ACT TWO
Scene Twenty-three:
"A Girl Like That"
In the dark of Caitlyn's bedroom, Vi and Caitlyn were naked in bed together, clothes tossed aside. In the distance, a siren howled.
Vi sat up abruptly in bed, waking Caitlyn, who groaned on her pillow.
Opening her turquoise eyes, Caitlyn sat up beside her, stroking her upper arm. "Vente a la cama."
Vi's soft sky-blue eyes looked to her, frowning. She really wanted to. She wanted to stay, but…
"I should go," she said as she reached for her clothes on the end of the bed, wincing only slightly.
"Where?" Caitlyn asked, sitting up higher.
Vi didn't answer her as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, cautiously glancing out the window. Moonlight shone through the curtains, lighting her skin, tracing her tattoos that stretched as she shrugged on her tank top. The sirens seemed to echo off the buildings, growing louder.
Caitlyn shook her head. "Ay, no."
Quickly grabbing her pink robe, Caitlyn wrapped herself as Vi got dressed. Biting her thumbnail, Caitlyn paced a little as she thought rapidly. As Vi sat to lace up her shoes, Caitlyn knelt in front of her.
"Go to Docs. Babette will know what to do."
When Vi didn't reply, frowning at her laces as she tied them, Caitlyn touched her face to get her to stop working and look at her.
"Vi… Promise me you will."
Vi stared at her, then smiled a tiny bit, nodding.
She wasn't going to break another promise again.
There was a click as a key inserted into the lock of the apartment door. They both looked up, alarmed. They could hear the door open and close, heels hitting the floor.
"Caitlyn…" Mel called, her voice sore.
Caitlyn stood up, calling back, "Sí, me acabo de despertar, salgo ahora."
Caitlyn and Vi began to work, silently. Caitlyn quickly grabbed Vi's shirt from the bed, tossing it to her.
…
Mel slowly walked around the apartment, hands on the back of her hips, breathing shakily. She looked over the dinner table, still set for two.
She took a deep breath, swallowing a few tears. She exhaled through her teeth, hissing, trying to pull herself together. She called out to Caitlyn, "Sal, mi amor, que tenemos que hablar."
…
In the bedroom, Vi took hold of Caitlyn's hand. "Come with me, now," she suggested in a hushed whisper.
Caitlyn's eyes went wide, and she shook her head. "I can't. I can't!"
…
Mel wiped her eyes, stepping toward Caitlyn's door. Her voice cracked, "Caitlyn…" she gently knocked on the door. "¿Puedo entrar?"
…
"Sí!" Caitlyn called in a panic, looking from Vi to the door, "I'm almost… I'll come out in a…"
She looked to Vi and cupped her hands to her face, kissing her, deeply.
…
Leaning on the doorframe, Mel looked down at the door handle and reached to twist it.
…
Caitlyn pulled away, instantly recognizing the rattling sound of her door handle, warning Vi, "Go, go."
Vi was halfway out the window when the door opened and clattered against the wall behind it. Mel stood in the doorway, frozen, her face unreadable.
No one moved.
After a beat, Caitlyn pushed on Vi. Taking the cue, Vi hurriedly swung her legs out of the window, grabbing her jacket at the last second before hopping over the fire escape railing.
As Mel approached the window, Vi hurriedly climbed all the way down, and disappeared out of sight. Mel watched Vi's silhouette run away into the night.
Mel reached up and slowly closed the window.
Any sounds from outside were sealed away, cut off in the silence of the room.
The woman turned on the spot and stared at Caitlyn. Caitlyn froze, taking a step back, never seeing her friend and sister this angry before.
Her hazel eyes flickered to the state of Caitlyn's undergarments, to the bowl and washcloth on the dresser filled with red water. And… without a word, she rigidly walked past her, toward the bed.
Caitlyn couldn't turn to watch her reaction; she was too scared. She heard Mel curl her hands around the bedposts, hear the tightness in her chest as she took in the unmade bed.
Mel asked, hissing, "¿Pero qué es esto?"
Caitlyn couldn't speak at first. The betrayal laying before her. All she could do was explain.
She shook her head, minutely, turning to face her. Hoping to find empathy.
"I love her."
Her head suddenly whipped to the side, her cheek stinging.
Caitlyn backed away, blinking, shocked as Mel stood there. But what hurt even worse was the look in Mel's eyes, so full of hatred and disappointment in her, staring with eyes that could kill.
