Like in a movie.
Sun sparkling off the surf, Catalina and Billy chase along the wave line. Catalina kicks up a spray in Billy’s face. He grabs her and gives her a wet kiss.
CATALINA JONES BY MARK TAYLOR 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 133
EXT. SUBWAY
Catalina sticks out her jaw and tightens her grip on the handlebars.
CATALINA
Don’t touch my bike.
The boy in baggy pants backs off.
JOEY
(raises his hands)
What?
CATALINA
Another thing, Joey.
A tear slips down Catalina’s insolent jaw.
CATALINA
My mum. I always looking out for my mum, looking for her, you know that?
Sam is spraying a work of art on the subway wall.
SAM
Catalina, you a cry baby.
She rounds on him.
CATALINA
Shut you mouth.
Joey throws an arm around Catalina’s shoulders.
JOEY
Catalina, we your family, right?
A train clatters overhead. Aztec runs along the tunnel yelling.
AZTEC
Cat! Cat! Your dad is calling for you!
Catalina pulls away from Joey and holds out a hand to Aztec.
CATALINA
Don’t fret little one. I’m coming.
She looks back over her shoulder.
CATALINA
(straight and even)
Where you get that idea Joey, that you my family?
INT. KITCHEN
Catalina’s dad doesn’t even look up as she comes through the door.
DAD
Catalina, you with the boys again?
Catalina scowling in the doorway.
DAD
Why you hang out with them?
Her dad puts a pizza slice in the microwave, dials in 30 seconds and presses start.
DAD
Huh? What do you say?
CATALINA
(sullen)
They my family.
The microwave beeps and Catalina’s dad pulls out the pizza.
DAD
You a slut. Go to your room.
Catalina slams her bedroom door. She leans her back on it. Her gaze falls on the glass bowl on the table next to her bed. The goldfish is lying on the bottom of it belly up.