The Murder Show

CHAPTER 17

"So, how was today?" Maya asks sitting at the island in the kitchen as Carina makes dinner, despite Maya's initial instance that she wasn't that hungry and would just grab something later.

Carina turns slightly, looking over her shoulder, smiling. "Good. Still nothing more from you know who... Two whole days and nothing. Which has done wonders for my nerves, honestly." She says, turning back to the food as she stirs and shakes the pan.

Maya frowns slightly. "How, um, like, how are you doing after that? The bar I mean?"

Carina just shrugs. "Better." She says simply.

Maya nods. "You know we can talk about it if you like? I know I haven't asked you the last few days, but after the night it happened, and I tried - you didn't seem like you wanted to... you know, talk. So I didn't wanna push. But I'm here. If you do want to. Talk that is.." She stutters.

Carina turns to her with a small smile. "Thank you. I just... I think I'm still processing how I feel about him being THAT close to me. Knowing he could have gotten to me despite all that we are doing." She says, as she starts to plate up the dinner.

"I know." Maya shakes her head. "I'm mad at myself. I was too relaxed, we underestimated him and his boldness. But I promise you, Carina, that will NOT happen again." She says.

Carina smiles, placing a plate in front of Maya who thanks her as they eat in comfortable silence.

++++

"Oh my gosh! That sounds so amazing, growing up somewhere like that, with that sort of culture and outlook on things." Maya says smiling.

After dinner, they had migrated to the couch where their conversation turned to lighter topics, eventually transitioning into Carina telling Maya about growing up in Sicily, about the location, the food, the culture... Maya seemed utterly fascinated and encouraged Carina to tell her more and more stories.

Carina smiles widely. "You know it was...It's something I thought about for myself, if I ever... You know. Start a family." She says.

"What do you mean?" Maya asks.

Carina looks thoughtful for a minute. "Well, it's just... Things are more relaxed. American's you're so... ridged. And Europeans, well we just are more... flowy. Like laid back and it's a nice pace of life for kids... But at the same time this is my home now. And I have made a life here so..." She trails off.

Maya just nods, unsure what to say, however Carina saves her the trouble as she shakes her head. "Anyway, enough about me... What about you? Tell me what was little Maya like?" She smiles.

Maya throws her head back, laughing. "Oh wow. That is... It's a big question." She says.

Carina frowns slightly. "What do you mean?" She asks.

Maya looks down, her expression changing as she contemplates her answer. "I... Well let's just say I didn't have the happiest childhood." She takes a breath. "My father... He wasn't an easy man." She says, deciding not to give much more information.

Carina nods with a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry to hear that. Despite the lovely bits I told you about my childhood, it was also sometimes marred by a difficult father." She says.

Maya looks up, surprised, she takes a breath before speaking again, closing her eyes briefly. "My father was abusive. Emotionally and verbally, rather than physically, so I didn't really realise that it WAS abuse until I was an adult." She says averting her gaze. "It... It had an impact on how I deal with some elements of my emotions. I've gotten good at compartmentalising..." She says.