IIX.

"Hey, Devereaux."

Michelle looked up from her computer terminal to see Angie standing there.

"What's up?"

"Someone here to see you."

Michelle looked up and nodded, the turned back to her monitor and sighed. She had been spending the past three hours correcting catalogue files that Cheri had apparently thrown together in a rather haphazard way. It would be at least three more hours before she was finished.

Good thing she's not here right now, Michelle thought, as pictures of planting her french-heeled shoe forcefully against Cheri's skinny little ass gleefully danced through her head...

"Chelle!"

Michelle looked up to see Kathie standing there. She got up immediately.

"Hey there!" she said, embracing her cousin warmly.

"I just stopped by on the way home to see if you had any plans this weekend."

"I - uh, no, I don't think so - "

"Great! Let's go see your mom."

"Momma?"

"I'm dying to see Grandmama's diaries - aren't you?"

Michelle grinned. "You know, I haven't even thought about that." She sighed and nodded toward her computer monitor. "The work around here never lets up."

The fact was, Michelle had been putting the whole thing off. There were reasons she visited - or even spoke with - her mother only on rare occasions.

"Elsa and I - " Kathie started.

"Elsa?" asked Michelle.

"Yeah - from the store?"

Michelle nodded, already not liking where this was going.

Kathie continued: "Elsa and I were going to drive out there Friday - I thought maybe you could come with us."

Michelle shook her head. "I don't know, Kat," said Michelle, regretfully. "I'll have to see."

"Chelle, is everything okay?"

"Yeah - why?"

"I don't know - ever since I introduced you to Elsa, I've gotten the wierdest vibes from you - "

Michelle giggled. "Kat, you're paranoid. I'm just so damn busy. Anyway, how can you get away from the store with Easter coming up?"

Kathie shrugged. "All work and no play - it was driving everyone nuts." She smimed in a sad way, putting a hand on Michelle's shoulder. "And...gosh, I was really hoping you'd come with us."

If I didn't think I'd wind up being a "third wheel," Michelle thought. Immediately, she chided herself for being petty. What the hell is your problem? she asked herself. Aloud, she said "Look, why don't you give me a call Friday morning, okay?"

Kathie nodded, and kissed Michelle's cheek quickly. "I love you," she said reassuringly. "If there's something you want to talk about - "

Michelle laughed lightly and shook her head. "I'm fine, Kat. Just call me before you take off, okay?"

Kathie nodded. Michelle added, "And by the way - I love you, too. Now, take off and let me get back to work, okay?"

Kathie again nodded, giving her another quick kiss before she turned left, saying "See ya!"

As she returned to work, Michelle tried to think of just what it was about Elsa she didn't like.

There was no logical reason to dislike her...she seemed pleasant enough. So what if Kathie had another friend? Why couldn't - why shouldn't - she be Michelle's friend as well?

Suddenly, a short, staccato minor chord came out of the computer speaker as the monitor displayed an error message:

ERROR: CANNOT DISPLAY IN REQUESTED FONT

A gray feeling crept into Michelle's stomach as she clicked on the "Close" button to reveal a 10-page document - which was supposed to have been an alphabetical listing of over 200 articles on urban planning - displaying what looked like random characters, only half of which were even letters, and none of which formed any sort of word in any known Western language.

Another vision regarding Cheri entered Michelle's mind, this one involving dungeons, robed figures and mediaeval devices...

* * *

Wednesday evening, Michelle decided to go home a little earlier than usual. She arrived home, peeld off her work clothing, showered and put on her favorite silk pajamas before fixing herself a sandwich and a glass of wine. She watched her soap while eating. As Melinda Dodd's contract negotiations dragged on, so did Suzette's coma. In the meantime, the fact of Niko being accused and in jail for the (so far, attempted) murder seemed to have brought the family back together. Even the long-suffering Eleni was speaking to her ex-husband again.

BOR-ING! thought Michelle as the episode ended. One watched soaps to see people MISERABLE, by the gods - not all happy and lovey-dovey.

She turned the TV off, then looked around the apartment. She realized something...

She was bored.

Bullshit, she thought. She was an incredibly bright young woman with a B.A. in literature and a master's degree in library science. People like me don't get bored, she thought...

...but her life had seemed to have fallen into a rut, lately.

At least until the night almost two weeks ago when she'd gone to Ashley's and met someone who was threatening to scramble her world like a portobella trucchia.

