"Momma," Cassie called through the door.
"Come on in."
Cassie walked in the room. Her mom sat on the bed with a worn leather book. "Looking at the past again?" Cassie asked sitting down next to her mom.
"Yeah. Tonight really threw me for a loop. He looks the same. Just longer hair and a few more scars..."
"Well, maybe he hasn't changed that much. Can I look at the book?"
"Again?" Marie teased before handing her the book.
Cassie opened the book and looked at the old pictures of her Mom, Aunt, and Uncle when they were kids. After a few pages, the pictures were of them as teens. Her Mom singing with the Whits, working at the Crashdown, and school events. Then the three of them joined her family. Max and Liz studying, Isabel and Alex dancing, and Maria fighting with Michael. One group picture, then it was just her Mom, Aunt, and Uncle Al, and Kyle again. Her Mom and Aunt pregnant, the babies, herself and Juan. Birthdays, weddings, school, working at the Crashdown, all the events in their lives up till their first day of high school.
"Mom, do you still love him?" Cassie asked.
"I still love my Michael. But the Michael you met, I don't think he is my Michael anymore," Marie said with a sigh.
"Knock Knock. You two still awake?"
"Yeah Juan, come on in," Cassie called. Juan walked in and set on the beanbag by the bed.
"Mom and Dad are on the balcony," Juan said.
"Talking about the Czechs," Marie said, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, we're not going to tell Max," Juan said
"You're not?" Cassie asked surprised.
"No, I may in the future. But we decided that it is my decision,"
"Good for you," Marie told him with a small smile.
"Mom?" Cassie asked.
"Yes?"
"Can I keep the book tonight?"
"Sure, now scat. I need my beauty sleep."
"Sure Mom, whatever," Cassie said standing up and walking out the door.
"Night Aunt Marie," Juan said following Cassie out.
"The end of the beginning," Maria whispered.