The Girl With the Pink Bat
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 2
On the way back home, I finally got to read the text from Ray. It was a simple, “Hey, Kara, may I call you?”
I called him back immediately.
“Hi, Ray! It has been years since I heard your voice. I thought you had forgotten me. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” I greeted him.
“Hey, Supergirl, since when did you become so formal?” he asked.
Ray always thought my parents were nerds, who had named me after Supergirl’s Kryptonian name, Kara Zor-El. The truth was, my parents, had named me Cara, an Italian name that means ‘beloved’. When I was a teen, I started spelling it with a ‘K’ to make it more interesting.
“I’m a big girl now, Ray. I became a responsible member of our community.”
“It’s about time.” He was trying to joke, but his voice sounded low and husky.
“How are your parents?”
I heard Ray sigh on the other side of the line.
“They are good. They decided to go on a hundred-days cruise for their anniversary. So, I’m thinking about going back to Middletown and spending time with you and your family. It’s been ages since we had a proper talk.”
“That would be great. You know you’re always welcome.” I was surprised by the news, but happy.
“Can you get me someplace cheap to rent?”
“You won’t be able to find a place to rent. Everything is booked in advance. It’s tourist season. How long are you planning to stay?”
“Not sure. Two months or so. Probably more.”
I frowned at his words. “You don’t have to work or something?” I tried to make my voice sound light.
There was a long pause on the other side of the line.
“It’s complicated, Kara. I prefer to explain things to you in person.” Ray’s voice was now very serious.
“Okay. Listen, you can stay at my place if you don’t mind the gossip. You know a guy and a girl living together under the same roof. People will talk.”
“You’re not living with your sister anymore?” he asked.
“Nope. Jenny got married and I moved out to my own place to give the happy couple some privacy. The wedding was a small event, otherwise, they would have invited you.”
“That’s great news! I’m happy for Jenny. She deserves all the happiness in the world. Don’t worry about the invitation, I understand. I’ll make sure to bring a present for them.”
“Liam, that’s her husband’s name, is a great guy. He makes Jenny happy. After all my sister went through, I’m happy she found someone who loves her, as she deserves to be loved.”
“I couldn’t agree more. What about you, Kara? Are you dating someone?”
I heaved out a breath. “Nope. Still single. I have no desire to get married yet.”
“Unless it’s you, you clueless fool.”
“Even if it got your mother off your back?”
I laughed out loud. Ray knew my mother too well.
“The idea has merit, but I’m looking for Mr. Perfect and I won’t settle down for Mr. Good Enough.”
“Fair enough. Maybe I could stay with your parents. For what you told me they have two empty rooms.”
“No way! You’ll be the one having my mother on your back then. I refuse to submit you to such a fate.” My laughter cracked in the empty streets. “You’ll stay with me at my place. End of discussion.”
“The last thing I want to do is ruin your reputation, Kara,” he insisted.
When in doubt, I always asked myself, ‘what would my mother do?’ and then I’d do the opposite. The system had worked well for me in the past.
“You know me; I don’t care about what people might say.”
“I do know you.”
“Okay, it’s settled then. Text me when with the flight info and I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
“I’ll do. It was great talking with you again, Kara. I missed you. Don’t worry, your virtue will be safe with me.”
“I’m not worried, but I’ll keep my pink bat close, just in case,” I joked.
Ray laughed, a hollow sound. Or so it seemed to me.
“Do you still carry that thing around?”
“Yep. A girl needs protection in times like these.”
He laughed again. A genuine laugh this time.
“True that. Well, take care, Kara. See you soon.”
“You too, Ray. Looking forward to it.”
As soon as I opened the door of my place, I knew something was wrong. My mother was waiting for me in the living room.
Why on Earth did I give my mother a spare key?
I went straight to the fridge, got a Dr. Pepper soda, and tipped it to my lips, taking a long sip to disguise the urge to laugh at the serious expression of my mom. It wasn’t that I’d never seen my mother looking disgruntled before. God knows I had.
Then, I settled down on my couch, sitting across from her. “What is this, Mom? It’s a bit early for your monthly intervention.”
“No, it’s not an intervention,” Mom said, picking an invisible lint from her dress. “But if you keep putting off the conversation about settling down, I might have to stage one.”
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