The Price Legacy - Side Story - Dina

[pastryqueen]

After they patched things up, Dina invites Johnny over for dinner - specifically, Taco Tuesday. It doesn't go as smoothly as she wants.





After a long, gruesome day training on the bar, Dina Caliente was glad to be home.



She couldn’t wait to kick off her heels for the rest of the evening.



There was already a commotion in the kitchen.



Marci was cutting up the ingredients for dinner.



As usual, Don offered little to no assistance but leaped at the opportunity to complain.

Don: “I’m just saying, they’re not real fish tacos if you leave cilantro off altogether!”



Marci: “Oh, that’s just stupid. That’s no different than trying to argue you can’t put ketchup on a hot dog. Who cares? A taco is a taco. Meat in a tortilla shell. You can put whatever you want on them!”

Don: “But it’s a quintessential ingredient! Remember those tacos we had last time, with the sauce that you liked? That had cilantro in it!”

Marci: “It also had lime - more than enough to cancel out the other! Cilantro by itself just tastes like soap to me!”



Don: “You said that about lemons, too!”

Marci: “Wrong, I said that about lemon thyme - and shut up, it totally does! It’s like putting toilet cleaner in your mouth!”



Don: “Why am I not surprised you know what toilet cleaner tastes like? That explains so much about you.”

Marci: “Oh, fuck you! Now shut up and let me cook!”



Dina sat down at the bar beside Don and joined their conversation.

Dina: “Don’t take it personally, Marci. Don here grew up with professional chefs and nutritionists planning all his meals. I’ve never even seen him so much as frying an egg in this house. Left to his own devices, he’d eat nothing but hot pockets and energy bars.”



Don: “Hey, I can cook!”

Dina: “You know how to put bread in the toaster and put stuff in the microwave. That doesn’t count.”

Don: “I work at the food stand across from here! What do you think I do all day?”

Dina: “Dropping frozen ingredients in a deep fryer and filling cups with soda doesn’t count as cooking! That’s, like, the bare minimum! Hence, why it’s a minimum wage job! I’m going to trust Marci on this; she’s actually gotten her hands dirty in the kitchen.”



Don: “I don’t mean to brag, but so have I, if you catch my drift.”

Marci: “Ugh! For fuck’s sake, Don, I’m gonna throw up on the fish! Are you trying to sabotage this meal?”

Don: “Laugh all you want, but you’re both gonna wish you heeded my words when you take a bite out of your food tonight. Sure, they’ll taste good, maybe even great, but they could’ve been mind-blowing had you listened to me.”



Marci: “Hey assface, you think you can do a better job than me? Feel free to take over any time!”

Don: “I mean, I would, but you’re already close to done…”



Marci: “See, Dina? This is why we never listen to heterosexual men who promise to blow our minds: it always sets you up for disappointment.”

Don: “Low blow, Price, even for you. And speak for yourself. Right, Dina?”



Dina: “Er...no comment. Before I forget, do we have enough food for one more person? I invited Johnny over.”

Marci: “Reaaaaaally? You and Johnny, eh?”

Dina: “It…it’s not like that! We only agreed to be friends, and nothing more! He works so much, he never gets to relax. I thought he could use a break and spend a few hours with us.”



Dina: “Don’t give me that look, Marci! I mean it. It is strictly a platonic relationship between us.”

Marci: “I’m just glad you’re giving him another chance. I know what it’s like to make a shitty first impression and how hard it is to come back from that. Sometimes you just gotta get to know someone before you make up your minds about them, you know?”



Dina: “Well, I just thought about what you said for a very long time...and it made so much sense. I hate it when people make assumptions about me, good or bad. Why should I do that to him? We didn’t get off on the right foot, but…”



Dina: “People can surprise you.”



Eventually, their doorbell rang. Dina raced downstairs from her bedroom to let Johnny in.

Dina: “Oh, good! You’re here. I was starting to think you got lost on the way over.”

Johnny: “I hate to disappoint, but you thought right. I had no idea where I was for a while. I haven’t been to this side of town in ages, so it looks completely different now.”

