"I didn't even want to come!" Val snaps finally, and her mother grabs the wrist still clutching the wiry cat brush.

"Don't embarrass me," her mother warns in a low voice, frowning deeply with some mix of anger, shame and pleading. She's a beautiful woman with thick blonde hair. "I worked so hard to get here and to make a good life for you. This is the least you can do in return."

Wrist finally free, Val turns away with stiff shoulders to face the bored cat once more. As she fumes, the space under the table lights up, promising a quick exit.