Aubrey watched the tail end of Antonio's car make one final turn before it disappeared from her sight. Biting the inside of her cheek, she drew her book bag near and exited the decoy hotel as she made her way to her own. As she walked the streets, she felt her shoulders bump with no remorse into anyone who lucked out to walk close enough to her. Every nerve was on standby, waiting for that one person to cross the boundary into Aubrey's fiery zone as she itched to trade the feeling of sadness for something more violent.

     Her legs pumped fast, and before she knew it, she was digging around for her room key, letting herself into her own place of solitude for the day.

    She couldn't even give a reason as to why she was angry enough to sling her bag across the room, smashing it into the headboard behind her bed. Moving quickly, she picked up the items she had tossed around the room her first night there, stuffing them into her luggage.

   Everything was done. Now, there was no reason for her to stay any longer and tonight, she would make sure she was on her way out of this town, out of this state, and back home in Texas where she should be.

   The zipper on her old hand me down bag looked like it was close to bursting from the forceful stuffing Aubrey was dealing it. She slapped at the top, cursing it for not fitting. In a fit of rage she picked it up, smashing it into the ground.

   "Why won't you fucking close!" She screamed at the innocent thing. Clothes and other trinkets fell out as she carelessly took out her frustration.

   When the bag came swinging back, and knocking into her shin, Aubrey fell in pain. Breathing deeply, she warded off the shriek that wanted to be let out. Her fingers dug into the carpet as her arms shook. She knew there was a chance that tears would soon fall from her eyes, but she willed herself not to let them.

    "No, no. You are not going to cry. Stop it." Her voice was terse as she chastised herself for the weakness. She had gotten through worse things than this, there was no need to waste tears on something so minute. Something that hadn't even existed until a week ago. She had gotten along in life just fine without knowing of Antonio Russo's existence, and she would make sure that continued, no matter what.

   Aubrey sat in silence until the eerie feeling creeping over her became unbearable. Patting around the floor, she looked for her discarded bag, hoping to find the cell phone that had been given to her by Marquis.

     Dialing his number, she planned to let him know that she would have to disappoint him because she was coming home and there was nothing he could say that would change that decision.

    When the dial tone turned into an automated voice, she didn't waste any time in hanging up and dialing again. She wasn't sure how many times it took for her to realize that she wasn't going to be getting an answer.

   "Shit." She mumbled. Aubrey began to think fast as she tried her best to remember Ms. Anderson's phone number.

   "Hello?" After several failed attempts and wrong numbers, Aubrey closed her eyes in relief when she heard the sing song tone of Ms. Anderson on the other line.

   "He-Hey Ms. Anderson. It's me. Aubrey. From down the street?"

   "Girl, I know who Aubrey from down the street is."

   "Sorry, I just. I've never called before so, I wasn't sure if you would remember me." Aubrey bit at the knuckle of her thumb as she spoke.

    "Aubrey, how could I forget you? Child, you've been gone for just a couple of days. Which to me is a couple too many. Just where do you get off thinking you can just take a trip to God knows where without telling me?"

   "I left you a letter. It was on your front porch. Did you not get it?" Panic set in as Aubrey wondered if Ms. Anderson had somehow missed the box. She knew she was blind as a bat with her age, but there was no way she could have missed the box. Hell, there was a lot more than just a letter in it....

  "Yeah, yeah. I got your letter. And the rest of that trash you had in there. Where the hell did you get money like that from? Was it that Marquis? I don't let none of that drug money into my house. No sir."

   " Ms. Anderson, I just thought-"

    "Thought what?"

    Suddenly, embarrassment came over Aubrey as she heard the displeasure that was being expressed.
   "I just thought that you could use it. To help you out with a few things, that's all. I didn't mean any disrespect by it."

   "Well, let me tell you one thing honey, you don't need to be worried about me and mines. You got that? I don't ever want you to do something so foolish like that again. Do you understand?"

    Her voice was curt with the demand, and Aubrey couldn't help but nod her head, even though she knew that she couldn't be seen.

   "Yes ma'am. I do."

   "Good." With a sigh, Ms. Anderson lost the authoritative tone that had previously laced her voice as she showed her concern for Aubrey.

   "Are you okay? You left without telling me exactly where you are. You can't be so vague with something like that honey. You've had my blood pressure acting a fool worrying about you."

   "I'm fine, I promise. I know in that letter I said I would be back at the end of the week, but  luckily I think I'm going to be back sooner."

   "Be back from where, Aubrey? You think I'm a mind reader?"