Dina: “Well, I’m happy you made it! Marci’s here too, and she’s taken over kitchen duty for the night so you know the food will be good. Did you want me to fix you a drink?”



Johnny: “Juice on the rocks, please. I uh, came empty-handed. Is that okay? I can run to the corner and pick something up - ”

Dina: “What? Don’t be silly! It was a last-minute invite. No one expects anything. Just you will do.”



Katrina: “Dina, you didn’t mention we were having company over tonight. Who is this handsome young man?”



Dina forgot, her mother Katrina wasn’t working that evening. Had she remembered, she wouldn’t have invited Johnny over.

Dina: “Oh, right. It must’ve slipped my mind. Johnny, this is my mother, Katrina Caliente. Mother, this is--”



Katrina: “Ah, I know exactly who he is now! Johnny Zest, isn’t it? Dina, you never mentioned running into a local celebrity! Where were you hiding him all this time?”

Johnny: “That’s real sweet of you, Ms. Caliente, but I’m hardly a celebrity! Not yet, anyway.”

Katrina: “Don’t be so modest! We’re both entertainers, and trust me, when you’ve been in the industry as long as I have, you know a rising star when you see one. You should hear the rumors circulating about you in the lounge, too. I hate to ask, but tell me, are the stories true? That you’re cut from the Landgraab cloth?”



Dina: “Mother, you really shouldn’t put Johnny on the spot like that.”

Katrina: “It was only a question, and perhaps he would like to speak for himself, dear.”

Dina: “He can, but I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear about the neighborhood gossip.”



Johnny: “It’s okay, Dina. I don’t mind. Sure, the Landgraabs are my parents, but we uh...had a falling out over my career path. Turns out, being the joke in your family isn’t so funny when you learn to embrace it.”

Katrina: “Well, if you ask me, you made the right choice, and that isn't always the easiest ones to make! I admire your ambition. Not everyone has that fire within them. You could stand to take a page out of his book, Dina. You could get far in life with his attitude.”



Dina knew what her mother was doing - it was what she always did, try and antagonize her in front of her friends - but she refused to take the bait.

Dina: “Well! Do you smell that? I think Marci’s done with the food now.”



Like any other Taco Tuesday, they made too much food and drank too much…



They took too many selfies...



Nina and Don got into another one of their spirited drunken arguments…



And her mother was shameless, as usual…



It was still fun, though. Dina stayed close to her sister Nina and Johnny. The three of them swapped stories about the week’s events over their dinner and drinks. After a tiresome week of training, it was fun to take her mind off the stress and enjoy the evening.



Even so, she felt something was off in their group.

Marci: “You’re not showing me another screamer video, are you? I hate those! They’re not even scary!”

Don: “Trust me, you’ve got to see this. My buddy Mitch was busy cleaning out his yard and managed to get his ass stuck in the fence. His roommates had to get his pants off and grease him up with olive oil to slide him out. Worthington caught all of it on video.”



Marci: “That’s so fucking cruel and gross. I am a thousand percent here for that. Quick, show me!”



Don: “Hey! I’m heading back to the kitchen for a second. Did you want anything?”

Katrina: “Oh, did you finally remember me? You were so busy with your new girlfriend, after all.”



Don: “New girlfriend? Who are you talking about? The only women here are your daughters and…”



Don: “Wait, are you talking about Marci?”

Katrina: “Who else, Don? I saw the two of you, getting cozy in the corner. I have eyes.”



Don: “Kit Kat, really? How drunk are you? I was showing her a few videos, and that corner had the best lighting. Marci and I are just friends - and she has a boyfriend!”



Katrina: “So what if she has a boyfriend? That never stopped you in the past, has it?”

Don: “Really? We’re doing this, right now? I told you, that was then! I’ve never strayed from you!”

Katrina: “Even so, do you realize how that looks, the two of you alone together, and how that humiliates me in front of my daughters, in front of company? You really expect me and others to believe you’re capable of staying friends with a woman? I want an apology, and I want her gone.”



Don: “Uh, no.”

Katrina: “What do you mean ‘no’?”

Don: “I’m not apologizing for something I didn’t do, Kat. And I’m not sending Marci home just because you’re jealous.”



