Katie-Jean sat at her vanity, nervously brushing her dark locks. She had let her hair down and placed it neatly behind her shoulders. She heard the doorbell ring and stood up, carefully smoothing her green dress. She slipped into a pair of brown moccasins and scurried downstairs. She opened the door and hugged Julio before welcoming him inside.

"Wow." Julio looked around in awe. He smiled politely and said hello as Katey and Arthur entered. He shook their hands and asked "how do you do."

"Mom, Dad, this is Julio. Julio, these are my parents." Katie-Jean introduced him to her parents.

Arthur went into over-protective Dad mode by asking Julio questions. He answered politely, keeping Katie-Jean's safety in his best interest.

"Well, we best be going, Mama will be expecting us back soon." Julio tried to get out of there.

Katie-Jean kissed her parents good-bye and hurried out the door. Katie-Jean and Julio walked down the street hand-in-hand. After twenty minutes of tiresome walking, the couple arrived at Julio's house. It was a small, one story house made of brown adobe. It was quite rundown, but not as much as the surrounding ones. Katie-Jean offered a polite smiled when Julio gestured his arm towards the gate shielding the house from the streets. Just by the look of it he knew that she thought the house pitiful and dirty. She probably would make her stay short and never see him again. Why did I bring her here this soon in the relationship? A pretty, rich girl like her will think I'm trash or something… ugh I'm so stupid at times, Julio thought to himself, returning a smile just as fake.

Julio held Katie-Jean's hand as he led her through the gate and through a large wooden door. As soon as they entered, Julio sighed as he noticed large piles of laundry and toys stacked in the living room. Sounds of a screaming baby were heard and shouts from an angry mother echoed through the house. Katie-Jean hadn't a clue to what was being said, long having forgotten what little Spanish she knew. Gracie ran into the room crying, being chased by a larger Spanish woman who was carrying the crying child.

Julio ran to his mother and took the baby off her, speaking in Spanish. He told his mother that he had cleaned all day and now it was a mess. He expressed his embarrassment for the chaos in front of guests. Mrs. Perez just brushed him off as she wandered into the kitchen to tend to the already burned dinner.

"I'm so sorry, come here." Julio took Katie-Jean's hand and led her towards a beat up red sofa. "This is my brother, Javier." He gestured towards the wailing infant in his arms. "And you already know Gracie." Katie-Jean waved to the little girl, picking up toys in the corner. "And in the kitchen is my Mama. She's a bit tired today."

"Dinner is served." Mama Perez stood at the doorway, gesturing everyone into the dining room. There were four chipped plates displayed on the table, which was lined with two benches. A larger plate was in the center of the table, holding a blackened roast. A bowl of potatoes was on one side, while a bowl of carrots was on the other. Cups of water were at the top of the plates with a fork and a knife on either side. Katie-Jean politely sat down next to Julio. Mama Perez sat across from her son, her daughter at her side. The baby was placed in a high chair, a bottle in his hands. Everyone held hands as the family said Grace in Spanish, Katie-Jean repeating it silently in her head in English.

Mama Perez scooped generous helpings of potatoes on everyone's plate and even larger scoops of carrots. Unfortunately, she was quite sloppy in doing so. A little bit of potato splattered on Katie-Jean's dress, while a couple of carrots fell onto Julio's pants. Mama Perez was not as generous with the roast beef. She took most for herself and gave a small slice to Gracie. Katie-Jean and Julio received a larger helping, still somewhat small. Katie-Jean's first impression of Mama Perez was that she was rude and self-centered. She hadn't even said hi to her.

Katie-Jean ate politely and complimented Mama Perez on the food. Even though it was burnt and actually quite repulsive, she swallowed her pride and ate it all. She noticed that Julio also showed slight grimaces as he shoved food in his mouth. Gracie just picked at what was on her plate, whining in Spanish. Dinner was awkward. No one spoke. She wasn't sure if that was a Spanish tradition or something, so she kept her mouth shut.

"That was very good," Katie-Jean complimented with a smile, "I enjoyed it."