Refusing to give herself any time to think about it, she went over to the phone and dialed.

There was a ring on the far end...a second...a third...then a click. A sultry woman's voice said: "Bueno, esta numero es cinco-cinco-cinco-ocho-siete-cinco-dos...por favor, digame su nombre y numero - gracias!" followed by "Hi, this is 555-8752...please leave your name and number - thanks!"

*BEEP*

Suddenly, Michelle wasn't sure what to say. She noticed her heart starting to race, and realized - to her horror - that she was breathing rather heavily.

She was about to slam the handset down when suddenly, Lina came on the line. "¿Quien es?" she demanded angrily. "Antonio, si eres tu, voy a - "

"Lina, it's me."

"Michelle?" Lina's voice softened immediately.

"Hi..."

Lina giggled. "So...all that heavy breathing, I don't need to ask what's going on with you."

Michelle grined despite herself. "Oh, honey," she whispered seductively. "I'm in this incredible bubble bath...wishing you were here..."

"Really? And what else are you wishing?"

"Baby," Michelle breathed, "I want to wrap your legs around me and feel your wet, naked body all over..."

"Ooh!" Lina squealed with delight.

"...and caress...your pozo while I'm licking your lips and sucking your sweet tongue - "

"Oh, mija - please, no more teasing! You're making me too hot!"

Michelle finally broke down laughing, thinking ye gods, WHERE did I come up with THAT?!? "I'm sorry, hon."

"Me as well."

There was a momentary silence. "I do wish you were here with me," Michelle heard herself say.

"I would settle for that," came Lina's reply. There was a sigh. "But tonight, I can't - "

"Is your band playing at the Tin Lizzie this weekend?"

"Actually, no - I have a few nights off - "

"Would you like to go off somewhere together? This weekend?" Oh my GOD, what did I just say?!?

"Where did you have in mind?"

"Uh - well, I need to go visit my mom over in Riverton."

"I don't know, Michelle - that's a pretty big step - "

"Yeah, look, I'm sorry. Forget I said - "

"Are you sure you want to introduce me to the family?"

Suddenly, Michelle pictured her mother - the look on her face when she introduced Lina: "Hi mom...this is my new girlfriend, Lina...and, well, we're sort of dating..."

Her dear, sweet, conservative, Republican mother.

"Lina, I would be honored to have you meet my family."

"Well...I will say 'yes' on one condition."

"What?"

"You come to Quadra Bay with me."

Michelle's heart leaped into her throat. "Uh - when?"

"How long are visiting your mother?"

"Just a couple of hours. And then I thought - "

"So, we go right after." Silence. Then: "My brother Carlos has a wonderful beach house there."

"Carlos?"

"Don't worry, mija, Carlos won't be there. It'll just be the two of us."

Michelle was suddenly petrified again. All at once, her earlier "phone-sex" fantasy was threatening to become all too real...

She felt her mouth moving and heard the words come out of her mouth, although later she would not remember having any control over it - "Lina, I would love to go with you."

"¡Ah, muy bueno! I pick you up Friday morning, then?"

"Uh - sure."

"I'm so glad...look, chica, I have to go, but I will be thinking about you."

"Sure."

"Buenas noches, mija. Hasta el viernes - oh, and - "

"Yes?"

A pause. "Te adoro, Miguelita."

Michelle giggled. "Yeah, you're pretty adorable yourself."

"That's not what I said - but gracias."

"See you Friday."

* * *

"Michelle! Are you in there? Hurry up!" Lina pounded on the door of Michelle's apartment impatiently.

A door across the hall opened and a large woman's head popped out. "I don't think she's home, missy," the woman said in a grating voice. "Least I didn't hear her come in."

Lina was somewhat irritated by this. "And you know this for a fact?"

"Hey, lemme tell ya, I been hearin' some wierd stuff goin' on in there, the last couple a weekends -"

"You know, why don't you go watch some soaps, eh?" said Lina, getting more irritated my the minute.

"Hey, I'm just tellin' ya -- are you a friend o' hers?"

Lina raised and annoyed eyebrow. "No, soy la dama de Avon." She pounded on the door again. "Michelle! Open up!"

"And where d'ya get off with that potty-mouth, missy?" the large woman demanded, inspecting Lina disapprovingly. Her outfit for the day consisted of a white tennis visor, oversize sunglasses, a dark red one-piece bathing suit with baggy white shorts pulled over, and a pair of leather sandals. "You oughta be ashamed, struttin' around here like that - "

Lina turned. "Tu madre - " she spat. Just then, the door opened, and Michelle, clad in a robe, hair disheveled and still looking very sleepy, peeked out.