Dina overheard Don and her mother arguing, but she tried to ignore them - and distract Johnny from their antics.

Dina: “Did you read the reviews for your show on Friday?”

Johnny: “I haven’t gotten around to it. I’ve been dreading it! That evening wasn’t the best that I could offer, and my ego can only take so much bruising.”



Dina: “Silly, you’re getting rave reviews! See, here’s Sarah Olsen, the top entertainment critic.”

Johnny: “The same one who called me dull and unoriginal several weeks ago? I think she was the same gal who spent half a page commenting on my outfit.”

Dina: “You have to admit, that bright yellow suit was so unflattering...but I digress! Look, she wrote another review, and this time she had nothing but nice things to say! She noted your improvement and called your public persona hilarious, loud, opinionated, and honest. And right here, she writes your stage presence is magnetic and likable.”



Johnny: “Hot diggity dog! That’s a relief! I thought I bombed that show. I barely made any money that night.”

Dina: “It’s paying off in other ways, though! Keep this up, and who knows? Maybe you’ll get a deal, or you can perform in other cities.”

Johnny: “I ought to fire my good for nothing agent and hire you! You’re far more optimistic than him, or me for that matter.”



Dina: “You really shouldn’t put yourself down so much, Johnny! You care so much about what you do. People are going to pick up on that sooner or later. I always thought you were fun to watch. You always say ‘fake it until you make it’, and I totally believe you can make it.”



Johnny: “Thanks, Dina, that…yawn, means a lot.”

Dina: “Are you okay? You look tired.”

Johnny: “That improv show just took a lot out of me. I had to leave my day job and go straight to the show, after pulling a double.”



Dina: “You have two jobs? I had no idea.”

Johnny: “Of course I do! I can’t pay the bills on my measly salary at the lounge. I just started at a cafe making coffee for people. I work the opening shifts, full time. The pay sucks, but the tips help me afford groceries.”

Dina: “Wha - Johnny, you perform in the late evenings! How much sleep have you been getting lately?”



Johnny: “Jeez Louise, Dina, don’t ask me that. I lost track hours ago! If I so much as keep my eyes shut for longer than three seconds, I’m in trouble. That drink you made me almost knocked me out cold.”

Dina: “You poor thing. You should’ve just gone straight home and got some sleep.”

Johnny: “What, and miss out on spending this lovely evening with you? And sit out Taco Tuesday? I can’t remember the last time I had a meal surrounded by people who actually want to hang out with me. Turns out, when you lose your name and your money, your old friends aren’t so keen to come around anymore. Believe me, I’d rather be here than home alone right now.”



Dina: “Well...if you insist. I won’t get upset if you need to lie down, though! You can crash in our guest bedroom. Don’s junk is still in there, and you might have to push it off the bed, but he just sleeps upstairs with us anymore.”

Johnny: “Aww, aren’t you a peach! I might take you up on that offer - but first, tell me where the nearest bathroom is before my bladder bursts.”



Soon enough, the evening was coming to a wrap. Nina passed out on the lounge chair, as always...



And Don escorted Marci back to her place.







“Where did she say it was again? At my right. Right from where, though?”



Johnny: “Oh! Sorry to be a bother, Ms. Caliente. I uh, was looking for the guest bedroom.”

Katrina: “That’s quite all right, John. It’s just past the kitchen.”

Johnny: “Of course. Thanks for steering me in the right direction--”



Johnny: “Hey, are you okay?”

Katrina: “Yes. Just lovely. And you may call me Katrina if you want. Have you been enjoying yourself? Dina said you haven’t been eating right.”

Johnny: “Ah, she worries too much! I don’t need much to get by. It was still sweet of her to invite me over, though. Your house is banging.”

Katrina: “That’s kind of you to say, but I’m sure my house isn’t up to par with the Landgraab standards you’ve grown accustomed to.”



Johnny: “Nonsense! Your house has character. It’s got pizazz. I dig the jazz paintings in this room. All those performers were my idols growing up. And I love your grand piano. It’s amazing.”

