The food we ate at Garnet Thursday did wonders to calm everyone's initial nerves and tension regarding the tumultuous couple that sat across from us. Even though all the parties involved were gone, we couldn't help but talk more about the gay college couple that stepped in to help. I had no doubt that Leo and Zoey were similar to Kane and Gyro in the sense of 'standing up for injustice.' Rick was also against violence, even if he hadn't reacted as quickly. Though he was similar in stature and build as I was, Kane was fierce and brave. I wanted to be just like him someday.

On the drive back to the school campus, our conversation was lighter, and we fell back to the comfortable joking and laughter as the day before. The warmth of Leo's arm around my shoulders and the lack of tension in the car filled me with relief. So, the second half of the school day was calm and normal.

When we were finally dismissed for the day, the four of us met once again at the parking lot. Rick was eager to drop us all off. As we arrived in front of Leo's house, the amber-eyed teen next to me hesitated. I already knew what Leo would ask before the words were out of his mouth.

"Can you hang out with me for a while today?" Leo asked. "I understand if you'd rather go home, instead."

I took a deep breath. Going to an empty home so early in the afternoon wasn't as appealing as eating anything prepared by Mrs. Kenari's hands. But, going into the Kenari household meant having to face her after yesterday's spook. For a moment, I felt the ghost of Leo's mom's fingers gently brushing my hair back. She was kind and warm...she was everything I imagined my own mom must have been like. If anyone deserved an explanation for my having run off so rudely, it was Mrs. Kenari.

"I'll stay for a bit," I decided aloud. The smile that formed on Leo's lovely face sparked a bit of bravado within me. At the very least, I wouldn't be facing this alone.

As we stepped out of the car, Zoey dropped down her window. "Listen, you still owe me a moment to talk alone…" she warned. "But, you've gotta apologize to Miss Paulina. So, I'm taking a rain check. Just know that I'll still be cashing that check at some point."

"I got it," I replied. Zoey nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. Leo and I looked on as they drove away before threading our hands together and walking inside.

Paulina Kenari had baked up a storm in the kitchen. The scent of pastries wafted throughout the house. It drew forth a loud rumbling from my stomach, which was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life to date.

She rushed out toward us at the sound. "Boys! Welcome home," she greeted. "I'm glad you're hungry because I need you both to be my helpers and tasters today."

In a matter of minutes, she had us stuffing cream puffs with chocolate while she glazed the filled puffs with a layer of darker chocolate. She set nine aside, three for each of us to eat after we finished our sandwiches. By the time I took a bite of the first cream puff, all of my shields were down.

"Momo, tell me more about your extended family," Mrs. Kenari asked in a soft voice. "Do you have any aunts or uncles? Cousins?"

I wiped off some of the chocolate residues from my mouth with the back of my hand before responding. "N-no...I mean, I do have a grandfather, Grandpa Genbu. But, I haven't been in contact with him for a very long time."

"His name is Genbu, as well…" Paulina murmured to herself, and I frowned. I didn't remember ever mentioning my dad's name to her before. Just how much had Zoey told her?

"Grandpa Genbu's a kind soul," I assured. "But, my father and grandfather aren't exactly on speaking terms."

"When was the last time you saw him?" She asked.

"When I was five or six?" I said. "Though I kept asking to see him, my father refused. I never found out exactly why."

"Oh, I can imagine," Leo's mom commented in a testy tone. But, when she glanced my way, the anger in her eyes dissipated. She exchanged a glance with Leo before sending me a rueful smile. "Momo, I'm going to ask you something, and I want you to take enough time to think it over. Don't give me a response right away."

"Okay?" I questioned.

"Zoey told me your birthday is coming up soon," she prompted. "When you turn 18, you have the choice as to where you'd like to live, whether your father likes it or not. How would you like to come live with us from now on? We can try to get into contact with your grandfather if you'd prefer to go live with him instead."

My mind spaced out for a good moment. In my own home, I generally felt like I was trapped in a deep hole with walls made of quicksand that dropped me back down every time I tried to climb back up. Mrs. Kenari and Leo seemed to be offering me a rescue ladder. But, wouldn't that mean leaving my father alone?

The fingers that brushed my hair back snapped me out of the imagery, and I realized I was crying. I don't know how the petite woman managed to do it, but I was then swept into her arms and rocked like a child, my cheek resting against her shoulder as the tears continued to fall. Leo's warm hand rubbed my back in soothing circles. I reached out blindly to clasp his other hand, and the touches seemed to center me. Was that what life with the Kenaris would be like?