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Mariah gently moved Thaïs' arm from her waist before climbing out of bed. She planted a quick peck on Thaïs' forehead before quietly exiting the room. Making her way down the long hallway, she struggled to recall which room belonged to Tori. It was across the hall and two doors to the left.
She knocked on the door gently, pushing it open at the same time. Victoria sat on the oversized beanbag in the corner of her room, crocheting a sweater for her cousin. She looked up from her project before letting out a long, annoyed sigh. "You know... we aren't a knock-as-you-enter type of family. You need to wait for me to say you can come in."
Ignoring the comment, Mariah continued into the room. Thaïs' bedroom had remained unchanged since she was about 16 years old; the bare walls hinted that someone had recently moved out, though a few paintings hung, gifts from Juan. In contrast, Tori had redecorated her room when she turned 18, claiming she wanted a fresh start for college.
As Mariah settled onto the floor, the ambiance of Tori's room enveloped her in a cozy familiarity. Thaïs' bedroom looked like it belonged to a different house compared to Tori's. Her walls were adorned with posters of indie bands and colorful tapestries, reflecting her taste, in contrast to the minimalist aesthetic of Tori's bedroom. Mariah couldn't help but admire how each detail reflected Tori's vibrant personality.
"When's your mo–aunt... coming back?" Mariah wasn't sure how to address Thaïs' mom to Tori.
Tori set her half-done sweater on the floor. Obviously, Mariah was interested in having a conversation. "Tía... that's what I call her. She'll be out of town until Monday, I think."
"Dang, I wanted to meet her." Though Mariah had fun meeting Thaïs' family members, she wanted to meet the woman who raised Thaïs. However, Teresa was visiting family in California. Every holiday, that was something she did.
Tori's expression darkened slightly, a shadow passing over her features. "You sure? I wouldn't wanna put you through that," she muttered. "But hey, if you're ever in the mood to be judged and deal with excessive passive-aggressiveness, you'll love her."
"She sounds wonderful." Mariah smiled, her voice laced with sarcasm. Despite the tension in the room, Mariah couldn't help but feel a bit of curiosity about Teresa. Thaïs rarely spoke about her mother, but she had always been open about her close relationship with her father.
Thaïs' relationship with her parents was a tale of contrasting dynamics. She had always been a daddy's girl, finding peace and understanding in her father's gentle demeanor. But after the passing of Andres, her relationship with her mother deteriorated, leaving behind a void that seemed impossible to fill. Teresa attempted to bridge the growing wedge between them, seeking reconciliation.
But despite her mother's efforts, Thaïs remained emotionally distant, unable to shake off the years of pain. She would still visit her mother occasionally, driven by a sense of duty and underlying guilt, particularly knowing her mother lived alone in their family home, lacking other family ties in the city. Each visit, however, ended in disappointment, as the weight of past grievances overshadowed any possible moments of connection, leaving Thaïs burdened by the weight of strained familial ties and her mother's existence.
