Unresolved

“YOU’RE ‘PAPI’ OF THE WEEK!?”

You rub the back of your neck in embarrassment.

“What’s a puppy of the week?” Cassie asks in confusion.

'Papi of the Week' was a term coined by you and Stella as a joke back when you were still a judgmental gossipmonger like the rest of the building; or more accurately, before you became the possible subject of gossip for the building. When you and Stella coined it, it really was more of an award that’s given to the partner that can make Tanya’s shrieks and moans of pleasure penetrate the soundproofing of the building, so it wasn’t a weekly award since Tanya doesn’t always bring a guy home on her weekends.

However, due to Tanya getting on a hot streak for like 4 weekends straight, and Diane spreading the phrase to the rest of the building; the title’s been misconstrued by the rest of your neighbors to mean that Tanya literally has a new lover every week who she calls ‘papi’ so as to not bother learning their names.

Mental note, apologize to Tanya for coining that phrase.

After Stella explains what 'Papi of the Week' is to Cassie, Stella places a hand on her hip and looks you up and down as if checking you out, and having a big smile on her face. “Good for you, you ‘stud’, you!” Stella says in an amused but mocking congratulatory way, then proceeds to playfully punch your arm. You keep rubbing the back of your neck. It’s probably red from chafing by now with how much you’re doing it. You look to the floor momentarily not wanting to look at Stella due to embarrassment.

When you look back at Stella, it’s only for a moment, but you notice that her look has changed from congratulatory to concern; and you swear she glanced at Cassie’s direction for that brief moment, which makes you glance at Cassie too. You see it. Before she could hide it, you see the same look she had in your dream. The same look of longing for what you could only dream as longing for you. With how quick it disappears, and Cassie’s face turning into one of being amused at your embarrassment, you can’t help but think you just imagined that longing look.

“Oh shit! What time is it?” Stella suddenly asks. It makes Cassie look at her watch and reply it’s “9:15”. “Crap!”Stella reacts at hearing the time. “Did you guys have plans?” you ask them. “I promised Cassie we were gonna go for a run today.” Stella tells you. “Then, you. Had. To. Bring. Up. Mom.”, Stella punches you in the arm for every word to emphasize her annoyance.

“We still need to talk about that by the way”, you remind her, not letting her off the hook.

“And you still have to spill about Tanya.”

Touche.

“Pause for now, okay?” Stella replies, controlling herself from another outburst of emotion. You nod. She smiles and immediately hugs the arm she abused with punches, and kisses you on the cheek. “Cook us breakfast, while I go get changed?” she asks you.

“How’d you get so good at manipulating me?” you ask her jokingly.

“A life of practice”, she replies with a wink and walks towards her bedroom.

As she closes the door to her room, you’re left looking at Cassie who you only just noticed is already dressed for their run. She’s in a sporty halter top that’s cropped to show her toned waist and jogging pants that cover her long legs just above her ankles. She gives you an awkward smile and the same awkward raising of her hand to say hi, like she did yesterday.

“Uhhh… over easy right?”, you ask her, still very much uncomfortable being alone with her. She looks at you confused, not really understanding the question. “Oh, your eggs. You used to like them cooked over easy, right?” She smiles after understanding what you meant and nods in response to the question, her smile signifying her appreciation for the fact that you remembered.

You start preparing eggs for the three of you, creamy scrambled eggs for you and Stella, and over easy for Cassie. Meanwhile, she starts putting bread on the toaster and starts preparing a pot of coffee afterwards. You guys work silently at first, but Cassie breaks the silence by saying “I’m happy you’re looking much better today, Mr. Craig.”

It makes you smile.

“It’s not really a high bar to look better than how I did yesterday” you jokingly respond, which makes her giggle.

“No, I mean, I saw you and Stella bonding on the couch before the shouting match happened. I couldn’t see Stella’s face, but I could see yours. You looked really happy.” she adds.

“Yeah. I was… I am. I am happy. Happier than I've been in months. I’m glad you girls are here.” you tell her.

“Nah, I feel like I’m intruding, actually.” she says with a chuckle to try and hide that that’s what she genuinely feels. “I feel like you guys would be able to bond more closely if I wasn’t here”.

Good thing the eggs are done.

You put the eggs on a plate, and turn towards her. You get closer to her and put your hands on the side of her arms. “Cassie, I’m sorry if Stella and I are making you feel that way. We just had some… ‘catching up’ to do. But I don’t want you to think that you’re not welcome here. Stella needs your support too. God knows I wouldn’t be enough. I’m too busy trying to support myself from crumbling down.” you say the last sentence half-jokingly.

“Stella aside, I’m happy to see you again too. It reminds me of better times when I babysat you and Stella. It feels like those times again when you’re here.” You tell her. There it is again. That longing look from your dream. She’s doing it again.

“I-I’m not a baby anymore Mr. Craig”, Cassie says shyly.

“Hey—” you start rubbing her arms with your thumbs, “With the amount of times your mom left you with me, I practically helped raise you. So I’ll always see you as my baby”. She bites her lower lip, obviously struggling with something in her mind. She seems to find the courage.

She hugs you. A tight squeezing hug around your back. Unlike Stella, she’s tall enough to reach your shoulder to rest her head instead of your chest. You return the hug with one arm and rub her back. She moans, and you notice her lifting her leg. She pulls away and asks you a question while she still has the courage,“Mr. Craig, why’d you suddenly leave last night?”

~DING!~ Toasts done. The sudden noise makes you break away from Cassie.

“The coffee smells so good!” you hear Stella say from the living room.

Saved by the bell.