The twins lean against her as she looks.

CHRISTOPHER. Momma, I need you to do something special for me.

CORRINE. What?

CHRISTOPHER. I wanted to build a barre back there for Cathy to practice her ballet moves, but she won’t do any real dancing without a proper outfit, shoes, and the right music.

CORRINE. I’ll get them, Christopher. I promise.

CHRISTOPHER. Thanks.

CORRINE. But what do you need?

CHRISTOPHER. For you to succeed and get us back to being a family.

CORRINE. You’re just like your father, handsome and sweet. You’re doing such a great job with them, Christopher. Your father would be so proud of you, so proud.

She smiles, reaches up for him, and kisses him.

Cathy steps out of the bathroom and looks toward them.

CORRINE [seeing the look Cathy is giving them]. I’d better get downstairs. [She rises.]

CORY. Won’t you stay and read us a story before we go to sleep?

CORRINE. I can’t tonight, honey.

CARRIE. But you promised, Momma.

CATHY [moving to them]. I’ll read you a story. [Glaring at Corrine.] Just like every night.

CORRINE. Thank you, Cathy.

She gives the twins each a kiss. When she tries to kiss Cathy, Cathy turns away.

CATHY. I’ll find the book I was reading.

CORRINE. Good night, Christopher. [Whispering loudly.] Thank you.

She kisses him and then walks to the door, where she pauses.

CORRINE. Be good, children. It won’t be much longer.

She leaves. The lock clicks.

CATHY. That’s beginning to sound like an echo. Go get your pajamas on, children.

Cory and Carrie move toward the bathroom.

CHRISTOPHER. If she finds out they’re undressing in front of each other . . .

CATHY. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.

She goes to the window. It’s dark now.

CHRISTOPHER. If she saw us, she’ll let us know.

CATHY. She can’t expect us never to look out. What’s the difference? With the little light we’re allowed, who will see us?

CHRISTOPHER. Servants might. It won’t be much longer.

CATHY. Don’t you ever get tired of saying that? [Looking out.] I wonder what Emily Grace is doing tonight. I bet she’s talking to Danny Marcus.

CHRISTOPHER [joining her]. That would be a short conversation.

CATHY [sharply]. Not everyone has to be Christopher Dollanganger to carry on a conversation.

CHRISTOPHER. I didn’t say he had to be, but . . .

CATHY. At least she has a telephone and someone to talk to and something to do! She can go to the movies or just hang out. She’s probably on her first date. At this rate, I’ll be twenty before my first date.

CHRISTOPHER. Momma wouldn’t let you go on a date this young anyway.

CATHY. Why not? She wasn’t much older when she got married.

CHRISTOPHER. That’s different.

CATHY. Why? Because it’s her? Forget about it. We’re in prison, Christopher, and the only thing we did was be born.

Christopher is silent.

CATHY [thinking]. Did you ever kiss a girl like you kissed me before?