"Oh my god! Lina!" To the woman across the hall, she said, "I'm fine, Mrs. Hillard."

"Okay," Mrs. Hillard said, ducking back into her apartment. Michelle opened the door wide.
"God, I'm sorry -- I just woke up -- come in..."

Lina entered. Michelle greeted her with a perfunctory kiss. "What time is it?"

"Time we were hittin' the road, mija," replied Lina.

Michelle nodded, then headed in the direction of the kitchen. She glanced back at Lina. "Cute outfit," she commented.

"Thanks," replied Lina somewhat curtly. "Your neighbor out there didn't seem to think so."

"Oh, Mrs. Hillard?" Michelle chuckled as she poured coffee beans into the grinder. "She's just an old snoop. Some kind of 'Jesus freak,' I think. She's always minding other peoples' business."

"I hate people like that," growled Lina under her breath.

"Hey -- don't let it bother you like that," said Michelle suddenly, turning to put a hand on Lina's shoulder. "She's just a nosy old cow." Lina turned away somewhat coldly. "Lina -- I'm sorry I overslept...is there something else wrong?"

Lina folded her arms across her breasts and sighed. She looked down at the floor."Lo siento, mija. It's foolish -

"What?"

Lina looked up. "When she said you didn't come in last night - "

Michelle giggled. "Actually, I did. About 11:30."

"So late?" asked Lina as Michelle set up the coffee maker.

Michelle sighed, shaking her head. "Remember that bimbo secretary at the library?"

Lina nodded.

"Let's just say she's making a lot more work for me."

"I'm sorry, mija."

"It's not your fault."

"I mean, I'm sorry I was - "

Michelle smiled and kissed Lina tenderly. "Jealous?"

"No, no no no - " Lina protested, but Michelle stopped her with another kiss.

"I think it's sweet." Michelle ran her tongue over Lina's lips playfully.

"Oh, mija..." Lina sighed, as their lips met in yet another long, sweet kiss. It was just on the verge of becoming passionate when there came a hissing sound from the kitchen.

"Oh, the coffee!" exclaimed Michelle, turning around and heading for the kitchen. "Want some?"

"I'd love some," replied Lina.

* * *

Michelle stood in front of her full length mirror, admiring the woman in the reflection. Her make-up was perfectly applied, but rather heavy for casual daytime. She wore short cut-off jeans in the "Daisy Duke" style, a white button-down blouse knotted high to reveal her midriff, and leather sandals, the straps of which wound around her ankles.

Someone who didn't know her might have gotten the wrong impression.

Michelle swiveled her hips, turned one perfect leg inward and slightly bent, and put one hand behind her head, thrusting her breasts forward, turning to Lina, who sat on the bed. Winking and licking her lips seductively, she murmured breathily, "So...what do you think?"

Lina shook her head slowly. "You look like a puta," she said, disapprovingly.

Michelle turned back to the mirror and grinned devilishly. "That's the idea," she said.

Lina came up behind her and slipped her arms around her waist from behind, leaning her head against Michelle's back. "Mi cara, you don't have to dress like a street walker for me."

At that, a lump came to Michelle's throat. Again, her heart felt like bursting. Her eyes glistened; for a moment, she wanted to cry. She turned to Lina, gazing into her eyes and placing a hand against her face. "Oh Lina...I love - " she caught herself as Lina's eyes grew wide. "I just love hanging with you," she finally said with a grin. Then she strutted toward the bed. "Anyway, don't flatter yourself. This isn't for you."

Lina watched as Michelle sat on the bed, crossing her legs and turning sideways slightly for a provocative display. "No?" she said, a slight edge in her voice. "You think men will like you, dressed like that?"

Michelle sighed. I know men will like me like this. They never liked me for anything else, she thought bitterly.

To Lina, she said, "If you must know, this is for my mother."

"¿Tu mamá?" Lina was shocked. "If I ever showed up at my mama's home dressed like that - "

"You mother didn't vote for Reagan and Bush."

Lina though about that a moment.

"And your mother probably doesn't think the sun shines out Russ Lindbach's ass, either," she added, referring to a prominemt conservative talk-radio host.