   "It's nowhere. I didn't go very far. I just-I needed some time to myself."

  "You're still a child Aubrey. You can't be taking time to yourself without letting an adult know just where you'll be spending it. Tell me where you are and I'm coming to get you right this minute."

   "No, Ms. Anderson. I promise you I'm going to be on my way soon."

   She could feel the exasperation that Ms. Anderson must have felt. She was almost brought to tears at the thought of someone actually putting in that much effort to care about her. Other than her mom, Aubrey hadn't counted on many people to be a beam of support for her. She could only look up to Marquis to a certain extent considering his fleeting life style, and while Ms. Anderson had been nothing but great to her after all of these years, she wasn't dumb enough to think that she could be the center of her attention; she didn't deserve to want for the spare attention she had to give when she had a family full herself.

   Aubrey began to feel like a slight burden to her, the one thing she never wanted to be on anyone.

   "Ms. Anderson, I'll be back, and things will be like normal. I know it's a lot to ask for, but I promise you I won't cause you any trouble. I'll cook, clean, do whatever you need me to do."

   "Aubrey, you aren't a guest in my house, you'll be as much as a part of my family as these other ones are. You get back, and you'll have a home here with us. I know, I know with your mama gone it's going to be a lot different, but I promise you we will love you no different."

   "Thank you." She whispered as her throat began to become constricted.

   "Will you make sure to call me again?"

   "Of course. I'll call you once I figure everything out."

   "Now if you need me to, I'll call my daughter Laurie Ann, and I can get her to arrange something to get you back home."

   "No, it's fine Ms. Anderson. I've got everything handled." Aubrey hoped that her voice sounded as reassuring as she felt unsure. They said their goodbyes, her promising to keep in contact until the very moment she was once again on Ms. Anderson's front step.

    Aubrey tried once again to call the only number that she had known of Marquis's. He didn't answer yet again, and for some reason she couldn't help but shake the guilt she felt from the way she had talked to him the last time they spoke. Marquis was never a role model for her, that he made sure to remind her, but no matter what anyone said, he was the closest male figure she had. He gave good lessons that she listened to, and if nothing more, he felt like an older brother or wise uncle. She regretted speaking to him in the manner that she had. She never went out of her way to treat him like he wasn't still an adult that she should respect.

   The fact that their connection seemed severed didn't help to settle the fear in the pit of her stomach. She didn't know what she would do if he wasn't there when she returned. She knew he had loved her mother, would do anything for her...

  Casting aside her pessimistic thoughts, Aubrey climbed her way onto the lush bed behind her. Hell, she paid a pretty penny to sleep here, so she would get one more use out of it before she made arrangements to leave earlier than expected.

    Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed that when she crossed that line into sleep, she wouldn't meet the dream that had awaken her that morning.

oOo

    Antonio felt useless at work.

   His mind was swamped with responsibilities that seemed to be pushed aside for thinking of Aubrey.

  Though he knew that there were more pending things to be taken care of, he had his secretary phoning hotels all morning, looking for any Taliaferros in town. From what he had been told, she had turned up dry with any news on a Sandra Taliaferro. His hopes had almost been dashed until his lunch break rolled around. He rarely took advantage of it for his own personal use, but when he was met by the older woman telling of another Taliaferro she had found, he was more than happy to take the opportunity that day.

     Now he strode into the high end hotel where Aubrey was staying, to his surprise. He knew that it was one of the extravagant types around, how she had managed to stay here, he had no clue.

   At the receptionist's desk, he caught sight of a young woman who immediately began to adjust her uniform and wipe the corners of her mouth. He didn't miss her primping, and any other time he would have played along, but now he had something else on his agenda.

   " Welcome, how may I assist you?" Her voice was low and sultry as she showed off three years of orthodontist work. The underlying gleam in her eyes gave her a seductive aura.

   "I was hoping that you could help me find someone. Is there an Aubrey Taliaferro staying here?"

   The woman's eyebrow crooked. She held back a small burst of laughter as she assumed that the pain in her neck must have been something that she wasn't. No wonder she could afford to stay here, she must have been some high end stripper.

   "I'd be more than happy to help." She gave him her room information, and watched with envy as Antonio walked away towards the elevator doors.

    Antonio repeated the room number in his head as he made it up to her floor. Checking the doors, he walked until he came before his destination. A bout of nerves came over him as he stood there, staring down the door. Before he could raise his hand to knock, it swung open, and a small brown head appeared, nearly bumping into him.

   "Hello."

