A very short story about Liz Allan and her mother. She might not be a very well known character in the Spider-Man universe, but I wanted to make sure that I could get her character down before I put her in a major fic. Enjoy!


Small amounts of snow fell from the grey sky while older snow melted and collected mud on the road. Oh, how Liz Allan absolutely hated this time of the year. She shivered and zipped up her furry winter coat. Somehow, she could still feel the freezing air piercing through the coat. It chilled her almost to the bone.

"Liz, the café is this way," her mother instructed from behind her.

"Okay, Mom, lead the way," Liz muttered sarcastically.

Her mother, dressed in a long winter coat, sprinted across the wet street as soon as the crosswalk showed the signal of a walking stickman. Liz reluctantly followed.

The café had a creamy, brown colored exterior with a darker brown lining each window and the door. A neon sign glowed proudly at the top and read: Café de Frey. Liz could not think of what that could possibly mean and strolled with her mother into the café.

Once they entered the busy café, a waiter immediately appeared and had them seated near the window. He placed two shiny menus with leather and ribbon trims on the table and trekked away through the tables of people.

Probably to his next victims, Liz thought.

"Are you enjoying school so far? Have you met any cute boys?" her mother asked with a smile.

Liz shrugged and sunk into her chair. Her mother frowned. She continued through the menu until the waiter finally showed up again. She ordered a drink with a name so crazy Liz thought it was made-up, as well as hot chocolate.

The smells of whipped cream, chocolate, caramel, and the slightest hint of mint all gently floated into her nose. They made her feel warm and fuzzy. Maybe it was just her coat, but she was certain that it was the smells.

"Christmas is coming soon. Is there anything you want?" her mother unknowingly interrupted.

Liz pondered briefly and hissed, "I want my brother."

"Liz, for the last time-"

"For the last time, my foot! I don't care what he did, Mom, I just want to see him on Christmas. I miss him so much. Don't you?" Liz almost yelled.

"You're going to make a scene," her mother asserted.

"If that's what it takes to see Mark, I will gladly do so," Liz shot back.

Her mother instantly stood up and stormed off to the restrooms in the back of the building. Liz sighed and laid her head on the table. She hoped that if she listened to the slur of conversations behind her she would melt away. The jumble of words relieved her from the argument, but no melting occurred.

The waiter once again returned and set the drinks on the table. Liz popped up and grabbed the hot cocoa. As soon as the scorching liquid met her lips, it burned, but she took a sip anyways. She forced herself to swallow and reveled in the chocolaty taste.

Liz blew on the rest of the searing hot beverage and let it rest on the coaster. She plopped a couple marshmallows into the brown liquid. They resembled little fat ships toppling over in a steaming brown sea.

Shortly after, her mother returned and brashly sat across from her. She grabbed her strangely named coffee and began to drink it.

Liz attempted to make no eye contact whatsoever with her mother. However, the slushy snow outside the window was absolutely boring to stare at, and the people inside the café were no better. If she didn't know any better, she'd think they were all just clones of each other.

"Mark was arrested a couple of days ago," her mother growled bluntly.

Liz felt her heart sink, as well as any hopes of seeing him. She didn't quite believe it, though. Somewhere, deep down, Liz knew that her brother always did his best to do the right thing. She had to believe that. If she didn't, who would?