Lina nodded. "I see..." She grinned. "I look forward to meeting this mamá of yours. Finally, she said, "Bien, - are you all ready to go?"

"Ready and anxious," Michelle replied, rising and stretching. She picked up an overnight bag and offered her arm to Lina.

As they exited the bedroom, Lina commented, "And by the way, my whole family voted for Reagan."

"You, too?"

Lina shook her head. "I wasn't old enough." Michelle nodded. "Not that I would do it now," she added.

"That's good," Michelle replied with a nod.

Just as they were about to leave the apartment, the phone rang. "Just let the machine get it," said Lina.

Michelle thought for a moment while the phone rang two more times. Finally, she picked up the reciever. "Hi, this is Michelle - "

"'Chelle, it's Kathie," said the voice on the other end. Michelle looked up at Lina with almost guiltily.

"Uh -- hi, Kat," she said. "What's up?"

"I just called to find out what you're up to, and if you wanted to ride with Elsa and I."

"Ride with you -- " then Michelle remembered. "Oh, you mean over to Riverton."

"Yeah," said Kathie. "You're still planning on going?"

"Uh -- yeah," said Michelle, feeling awkward.

"Everything alright?" asked Kathie.

"Uh -- yeah, it is...look, Kat, I'm just heading out the door -- "

"Oh, I'm sorry -- do you want to meet somewhere?"

"Uh, no -- look, Kat, there's been a change of plans. You and Elsa just meet me at Momma's place, okay?"

"Oh -- all right...what's up?"

"That friend I told you about -- "

"Lina?"

"Yeah -- anyway, she invited me to go to her brother's beach house for a few days -- "

"Oh..."

"Yeah, so we're gonna swing by Momma's place on the way out."

"I see...you're leaving right now?"

"Yeah."

"Okay...well, I guess we'll see you over there - hang on - " Michelle heard a Scandinavian-accented voice on the other end say something she couldn't make out, and Kathie replying "Yeah, she's going with a friend." Again, she felt a little irrational stab of jealousy. Finally, Kathie came back on the line. To Michelle, she said: "Okay hon - I guess we'll see you over there."

"It'll be nice to see you, " Michelle said, for no particular reason.

"I look forward to meeting your new friend."

"Sounds great," said Michelle. "Drive careful ."

"Bye. Love y--" but Michelle had already hung up the phone. She sighed.

"That your cousin Kathie?" asked Lina quietly.

Michelle nodded. "She and I used to be so close...just seems like we've drifted apart these last several months..."

Lina put a hand on Michelle's shoulder. "Its all right, mija," she said gently. "I understand."

Michelle looked at Lina fondly, but thought oh, I don't think so...not that it made any difference, now. "Shall we make like el mierde del caballo and hit the road?" she asked.

Lina laughed, and replied, "After you, cara."

* * *

"My god, Lina -- where'd you get this car?" exclaimed Michelle, running her fingers appreciatively of the "arrest-me" red metal of the late-model BMW sport roadster.

"The less you know, the better," replied Lina in a conspiratorial tone.

"Please tell me you didn't steal it," said Michelle.

"Oh, no -- no, I borrowed it from an old friend." She slipped in behind the wheel and opened the passenger side door for Michelle. "He owed me a favor."

"I see," said Michelle. "You're right."

"About what, mija? "

"The less I know, the better."

* * *

They arrived in Riverton about forty minutes later. Although only thirty miles from Port Landers, Riverton might as well have been on a different planet. The town was right out of a Norman Rockwell painting -- the typical "Main Street" with its shop-fronts, a town square complete with Romanesque court-house and war memorial, the flag flying everywhere, well-dressed housewives out shopping and farmers in pickup trucks. Lina's red sportscar -- as well as Lina and Michelle themselves -- drew not a few glances (and even a disapproving shake of the head).

As ther drove slowly through town, Lina remarked "Ay caramba, mija! You really grew up here?"

Michelle nodded. "It's really not as bad as it looks," she admitted.

"That's good to know," replied Lina.

"It's actually worse."

Lina chuckled.

"Oh," said Michelle as they came to a stoplight "turn here."

"Where?"

"Here!"

"I mean, which way?"

"Left!"

Not easy, since Lina was in the right lane. "No problem," Lina declared, cutting across to the left lane -- right in front of a patrol car.

"Lina, are you out of your fucking mind?!? Oh shit!" For, at that moment, the red and blue lights came on. "Great...fucking great."