    Aubrey gasped in surprise at the sight of Antonio before her. 

   "What are you doing here?"

   He smiled," Well, isn't it obvious? I came to find you." He couldn't help but look over her shoulder, anticipating the moment he would come face to face with her mother. He couldn't tell if the tightness in his stomach was from dread or excitement.

   "How did you find me?" Aubrey reentered the room then, drawing the door closed to the point that only her face stuck out.

  "It's not as difficult as you may think. May I come in Aubrey?"

   He waited for her to open the door more than ajar, granting him access, but all he got was a glare.

   "No."

   "Aubrey, please."

   "No because I am leaving." She finally emerged, purposely forcing him backwards as she turned to make sure the door was locked and that she had her room key in hand. Reaching down and wrapping her bags around her, she walked away with her head held high.

   Looking back at the door, Antonio waited for anyone else who may exit as well. The ding of the elevator told him that Aubrey was going down alone, and before she could get the doors closed, he boarded it as well.

   "I would really like it if I could get a chance to talk to you and your mother. We need to talk about this entire situation."

  "There is no situation."

   "You're my daughter, I consider that something important. It's worth a lot more than a five minute chat."

  "No, it actually isn't. I'm sure my mom has nothing to say to you, besides, she has no idea that we have even met. I suggest you stay far away from her and me." Aubrey stared him down." You're not exactly her favorite person in the world."

     She knew it was wrong to suggest that her mother harbored ill feelings towards him, it was almost like sullying her good name since for as long as she knew her, Sandra had never had an evil bone in her body, nor one of hate.

    Aubrey was much more comfortable with making him think he wasn't welcomed by her nonexistent mother, than anything else.

    Antonio bristled at her words. He had wondered and worried about any encounters with Sandra. Would she hate him, ignore him-the list was endless.

   "Don't you think I should find that out for myself?" He suggested.

   "Take it from me. Her daughter. I know my mother best. Just drop this entire thing." Aubrey's voice had risen just before the doors opened to the lobby. Calming herself, she walked to the front desk, intent on getting away from Antonio.

   "I would like to check out." Folding her arms on the counter, she held the woman behind a computer as she announced her request.

   "So soon? I'm sad to see you go."

   "Oh, I'm sure you are Stephanie. Don't worry, maybe we can exchange numbers and text it sometime."Aubrey said with false exuberance.

   "Oh. Of course not." Stephanie retorted with a tight grin. "Well Ms. Taliaferro, since you'll be leaving us so soon, I must inform you that your week long stay cannot be refunded unfortunately."

  "That's fine with me, I would just like to check out-"

   "And there will be a cancellation fee in place of your short stay."

   Aubrey could feel Antonio behind her, and tucking back her hair, she spoke more quietly.

   "That's no problem." When Stephanie called out the amount that was due to the hotel, it became a problem.

   "Is there any way that I can speak with a manager about, payment arrangements." She bashfully ducked to speak to Stephanie, all cattiness aside but was met with a shit eating grin.

  "I'm afraid not. The total will be-"

   Having enough of the second hand embarrassment he was experiencing, Antonio pushed Aubrey aside.

   "Whatever it is, I'll take care of the bill." Pulling out his wallet, he handed over his card to a less than pleased Stephanie. She had banked on getting to see the younger woman thrown off the high horse she had rode in on.

   "That isn't necessary. I don't need your money." Aubrey shouted.

   The look Antonio gave her made her blood run cold as she shrank back with tight lips.

   She fought the cinderblock feeling in her feet as she picked up her bags, heading out of the building before the transaction was finished.

   "Hey! Aurbey stop right there." He called after her.

   He was reaching the end of his rope. The chasing had to stop, and he needed it to end now.

   Antonio grabbed the strap of one bag which sent her flying backwards roughly.

   " I'm talking to you."

   "And?"

   "You will stop and listen to me. Where is your mother Aubrey?" Antonio wanted to know why a kid like her was running around in a city alone, checking out of hotels alone, and trying to fly off to wherever the hell it was she was going alone.

    "Well, she's not here obviously." She threw up her hands mocking him.

    "You mean to tell me that you're here alone? Where did you say you came from again, Texas? Aubrey, does your mother know where you are?"

   "Oh hop off of it-"

   "No I will not hop off of it! Are you stupid?" Antonio let his anger get the best of him as he showed his irritation towards Aubrey's actions. The drop of her face made him instantly regret his words. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that."

   "You don't know me. You don't have the right to follow me around. You don't have the right to call me stupid." She said through clenched teeth. " Even though I was for thinking that seeing you would be an okay idea."