Mama Perez responded with Spanish banter. Julio said something in reply. She felt really left out, not knowing what Julio's response was. Suddenly, Julio slammed his fork down and turned to Katie-Jean, "Let's go."

She just stood up and followed him. Mama Perez continued screaming. Gracie began whining louder and little Javier began crying.

As soon as they were outside, Julio hugged Katie-Jean close. "I'm so sorry, Baby. That's not what I had planned at all."

"Julio, it's okay. I know things get hectic in a family with little kids."

"No, Baby, you don't understand." Julio continued to explain to Katie-Jean about his home life. Ever since his father had left, Mama had been drinking. Gracie had become whiny and annoying and Javier was still too young to understand what was going on, so he just cried. Julio practically dragged Katie-Jean down the street and around the corner. He pulled her close and they just stood there. Katie-Jean was so confused. She carefully led Julio to a near-by bench and rubbed his back as he cried on her shoulder.

"Why is my family so messed up?" Julio asked angrily. "Just why?"

"Oh, hun its okay." She did her best to comfort him. She looked up and the sound of screaming and yelling. She saw Gracie running barefoot down the street, being chased by Mama Perez. "Um, Julio?"

He looked up. "Oh God. Katie-Jean, go get Javier, I'll get Gracie and meet me at the park." Julio stood up and grabbed his sister, carrying her to the park. Mama Perez collapsed in the street, not noticing Katie-Jean dart by carrying her baby.

Katie-Jean met Julio and Gracie in the park. She handed Javier to his brother and sat on the bench. It was beginning to get dark. Katie-Jean was really scared. She knew she was in a bad part of the neighborhood, and she was with two little kids. Julio sat, speaking in soft Spanish to calm his brother. Gracie sat on the ground, playing with a lump of sand.

"Julio, where are you going to spend the night?" Katie-Jean asked.

"I'm not sure… I'll probably head home."

"It's not safe. You should stay at my house."

"I don't think your mom would like that too much."

"If she knew the circumstances… c'mon, let's go."

Gracie obediently followed. Julio stood up and walked behind the girls.

Katey and Arthur looked surprised to see more than just Katie-Jean entering the house. They walked into the living room and Katie-Jean began explaining their dilemma:

"Mom, Dad, Julio's mom was being a bit… disorderly. Is it okay if Julio and his siblings stay the night? I can fix up the guest bedroom for them."

Katey didn't trust this boy much, but she couldn't say no when there was a baby involved. Instead, she smiled weakly and nodded. "Sure, Sweetheart. Let me put some tea on." She stood up and headed for the kitchen. Katie-Jean went upstairs to prepare the bedroom, leaving Julio alone with Arthur. Gracie had followed Katey into the kitchen. Javier was fast asleep in Julio's arms.

"Have a seat," Arthur coaxed, patting the empty spot next to him on the couch. Julio awkwardly sat down, offering Arthur a faint smile. Julio spoke soft Spanish to the baby in arms. Arthur, who spoke English and French, asked in curiosity what Julio was saying.

"I'm saying 'Don't worry, baby, it's all going to be okay. Mama will be okay and Miss Katie-Jean will take care of us.'" Julio explained.

Arthur smiled and thanked Julio for the explanation. He went back to reading the paper on his lap, making an occasional comment about what he read. Katie-Jean came downstairs and hurried into the living room.

"Julio, do you want to put Javier in the bed I made for him?" Katie-Jean asked.

"Sure, will you show me?"

"Of course, this way." The two walked upstairs and set the baby to bed. Julio looked around the room. He was amazed. He thought that this room alone was as big as his entire house. Katie-Jean saw his embarrassment and shame about his house compared to hers. "Julio, I hear my mom calling with tea."

He offered a smile and the two walked downstairs. Arthur was now in the kitchen. He sat at the table with Katey drinking tea. Gracie had a glass of water in front of her. Two cups of tea were set out for Katie-Jean and Julio. They drank in silence before heading up to bed.