The fear in his eyes was real and it made her heart sink. She turned to see that the children were cleaning up the house.
"No no no." The older boy groaned "I thought he would come later."
"Yeah, we had so much planned." The little one said.
A hoarse voice sounded through the door jolting everyone alert. "Why is it so fucking bright, Catalina." His voice gave Sarah the chills and it was obvious she was not the only one.
Catalina to her children in a quiet voice said "kids go greet your..."
The door is opened loudly with a bang and everything goes pin-drop silent.
A tall man with hair the colour of sand stalks into the house with a bottle clutched in his right hand. In his other hand, a brown paper bag. He had on a dirty coat.
"Honey, you're home." Catalina greeted her husband. "Dinner's ready we already ate." She signals the kids.
"Welcome home dad." Little Reese awkwardly said.
"How was work?... dad." The other added hesitantly. Ian went to the man's back trying to get off the dirty coat.
"Get off me, you little bastard." The man shrugged off.
"Sorry, dad."
The man glared at the youngster.
"I mean Todd."
The man shoves past the boys and walks towards Catalina as she motions the boys to retreat.
Todd gives Catalina a cringing smile and leans in for a kiss on the lips. He smelt of onion and sweat, she tries not to gag. His wet sloppy lips roamed hers for a little bit before he finally withdrew.
"I'll heat up your dinner for you."
"Okay, babe make us some tea too."
"Oh, you want tea." She yelled from the kitchen.
"You know what I said." He growled.
"I want to sleep early, please..."
"Cata." He warned. "I bought those Christmas lights, the Christmas, the..."
"Okay," she sounded defeated.
"You make it sound like a punishment, you are my wife, you know."
Catalina would have to pay for Christmas for her sons. He was the owner of the house. He paid for the bills and he paid for her.
"I know." She hated the fact that his statement was a lie. She was his property.
Reese and Sarah, we're in the living room with them. Two misplaced entities witnessing a slave and her master. Reese was so still it was starting to make her feel guilty. She wanted to tap on the pendant but she also wanted to see where this was going.
"Reese?" Sarah muttered quietly squeezing his forearm.
He takes a calm hold of her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "They can't hear us don't worry." He said without looking at her. He seemed tense but bizarrely in control.
Catalina came into the cramped dining room with the set in front of Todd.
"The tea." He complained.
"I know." Catalina went back for the tea. She returned with a tray containing teacups and a teapot.
She pours for herself and her husband while he starts to munch on the lettuce.
"What were you talking about before, Reese."
"Mama, Reese is...." Ian yells from upstairs. A loud bang is heard and Catalina flew out of her sit.