I do not own or create any of these characters...Though i wish i did. Enjoy!

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice

I don't know why I'm back here really. I have no reason. I told Gabriel that I was going to visit Uncle Rudy, but I think he knows me too well to believe me. It has been years since I saw Rudy, true. The real reason is that my high school reunion is being held. I just got the invitation in the mail. I always wondered what everyone would look like after 15 years. Did they fall in love and get married? Did they have kids like me? Was he okay? That is really what I came to find out.

Rudy picks me up from the airport, the dear.

"How's the pack?" he asks friendly.

"Oh, they're just fine, and the kids are okay too; just entered elementary. They like it.", I respond.

"Good, and your mother, she okay?"

"Oh, yes".

"Then Vivian dear why are you down here"

"Reminiscing" I reply in French.

We ride the rest of the drive in silence. As we reached the house I saw that he had painted the house a different color. Buttercream Yellow. I glanced at him as we exited the car. He seemed to notice my glance but didn't care. As I entered the house I figured out why. He went to go put my stuff in my old room while I went to the kitchen to look for food. There I saw a middle-aged women humming while she stirred a bowl of something. I knocked.

"One sec, Rudy", she called out.

She finished stirring, wiped her hands on her apron and turned around.

"Hi, thought you were Rudy. You must be Vivian. Rudy told me you were coming, but I started making a cake and just plum forget. Oh, by the way my name is Judy. I'm Rudy's friend."

Just then Rudy comes through the door. He grabs her and kisses her on the cheek.

"Ah, I see you've met Vivi. We'll be back. I told Vivi I was going give her a re-tour of the town and I have some stuff I have to take care of before dinner. See you in a little bit."

And with that he walked out the door just as fast as he came.

Following his lead, I said, "Well I'll see you at dinner", and walked out the door.

I got into the car and when the house was in the rear view mirror, Rudy started talking.

"She doesn't know Vivi and I'd like to keep it that way."

I just gave him a look and nodded. I knew what that was like. We stopped at the old pizza place. Now a burger joint named "Ray's". So many memories rushed through me. Rudy stopped the car, got out, and walked right in. People were looking at me just sitting in the car. I had a choice. Feel uncomfortable here, or feel uncomfortable outside. Seeing as Rudy was inside I chose Ray's. As I got out saw some people recognize me, or at least think they did. I enter and immediately go to Rudy's table.

"So," he asks, "How's it feel to be back?"

"Weird," I reply, "The curious stares make me feel like I never left. Say whatever happened to Sal's."

"It got burnt down long ago. Sal didn't feel like rebuilding, so he retired to Florida and got a wife. He really likes it down there."

I nodded with understanding. He starts looking at me, as if to signal it's my turn to talk.

"You're wondering why I'm here, I know. Well, as I'm sure you know the reunion is coming and I was curious. Gabriel was going to come with me, but he has duties; plus, the kids would have to come and they just started school. I can tell you don't believe me, so I might as well stop."

He sighed and got up, then went to the payphone just outside, and came back in.

"I just called Judy to tell her you would not be joining us for dinner tonight. There is somewhere you need to go."