Lina seemed very calm as she pulled over to the side of the road. Slowly, the patrol car opened and a rather tall, rangy-looking officer, complete with "western style" uniform hat, emerged. Looking at him in the mirror, Michelle was reminded somehow of Gary Cooper in High Noon.

"Good afternoon, ladies," drawled the officer.

"Hi," said Lina weakly.

"May I see your license and registration, please?"

Lina fished in her purse, pulling out a wallet, then grabbed the registration certificate from off the driver's side visor. The officer examined the license, then the registration. Finally, he said, "I take it you're not Antonio Rodriguez," he said simply. At that, Michelle looked sharply at Lina. Antonio?

"No, officer -- he's -- a friend of mine."

"I see. All right, Miss Sandoval, I'll be right back." At this he returned to his patrol car.
Michelle folded her arms and gave Lina another sharp look.

"Gee, Lina-- that wouldn't happen to be your ex-fiancé, now would it?"

Lina simply said, "It's like said -- he owed me a favor."

"I see," replied Michelle. After that, there was silence.

Finally, "Officer Friendly" returned and handed Lina back her license and the registration. "All right, Miss Sandoval," said the officer. "I'm giving you a written warning on this -- you won't need to appear or pay a fine this time...but in the future, I suggest you be more careful...especially with a borrowed vehicle."

"Thank you, officer," said Lina, taking the yellow slip of paper.

"You ladies have a nice day."

As they drove on, Michelle remained silent. Finally, Lina said, "I need to know where to go."

To hell, for all I care, thought Michelle briefly -- then immediately regretted it. My god, what's my problem? Aloud, she said, "Two more streets, then turn right -- it's a yellow house on the next corner." She sighed. "There'll probably be a white Mercedes in the driveway."
They arrived to find not only the white Mercedes, but a blue-and-white VW van. Hmmm...looks like Kathie and Elsa already got here, Michelle thought.

"Well...are we going in?"

Michelle turned in her seat, facing Lina. "I thought you said you'd broken up with Antonio."

"I did -- I have."

"But he lets you borrow his fancy new sports car."

Lina sighed. "Mija, I told you...he owed me a favor."

"Well, judging from this, I'd say it was a doozy," retorted Michelle dryly. "What'd you do for him? Or do I even want to know?"

"I got him out of a lot of trouble awhile back," Lina said. "Now look, could we just let this drop?"

"I guess I'm just wondering where things must stand between you two -- and where I fit into it. What am I, Lina?"

Lina took Michelle's hand gently. "You're more special to me than you could ever know, mija."

"And Antonio?"

Again, Lina sighed. "Look, I was engaged to him for almost five years. He practically saved my life at one point...just because you break up with someone doesn't mean you just forget about that." She paused, then added, "In a lot of ways, Antonio is an arrogant, irresponsible, self-centered asqueroso...but he has honour, in his way. He always pays his debts..."

"Even to his ex-fianceé?"

Lina smiled. "Even to his ex-fianceé," she said. "And I do mean 'ex.'" She giggled, then said "And that, mi cara, is why we have this fancy car for the weekend."

It was Michelle's turn to giggle. "You know, I'm glad this day's gone the way it has."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's nice to know I can get mad at you -- and even nicer to know I can't stay mad at you."

"Oh, mija," said Lina, leaning over. The two of them embraced and shared a brief kiss.

"Well," said Michelle, "shall we go in and meet the family?"

They got out of the car and walked up to the door. "So, what's your mom like?"

"Eccentric," said Michelle.

"Like you?" grinned Lina as Michelle knocked on the door.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, exactly," replied Michelle, dryly.

The woman who answered the door was in her late fifties -- perhaps even sixty -- but youthful looking, despite a few "crow's feet." Except for her hair, which was more of an auburn color shot through with gray and white, and wire-rimmed glasses, she was almost an older version of Michelle.

"Michelle!" the woman exclaimed, holding her arms out.

"Hi, Momma," replied Michelle, embracing the older woman.

"Come on in! And -- who's this?"

"Oh, Momma, this is my friend Lina -- Lina Sandoval. Lina, my mom."

"Just call me Lorraine, dear -- all my friends do," replied Michelle's mother, taking Lina's hand.

"Encantada, mucho gusto en conocer la," Lina answered politely in perfect Castillian.

"Well, come in and get comfortable -- Lina, was that Spanish I heard?"