   "Following you? Didn't you come looking for me? Wasn't it you who showed up outside of my work place yesterday? You told me yourself, so don't make this into something that it isn't. You can't just show up and expect nothing from me!"

   Aubrey took a step back as his face reddened. She recognized that sign of anger best whenever she looked into a mirror.

   "As I've said before. My mistake." Aubrey couldn't tell if he was angry with her or what. She was glad to see that the tearful eyed man that had drew her into his arms upon hearing who she was for the first time was gone. She was happy to see someone who was being pushed to his limits. If she pushed hard enough...
   "You're not pushing me away, Aubrey. You are my daughter, and I am your father."

   "Don't pull that card with me-"

    "And as your father-"

   "Cut it out!"

    "I deserve to get to know you. I deserve an explanation as to why I'm just now finding out about you." Antonio nearly shouted his last words as he tried to show Aubrey how this didn't need to be dragged around everywhere. He wanted to talk to her, get to know her. He just wished he knew why she was so reluctant to do the same.

     "I need to know why Sandra would lie to me, keep you from me like this!"

     "Don't you blame this on her." Aubrey snapped at his insinuation of blame on her mother. Whatever reasons she had, they were to be respected.

    "You don't understand..." You're just a child. Antonio finished in his head. That was to be handled between the adults who were in the middle of this. He knew it wasn't right to throw that in Aubrey's face.

    "I know that I'm not going to let you talk about my mom when she's-" Biting her tongue, Aubrey stopped herself from revealing Sandra's fate. She figured that he didn't need to know any more than he did now.

   "Get in the car, I'll take you to wherever you are going ." Antonio let out a sigh as he went to open the car door. Despite her refusals, he took the bags from her, popping his trunk and putting them inside. Ignoring her, he put her into the passenger seat as she put up little resistance. When he got in, all of her talking had ceased as she sat with her arms crossed tightly across her stomach, avoiding eye contact with him as he drove back to his office.

oOo

    Aubrey followed behind Antonio into the sleek air conditioned building she had only gotten a chance to view from the outside yesterday. It was as nice as she had imagined it to be, and she couldn't help but to gape at it.

   "Aubrey." She heard her name being called as she had stopped to stare at the things that she had passed. She could have kicked herself for making it seem like she had never been out of her house before. Walking to just a few steps behind Antonio, she followed behind him begrudgingly as he showed a badge to an older man dressed in a security guard's uniform.

   "Woah, there. I'm going to have to see some ID." He stopped Aubrey without standing from his stool. She wondered when the old geezer was going to give up his day job and go relax at home, he looked easily over 70, but something told her he could move like he was 50.

   "It's okay Al. She's with me."

   With a narrowed eye and a shrug of acceptance, he put down his hand, allowing Aubrey to keep following behind Antonio.

  "You have a good day Mr. Russo." Al wouldn't have been so lenient with any other worker even on his best day, but for Antonio, he could let some things pass.

 Holding the elevator doors, Antonio waited for Aubrey to come. He watched her as she approached him; head bent slightly with a face that revealed little to what she was thinking or felt. Greeting the others that occupied the same space, Antonio didn't take his eyes off of Aubrey.

   He could see Sandra all over her.

   Her eyes were large and round, holding the same haunting appearance that Sandra's had, yet they still remained guarded.  Her skin was lightly tanned, hinting at her mother's African American heritage and leaving a question of what else made her who she was.

   Him.

  He helped to make up her other half.

  With that thought, Antonio didn't hold back the slight grin as Aubrey looked back at him, regarding his look.

   "What?" She murmured. Turning so that her face was more hidden by her hair, Aubrey rocked on her heels as she waited to be freed from the suffocating metal box.

oOo

     "You can just sit there."

   Aubrey followed Antonio's pointed hand to a large seat that sat opposite of what she presumed to be his desk.  Resisting the urge to let him know that he didn't tell her what to do, she sat. When they had walked back to his office, she had felt that all eyes were on her.

   Of course all of them weren't.

   But there were enough to make her cringe in her own skin. She couldn't tell what they were thinking, and this bugged her.

   Watching out his window, she eyed everyone who passed, and the few who looked in to see her sitting in Antonio's office. The white blinds were drawn, blocking off everything from outside of the room.

   Slowly turning to Antonio, She saw him resting on the edge of his desk, with a phone receiver in hand.

   "Aubrey. You need to call your mother."  Gripping the arm rests of her seat, Aubrey made no move to reach for the phone.

