Portia
She leaves the door open so I can see a part of the bedroom and hear clearly. I scrub my hair as I listen to her talk to Mara, chastising her for not being in her seat. She was at the window.
"Let's get you changed. Mr. Petrov will be here soon."
"Do you know him?" Mara asks her as she undresses her before dressing her again in a pretty pink dress hanging in a garment bag from the closet door.
"No, of course not. But he's paid handsomely for you. Just look at this dress he sent."
"It's very pretty," Mara deadpans. I can see her face from here. She hasn't even looked at it.
"And look at this. There's even a teddy bear for you."
"I'm fifteen. I don't play with teddy bears," Mara says.
"You'll accept it and be grateful for it. Now sit."
"Do you know how old he is?"
"Why would