Lina nodded. "I'm from Cuba, originally."

Lorraine nodded as she closed the door. To Lina, she said, "Everyone's in the living room," she said, nodding toward an archway, where talking and laughing could be heard. "Go ahead and have a seat - there's some chilled may wine, or iced tea if you prefer - "

"Mucho gracias, señora," Lina replied.

Michelle started to follow, when she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. "Chellie-Anne, a word if I may?"

Michelle stopped, but did not turn. Instead, she sighed, "Yes, mother?"

"Look at me, please." Relectantly, Michelle turned to face her mother's disapproving expression. "Baby, you know Momma loves you - "

Michelle rolled her eyes. I bet I know where this is going.

" - and I know you're a decent girl," Lorraine continued, ignoring Michelle's facial gesture. "Why do you dress like that?"

"Like what, mother?"

"You know - like - like a - "

"Like a slut?"

"Baby, I know you're not like that - "

"What do you know? How do you know I don't just go down on guys like a submarine - "

"That's enough, Michelle," Lorraine said quietly, yet sternly. "Look, Mrs. Cheng is staying here for awhile - "

"Mrs. Cheng from next door?"

Lorraine nodded. "You knew her husband passed away last year - "

"Yeah - "

"She's selling her house and staying with me for awhile until she decides what to do." Michelle nodded. "I would appreciate it if you would change into something a little more ladylike before you join us - please?"

Again, Michelle rolled her eyes. From what she remembered of Mr. and Mrs. Cheng growing up, neither of them would have cared a whit. Nonetheless, she turned to go back to the car. "Thanks, Chellie-Anne," her mother said after her.

Blow it out your ass, mother, Michelle thought.

By the time Michelle had gone upstairs and changed into a slightly more conservative outfit, everyone had moved outside. Lorraine, Lina and Mrs. Cheng sat at a table sipping may wine, while Kathie and Elsa examined "Aunt Lora's" prize rose collection.

Mrs. Cheng bounced out of her chair with an energy that belied her sixty-or-so years. "Chellie Devereaux!" she exclaimed delightedly holding her arms open. "Come give your Aunt Mary a hug, you!"

Mary Cheng carried an extra twenty pounds or so on her five-foot frame, and even at her age, seemed to bubble over with an almost girlish glee. Despite this, she still managed to look and carry herself like a Mandarin princess.

Michelle smiled as she embraced the older woman. "Hi, Mrs. Cheng."

Mary Cheng slapped Michelle's arm lightly. "Come on, you! It's Mary, now."

Michelle sat down. Lorraine passed her the bottle and a glass. "I'm sorry about Mr. Chen," she said as she poured herself a half-glass.

Mary nodded. "Thank you, dear - but you know, poor Lee was in such pain - it was a relief, I think." Michelle patted her hand. Mary continued: "Lina here has been telling us about her music."

Strange, whe's never talked about it with me, thought Michelle with a pang. She looked over at Lina, who shrugged.

Just then, Kathie noticed Michelle. She and Elsa came over to the table. "Hey, sweetie," Kathie said cheerfully as she came up.

"Hey, Kat," said Michelle. She looked over at Elsa. "Elsa," she nodded.

"Hi, Chelle," she Scandinavian woman replied with a smile.

Michelle didn't smile back.

* * *

Later, Lorraine and Mary disappeared into the kitchen to make lunch. meanwhile, the four younger women sat in the living room, chatting. Elsa, Michelle was noticing, was a woman of few words.

"Michelle tells me you work over at the Tin Lizzie," Kathie said to Lina.

Lina nodded. "For about three years now," she said.

"Really? I went there once while I was in college," Kathie replied. "It was -- different."

Lina giggled nervously. "Yes -- you could say that."

"Kathie runs her own plant shop," Michelle commented. Why the fuck is our society so fixated on a person's occupation? she thought. Every time someone's in the newspaper, its always 'So-and-so, age something, occupation something. "But, you know, there are probably more interesting things to talk about," she continued aloud.

"Chelle!" said Kathie with a hurt look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Kat -- I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I just meant -- why are we always talking about 'oh, so what do you do?'"

Elsa spoke up. "Kathie has never told me much about what it is you do, Michelle."

Michelle looked over at her cousin and frowned. Then, she looked Elsa right in the eye and dead-pan, said, "Well, mostly I lay in front of the T.V. drinking beer and masturbating."