   "Okay, if you're not going to do it, you can just tell me the number, and I'll call for you."

   "It's long distance. I don't think you can get it even if I tried."

   "I'm sure that I can." His voice was light at her avoidance. Aubrey looked up and mentally rolled her eyes.

    How wrong you are.
  

 If it wasn't so fresh, she would laugh at the thought of her telling him to look up the number to Pearly White Gates and ask for Sandra.

   Just so he wouldn't ask again, Aubrey stood, and took the phone from him. Dialing in random numbers she waited for an answer that she could quickly defect until she saw Antonio's hand reach and press the speaker button.

   "Chen's Diner, how may I help you?"

   Slamming down the phone, Aubrey smiled at him.

   "I must have missed dialed."

    "Must have..." Antonio was on to her game.

   With a shaking hand, she dialed her mother's old cell phone number. She knew there would be no answer, it may no longer be on, but at least she wouldn't have to face him with a lie when he saw that she couldn't get in contact with her.

   Her chest heaved as she listened to the ringing in her ear...

   It was still on.

   She twiddled the end of her t shirt as she waited with a held breath for the sound of her mother's voice.

   Looking over to Antonio, she saw that he too seemed tensed, moreso than before as the call seemed to drag on to no end.

   "I don't think she's going to answer-"

   "Hey, you've reached Sandra Taliaferro. I'm not able to take your call at the moment, but please leave a message and I will make sure to get back to you as soon as possible." With the beeping signal, Aubrey froze as the almost melodic voice washed over her.

   "Hey, mama. It's Aubrey." Eyes darting to Antonio, she tried to tell her brain to put down the phone. To not put herself through this.

  "I was just calling, to talk to you.  To see how you are." Her voice creaked as she spoke. She had to change the message quick before Antonio became curious as to what she was saying.

   "I miss you." She couldn't help herself as she began to cry. "I miss you so much. I just want to see you and..." From the corner of her eyes she saw Antonio stand, now concerned as he watched her unravel.

   "I mean, I just wanted to see when you would be done. With that thing. So that I can meet you. And we could go back home. Anyway, just call me back soon. I don't have a number but-" The end tone told her that her time was up. Shivering, she placed the phone back in its place.

   "What was that?"

   "What was what?" Clearing her face, she turned to look at Antonio with stone cold eyes. " I called my mom for you. She didn't answer, just like I said she wouldn't. Are you satisfied now?"

  Antonio stilled himself under her gaze.

   "Maybe you should call her back. This time, you might not get the voicemail."

   "No! I am not doing that again! I just can't!" She blurted out. A sob threatened to retch from her chest as she rounded the desk, and sat back down in her offered seat. "I'm not calling back."

     The heaviness in the room weighed down on them both as they sat in silence. Before long, Antonio sat at his desk properly, staring at Aubrey from across the way.

   "You left without her knowing, didn't you?" He concluded.

   "Yeah. Just up and left one night. No big deal. There's your answer to everything, so you see why I would like to get back before she can be too mad at me." Aubrey didn't bother to let him think any different.

"I'm the last person you want to hear this from, but taking off like this is dangerous. Especially without anyone knowing, Aubrey. You're still a young girl."

   "I've heard it all before. It was stupid. What was I thinking. I should have known better. You don't have to say any more."There was little fire in her tone as she berated herself.

   "I'll make sure you get back home safely. It's the least I could do."

   "You don't have to-"

   "You have a bad habit of telling me what I'm going to do." Antonio looked her over with softened eyes.

   " It's not like you haven't been guilty of it too." Aubrey spoke under her voice as she shrugged at him.

   "You have to know that I wouldn't want anything but the best for you Aubrey. Out of everything, just allow me to see that you are safe, that you are looked after. Okay?" Her silence was his answer as her eyes dropped down to her hands that lay in her lap.

His head dropped between his shoulders at the first show of compliance all day.

oOo

       Antonio's hand skirted across the paper before him as he worked. Occasionaly, he would spare a  glance in Aubrey's direction as she lounged on his office couch. He heard the rustling of plastic coming from her as she popped another mint into her mouth from his desk.

    He looked to see the glass container more than halfway empty, and shook his head in disbelief. Here it was nearing the end of the working day, and he hadn't even thought of getting her any food. He watched as she tilted back another paper cup she had filled with water. Through the silence of the day, he could tell that somewhere along the way she had become overtaken with hunger, but never voiced it.

   He knew for a fact that she hadn't eaten breakfast, and knowing that he didn't suggest lunch to her he began to pack up his things.

