“You guys didn’t have to walk me all the way to my door.” Catalina’s purse made a distinct thud on the counter when she set it down. Then her keys rang as they clattered against the dish in her entryway.
Damien’s deep voice was filled with concern when he spoke. “Cat, what’s with your door?”
She played dumb. “What do you mean?”
“It’s got five bolts on it, and it’s not the door you had before.” Suspicion was pregnant in his voice, picking up on the details only a criminal would notice. “And you have an alarm. Cat, what’s going on? You aren’t telling me something.”
I listened for her response, wondering how she would handle this. She probably knew I was in her bedroom, listening to the entire exchange.
“There was a break-in a few weeks ago,” she said. “My neighbors told me about it, so I asked my super to get a better door. That’s all. And the alarm is just good sense.” Her footsteps sounded as she walked across the floor. “Who wants wine? I just got a few new bottles the other day.”
No, I did.
“I’ll take some,” Anna said.
Damien didn’t let it go. “If you don’t feel comfortable here, I can always buy you a place—”
“Oh my god,” she said with a scoff. “Don’t be a drama queen. Now, you want red or white?”
Damien backed off, grudgingly. “Red.”
“Me too,” Anna said.
“Daddy?” Catalina asked, her voice a higher pitch whenever she spoke to him.
“I guess red,” he said, his voice deep and raspy.
She poured the glasses and handed them out. It seemed like Damien and Anna moved to the living room because their voices were farther away. Her father started to speak to her, keeping his voice down like he didn’t want his son to overhear.
“Maybe your brother is right,” he said, his voice coarse with age. “He could buy you a nice place close to the theater—”
“Daddy, I’m fine,” she said quickly. “It’s not his responsibility to take care of me. He has someone in his life he’s supposed to care for, and that’s exactly how it should be. I’m not his problem.”
“Sweetheart, we’re a family. We always take care of one another.”
“I’m perfectly fine, okay? One day, I’ll have a man who can take care of me the way Damien takes care of Anna.”
That could be me…if she let me.
“I don’t believe that,” he said. “Because I can’t imagine any man being good enough for you.”
There was a long pause, like she was taking it in. “Daddy…”
“I mean it. Who’s ever gonna be good enough for the smartest, most talented, most beautiful woman in the world?”
“Stop,” she said with a chuckle. “And even if that’s true, it doesn’t matter. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Her father was quiet for a while. “Sweetheart, I’m glad you’re a dancer because I can’t imagine you doing anything else, not when you’re so talented, but it’ll never earn you enough money to be comfortable. Your brother has enough money to share with you.”
“Dad, just let it go, okay?” she said gently. “I’m only twenty-five. I’ve got time to worry about that stuff later.”
“Alright,” he said. “I just want to make sure my little girl is taken care of.”
I sighed to myself, hated listening to this conversation, listening to the bond they shared. He was a sweet old man who loved his daughter so much, wore his heart on his sleeve, and after what I did… I was fucking evil.
They all chatted together on the couch for another fifteen minutes before they decided to leave. It was getting late, so I was surprised they’d stuck around so long. The front door opened, and they said their goodbyes.
“Goodnight, sweetheart. Come over tomorrow so we can play a round.”
“Alright, Dad.” She kissed him, probably on the cheek. “I’ll see you at lunchtime.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
I pushed my fingers through my short hair and down the back of my neck, sighing to myself.
Anna said goodbye next. “Let me know when you want to go out to lunch. Sofia is having her baby any day now, so I won’t have long lunches anymore.”
“Alright, girl,” she said.
Footsteps sounded as they stepped into the hallway.
That meant Damien was the only one who stayed behind.
“Oh no…” Catalina sighed. “Not you too.”
“Let me buy you a place,” he insisted. “It doesn’t have to be fancy.”
“I don’t need you to buy me anything, Damien.”
“Then move in with me. Come on, there’s plenty of space for all of us.”
She released a sarcastic laugh. “God, I’d rather be homeless than live with you, Damien.”
He chuckled slightly in return. “It wouldn’t be that bad. We’d set some ground rules to make it work.”
“Yeah?” she asked sarcastically. “What about when I want to bring…” She faltered for a moment, choosing her words carefully before blurting them out. “My guys over?”
He sighed loudly. “We’re both adults, Catalina. I understand you have a personal life. I wouldn’t say a word.”
“You would hate it, and you know it.”
“But I would keep my mouth shut.”
She turned quiet. “I appreciate you looking out for me, but I’m fine. Really. Don’t worry about me.”
“You’re my little sister. Hard not to.”
“I’m not little, Damien.”
He chuckled. “Let me know if you change your mind. Offer is always on the table.”
“I know.”
Their voices shifted like they shared an embrace.
“And you were amazing tonight, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
He walked out and shut the door behind him.
I stared out the window and listened to their footsteps fade down the hallway. Catalina didn’t move, probably staring at the door to make sure they were really gone before she turned all the bolts into place.
Then her footsteps came my way.
I turned to the door, expecting to see her any second.
She came inside and looked at me, not the least bit surprised
