Catalyst

The room was perfectly serene, just as he had left it. Slate gray walls, a cherry wood dresser, a four post bed dressed with deep blue bedding, with a young woman resting. Every day, he took great care not to disrupt a single detail while cleaning. Leaving a single imprint from the outside world could corrupt the complete isolation he had worked so hard to preserve. The girl was now 18. For 15 years he had been her caretaker, told never to let the outside world corrupt her. She was a young adult now, but it was still vital she never learn of the outside world. He had finished cleaning, and she started to stir. He smiled, waiting for her to come to.

"Good morning, Catalina."

The girl sat up letting the covers bunch around her. She yawned and rubbed her eyes and looked closely at the mysterious man, the stranger that was always there for her. Everything she ever needed was somehow provided by this man. "Why do you say good morning when you come in sometimes, and good afternoon or evening other times?"

He coughed. Catalina wasn't frequently curious these days. She hadn't been for quite some time. More intriguing was how neat the question was. She very rarely ever spoke. It was a surprise to hear just how good she had become at English by simply listening. "It's how I know what to bring and what to clean. Have you noticed that when I say morning, what I bring is different from when I say afternoon?"

She nodded, once again mimicking actions he typically used. It was clear she didn't intend to say anything.

"Very good. Now eat up."

She nodded again and began eating, watching as he exited the room. She had just finished her last grape when the door opened again. The new stranger came back again. She smiled, always excited to hear what this new man had to say.

"Good morning Catalina. Did I miss anything?"

She shook her head.

He chuckled. "I know, there's never anything to miss. Have you been keeping me a secret?"

She nodded excitedly. "Will you tell me more?"

"Of course, of course. It's why I'm here." He spends the next hour telling her yesterday's news. She was always intrigued by the concept of other people in the world. That they would fight and laugh and play. That they would do things so great for each other, but then do so many awful things. By the end of their hour together he asked, "Wouldn't it be fun if Taylor got that job she wanted, even if it meant that Amy wouldn't get it?"

"I always liked Taylor. I think she should get the job. But what about Amy?"

"Amy will just have to move out again I think."

"Yeah, you're probably right."

They waved goodbye and Catalina's mysterious friend was gone again.

Outside, he lifted a phone to his ear, "Hey Taylor. I think you're gonna get that job. And that girl you hate. She's gonna be out of there soon too."