Mali

So I was talking about this girl I used to work with, Mali.

Austin: Mali who?

Me: Mali X.

Austin shakes his head.

Me: You remember Mali.

Austin, blank stare.

Me: Mali. [As if repeating helped, louder] Mali.

Austin, nothing.

Me: Pale black girl, thin. She used to sit a few seats from me when I worked e-mail.

Austin: With the accent.

Me: Not Maly with a Y. Mali with an I.

Austin: I know Maly with the Y. She's my Maly. I meant the lesbian girl with the accent.

Me: Viviana?

Austin: No. She's a dyke. The pretty little one with an accent. She used to sit right behind you.

Me: That was Luz. No, Mali. You remember Mali, who borrowed my collection of novellas.

Austin: Oh, yeah. I kind of remember her.

Me: That's the Mali.