Forgot to mention it earlier, but as always, thanks to LouiseX for proofing for me and providing encouragement and inspiration to keep going!

Linka sat in her car for a few moments, pulling out the papers from the envelope in her purse. She knew that wouldn't be easy. She was surprised at first how quickly and quietly he had signed the papers. It wasn't until after he'd given them back to her that he started fighting for them...maybe if he'd started BEFORE he signed them, maybe she would have considered his points. The fact that he started AFTER makes her question whether he really meant what he said, or if he was just trying to make her look like the bad guy...again.

She drives to her attorney's office but is unable to find a parking spot. She drives around the block and takes the first parking spot she sees which just so happens to be in front of a church.

St. Anna of Kashin Russian Orthodox Church.

Linka admires the architecture and stained glass. She hardly ever came to this part of town. She never had a reason to. When she did attend church, it was always with Wheeler's family at their church. This church reminded her of her Grandmuska. It even bore her name. It was the second time today she had thought about her, the first being when Wheeler brought up how marriages were supposed to last forever, like his grandparents. She thought of her grandparents too. "Until death do we part" are the vows. Vows that her grandparents lived by. Vows that her parents lived by, although they were parted far too soon. Vows that she had once said, but she is unable to keep.

The sign outside the church advertises a pierogi sale on the 12th. The date jumps out at her. It is her grandparents' wedding anniversary. She fondly recalls making the potato and sauerkraut filled dumplings with her Grandmuska and wonders if these pierogies would be as good. She pictures old women with Eastern European features and wearing babushkas while selling their freshly made pierogies. She makes a mental note to stop by on the 12th and purchase some.

When is that?

She pulls out her phone and looks at the date.

Bozhe moy! Today is the 12th! My grandparents' 70th anniversary...I barely made it to 10. I cannot file these papers today...not when my grandparents are in Heaven celebrating their union...I will not have them looking down upon me as I end mine. Not today.

Instead she finds herself walking up the stairs to the church, intending to light a candle in memory of her grandparents and parents...then she will make her way to the basement to find comfort in a favorite food.

"Hello Michael."

The redheaded nine year old looks up at the well dressed, older man.

"How do you know my name?"

"I'm a friend of your mom and dad."

"Oh."

"Why are you sitting over here all by yourself? Don't you want to eat with your friends? Or don't you have any?"

"I have friends...but I wanted to finish these stupid study guides that my mom is making me do. I thought that maybe if I finish them, I can go to the movies with my dad after school. Plus, I just want to be alone today."

"Ah...I understand."

"If you're a friend of my parents, you know they're getting a divorce today."

"Yes, I heard. Terrible news. That's why I'm here. They actually need you to come down to the courthouse."

"Why?"

"You get to pick who gets to keep you."

"Keep me?"

"Well yes...either your dad keeps you and you get to stay here, or your mom keeps you and probably takes you back to Russia with her."

"WHAT?! NO! I don't wanna go there. I won't know anyone."

"Well then I guess you just say you want to stay with your father. You gather your things. I'm going to go tell the principal you need to go."

"Ok." The boy puts his stuff in his bag and waits for the man to return. His parents have told him to never talk to strangers or get in a car with someone he doesn't know...but he knows that they're getting a divorce and that his mom is from Russia...so he must be telling the truth about knowing them. He'll ask more questions just to be sure.

The man returns a short time later.

"Your dad doesn't pick you up from school very often, does he?"

"No. He works until 5 o'clock."

"The secretary thought I was your dad! Must be the dashing good looks, eh?" The man says with a chuckle.

"Umm, yeah...so how do you know my parents? I've never seen you."

"I have known them since their days with the Planeteers...I'm...a legal expert of sorts...and with their recent 'issues'...well, let's just say I've been keeping tabs on their situation."

"So you know their names?"

The well dressed man chuckled.

"I see your parents have taught you to be wary of strangers...that's good. Your mom's name is Linka Kovaleva-Wheeler...she kept her maiden name because of her work with the Planeteers. She did not want their relationship to be the focal point of the group when they were doing work with the public...which is probably a good thing now considering...well, you know, she's no longer a Wheeler...Your father's name is Jason, but he goes by his last name. And you are Michael Joseph Wheeler, named after your mother's brother, Mikhal...and just like they call him 'Mishka', they call you 'Mikey'."

The man really knew his stuff.

"So did I pass your test?"

Mikey blushes at being caught.

"Yeah...sorry. I just...you know...I'm not supposed to talk to strangers or go places with people I don't know...but you know me so I guess it would be ok."

"Right...and we can get to know each other better on our little drive. You can ask me anything."

"Ok...sounds good. We should probably get going...get this over with."

"Yes, you're right. That's my car over there."

"Wow!" Mikey says in awe of the silver sports coupe. "It's a convertible too?!"

"Sure is."

"Can we put the top down?!"

"Maybe another time. We don't have far to go so it's really not worth it."

"Ok, cool!" Mikey says excitedly.

"Well, we don't want to keep your parents waiting...let's go."

"Can I ride in the front?" Mikey asks.

"You don't have a choice...there's no backseat."

"Alright! That means it's REALLY fast, doesn't it!"

"We'll just have to find out, won't we?"

"YEAH!"

The young boy hurries off towards the car while his new "friend" smiles deviously.

To Be Continued...