Miguel knew Ali meant well when she kept asking if he was okay. Hell, these days it seemed like that was all anyone ever asked him. Teachers, kids at school, his parents, even crazy old Mrs. Harris next door. Everyone looking at him with pity, expecting him to pour out his heart and talk about what he was feeling, sometimes it was just too much. Why couldn't everyone leave him alone so he could go back to normal? Or at least, let him pretend things were normal.

He threw down his pencil. Part of him wanted to be angry at Ali for ruining his concentration, but it really wasn't her fault. He knew where he had to go to clear his mind. Taking a deep breath, he slipped on his shoes and headed downstairs. "See ya later, Ali! I gotta run to the library," he lied and prayed Ali wouldn't call his bluff.

She peered over the back of the couch, where she was watching some mindless MTV show, and looked hopeful. "Want some company?"

"No," his immediate response was firm, perhaps too firm judging from the hurt look on Ali's face. "I mean, it'll just be boring. And I really gotta focus on this history project. I'm, um, meeting Eric there."

That seemed to satisfy Ali, that perhaps he was coming out of his shell. "Okay, well, see ya soon!" She responded more cheerfully than before and turned back to the TV.

Meanwhile, Miguel jumped in his silver Honda Civic and began to drive almost robotically across town. He parked under a familiar tree and trudged across the lawn and knelt on the damp ground, laying a single rose in front of the large, shining granite stone. With his hand, he gently brushed away the few dried leaves and flower petals that hid its inscription:

Sophia Ann Menton
1990-2006
Never Forgotten

He sighed at seeing her name, every time he say it, it was like a punch to the gut, making everything so horrifyingly real. "hey sweetie, I just had to see you today. Oh, guess what? Yesterday Britt Wheeler spent half the day walking around with a huge piece of toilet paper stuck to the back of her shoe. It was hysterical, you would have loved it!" He laughed a bit, and stopped to catch his breath, feeling tears fill his eyes. This was the only place he was truly alone, the only place he wasn't afraid to let his tears fall and he placed the palm of his hand over her headstone, as if somehow he could physically reach out to her. "Damnit, I miss you so much. I'm sorry, sorry for everything. Sorry for not protecting you when I should have, it should be me laying six feet underground, not you! I'm sorry…"

"It's a damn shame, isn't it? What happened to that sweet girl…it's just unthinkable."

The voice from behind Miguel startled him to the core and he jumped to his feet, finding himself looking up at a huge stranger standing in the shadows of the nearby trees.

This behemoth of a man was older, perhaps Miguel's father's age. His face was worn, but intimidating. He wore a dark suit that looked heavy and expensive, an odd choice in Miami's heat.

Miguel took a step back, mentally preparing himself to fight.

To his surprise, the man knelt in front of Sophia's headstone, just as Miguel had, and gently traced over her name with his finger. "I remember her when she was just a kid, hell, she was still just a kid. Used to call me Uncle Eddie. I'd toss her in the air, and give her piggy back rides." His stone face broke into a small smile at the memory. "Damn shame about Dale too. Heard he tried to commit suicide twice in prison."

"Hopefully third time's the charm," Miguel grumbled.

"Surprised to hear someone from your background say that, Miguel."

Miguel felt his heart catch in his throat, and was momentarily frozen. He narrowed his eyes, regarding the stranger with suspicion. "Who the hell are you? How do you know who I am?" Miguel demanded.

The stranger smiled once more, only it seemed more like a sneer. "My name is Edward Reese. I know a lot about you, Miguel Castillo. I know you loved this girl right here more than life itself. And I know you're angry. I know you'd love revenge, but everyone around you would lecture you about 'doing what's right.' Am I close?"

If Miguel were honest with himself, he wouldn't mind having a good shot at Menton. To take out all his anger and pain on the man that caused his sweet Sophia's death and so much heartache for his father in the past as well. He had never considered taking any action though… but if he had, he knew what Reese said was true. "Doing what's right" was practically his father's middle name.

Reese sensed Miguel's uncertainty. "Do you want Sophia to have died for nothing? To let the man who tore you apart get away with it? You know in your heart he got a light sentence, and knowing Menton he'll be out in a year or two on good behavior. So he'll be back living out his days on his government pension while you suffer? While Sophia lies here cold and dead?"

"Well, yeah, I mean, I guess your right…" Miguel was never the type to get into fights or cause trouble of any kind. But the thought of seeing Menton suffer the way Sophia had… if he searched in the deepest, darkest part of his heart, he had to admit it gave him the tiniest bit of satisfaction.

There was that sneering smile again. Reese nodded knowingly, "I thought so." He produced a card from the breast pocket of his jacket and handed it to Miguel, who accepted it with hesitation, as though the card itself might bite him. Meet me at this address tomorrow. Come alone." Just as quickly as he appeared, he turned to walk away before pausing. "Oh, and Miguel? Don't tell anyone about this."

The words sent a chill down Miguel's spine.