
N.K Catherine I like your earrings.
Me: Thanks! ( I position my head to take a bite)
N.K Are they aboriginal?
Me: No, they are from my home country; Kenya.
She hangs around idly for a few seconds then goes to her desk. I cherish the silence and even close my eyes to take the next bite.

That doesn’t last long as she comes back.
N.K. Catherine why is there a gym above us?
Me: wo pu ce tau, I say more to myself than in response.
N.K What is that? I don’t know what that means.
Me: It means I don’t know in Chinese.
N.K: (Gasps and shouts) ARE YOU BEING RACIST!
Me: (I conjure all the calmness in me) and ask her, “how many languages do you speak?”
N.K uuumm, I speak Russian, Ukrainian and English.
Me: So when you say things in one or the other language are you being racist?
N.K No I am not.
She shifts her weight to one leg and chews rather loudly on a celery stick. I assume to ponder on my answer.

Then out of the blue,she says “Catherine, there is so much work to do here! I am surprised you are not aggressive.
Me: I swallow my pork roll after 2 chews and not the recommended 26. My brain is completely a mess as I am wondering how one responds or reacts to that comment.

Serenity now!