Kathie's mouth dropped open, while Lina burst out laughing.

"Chelle!" exclaimed Kathie, "Jee-zus! I don't believe what I just heard!" But a second later, she too was laughing out loud.

Elsa seemed confused. "Kathie, I don't understand -- I mean, I understand the drinking of beer -- but what means 'mas-tur-ba-ting?'"

By now, Kathie's face was a red as a beet. Slowly, she leaned over and whispered in Elsa's ear. Elsa said, matter-of-factly, "Vell, aren't you the lucky one? I've done that practically all my life, but no-one vill pay me for it!"

This sent all four women into gales of laughter. At this point, Lorraine re-entered the room, wearing an apron, carrying a spatula in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. "Sounds jolly in here, girls -- wanna let the old lady in on it?" The wine had seemed to "loosen her up" a bit.

"Not really, Momma," said Michelle.

"It's nothing, Aunt Lora," added Kathie. "Just an old college joke."

Lorraine snorted, then announced, "Well, lunch is served."
At that, the five of them adjourned to the dining room as Mary brought out a steaming casserole dish containing sour-cream and cheese enchiladas.

"We were just talking about occupations," offered Lina, as they sat down. "My, this smells so wonderful."

"Why, thank you, Lina," Lorraine replied graciously. "I'm sure they're not as authentic as your people make them -- "

Oh god, thought Michelle. Here we go again.

"Enchiladas? Oh, those aren't Cuban -- "

"Nonsense, dear. I'm very well versed on ethnic cuisine -- "

"Momma, please -- " Michelle started, but Lina put a hand on her arm and gave her a look that said It's okay...just humor her.

If confused as to food's origin, Lorraine was indeed a wonderful cook. Mary, Elsa, Kathie and Lina ate with relish, although Michelle barely picked at it.

"Señora Devereaux, está es muy bueno," commented Lina.

"Oh, yes, Auntie Lora...you've really outdone yourself," Kathie agreed.

"Thank you, girls," replied Lorraine. She turned and smiled at Mary, patting her arm affectionately. "Of course, I can't take all the credit - " Mary returned Lorraine's smile and winked.

"If Michelle grew up with this, I marvel at how she was able to keep her figure," remarked Lina with a twinkle in her eye.

"Believe me, it wasn't easy," Michelle muttered under her breath.

"Actually, she did get a bit plump when she was sixteen or so," said Lorraine. Michelle gave her mother a sharp glance, but Lorraine kept on: "Heavens, I remember -- I was afraid she'd gone and gotten herself pregnant."

"Momma, puh-leeze --" Michelle interjected.

"Well, darling, it was true, wasn't it?"

"Momma, I didn't even go out on a date with a boy until I was almost eighteen -- "

"Yes -- well, about that -- how are things between you and that nice Lebanese boy...the banker?"
"Momma, I dumped him almost a year ago."

"You dumped him? You mean you broke it off with him? But baby, why? He was good-looking, polite...and quite well off, I believe -- "

"He was a self-centered, mysogynistic fuck!"

Lorraine's eyes grew wide, as Kathie put a hand to her mouth attempting to hide a grin. "Michelle Anais Devereaux, I swear you have a mouth like a longshoreman. I don't care if you are grown-up - "

"Alright, Momma...I apologize...I wish you'd leave me alone on the subject of men -- "

"But baby, you have to think about getting married and having children -- "
"No -- I -- DON'T," replied Michelle, starting to get angry.

"Baby, you are twenty-four years old...you don't want to put it off too long."

"What makes you think I want it at all?"

"But Michelle, you have a duty -- "

At that, Michelle rose up out of her chair upsetting her waterglass, and stalked out of the room. A minute later, the back door slammed.

Michelle went out to the flower garden and sat down on a bench. She noticed it had clouded up a little, though the day was still warm. She stared at a rose bush for several seconds. Eventually, the image blurred -- tears of rage and frustration had come to her eyes.

A few minutes later, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, Chelle?" Michelle looked up to see Mary standing there.

"Damn -- her!" Michelle swore, softly. "Every time! Every time I come to see her, she embarasses me and humiliates me! God damn her!"

Mary began stroking Michelle's hair in a motherly fashion, trying to soothe her. "It's all right, honey...she doesn't mean to be cruel or insensitive..."

Michelle continued crying. "Why does she do it, then? God! I'm sorry she's been lonely, but WHY does that have to be MY problem?"

