Author's Note:Because I am a busy author who always posts things that will take forever to finish, here is another story. I found this one- almost two years old- in the vaults and decided that it was good enough to publish.

For all of you who have already read "Just Walk Away Renee", I thought I'd take your suggestions and continue the story. So, without further to do, here is a sequel! Enjoy, and feel free to leave reviews/comments. Your feedback is important to me. Thanks for reading! :)

Mike Stoker eased the door open and stepped inside, kicking off his shoes and hanging up his damp coat. The summer storm had been brief and had blown away as quickly as it came. He had stayed at the school until the rain had ceased, regaining himself and drying his eyes.

"Is that you, honey?" His mother's voice called from the kitchen.

"Yeah, it's me!" Mike hoped that all traces of his mourning had disappeared, because if he had as much as one tear in his eye, his mother would know. He wandered into the kitchen and saw her making a garden salad.

"I was hoping you got out of the rain. Did you stay dry?"

"Yeah." He looked to the empty dining room table. "Want me to set the table?"

"If you'd like."

He pulled the plates and cups out of the cupboards and retrieved silverware from a drawer. He set the table for two and went to his mother's side. "Anything else?"

"I've got it under control. It should be done, soon."

"Okay." He sat down in his spot. Had he really been gone that long? It was amazing how time flew when you were reminiscing.

Mrs. Stoker had just set the salad on the table when her timer rang. She pulled a beef pot roast out of the oven and set it on the stovetop for cutting. Once that chore was complete, she brought the rest of the meal to the table and sat with her son.

"Shall we pray?"

The two held hands as Mike led them in prayer.

"Well, dig in," Mrs. Stoker said after the 'amen'.

Mike hungrily helped himself to large portions of roast, carrots, potatoes, green salad, and home baked bread. Mrs. Stoker then served herself and they began to dine.

"How was your nap?"

"Oh, just fine. I was awakened by the telephone. Florence Marks called."

"Really?" His wound was slowly coming undone. Florence Marks was Renee's mother. He hadn't seen her for years.

"Yes, she asked if it was true that you were back in town."

"Florence Marks asked about me?"

Mrs. Stoker nodded.

Not wanting to sound too surprised, he replied with a dull, "Hm. Wonder why."

"I don't know. Maybe you'd like to pay her and Daniel a visit? They always ask about you."

Mike stabbed a piece of lettuce with his fork and thought for a while. "Yeah, maybe I will. Tomorrow."

The rest of the meal was silent, except for the occasional casual conversation. After a delightful dessert of nectarines and cream, Mike helped put away the leftovers and did the dishes. The mother and son pair then sat down in the living room with books. Mrs. Stoker had always loved reading and shared that love with her son.

It wasn't long before the cuckoo clock chimed nine and Mrs. Stoker yawned. "Well, I know it's a tad early, but I think I'll go to bed."

"Yeah, I think I'll hit the sack, too." Mike bookmarked his page and stood. "Get an early start tomorrow."

Mrs. Stoker smiled and held out her arms to embrace him. As always, she made sure her son was the first to let go.

"'Night, Mom." Mike bent slightly to kiss his mother's cheek.

"Goodnight, Honey."

They went their separate ways and, after brushing his teeth and changing clothes, Mike eased onto the guest room bed. He stared up at the ceiling, deep in thought. Flo and Dan Marks. It really had been a long time. As he remembered the people he used to basically consider his second set of parents, he couldn't help but to smile thinking back on when he first wanted to take their daughter out. He had been so nervous… Just a scrawny sixteen-year-old at the time…

As soon as he heard the doorbell echo through their house, he wanted to turn and run. His shirt suddenly felt tight around his neck and he felt as if he should unbutton one more button. He could have sworn it was an hour before the door eased open. Why was he so nervous? Sure… He hung out with Renee all of the time, but this was their first outing labeled as a date.

Mr. Dan Marks opened the door. Mike couldn't tell if he was pleased to see him or not.

"Oh, Stoker."

"Um… H-hello sir. I-is Renee ready?" He felt as if his eyes were as large as a Kewpie doll's. He'd never noticed it before, but Dan Marks was a pretty intimidating guy. Big, burly, hairy… Over six feet tall with two deep black pools as eyes and thinning hair as dark as night. His bushy eyebrows didn't help. Had he been in the military? Mike couldn't remember, but if not, he should have been.

"I'll go see." Dan didn't even invite him in. He closed the door most of the way and walked off. Mike waited nervously, biting his lower lip. It must have been a decade before the door reopened, and there was his beautiful Renee in a new dress. Dan was standing beside her.

"I only ask a few things of you, Stoker."

"And w-what's that, sir?"

"Be nice, polite, hold doors open for her, have a good time, have her home by eleven, and no funny stuff."

"F-funny stuff, sir?"

By that time, Renee had her shoes on. "Sure, Dad, he knows. See you later, come on Mike." She grabbed his arm and led him off of the front porch. Mike couldn't recall the last time he'd felt so relieved. Well, except for the fact that he knew Dan was still watching them.

"We hang out all the time. He's never set rules before."

Renee shrugged. "Just have me home by eleven and we'll be fine."

They went for burgers and then roller skating. The live band that night was excellent and the rates were cheap. Mike was having such a good time, he seemed to have lost track of it. One glimpse at his watch ended the magic night.

"Renee! It's ten thirty-five! We've got to split!"

They yanked their skates off and shoved on their shoes before racing all the way back to Renee's. Mike's watch turned to ten fifty-nine just as he rang the doorbell, panting and gasping for air.

The door swung open and Dan grabbed Renee's arm, pulling her inside. "What'd I say, Stoker?"

"Sir, by my watch, we still have another minute!"

Dan looked at his watch. "Oh yeah? Well mine says eleven-o-one." The door was slammed in Mike's face before he could even muster a decent goodnight or a kiss. Was that man really her dad, or was he a jail warden?

Mike had to smile about the memory. Those were the days, the carefree days, filled with laughter, freedom, carelessness, and Renee. He yawned drowsily and then closed his eyes and drifted off, smiling complacently.