Stepping away, Caitlyn turned away from her, holding a hand to her face. Oh God, the lines she had crossed to betray her sister this way…
When Caitlyn looked up, she saw Mel in the reflection of the glass panels set in the closed double doors that connected to Mel's workroom. Mel scowled from the bed, gripping the bedframe, putting a hand on her hip.
A girl like that, who killed your brother?
Forget that girl and find another!
Mel trod closer and sang over her shoulder, vehemently, in her ear.
One of your own kind!
Stick to your own kind!
Coming around to Caitlyn's side, Mel faced her, hands on her hips. Caitlyn wouldn't look at her, tears in her eyes. Mel nodded, her lip trembling between her words.
A girl like that will give you sorrow
You'll find another girl tomorrow
One of your own kind!
Stick to your own kind!
Clenching her teeth, Caitlyn pushed against the double doors, shoving them open, fleeing the bedroom. Mel followed, holding the double doors apart as she entered. With a glare across the room, she found Caitlyn standing between two dress forms, facing the wall, leaning with a hand against it.
Mel barely restrained her anger, belting at Caitlyn's turned back.
A girl who kills cannot love!
A girl who kills has no heart!
Slamming her hand against the wall, Caitlyn turned to face her, but her argument died on her tongue as Mel menacingly stepped toward her, roaring, pointing to the window and the fire escape.
And she's the girl who gets your love and gets your heart?!
Very smart, Caitlyn! Very smart!
Eyes burning, Caitlyn pushed past Mel, retreating through the maze of silk sheets. The wound of her words cutting her deep; raw, angry, hurting, naked, vulnerable, exposed. Why hadn't she been thinking that way before?
Seeing Caitlyn's shadow cower behind a cord of silk sheets, Mel softened a bit. Lowering her voice, Mel wrung her hands, her ring still there, stepping closer, slowly closing in on the shadow giving away Caitlyn's hiding place. Warning her.
A girl like that wants one thing only
And when she's done, she'll leave you lonely
Caitlyn bit her lip and shook her head, hugging herself.
Hearing Mel close in behind her, Caitlyn pushed more rows of silk sheets aside; yellow, blue, red; retreating through barrier after barrier toward the kitchen. Mel followed, raking the sheets aside, out of her way, as they swung back at her.
Seeing Caitlyn dart away again, Mel's anger rose. She snapped without mercy.
She'll murder your love,
She murdered mine!
Hitching on a gasp, Caitlyn almost couldn't breathe. The idea of Jayce sickening her. The fact that Mel brought him up like that…
But the idea of Vi holding the knife… Vi crying…
Mel followed her like an ever-present shadow, stalking through the living room, trying to control her wild rage.
Just wait and see!
Just wait, Caitlyn!
Just wait and see!
Breaking out of the maze into the kitchen, Caitlyn turned and faced her, belting for her voice to be heard.
She hated going to war. She said so to Jayce the last time she saw him. In front of the very same kitchen table. But fight, she would, if she had to.
Ay! No! Melita, no!
Mel quieted, breathing rigidly, but finally listening. Caitlyn shook her head slowly, her voice dropping softer. She never expected she would be fighting her closest friend. Her sister.
Melita… no…
She stepped toward her, pleading.
It isn't true,
Not for me.
It's true for you,
Not for me.
Mel scoffed, shaking her head. Now, Caitlyn was circling around Mel to look her in the eye. Mel put her hands on her hips, looking up at the ceiling. Caitlyn looked to the floor, clenching her fist at her chest.
I hear your words,
And in my head,
I know they're smart!
But my heart, Melita,
But my heart –
Hardened, Mel turned, glaring at Caitlyn, singing over her.
A girl like that, who killed your brother,
Forget that girl and find another!
Undeterred this time, Caitlyn continued singing, begging her, face to face.
– Knows they're wrong!
And my heart is too strong!
Mel grew louder, sharper.
One of your own kind!
Stick to your own kind!
Caitlyn shook her head harder, fighting tears. Her throat burning.
– For I belong
To her alone –
Caitlyn broke down crying, her voice hitching on a sob, fighting to keep singing as she shook her head at the floor.
– To her alone!
One thing I know…
Seeing her tears, Mel put her hands on Caitlyn's shoulders, trying to get her to look up at her. Face the facts.
A girl who kills cannot love!
– I am hers!
A girl who kills has no heart!
– I don't care what she is!
And she's the girl who gets your love and gets your heart?!
Caitlyn covered her ears with her hands, clawing at her head, eyes shut with tears.