Mary replied, "Your mother is in a lot of pain, hon."

Michelle looked over at the older woman. "My father skipped out on her before I was even born. You're the one who just lost a husband."

Mary nodded. "It's different, Chelle - Lee was almost eighty-two, he was sick, in pain - I know he didn't leave me by choice." She dabbed at her own eye briefly. "And I had time to prepare." She smiled. "Even though he was old enough to be my father, we had a lot of good years together."

"So what are you saying?"

"Your mother never had that. She had someone who suddenly left her at a time and for something that should have been happy."

Michelle chuckled cynically. "Oh, yeah, I was a happy event alright - " At that, Mary turned Michelle's face to her gently, yet insistently.

"You listen, girl - your mother loves you. She's proud of you." Mary looked away, at something beyond the immediate visible surroundings. "And she is a wonderful woman." She turned back to Michelle. "I know you don't understand, but there is a side of her that's a lot like her daughter."

Michelle giggled through her tears. She leaned against the older woman and smiled. "You remind me of my grandmother."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Mary replied. Slowly, she rose, taking Michelle by the arm. They began to walk back toward the house.

* * *

After lunch and the wine that went with it, everyone felt quite mellow - and a bit sleepy. Michelle - still a bit drained from her recent outburst - found herself drifting off on the sofa while the others visited.

When she awoke, the late afternoon sun was slanting in from the window. She looked up and saw Lina sitting next to her, stroking her hair.

"What time is it?" Michelle asked.

"About six," Lina said.

"Why didn't you wake me? We're not going to get to Quadra Bay until almost ten - "

"Shhh...it's okay."

Michelle sat up. "Where's everyone else?"

"They went for a walk." Lina looked at her for awhile, her eyes shining with affection. "Your mama invited us to spend the night. I thought it would be better than trying to drive all that way in the dark."

Michelle nodded. "Yeah, I'm still feeling a little tired - "

Lina giggled. "I'm glad." Michelle raised an eyebrow. "I mean, that you don't mind staying."

"Oh?"

"Your cousin said it had been too long since you'd all had an 'old-fashioned slumber party,'" Lina grinned. Michelle rolled her eyes at this, but couldn't resist a smile at the prospect. Lina continued: "I like your cousin. She's...how do I say this...?"

"A 'no-bullshit' kinda gal?" Michelle suggested.

Lina nodded. "She doesn't hide things. She doesn't worry about what people think."

"You're saying I do?"

Lina shook her head. "No, no..." she placed a hand on Michelle's cheek fondly. "All I'm saying is, she's very comfortable with herself. You could learn a thing or two from Kat."

Michelle found herself irritated at this - because you're right, damn it. Beyond ordinary good grooming and cleanliness, Kathie didn't worry about her hair, her make-up, her clothes...

She turned to Lina. "I'll keep that in mind." She looked around the room. "Did they - uh, say when they were coming back...?"

Lina shook her head. "They haven't been gone very long, though." She leaned forward. "What did you have in mind?" she whispered, smiling mischievously.

"What would you like to do?" Michelle asked softly, leaning forward so her lips just barely touched Lina's.

Lina sighed, moving her head back and forth a little so her lips caressed Michelle's. "Nothing that you don't want - nothing that we don't want - "

They kissed lightly like that for several minutes, just rubbing their lips together lightly, giggling. Michelle slowly slipped one arm around Lina, her other hand stroking the other woman's bare thigh, pushing her shorts up higher...she was just about to run her tongue over her lips when she heard the front door open and laughing women's voices. Almost violently, Michelle sprang back from Lina into the opposite corner of the sofa.

Kathie and Elsa entered the living room as Lina was straightening her baggy white shorts and Michelle was attempting to push her red curls back into place. "We - ah, didn't interrupt anything, did we?" asked Kathie, who was holding some plastic videotape cases.

Michelle felt her face turning red. "Uh - no, I...I was - "

"Michelle was sleeping and I saw a spider crawling on her neck," Lina offered.

Kathie nodded. "Well, we brought wine, popcorn and 'chick-flicks' for tonight..."

Michelle only half-heard the rest of Kathie's sentence as the blood pounded in her ears and her heartbeat slowly returned to normal. As Kathie gave them a short review of the the films she and Elsa had chosen, she and Lina exchanged glances.

So far, Lina had definitely kept her promise...Michelle might be running the continual risk of a coronary, but so far, she had never been bored.