Page 2 of Catching the Captain

“I can fight them just fine. But I shouldn’t have to defend my life choices. I don’t make you defend yours,” I state calmly. I’m not going to get fired up over her ignorance. This is how she always behaves, and I don’t see her changing.

“What’s there to defend?” she asks.

I’m not about to remind her she’s married to a living doormat. She walks all over him and he lets her. She takes his kindness for granted, and one of these days, I’m convinced he’s going to leave her. But first he’d have to grow a new pair of balls since he handed his over to her on their wedding day.

Ignoring her question, I focus on Claudia’s small fingers gently manipulating my hair. She finishes one side and moves on to the other. I dislike her witnessing how insensitive her mother can be. Hopefully she’s not paying attention.

Dominic, my four year old nephew, runs into the room like the Flash and drops down into the middle of my crossed legs. “Will you read me a story, Auntie?” He holds up the latestGrumpy Monkeybook.

“Can you say please?” I ask.

“Please.”

“Oh, for God’s sake, don’t make him beg, Aurora,” Valentina scolds me.

“I’m trying to teach him some manners. Maybe you should work on that too,” I point out.

“Manners only matter in social settings. Things should be more relaxed when it comes to your own family,” she says.

Stella rolls her eyes. “There’s such a thing as too relaxed. If you can’t be polite to your own family, why would you be with total strangers?”

Valentina waves her hand dismissively. “You don’t get it.”

She’s right, I don’t. And it seems like Stella doesn’t either. Being around my mom and Valentina is like being in an alternate universe where everything is the opposite of what it should be. Which is why I only come around when I must.

Opening the book, I turn to the first chapter and begin reading as if no other adults are in the room. I shut out their continuing conversation and put all my energy into the storytelling. The different voices I do for each character have Dominic giggling in no time. He’s so damn cute, it takes effort to hold back my own laughter. Even Claudia snickers behind me as she finishes the second bun. She pats my shoulder to let me know she’s done.

I finish reading the remainder of the book. When I close the cover, my niece and nephew clap their hands together.

“Bravo, Auntie Rori,” Claudia says.

Dominic turns in my lap to cup my face between his hot, sticky palms, and I hold back a grimace. “Can you read another?”

“As much as I’d love to, I need to get home.”

“Please?” His green eyes plead up at me.

Oh, man, I hate leaving these kids. But I told my roommate, Serena, I’d be home by six.

“Why don’t you ask Claudia to read to you? I’m sure she can do an even better job than me.”

He wrinkles his little pug nose. “She never reads to me.”

Turning my head, I peer back at Claudia. “How about helping me out?”

She nods, patting the cushion next to her. “Come on, Dominic.”

He leaps to his feet and climbs up next to her. Unfolding my half-asleep legs, I rise to my feet and turn to kiss my niece and nephew on their cheeks.

“I’ll see you two soon.”

“Bye, Auntie Rori.” Their replies are simultaneous.

I wave my hand in an arc to my mom and sisters. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll see you later.”

“Do you want a ride?” Stella asks.

“Why don’t you have your car?” my mom cuts in.

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