Helga looked out the window at the airport and began to laugh. Hillwood was welcoming back its daughter in the only way it knew how. It was raining.

Walking over to the rental agency, she received her car and waited until they pulled it up for her. Sliding in, she pulled away from the airport and headed for the inner part of town.

She drove for a while; old memories rushing back as she passed certain places. Before she knew it, she found herself in the old neighborhood. The complete opposite way of the hotel. She slowed down, looking at all the places she hung out as a kid. Mr. Green's deli was still in operation as was Mrs. Vitelli's flower shop. She passed her old grade school, which was in disrepair. Slowing the car down, she stared at her old house. The brownstone still looked the same. And she would be there tomorrow. Taking a deep breath, she looked down the street.

Down two blocks and to the left was his house. She drove down there, her heart pounding. It was stupid to think he would be there. She pulled the car over and stared at it. The old boarding house hadn't changed, although she was sure the occupants probably had. Unwittingly, her gaze went to the roof of the building. Where his room used to be.

Out of nowhere, an unrealistic fear that any moment the door would open and he would walk out of the house hit her. She knew it wasn't real, but it kicked in her long dormant fight or flight instinct. Putting the car into gear, she quickly drove off, not stopping or looking around until she reached her hotel.

Turning the car off, she sat in the car, trying to control her breathing.

"Buck up Helga ol' girl," she muttered to herself. "You can do this."

Helga walked into the hotel, and got her keys. She took a deep breath as she rode the elevator to the fourth floor. Getting out, she counted the room until she reached hers. Passing a room, she could hear a child laughing. She smiled and found her room a couple of doors down. Opening the door, she shut it behind her and dropped her suitcase. Outside it was still raining.

Part one of this weekend was over. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number.

"Jennifer. I'm here."

She left her room and walked down the hall towards the vending room. As she walked in she noticed the young boy standing in front of the snack machine looking at it as if it were from another planet. She kept her eye on him as she slid in her change and got out her soda. Finally she turned her full attention to him.

"Having trouble deciding?" She asked, breaking the silence. He looked over at her and she was struck at how green his eyes were.

I've never seen anything like this before." His said, his Mediterranean accent heavy against his English. "I'm not sure what I'd like."

She walked over, eyeing the snacks in the machine. "Well, if you like chocolate, you can't go wrong with M&M's. Nothing says yummy like candy covered pieces of chocolate."

He nodded slowly, still looking at the snacks. "I'll take your word on that."

"You aren't from around here, are you?" She asked.

He shook his head. "I'm from San Lorenzo. My dad and I are here for a visit."

Helga froze. That country was too unknown for this to be a coincidence.

"So, what do you think my dad would like?" The boy asked. "He told me to get him something, but I don't know what."

She gave him a hard look. He had to be around ten years old, with blond hair and green eyes. Fate was dropping hints on her head like bricks now. Tearing her eyes away from the boy, she scanned the candy, smiling when her eyes hit upon a green package.

"Something tells me you won't go wrong with goobers."

He shrugged again, eyes still on the machine, then at the handful of change in his hand. He looked up at her again.

"Um…could you help me with this."

"Sure." Closing the lid of her soda, she took the change from him and slid the money in, entering the correct selections and pulling the two packages of candy from the bottom of the machine.

"Go on, try them," she urged. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Opening the package, he dug one out and popped it in his mouth. His eyes lit up and he smiled.

"Hey! These are good!" He exclaimed. She smiled, opening the lid and taking another drink of her soda.

"Told you." She stated. "You need to get your mom something? Or is she just going to share you dad's."

The boy shook his head. "I don't have a mom."

Helga nodded. "Ahhh."

He gave her an odd look. "You're not going to apologize?"

She frowned. "Why? Did you kill her?"

The boy grinned. "No. It's just so far, when people hear I don't have a mom, they apologize."

"People tend to do that. That is how people deal with awkward situations, they apologize."

"Why?"

"Not a clue. One of life's great mysteries."

The boy moved the small packages and stuck out his free hand. "I'm Phillip."

She took it. "Helga. Nice to meet you. This your first time in the States?"

Phillip nodded. "My first time anywhere outside my home. Dad wanted to come and where he goes, I go." He eyed the business suit she hadn't changed out of yet. "Why are you all dressed up?"

"I haven't had time to change yet. I just got to the hotel and decided I needed caffeine." She said, holding up her bottle of soda. Phillip grinned.

"I've had caffeine. But usually it's in the form of coffee."

Helga sighed. "Coffee is a wonderful thing. Well, I'd better let you get back to your father before he come out here looking for you."

"Okay. Thank for the help."

"No problem. If you need another chocolate fix and need help, I'm in room 416, right down the hall. Bang on the door and I'll come to the rescue. No child should ever be without chocolate."

Phillip laughed. "Thanks. See you later."