5



Once Theresa saw her sister, tears once again sprung to her eyes. Paloma smiled widely and ran with outstretched arms to her older sister. They embraced tightly and cried tears of happiness. Theresa's Aunt Maria and Uncle Francisco ran towards their nieces and enveloped them in a tight embrace. "It is so good to see you Theresa!" Aunt Maria cried.

Theresa smiled as she wiped her eyes. "I'm glad to see you too Tia Maria, and you Tio Francisco." Theresa's uncle kissed her on the forehead. "I hear you've been having a tough time lately." He said quietly.

Theresa fixed her gaze on the ground and sighed. "I don't know what to do anymore." She miserably confided. "I feel lost."

"Well we're here to help you find your way again," Paloma said as she placed a comforting arm around her older sister's shoulders. "But I still say we tell Mama you are here with us."

"No!" Theresa insisted. "You can't! I don't want her or anyone else in Harmony to know where I am. That's why I left Harmony in the first place. To get away from everyone that hurt me." Theresa crossed her arms and chewed on her lower lip. Tears brimmed in her eyes and threatened to spill over.

"Theresa," Maria quietly admonished. "You cannot just run away like that. I know it is difficult, but you must eventually confront the pain."

Theresa shifted uncomfortably. "I don't mean to be rude Tia Maria, but can we just not talk about this right now?"

"Si," Maria replied. "Let's go home."

After getting settled, Theresa followed the scent of the wonderful smells emitting from the kitchen. "Are you hungry?" Paloma asked as Theresa sat down at the counter. Theresa shook her head. "I'm not really hungry." Theresa's stomach seemed to disagree for it let out a loud growl. Paloma stifled a laugh. "Not hungry, hm?"

Maria set a plate of food in front of her niece and encouraged her to take a bite. "Theresa, you must eat something." She coaxed.

"It does look delicious." Theresa admitted as she stared at the plate.

"Just one small bite." Francisco smiled. "Your Tia Maria is a wonderful cook."

"I know Tio Francisco." Theresa smiled.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Paloma nudged her sister. With everyone's gaze upon her, Theresa picked up her fork and took a small bite of every portion on her plate. The first bite filled Theresa's mouth with a wonderful blend of flavors that only increased her appetite. Much to the delight of her family, Theresa finished the plate of food.

"You see, you were hungry." Paloma smiled.

"I guess I was." Theresa said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"If you're done, I want to do some catching up." Paloma said as she tugged gently on Theresa's arm.

Theresa glanced at her aunt and uncle who nodded. "You two go on. Your Tio and I will clean up here." Maria said.

The two sisters headed towards Paloma's bedroom. The room was large and airy, but Paloma added her own tasteful individual flair to fit her personality. Pictures of the Lopez-Fitzgerald family were all over the room. It helped Paloma remember the family members that lived so far away. An occasional phone call only made Paloma yearn to see her older brothers and sister. Most of all, Paloma wished to see her mother. It had been so long since they had seen each other face to face.

Theresa took a seat on Paloma's bed, while Paloma sat in her desk chair. Paloma watched her sister with a scrutinizing gaze. Theresa glanced at her sister and frowned. "What?"

"You've got something on your mind." Paloma observed.

"Well, of course I would." Theresa mumbled. "I can't stop thinking about everything that has happened."

Paloma took a seat beside her sister. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Doesn't matter if I do or don't." Theresa shrugged. "It still hurts all the same."

"That's why I'm here." Paloma said quietly. "That's why Tia and Tio are here. To help ease the pain you're in. But how can we help you if you shut us out?"

"I'm not shutting you out." Theresa replied.

"You are if you don't tell us what's wrong." Paloma responded.

"Everything's wrong." Theresa snapped getting up and going to the window. She looked out into the unfamiliar scenery and reprimanded herself when she found herself already becoming homesick.

"Theresa." Paloma said gently but firmly. "There is no need to get an attitude about it. Snapping on the people who are trying to help you isn't going to help the situation." Paloma watched her sister's shoulders sag. Theresa sank to the floor and covered her face with her hands. Paloma rushed over and wrapped her arms around her sister.

Theresa could taste her salty tears as they streamed down her face to her lips. Flurries of sobs were released from her torn soul. Theresa's tears dampened Paloma's shoulder. "It's going to be alright." Paloma whispered. "You just need time to heal your broken heart."

"It-it hurts so much," Theresa managed to say between gasps of shaky breath.

"I can't imagine what you're going through, and Lord knows I'm not an expert on this." Paloma replied quietly. "But, as your sister, I will be here for you no matter what."

"Thank you." Theresa said with an attempt at a wobbly smile.

"If you don't want to talk about it, I understand." Paloma said. "But, I don't want you to build up your emotions inside. It's not healthy for your soul."

"When did you become so insightful? It seems like just yesterday you were a young teenager, and now look at you- all grown up."

Paloma jumped up and struck a pose. "I am grown up aren't I?" Paloma giggled.

Theresa laughed at her sister's silliness. "It's been so long since we've seen each other."

"Four years." Paloma nodded.

"So much has happened." Theresa said as the smile disappeared from her face.

Before Paloma could ask anymore questions, Maria peeked inside the room. Paloma motioned for her to enter. Maria looked somewhat baffled. "Paloma," She said. "There's- there's a man on the phone. I-I think you should speak with him."

Theresa raised her eyebrows at her little sister. "Do you have a boyfriend you haven't told me about?"

The look on Maria's face told Theresa otherwise. "Who is it Tia?" Paloma asked with a curious look upon her features. The next words hit Theresa with a strong emotional blow.
"He said his name was Fox."