   Many of the other workers were long gone, leaving him behind for his longer hours that he usually engaged in. Two days in a row he had broken his normal habits and gotten off work earlier than regularly.

   "Come on kid, it's time to go."

   With one arm crooked behind her head, and her legs crossed at the ankles, Aubrey looked at him with boredom.

    "It's only like midnight. I say you just go on and finish the rest of the day off while you're at it."

   Looking to his watch, he read the time of 7:20 pm.

    "If we leave now, I'm sure we can still catch dinner before it's too late."

    In silence, Aubrey got up and followed him out of the room, turning off the lights for him as he locked the door.

   When she found them parked outside of an enormous home, she looked to him confused.

   "This doesn't look like a McDonald's."

   Shutting off the engine, Antonio laughed. "I'm sure if you wanted it, it could be magically catered with just a phone call."

   Aubrey watched Antonio exit the car, and walk around. She realized he was coming to open her door, and before he could reach, she let herself out, determined to not let it happen.

  " Where am I?"

   Antonio saw her weary look, and wished that he could ease her nerves

   "This is my parent's house. My mom always has more than enough food, so I'm sure she won't mind."

  "Um, but I wouldn't? Why would you bring me here?" Aubrey was obviously not pleased as she dug her feet in the ground, refusing to move as Antonio lightly patted her shoulder.

   "No. Take me back. I don't want to be here."

   "It's okay. I promise."

   "I don't care!" Aubrey's eyes lowered in accusation." Did you tell them about me?"

  "No, I didn't." Aubrey didn't know if she was relieved or not from his admittance.

   "Good, you can take me away from here then. This is way too far, and you know that."

   At that moment, he wished for the silent treatment he had gotten for the most part that day.

   "This can be a good chance to explain things then." He spoke quietly, convincingly.

  " What? I'm going walk up into these people's house and introduce myself as their long lost granddaughter? Nuh uh. Nope. I'm not doing that."

   "Stop it, Aubrey." His tone was biting as he finally had enough." We are going to go in there, and introduce you. I'm tired of this back and forth-it stops now." Pointing a stern finger in her direction, he hoped that she would stop with the act. He knew kids could be difficult, but he never would have imagined it being this nerve racking.

   "Oh, am I annoying you, Antonio? I'm sorry. Why don't you just take me on somewhere else so that we both don't have to go through this. I'm sure you will thank me in the long run if you just end it here." Aubrey found herself grating on his nerves, and the rebellious side of her was still putting up an argument while her other half wanted to get out of his hair.

     "I didn't say that."

   "I'm sure you were thinking it."

     "Enough-"

    "Antonio dear, I didn't know you were stopping by." From a few yards away, Antonio heard the surprised sound of his mother from the front door. Turning, he saw her trying her best to make out the other figure with him, and knew that her curiosity had been peaked.

    "Oh my God, that's your mom." Aubrey felt the same gurgling in the pit of her stomach that she did before she threw up the day before. Clenching her stomach, she looked to Antonio hoping for an escape out of facing the older woman. She turned to the car, trying at the locked door.

   "I'll just wait out here." No need to go inside. Though the woman was a way's away, she could make out her face from memory.

   "Aubrey, cut the bullshit." His harsh words told her that there was little room left for her to argue him down. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she finally obeyed him to follow up the stairs.

     "I'm so glad you came by!" Mary wrapped her arms around Antonio's waist, burying herself into her overgrown son. Aubrey shuffled her feet as she looked on to the embrace. She was too immersed in the sight of Antonio to pay Aubrey any mind yet, and for that she was grateful.

   " I hope it isn't a bad time, mom. I thought that we would stop by and grab a plate to eat if it wasn't too late." Antonio gestured towards Aubrey, unfortunately pulling her into the conversation.

   When Mary's eyes landed on the young girl, her face failed to hide any of the surprise she felt in seeing the stranger again.

    "Well, this is...surprising." Mary rubbed her hands together as she studied Aubrey. "How did you two know each other?"

   "Have you met before?" Antonio directed his question to Aubrey who stood with a dry mouth, unsuccessfully avoiding his gaze.

   "Me and her? Well-I had. Yesterday there was a little...incident and. Yeah. We've met. But we haven't met....but we've met."

    Aubrey cleared her throat as her words through her for a loop. She was tongue tied for the first time in a long time.

