Years ago my sister was given a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure from her then boyfriend/current husband/my neighbor, David.

The woman who gave her the manicure and pedicure was a Ukranian woman named Mila who had a sort of imperious manner that brought the gulags to mind. Fortunately Torey reminded her of her own daughter and quickly became a favorite. She was always getting upgrades or very generous samples. Beside Torey’s perks it was a really excellent salon and so we started giving each other, and requesting for every holiday, gift certificates.

Whenever I went to the salon I was treated a little better than a prisoner of war until I would remind her that I was Torey’s sister. She would pause for a moment, her steely gaze softening somewhat and she would gush, “Oh yes, Toeree. She is beeyooteeful, wunderful girl.” And then she would go back to bullying me and whatever part of my body was under her “care”.

For a very special treat before her wedding Torey scheduled a facial. As Mila was poking and pressing her face Torey referred to some freckles that always became prominent in the summer. Mila shook her head sadly.

“Nnnooo Baybee, Ah lieka fareckuls. That is a sunspot.”

Torey told the story when she got home and the line immediately went into the family vernacular. For some reason I remembered it and have been adopting a thick Ukranian accent off and on for a couple of weeks. After one weekend where I was addressing everyone as, “Baybee” Paul asked, “Are you going to stop that soon? It’s getting a old.”

“Yes, Baybee, I will try.”

I told myself I would limit it to when we are playing in the pool, but anytime I get to say no it is all I can do to not add, “Baybee”.