Hey guys =) So sorry for the long wait D= I had midterms this week but now I'm on spring break! W00! *dances* Now I'll have time to do stuff. Enjoy!

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Back in Uncle Oscars' loft, I pace with closed fists. Back and forth in front of the TV, from the window to the end of the couch. The violent anger still rips through me, almost overwhelming my incredulity and despair. I keep going back to the moment my mother fell, the instant where I almost crushed her skull in with the drawer. I revel in the fact that I could have done it, and hate the fact that I would ever think of doing that, disgusted that I didn't.

I can't stay, I can't stay, I keep thinking. I couldn't do this anymore. Mother and daughter no longer recognized each other through the veil of drugs and grief. It was transparent like lace yet hard and unyielding like concrete. It couldn't even be lifted up for a peek, let alone torn down. She's too deep inside herself to remember me, I think bitterly. She probably wouldn't even notice if I left for good.

The door opens suddenly, making me jump. My uncle and I look at each other at the same time. His eyes, full of light and laughter, widen with concern when they see my face. Despite everything, I feel a rush of love for him that nearly makes me weep. I can't stay, I repeat, but I can't leave, either.

"Andrea, what's wrong?" He hurries over to me and claps his large hands on my shoulders. "What happened, mi hijita?"

"My mother happened," I spit bitterly, and burst into tears.

Uncle Oscar pushes me down onto the couch. We sit with his arms around me for a long time as I cry. When I finish, I tell him everything that's happened since yesterday: the visit to my house, how my mother saw me put my key back, the memories that caused my accident, and the encounter with Mom just now. Uncle Oscar listens carefully, still holding me, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.

"The worst part was when she fell, Tio," I say, wiping my eyes with my palm, "I had the drawer in my hand, I wanted to hit her with it and make her pay for what she did. I was just so angry. But I stopped myself and now I hate myself for it. I'm glad I didn't, but I hate myself, too." Tears of self-pity fill my eyes again and I have to push them back with a will of iron.

"Andrea," he lets go of me to take my hands in his, "You've been through so much in the past couple of years. In spite of everything, you worked for that money. I'm proud of you for that, mi hijita. You know you should've put it in the bank; you could have sent the statements here." I blink at him; I hadn't even thought of that. I open my mouth to say something, but he continues, "Before you tell me I should have told you this sooner, just know that I would've if I'd known what was going on. Ai, chica, but that's not the point, saying what should have been done. Andrea, I know how much you hate your mom right now, but you stopped yourself from hurting her. You still love her, even though you feel like you can never do so again."

I ponder my uncles' words for a moment. I know he's right, though I doubt I can really appreciate it until I cool off. "I'm so sick of this, Tio," I sigh. "I just want to get out of here."

"Good thing I told you about that tournament in Atlanta, eh?" He grins at me.

"I can't go!" I protest and pull out of his grip.

"Why not? It's a good opportunity for you!"

"I know, Tio, but I told you: I'm not good enough yet. And now I don't have any money to get there."

"It's not for a couple of weeks. You can race around here until you get enough money… and work in the garage, of course."

"But I can't leave you, Tio," I blurt out desperately, "I love you."

To my surprise, his eyes are bright with tears. "I love you too, mi hijita. I don't know what I'd do without you some days. But I still think you should go. You're growing up, chica," here, he brushes my cheek with the back of his hand, "and I'm so glad to have been a part of that. But you need to start living your own life, Andrea. Don't feel like you have to stay here because of me. If you really want to go, then go. It's okay."

An unexplained relief washes through me. I lean into my uncles' embrace again. Having Uncle Oscar all these years was like having a dad again. His go-ahead means more to me than I could ever say. I hug him tightly, passing my gratitude to him without speaking.

...

This story is going to be put on hiatus for a little while. You know that planned KH prom crack on my page? I actually want to finish that before my high school friends go to prom. I've got a couple of chapters written, but I'm not sure on the title yet. Since that story has a deadline, this one is being put on the back burner for now. I'm so sorry guys ;-; But hey, it's crack! Everyone loves a good crack story! xD lol. Thank you once again for your patience. Reviews are appreciated, and look out for the next chapter!