Free Too Little, Too Late by Marta Tandori Page A

stung. “I’m a person, not a god-damned science experiment!” Tears filled Kate’s eyes and she swiped at them angrily.
    In that split second, her father lunged across the coffee table at Kate and clumsily tried getting his hands around her throat but she was able to knee him in the groin. Gagging, Karl reeled backwards, only to have his heel catch on the leg of the coffee table. Losing his balance, he hit his head on the corner of the heavy wooden table as he fell to the ground.
    Kate went around the table so that she was directly behind his head just as his body began convulsing. The convulsions were soon followed by huge spurts of vomit. Karl’s drunken state and the knock on his head had left him disoriented and unable to get up. Without thinking, Kate brought her foot down firmly on her father’s left shoulder, effectively pinning him to the carpet. His arms and legs flailed about but he was powerless to call for help as he slowly choked on his own vomit. Soon, the flailing stopped and her father lay perfectly still.
    Kate stared at his lifeless form without emotion. “Goodbye, Papa,” she whispered. “I hope you rot in hell.”
    ***
    Kate could hear music behind the door of Marcus’ apartment. She knocked several times, becoming more insistent when he didn’t answer. She was about to leave when he finally threw open his door.
    He gave her a worried look when he saw her wan features. “Are you all right?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be?” Kate asked. She solemnly held out a bulky envelope which had the prop gun in it. “I came to give this back to you.”
    “Thanks.” Taking the package from her, he put it in his hall closet.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Kate turned to leave.
    “Wait!” Marcus pulled her into his apartment. “Don’t go yet.”
    “Look, Marcus. I don’t think I’m very good company tonight.” Kate tried pulling away from him but he wasn’t about to let her go.
    “You don’t have to be.” He led Kate over to two men around his age who were lounging on a sofa that had seen better days. “Come meet the guys. This weird-looking carrot-top flexing his fingers is Rob. He plays guitar and that there’s Graham. Guys, this is Kate.”
    When the introductions were over, Kate again tried to leave. “It was nice meeting you. I can see you’re busy—”
    “We were just about to give Marcus’ new tune a test run,” Graham told her. “Why don’t you stay and give us some feedback?”
    “That’s the first brilliant idea you’ve come up with all night,” Marcus told him approvingly before looking at Kate with hopeful eyes. “What do you say, Katie? Are your ears up to the challenge?”
    Kate was torn. She was an emotional wreck; on the one hand, euphoric at the realization that she was finally free of the ties that bound her to her father yet on the other, mired by an inexplicable, gut-wrenching loss. And she really didn’t want – no, couldn’t be – alone right now. Perhaps the rowdy camaraderie between Marcus and his friends was exactly what she needed.
    “All right,” she acquiesced, “but just for a little while.”
    “Great! Now take a load off.” Marcus gently pushed Kate down onto the sofa while Rob grabbed the half-eaten box of pizza and put it beside her.
    The thought of food nearly made her gag so she focused on Marcus, who looked uncharacteristically nervous as he went and sat down behind a tired looking piano.
    “The song is called, Make a Wish ,” he told her as his fingers nimbly slid over the keys. “I haven’t gotten around to writing any lyrics yet.” He gave her a lopsided grin that almost made her heart melt.
    Marcus’ tune was catchy and upbeat without being predictable; a reflection of his personality and his enormous talent, Kate thought. It was also clear that they were all accomplished musicians and she couldn’t help but be impressed. When it was over, she clapped enthusiastically. “That was really terrific!”
    “Methinks the fair maid