   "This is grand." Mary burst out in laughter. The eyebrows that had been drawn in consternation were now lifted as a pleasant expression graced her face. " Yesterday, I had been in such a rush that I had ran into this young lady, completely ruining my favorite top." Mary touched Aubrey's arm out of politeness as she laughed at her own tale.

    "It's amazing that I'm meeting you again." Sticking out a hand, Aubrey stood dismayed.

   "I am Mary Russo. Antonio's mother. I must say though, you look much younger than I had thought. I didn't know that my son was dating anyone."

   "What?"

   "No! No, mom. It is nothing like that." Both gasped in surprise; Aubrey recoiled in disgust.

   "She is a very important guest that I wanted to introduce to everyone.A different guest, but important nonetheless. Can we go in now?" Mary was stumped by their reaction as she moved aside, letting them into the house.

   "Of course, of course. I wasn't thinking. Well, we were going to have pasta...I'll heat you up a plate."

    Antonio nodded, kissing his mother on the cheek before she sashayed away to the kitchen.

    "This was a bad idea." He could hear Aubrey whisper those words to herself as she checked out the foyer. Shaking her head vigorously, she said them louder.

    "This was a bad idea. She's going to think that I have something up my sleeve. She'll think I'm plotting something!"

   "It's just dinner. You have nothing to worry about. It looks as if my mother is home alone, anyways.There's nothing to worry about."  His words failed to reassure her like he thought as he led the way into the dining room. Antonio was glad to see that his sister's nor his father's car was outside. The less trouble, the better.

   Stepping down into the dining room which reflected the work of his mother, There were neutral tones gracing the walls, giving the room a light warmth. Though there had been good times few and far in between there, he could see his mother's efforts in trying to make it work.

   "Sit, sit. The food will be out any moment now." Coming through the double doors of the kitchen, Mary ushered the two to sit down at the large table. Aubrey found herself wanting to be as close to Antonio as possible, seeing him as the closest thing to safety in the unfamiliar house. She was all but under him as she sat close at the table. Glancing over at her, Antonio smiled.

   "Mom, I think it's a good thing that you're here. So that we could talk about something important." Antonio meant to get right down to business. At any moment he could be interrupted and lose any leveled ground that he had.

   Mary fixed her napkin in her lap as she became worried.

    "What's going on? Is everything okay?"

   "Yes. It is mom." Antonio barely caught Aubrey's quiet "No it isn't." But he ignored it.

    " Well do you mind actually telling me something that could settle my nerves." Mary waited in anticipation as she tried to guess the connection between the young woman and her son. She was entirely too young for him. Was she a mistress? Had she become pregnant? Mary knew her son well, and hated to doubt his judgment, but she prayed that he hadn't gotten himself into any trouble.

    "This is Aubrey. I wanted to tell you that. She is... she's my daughter."

    Mary's face contorted in horror as the scream within her built with strength. The servers had just entered with the fresh dishes, completely unaware of what was happening inside the room. When Mary let out a shriek of shock, they all battled with not dropping the expensive glass in surprise.

   "She's your what?" Mary bolted to her feet with a frazzled look upon her face. Looking between Aubrey and Antonio, she digested his words.

oOo

   "I told you. I told you, didn't I?" Aubrey placed her elbows on the table top, burying her head into her hands. 

    "Calm down my. Please sit, and just let me explain."

   "Explain what? Antonio, have you been keeping this from me all of this time?" Mary's heart ached in deceit. She couldn't believe that her son would think so little of her to tell her that he had a family in secret.

   "Why would you keep a secret like this from me? Antonio Lucas Russo answer me!"

    Antonio watched his mother stomp her feet as she slapped an opened palm on the table. He could feel Aubrey jump from his side and dash out of the room. Before he could stop her, he heard Mary's screech.

  " Answer me!"

   "I wasn't keeping her from you. I just found out last night who she was." He spoke in softer tones, hoping that she would adopt the sound too.

  "Last night? How do you just find out you have a grown child now? How, Antonio?"

   "That's just the way it happened."He said through gritted teeth.

   "Oh my God. This can't be happening." Finally taking a seat, Mary's flushed face looked to Antonio's. "How do you know what she says is -"

   "She's not lying to me. " He said defensively.

     The thought of Aubrey lying had never crossed his mind once, and he wouldn't let those words be spoken into existence by anyone. He knew what he knew, and there was no denying that Aubrey was his. He could feel it in his soul that she was his daughter and there was no room for doubt.

    "She is my daughter mom." Mary took note of Antonio's protective stance as his shoulders tensed in retaliation. The dead set glare on his face told her that he wouldn't allow there to be any questions asked of that topic.

