"Are you done already, Hal?" Rumia asked as she approached, her own arms laden with small parcels wrapped in delicate tissue paper.
"Yeah, I am," I nodded.
Rumia's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as she craned her neck, attempting to peer into my purchases. "You seem to have bought quite a lot of things." Her tone was playful, but I could detect the underlying inquisitiveness that was so characteristic of her.
I quickly shifted the bag further away. I couldn't let her see the delicate lace bra and underwear I bought for my own mom. "I bought some things for Lisa as well, that's why," I said.
The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I'd made a mistake. Rumia's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing.
"You're always favoring Lisa over me," she said, sulking.
"Well," I replied, perhaps more sharply than necessary, "she doesn't have a father who tries to kick me out of my own house every time I speak with his daughter."