Katrina: “Oh, that old thing? It’s nothing. I inherited it from my grandmother. I go through a lot of trouble and money on upkeep. Nobody makes pianos like these anymore.”

Johnny: “That’s exactly why they’re amazing. Sure, the digital ones are fine. They get the job done. But nothing feels as good as slamming down the keys on an old boy like this and jamming out. You can hear the difference! The sounds you produce, it’s warmer and has a richer tone. Try as hard as you might on the digital keyboards, but you can’t replicate the vibrations or the pitch. I can understand why you only perform with acoustics.”



Katrina: “I must say, it’s been a while since I met another entertainer who appreciates my craft, and I’d never think you recognized the performers in those paintings. People your age can’t even distinguish their songs apart.”

Johnny: “That’s a damn shame, but what can you do? It’s how the world works. Not everyone values our roots and where we come from as I do. Everyone always says I’m an old soul, or I look back on the past with rose-tinted glasses. I say, there's nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from the greats who came before us. How else would we know where to start and what to aspire to?”

Katrina: “That’s very admirable. See, I knew what I was talking about. You’re a rare person, John. You say what you mean without hesitation, without fear of repercussion, because it would do you and everyone in your presence a disservice. I admire that in a man.”



Johnny: “Uh...thanks, Katrina.”

Katrina: “And this was very sweet of you, to come and cheer me up. Why don’t we continue this discussion in the guest bedroom?”



Johnny: “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Ma’am! Hold on! What are you doing?”



Katrina: “Oh. Did...did I misread your cues? I thought we were making a connection.”



Johnny: “Trust me, I was not putting out any ‘cues’. You’d know if I did. I am anything but subtle. Ask any of my exes. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but this, right here? It can’t happen. Not now, not ever.”



Katrina: “Right. What was I thinking? An old maid such as myself, trying to foster a romantic connection with a handsome young man such as yourself, making a fool out of myself over my boyfriend...you must think so low of me right now.”

Johnny “Aw, come on. You seem like a dynamite gal, Katrina, and your age has nothing to do with this. I’m just not interested.”



Johnny: “And I’m friends with your daughter. I could never do this to Dina.”



Dina slowly backed away from the door frame and went for the front door.



She stood outside in their front yard, feeling herself shake with rage.

It was her fault. Had she warned Johnny, or double-checked with Nina to see if her mother was going to be home, she would’ve never let this happen. It was bad enough trying to explain this situation to her boyfriends in the past, or jumping through hoops to convince them that they weren’t allowed to swing by her place. She never thought to do the same with Johnny, as they were only friends. Now, what was he going to think, or say, bringing him into the lioness’ den at her mother’s mercy?



Worse yet, she could never lash out at Katrina.

All the times she called her mother out for flirting with boys she and Nina brought home, it always resulted in an argument with a no-win scenario. Katrina was so desperate for love and to remarry, it blind-sighted her. She was so far in denial about her problems, she didn’t even see why her relationship with Don was attracting so much negative buzz from their neighbors, or why it was highly inappropriate - or how that attention was affecting her daughters.

And there was nothing Dina could do about it until she was able to move out and live on her own.



Johnny: “Hey! So, I can’t find the guest bedroom. I got lost and wound up hitting my head on the bathroom sink somehow. I’m also seeing everyone in different colors. Don’s literally pink now. I uh, think I’m more sleep-deprived than I thought. Might just be time to go home and…Dina, are you okay?”



It took some coercion, but Johnny finally convinced Dina to open up. She sat him down on their bench.

Dina: “Johnny, I saw you...and my mother...in the living room together. I almost walked in on you two.”



Johnny: “Crap! You saw us? Dina, whatever you think you saw, you got the wrong idea! She--”

Dina: “I know. I was there. You let her down easy, which I am so grateful for, believe me. And even if I didn’t see anything, I’d still take your word over hers.”

Johnny: “What do you mean? Are you suggesting she makes a habit out of this?”



Dina: “Yes and no. I… I don’t know, she never used to be like this, not until my sister and I transitioned into our teen years. Katrina used to be such a cool parent - not in the cringey way, either. Everyone adored her. Now, all she ever seems to do is try and fit in with us and other women our age. She used to hit on my boyfriends, like, all the time. Nothing happened - as far as I know. But I learned to keep them away and just meet with them at their place.”



