“Querida”

“That hurt querida, that really hurt”

“Especially if he called me querida again.”

“It’s one thing to protect yourself,” Dad yelled at me during our very next lunch. “That I get. Have I ever told you not to defend yourself? No. But did you have to permanently maim him? I spent all that money on that on that fancy school for girls-not to mention all that money for the shrinks-and what did that get me?”I shrugged. “A seven-figure civil suit?”

“This is exactly why Patrick and I chose not to have children." he muttered. "So we would never have to have conversations like this. Andy yet...here I am?""If you could answer the question," I said as politely as I could, "that would be great. I really don't want to have a freaky demon baby, and I can't imagine John wants one, either”

“Cursed?" I offered, my voice croaky because of my unshed tears."It isn't cursed." John said deliberately, rearranging the chain around my neck, "if you're wearing it. It's blessed.”

“Are you a pirate?”