XV-AN AGRESSIVE GIRL

                                                                     XV

The first few days with Kate were uneventful. Our conversations were about inconsequential matters: her classes, my concerts, grocery shopping, if I'd go back to university.

'Well, tell me about yourself,' I finally said one afternoon as she poured coffee.

'About me?' she laughed.

'Yes, your parents, your siblings, who you are.'

'Wow' she replied in her usual jovial tone. 'How profound.'

'Come on, seriously.'

She scratched her hair and hesitated before starting.

'My father, well, he died three years ago.'

'I'm sorry.'

'He smoked like a chimney. He quit for a while, but eventually he came back. The thing is, my mother and I get alo