Dina: “I’m so sorry she put the moves on you. I thought having a boyfriend would stop her, but...”

Johnny: “I was surprised for that exact reason! You got a literal Adonis living in your place, for crying out loud, yet she bats her eyes at me? When you told me Taco Tuesdays tend to get stupid, I was not expecting that.”

Dina: “Please don’t joke about this. I’m super embarrassed about her behavior.”



Johnny: “Sorry, Dina. Making jokes is what I do - I’ll dial back. Look, don’t even worry about it! It’s all water under the bridge. She said she had too much to drink, and I believe her. And this isn’t the first time an older gal’s flirted with me. That was a regular occurrence at the annual Landgraab fundraisers, and those folk was old enough to be my great-grandparents.”

Dina: “Oh gosh! How dreadful! A few years ago, when I was still in high school, I served this old guy when I worked at a restaurant. And when I say old, I mean like...literal whiskers growing out of his ears and nose. He leered at me the whole time, and at the end of the night, he asks if I can sit in his lap and plant a kiss on him! I was like, ‘Ew, no! Also, here’s your bill! Please leave!’ And he didn’t even tip me, after all of that!”



Johnny: “See, I demanded cash upfront! I made those old sorry fucks pay for my discomfort. Nothing major, just a couple hundred if they wanted to pinch my tush. You wouldn’t believe how much money I made in a span of one hour.”

Dina: “Well, you were able to get away with that for as long as you did, Money pockets. People have to pay just to look in your family’s general direction.”



Johnny: “Tell me about it. I have to pay just to gaze upon their greatness now.”

Dina: “Do you ever miss it? The money, the luxury...your parents?”

Johnny: “No.”

Dina: “Oh, wow. You didn’t even try to think about it.”

Johnny: “I’m not about to pretend it was easy, adjusting to my new normal...but I’ll tell you what, Dina, nothing beats being free and owning your life. I might strike out more times than I care to count, but my life is my own, and I feel good about what I do. Not everyone gets to say that. I can.”



Johnny: “Besides, if I hadn’t been performing at the lounge one evening, I wouldn’t have run into you, and we wouldn’t be sitting out here right now.”

Dina: “Sitting out here, right now, ignoring that my mom totally wanted to get in your pants.”

Johnny: “Doll, focus, I was trying to avoid naming the seductive elephant in the room but you keep bringing it up! Think positive! Good things only!”

Dina: “I’m glad the long conversation I need to have with a therapist someday is barely a blip on your radar, Johnny.”

Johnny: “See, we’re already joking about it.”



Johnny: “Well, the sun’s up! I better get home and shower before work.”

Dina: “I can’t believe you. First, you come straight from your show to here, and now you’re working a morning shift without any sleep. You’re insane. How do you do it?”



Johnny: “Easy. Every day, I only give into my existential dread for a couple minutes in the bathroom. Nothing beats a good, long cry in the morning to get your day started on a high note.”

Dina: “That sounds very...what’s the word...sad?”

Johnny: “I prefer to say ‘cathartic’ but to each their own.”



Before he left, they hugged. Given how their last encounter went, Dina was surprised at how comfortable she felt with Johnny, and how it hadn’t felt awkward to get so close with him.

Johnny: “Thanks for inviting me over, Dina. I had a good night. Best that I’ve had in a long time.”



Dina: “You’re welcome. Don’t be a stranger, Johnny.”

***



Later that day, in the middle of the afternoon, Dina finally emerged from her bedroom.



Her mother and Nina left to run errands. They likely wouldn’t return for a couple of hours. She pretended to sleep until early afternoon to avoid running into her mother or risk starting an argument about the unfortunate event with Johnny. Eventually, they needed to talk about it, but she needed a little bit of space and quiet to mow over what she was going to say and how she was going to say it, or how best to approach the situation.



Dina turned from the staircase to enter the living room but stopped at the doorway when she discovered she wasn’t home alone after all.

