Jamila

It was a warm, bright April day in 2022. A patchwork of scrubland and suburban housing sprawled out beneath the plain as it began its final descent into Dallas. Inside, Jamila, a woman in her early 30s, crammed to see out the window. She had never been to Texas before.

It was a warm, bright April day in 2022. A patchwork of scrubland and suburban housing sprawled out beneath the plain as it began its final descent into Dallas. Inside, Jamila, a woman in her early 30s, crammed to see out the window. She had never been to Texas before.

By the way, Jamila asked not to use her last name, and her words are spoken by an actor. Up to now, she had been living in Boston, teaching yoga. But after she split up with her partner, money had gotten tight.

By the way, Jamila asked not to use her last name, and her words are spoken by an actor. Up to now, she had been living in Boston, teaching yoga. But after she split up with her partner, money had gotten tight.

That was when she'd seen Kat's livestream on Instagram. Usually, Kat's posts were all about her glamorous life, living the American dream. But this one was different. She was looking for help. She wanted people to go live with her in Texas. To Jamila, it felt like a lifeline. As soon as the wheels touched down, Jamila turned on her cell. A new message popped up.

That was when she'd seen Kat's livestream on Instagram. Usually, Kat's posts were all about her glamorous life, living the American dream. But this one was different. She was looking for help. She wanted people to go live with her in Texas. To Jamila, it felt like a lifeline. As soon as the wheels touched down, Jamila turned on her cell. A new message popped up.

Flair, as in a burst of light.

Flair, as in a burst of light.

Not what she had expected. And Kat's house in Leander wasn't what she expected either.

Not what she had expected. And Kat's house in Leander wasn't what she expected either.

Sure, the inside of Kat's house was not as luxurious as what Jamila had seen on Kat's feed when she posed with designer bags and a Ferrari. But what could she do?

Sure, the inside of Kat's house was not as luxurious as what Jamila had seen on Kat's feed when she posed with designer bags and a Ferrari. But what could she do?

Soon, Kat told Jamila that someone else was coming to live with them.

Soon, Kat told Jamila that someone else was coming to live with them.

Her name was Desiree. But Kat had one ground rule.

Her name was Desiree. But Kat had one ground rule.

Jamila was just there to work. She wasn't going to pick battles over Kat's weird house rules. What Jamila didn't know was that soon she'd be doing a lot more than a bit of yoga and helping around the house. Because Kat had plans for her new housemates. Plans that went far beyond what they had signed up for.

Jamila was just there to work. She wasn't going to pick battles over Kat's weird house rules. What Jamila didn't know was that soon she'd be doing a lot more than a bit of yoga and helping around the house. Because Kat had plans for her new housemates. Plans that went far beyond what they had signed up for.

From Wondery, I'm Chico Felitti, and this is Don't Cross Cat, Episode 4, Inside Cat's House. To Desiree, Cat was her spiritual mentor, a guiding light of sorts. Desiree later wrote about her experiences with Kat in a book. In it, she described how she had first discovered her in 2016. She signed up to her website, paid for coaching sessions.

From Wondery, I'm Chico Felitti, and this is Don't Cross Cat, Episode 4, Inside Cat's House. To Desiree, Cat was her spiritual mentor, a guiding light of sorts. Desiree later wrote about her experiences with Kat in a book. In it, she described how she had first discovered her in 2016. She signed up to her website, paid for coaching sessions.