Re: Kit/Mari/Dinah/Cris: the convenience store
Cris was Cuban, which meant she was much more comfortable in the presence of his overt masculinity than she was in the presence of Kit's shyness or Dinah's fear; this was how the men were in Mari's culture. Papi had been like this, strong, planted feet and broad shoulders. He had made her feel safe, but he had also been good at hugs. This was just how men were, in her experience. Her dislike of them was not born in Cuba, and it was not strength that bothered her. She liked strength, in both men and women. She also liked the forkful of ropa vieja she was currently eating. "Papi can cook for me daily," she said with a smug-smile. This smile was born of always standing out in a crowd, and it was a wall, but it was also not. But this was of no importance here.
She put down the Tupperware, and she took the clock-piece Cris offered. This meant she now held three pieces. "You may carry yours," she told Kit. "We do not know if just having them near each other will trigger something. "Ven," and she took her three pieces and walked to the door, which she opened with her hip, and which she kept open for the others. "Where would you like to do this, Cristián?" she asked, as she waited for everyone to file past her into the sunlight.