Dina: “Don? Are you sleeping?”

He didn’t turn around, but she barely made out a muffled groan from him.

Dina: “I’ll take that as a no. What are you doing here? I thought you were covering the stand today.”



Don: “I called off. I can’t work like this. My stomach’s fucking killing me! I haven’t moved off this couch since I got back in last night.”

Dina: “Oh no! That’s awful! I hope you didn’t catch anything! What did you eat yesterday?”

Don: “Nothing unusual, just what we had last night. And it couldn’t have been the tacos, that tilapia was fresh. I picked it up myself.”



Dina: “Wait...did you eat Nina’s grilled fruit?”

Don: “Now that you mention it, I took a few bites. I didn’t want to, but she insisted.”

Dina: “Rookie mistake! Never trust Nina’s cooking. She poisons everyone! I got the worst food poisoning of my life from her last year. I couldn’t get up for days.”

Don: “Well, shit. This is what I get for being such a nice guy and trying to get on your sister’s good side. Now my intestines are paying for it. No good deed goes unpunished, right?”

Dina: “Hah! Nina’s good side? I love her, but she doesn’t have one.”



Dina: “Say, do you know when my mother and Nina are coming back?”

Don: “I couldn’t tell you. They left in a hurry, and I’m pretty sure Kat isn’t talking to me right now.”

Dina: “Why not? I heard you two fighting last night. Did you, ah...want to talk about it?”

Don: “Oh, hell no. I’ve gotten myself into plenty of dangerous situations in the past, Dina, but let’s not do this. I’m not about to vent about your mom to you.”



Dina: “It is very weird, isn’t it? If it helps, Katrina had us so young, we’re practically sisters at this point. I’m not going to mind if you need to talk. Maybe I can help you guys smooth things over. I can read Katrina Caliente like the back of my hand, and it sounds like you can use a cheat sheet.”



Don: “Yeah. Maybe. This stays between us, right? She uh, saw me and Marci talking last night and jumped to conclusions. She thought we were hooking up.”

Dina: “Oh, I see. Well, did you?”

Don: “Of course not! Even if we had, I wouldn’t flaunt it in front of her, in the damn backyard of all places! Kat wanted me to say I was sorry and kick Marci out, but I couldn’t do that. Marci was having a good time with everyone, and it pissed me off. I have nothing to be sorry about. Should I have just done what she asked me to do? Am I the asshole here? I understand getting insecure, but her reaction was a little extreme, wasn’t it?”



Dina: “I hate to side with her, and I do like Marci very much...but I get where my mother is coming from. You don’t see it, because you two are in your own little world when you get together, but if I didn’t know better, and I saw the two of you interacting in the street? I’d seriously think Marci was your wife, or at the very least your bratty little sister.”

Don: “Did… did you just call Marci my sister-wife? And you all think I’m the one with the filthy mind.”

Dina: “All I’m saying is, the way you guys get on together...I can see why she’s worried, and it's not such a bad idea to cool it while my mother is around. She probably just feels incredibly threatened by her. I’m not into girls, but Marci can get it. She’s such a babe with her freckles and those feather earrings and that kissable face.”

Don: “What you just said, gay or not? That's hot. And yeah, she is but--”



Dina: “So you do agree? You think she’s cute, too?”

Dina wouldn’t admit it aloud, as he received more than enough compliments, but watching Don get flustered for a change? It was adorable.

Don: “I - see, what you’re doing right now, putting words in my mouth? Not cool! Tell me, what’s the story with you and Johnny? Have you fucked him yet?”



Dina: “Donald Carmelo Lothario!”

Don: “How the hell do you know my middle name?”

Dina: “Mind your language, for starters, especially when you ask a lady about her private business! And second, my sex life is totally none of your business! Johnny and I are friends! Strictly platonic! I know you wouldn’t know the perfect gentleman’s conduct when you see it, with your track record and all, but Johnny has been nothing but respectful and gracious! You might want to consider following his lead if you don’t want my mother to rip your head off on the daily!”



Don: “Okay, okay, sorry! Damn! It was just a question.”

Dina: “It was a very rude question.”