I don't know why it's so,
I don't want to know!
Mel forcefully pulled Caitlyn's hands away from her ears.
Very smart, Caitlyn! Very smart!
In a flash of anger, Caitlyn opened her eyes and belted once more, suddenly turning on her. Her voice nearly shrill.
Ay, no! Melita, no!
She pushed Mel, shoving her backward. Tears streaming down her face as she snapped.
You should know better!
You were in love, or so you said!
Caitlyn took a shaky breath, realizing what she'd said. Mel looked shocked. Caitlyn was shocked too. She knew she hit too hard, but she wasn't backing down from it.
Blinking, her face fell from its harsh glare to realization. Her voice dropped, softer. A weight of understanding hitting her as she looked at Mel now.
You should know better…
A silence grew between them as Mel and Caitlyn panted, standing at opposite ends of the kitchen. Mel's fire died down. She seemed to grow weary, to age.
Feeling lost, Mel turned to her bedroom. The steps toward it made her tremble and she leaned against the doorframe, staring inside. The weight of entering their room, knowing he wasn't coming home again, dismantled her.
Caitlyn watched Mel stand very still in the doorframe. Tears threatened to choke her voice. Still, she sang very softly.
I have a love…
And it's all that I have
Right or wrong,
What else can I do?
Gently, Caitlyn slowly approached behind her, her steps quiet on the tile. Singing over her shoulder.
I love her
I'm hers
And everything she is
I am too…
Caitlyn tentatively reached out and touched Mel's shoulder for a moment. Without acknowledging her, Mel stepped into the room, taking in the bed they shared.
Caitlyn's words hitting too close to home.
I have a love,
And it's all that I need,
Right or wrong,
And she needs me too…
Mel couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She sank over the bedframe, sobbing. When Caitlyn touched her back, Mel moved, coming around to sit on the bed, alone. Taking off her heels.
Slowly, Caitlyn knelt in front of her feet, looking up at her.
I love her
We're one
There's nothing to be done…
Caitlyn almost reached out to touch Mel's knees but held herself back.
Not a thing I can do…
Caitlyn shook her head, unable to explain without touching her. She held her hands to her heart, clenching. Her voice soft and delicate.
But hold her,
Hold her forever…
Mel breathed shakily, a hand over her stomach, watching her. Listening.
Caitlyn wasn't just talking about Vi, or Jayce. But Mel, too, her sister.
Be with her now,
Tomorrow,
And all…
Of my life!
Mel took Caitlyn's hands and stood, raising her. Caitlyn blinked a little in surprise as they stood, then Mel pulled Caitlyn into a tight hug and Caitlyn immediately collapsed around her, crying. They both cried.
The loss of Jayce bonding them. The understanding of sacrificing anything for their love, bonding them. Their love for each other, bonding them.
After a moment, they pulled apart to look in each other's eyes. Their voices sang, tentatively, together.
When love comes so strong…
There is no right or wrong…
Your love is…
Your life!
Mel held Caitlyn tighter for a moment, then gently released her, holding in a sob. She kissed her fingers, patting her hand. Half turning, she stood at the foot of the bed, bracing herself against the bedframe.
"S-She will never be safe here," Mel said, shakily, one hand on her hip, her back to her.
"Sí, lo sé…" Caitlyn nodded. A sinking feeling hitting her stomach.
Mel bit her lip, drumming her fingers calculatingly as she stared at the wall. Knowing full well the danger that surrounded them on all sides now.
"And no one will ever forgive her..."
"Will you?" Caitlyn asked.
Mel's grip tightened on the bedframe, her arms suddenly rigid. "You can never ask me that."
A hitch lodged in Caitlyn's throat. "W-Will you forgive me?"
Mel's back softened, her face dropping.
"Te quiero, mi niña," she answered, with a breath that said she would always love her. Then she hardened realistically once more in her reply, "but she will have to go away… And you will have to go with her."
Then she stepped away, leaving Caitlyn alone to think.
/
"Vente a la cama."
"Come to bed."
"Ay, no."
"Oh no."
"Sí, me acabo de despertar, salgo ahora."
"Yes, I just woke up, I'm going out now."
"Sal, mi amor, que tenemos que hablar."
"Come out, my love, we have to talk."
"¿Puedo entrar?"
"Can I enter?"
"¿Pero qué es esto?"
"But what is this?"
"Sí, lo sé."
"Yes, I know."
"Te quiero, mi niña,"
"I love you, my girl,"
/