Chapter 2
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That reunion with Dominic was the precursor to many enjoyable visits, though often when dad was out. It wasn�t long before Nick had bought a house near our own. It had become customary for me to drop by Dominic�s on my way to the skating rink for summer practice. On the afternoon of July 8th, I found him sprawled comfortably on his front stoop, waiting for me. �Hey, Katia!� Dropping my skate bag, I joined him, basking comfortably in the sun. �Remember the conversation we had the first day we met?� �Of course. You asked me to introduce myself.� �You also told me that your father could not be persuaded to allow you to quit skating. I didn�t believe you then, though I do now.� �You talked to dad?� �I tried to convince him to put you in swimming lessons. The only response I got was that it was too expensive and would take time away from your skating.� �Yeah, well, I told you so. It�s impossible� I tried to keep the feeling of disappointment from showing. So long as Dominic had believed, a tiny part of me had clung to hope. �Nothing�s impossible.� �You couldn�t get him to register me for swimming, could you?� �Be that as it may, the key to every argument is a compromise.� �Do you mean to say. . .� I left the thought hanging, unwilling to put it into words on the off chance that my dream would be crushed yet again. �We managed to strike a deal. You�ll start this Tuesday, and also swim Thursdays and Saturdays. You still have to skate the other four days a week.� I couldn�t believe it. It was too good to be true! Yet, in Dominic�s smile I saw complete honesty; no tricks, no lies. I flung myself into his arms, laughing ecstatically. When I finally calmed down enough to reflect, I noticed the gaping hole in the compromise. �But what about money Dominic? How did you get him to pay for it?� �I have my ways. . .� Dominic replied mysteriously, �I�m sure you�ll find out someday.� He was right. A week later, I discovered that Dominic was paying for my lessons out of his own pocket. *A week later* I stormed through the front door, ready to question Dominic�s motives. Was he paying for my lessons to get back at Dad? Was he just being foolish? If there wasn�t a good reason, I couldn�t accept his kindness, I just couldn�t. �Why would you go to all that trouble for me Nick? You�ve only known me for a month and already you�re shelling out a hundred bucks a month for me to play in a pool? Explain yourself!� To emphasize my point, I stamped my foot. All I succeeded in doing was having Nick laugh at me. �Calm down. Firstly, get your facts straight. I met you June 15th and today is July 8th. That�s not a month. Secondly, I pay because I want to. I�m not married, I�m not dating, and I may never have children of my own. My sister�s kids are all grown up and they don�t need Uncle Nicky anymore. Your mom is very like a little sister to me in many ways. I grew up with her, I love her dearly, and I know more of her secrets than any man alive.� �Even dad?� �Even your dad,� he confirmed. �Anyhow, that makes you family. I care about my family members and I�m always seeking to spoil them in any way I can. Besides Katia, you amuse me. I figured this would give you a good reason to come and visit me more often. We can watch movies or play games. I could even teach you another language if you want. I get lonely sometimes.� He admitted. From that day forwards, I began spending more and more time in the company of Mr. Riefen. My weekly visits progressed and soon I was dropping by three, even four times a week. By the time Christmas rolled around, I was spending less time with my family that I was with Nick. *near Christmas* After dark one evening, I darted home along deserted, ice-covered streets, by the light of a million stars and even more Christmas lights. I quietly slipped through the front door, hoping that my late arrival wouldn�t cause yet another fight. I heard voices and approached, hoping that a warm hug from mom would melt the ice in my veins. The closer I got, the louder the voices. By the time I stood next to the kitchen door, it was clear dad was having yet another tantrum. I tucked myself into the shadows. I wanted to know what the problem was this time. Apparently my presence hadn�t been noted because the �spirited� conversation continued without a lapse. �I don�t want her at his home anymore. She belongs to this family and it is time she started acting like it!� I heard dad say. �She sleeps here, she eats here, and her stuff is here! This is where she lives! If you were home more often, you might realize that! Besides, Katia is learning a lot from Dominic. I caught her reading a novel in French last week. And it�s good for him too. He�s all alone in that house and he needs the company!� Was I hearing correctly? Was mom actually standing up to dad? Obviously, dad was as surprised by this evidence of a backbone as I was, because his rebuttal was rather lame. �Well, why does my daughter have to provide this company? Can�t Dominic find a friend his own age to �hang� with?� �Are you volunteering?� Whoa! Mom was on a role! Dad was speechless with surprise. It took me a moment and some incomprehensible spluttering on his part before I realized I was wrong. It was not surprise keeping my father quiet, it was rage. Suddenly the silence was punctuated with a low whimper. I dashed around the corner to see mom futilely trying to wipe the blood off her face. The worst part was her expression. Her face did not register shock or hate as I�d half expected, but a resigned defeat.