Don: “I said I was sorry, okay? And just to let you know, I respect people who turn me down!”

Dina: “That’s the bare minimum of manners. The rest of the time is a whole other story. Do you want to know why my mother is so worried? Do you have any idea how many of your 'conquests' try and warn us about you? Why do you think we had to change our phone numbers?”

Don: “I get that, but I’ve turned over a new leaf. Kat has nothing to fear with me. There hasn’t been anyone else since we started seeing each other. I like her. I swore to stay true, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.”



Dina: “Well, good for you.”

Don: “What, did you run out of lectures?”

Dina: “No, I just...got reminded of something that Marci told me, that I shouldn’t be so quick to judge people. And I’m not without my own flaws. I took a chance with Johnny, and he turned out to be a pretty good friend. If you say you’re trying to change, I’ll take your word for it.”



Dina: “...Before you change anything else, though? You should do something different with your hair.”

Don: “My hair? What’s wrong with it?”

Dina: “Nothing! It works for you! Just...you look so immature, and don’t you want to switch it up now and then? You would look so hot with a classic side part...ohhh, or if it was all wet and tousled! If you hadn’t turned off all the women in this town, they’d line up around the block.”

Don: “Sounds like a dream--exactly like a dream I had the other night--but I like my hair. I work hard to upkeep this. I gotta be me.”

Dina: “Suit yourself, but I just know Katrina would love a different style now and then. Oh! Have you considered shaving that goatee off? You’ve got such great cheekbones but the hair detracts from them...and is that a dimple in your chin? Why would you hide that? Are you out of your mind? You would look so much more attractive with a bare face!”

Don: “Fuck, Dina, are you trying to hurt my feelings? It’s almost working.”



Dina: “I’m sorry. I really am trying to help. The point I’m trying to make is that you’ve got a lot going on for you. It’s no wonder why Katrina wants to hang onto you so badly. Take that as a point of pride, if you need it...but you should totally apologize to her. It would just take a weight off her mind, and every woman deserves hearing how special they are sometimes.”



Don: “I guess that makes sense. I’m still not sorry I didn’t force Marci to leave last night...but I’ll try and talk to Kat when she gets back. Thanks, Dina.”

Dina: “You’re welcome. Don’t make this a habit though, Don. I’m not giving dating advice to my mother’s boyfriend every time he screws up.”

Don: “I hear you.”



Don: “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go bomb the guest bathroom.”

Dina: “Gross! TMI much, Don?!”

Don: “Sorry, babe. You get the unfiltered Lothario or you get none of me at all. There’s no in-between.”



Sometimes, as was the case with her mother, Dina knew exactly what to anticipate from people.

Every now and then though, especially in this case…



Some people surprised her.

***

AUTHOR'S NOTES

1. In case it wasn't clear: hoo boy, do I really hate the game setting up Don and Katrina as the "couple" in the household's premise. The fact he's her daughters' age, or close to it, always creeps me out. (And sure, the game added something that randomizes sims' days lived and messes with their age, but it's so chaotic and unreliable, you may as well ignore it.) So, for the longest time, I didn't necessarily have the warmest feelings about Katrina. Like, sure, Don's trash but what are you even doing with him in the first place, gurl???

Now, I definitely have more sympathy for her than I used to. Just from reading the household's premise, you get the sense it was just her and her daughters from the beginning since the father is nowhere to be seen. I think she just had her daughters so young, and probably had to work hard to support them, she didn't get to fulfill her desire to find a soulmate and maybe have a few more kids while she's young enough. And the second they were old enough and more self-sufficient, she went on a personal quest to achieve personal happiness and make herself over...but I think she goes looking for fulfillment in the wrong places and gets blind sighted. Hence: fucking Don Lothario.

2. Since Dina is dramatically different from her previous counterpart, it took a while to figure out her personality, her desires, and what her story really is. At least, the Dina in my head anyhow. Maybe she was that ditzy popular girl preoccupied with status and popularity in high school, who got tired/bored of playing that role as a young adult and decided to make a change. I think she's far more perceptive and clever than people give her credit for. And of course, there's tension between her and her mother.