   Sighing, Mary motioned for him to take a seat, but he remained standing.

   "I came to tell you because you deserve to know, mom. Aubrey's having a hard time with this, and so am I. I just want to know that you will respect this-respect her-at a time like this."

    "Antonio, I'm just so puzzled right now."

   Seeing that Mary was sincere in her confusion, Antonio took a seat. Looking up, he saw the uncomfortable glances of the servers as they watched the scene unfold. Tipping his head, he signaled for them all to return to the kitchen for privacy.

    Pulling up a seat closer to Mary, Antonio placed his larger hand on top of her aged one. He felt her wrap both of her hands around his, giving him warmth.

   "Whatever it is that you need me to do for you honey, I will."

   "I just need to ease her into this. She's so...so...hard to get through to sometimes.  I don't all of what's going on, but I know that she's keeping something under wraps. I want to know what it is. I want for her to be a part of our lives, but I'm not so sure if she wants the same."  Antonio's voice cracked unexpectedly as he spoke. It was showing his worried mind from all of this, even though he had tried to make it seem like nothing was out of the norm about the entire situation.

   "Honey, we have to take baby steps. This is going to be hard, overwhelming, but I will do my best to welcome her." Mary cupped his chin, bringing his eyes to meet hers; to understand the truthfulness behind her words.

   "I'm going to go look for her." Antonio kissed the inside of his mother's hand as he removed it, and prepared to stand up.

   "Call the police! Someone call 911!"

    In came Natalia with a struggling Aubrey in tow. Antonio watched as Natalia had an arm wrenched behind Aubrey's back, and a fistful of her hair held tight between her manicured hands.

    "It's the little bitch! She's coming after my family now!" She was hysterical as she roughly pulled Aubrey back.

    "Did you think you were going to catch us by surprise?"

    "Natalia, what on earth are you doing? Let her go this instant." Mary stood to her feet as she watched her daughter drag the young girl into the room.

   "Let go? Mom, who the hell knows what she had planned. Someone call the damn police! We need to have the grounds checked. She could have set up something."

   "Let go of me, hussy!" Aubrey shouted in pain as her hair was jerked again. She was rendered useless as the pressure on her shoulder increased.

   "Natalia, let go of her now!" Antonio was reaching for his sister's hands before he even finished speaking, pulling Aubrey from her grip. She immediately ran into his arms at the release, and when she caught herself seeking him out for comfort, she pushed away.

   " I oughta kick your ass up and down the street!" She pointed menacingly in the gasping Natalia's direction. Pulling out her phone, she began to dial 911.

    "And she just threatened me! I'll make sure that you don't see daylight, you hear me?" Natalia's phone was snatched from her hands before she could place the call in her fit of anger.

   "Mom? What are you doing? Do you know that this is the little bitch I told you attacked me?"

   "Honestly, Natalia. Your language."

    "My language? But Mom-"

   "Enough Natalia! She is our guest, and you're not going to treat her that way. Not in my house. There'll be no calling of the police, no yelling, none of it!" Mary's hands cut through the air, delivering a swift command that she dared to be challenged.

    "I dare you to say another word to me-" Aubrey egged Natalia on as she stared in horror. The tug on her arm brought her attention to Antonio who gave a firm warning.

   "Don't push it." He watched as she took several deep breaths to calm herself.

    " Please, won't everyone just sit down so that we can all have dinner! I didn't even have to ask you all here, but now I want to get rid of you." Mary mumbled the last of her words as she composed herself, and sat at her place at the table. Antonio followed in suit, and urged Aubrey to do the same. She was currently engaged in a stare off with Natalia, eyeing each other like competing lionesses in the wild.

   "Aubrey. Sit." His words were obeyed as she went to her seat beside him, never taking her eyes off of Natalia as a small smirk that only served to further anger the other woman more.

   "I suggest you do the same, sweetheart."

   "I'm not going to sit at the same table as this little-"

  "Sit damn it!" Mary cursed, which was a rare occurrence in her sober state. Natalia suddenly turned into the dutiful daughter that had long since left right then, and forced herself to sit in the seat opposite Aubrey.

   Watching the other three people around the table, Aubrey took notice of their own versions of a frazzled state. Mary lightly brushed at her hair, putting it in place while she rolled her shoulders back, bringing back her regal appearance, while Natalia looked at her in contempt with wild eyes.

   Looking to the kitchen, Mary called out for the food. She had done so well all night up until that moment without any alcohol.

    She made sure to ask for a bottle of wine as well.