Hot, sweaty, and exhausted, Layla Williams staggered through the front door.

"Mom," she called out. "I'm home."

It wasn't her mother who answered her. "No hug for your favorite aunt."

"Aunt Miranda." Layla sounded more amazed than glad. Maybe she wasn't the last person she'd expected to see upon coming come, but Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny could hardly count.

"The one and only." She held her arms open.

Layla pulled off her white sun hat. "You don't want to hug. I've been working in the city gardens all day." She pulled at her sweaty top for emphasis."Mom didn't say you were coming to visit."

"Mom didn't know," Natalie Williams said dryly. Miranda gave her a look. Sensing trouble, Layla jumped in. "But we're really glad your here."

Miranda didn't argue, but she didn't look totally convinced. "My job got cancelled so I had a couple of free days. Since I was in the area, I figured it was fate." She looked at Layla critically. "You must have grown three inches since I last saw you. Quite the bean stalk you are."

"How long can you stay?" Layla asked. She was putting a brave face on the fact that she could see her free time with Will shrinking away. Between her summer job and the Commander and Jetstream's summer training program, all they hadtime for was a couple of hours in front of the TV a couple of nights per week. The nights ended up with Will's snoozing on her shoulder or lap.

"I was just discussing that with your Mom. Just a couple of days. As soon as you get cleaned up, let's go out and eat, my treat. Layla, do you still like Chinese?"

"My favorite." Layla never turned down an opportunity to visitthe Paper Lantern.

"Mom."

Natalie couldn't say no to that pleading face. 'Sides, it saved her preparing a meal. "Fine with me. Go get cleaned up."

An hour later the three women were walking into the restaurant.

"This restaurant has such a warm and inviting air," Miranda said.

"That's what I've always thought." Layla couldn't help but be pleased when her aunt agreed with her. "Let's go sit by the windows."

They sat down. A girl came by to pour water. "Excuse me," Layla asked her. "Is Warren working tonight?" The girl nodded.

"Miranda, are you still in the sound system business?" Natalie asked.

"What can I say, it pays the bills and I get to meet a lot of interesting people? But let's not talk about me? Are you seeing anyone Natalie?"

Her sister sighed. "It's hard to meet decent guys, especially in my position."

Miranda giggled, "you have a position."

Natalie rolled her eyes. "You haven't grown up any."

Her daughter got up. "I'm going to try to find Warren. Order me vegetable fried rice."

"So, is Layla dating this Warren?" Miranda asked her sister after Layla was out of earshot.

Natalie shook her head. "No, they're just friends."

Miranda craned her neck to look better at the tall, dark haired boy Layla was hugging. "To bad, he's gorgeous."

"She's dating Will Stronghold. You met him the last time for visited. Do you remember?"

The arrow hits its mark. "Nat, we're trying to have a nice meal."

"I haven't heard from you since Christmas," her sister hissed, "and that was just a five minute call. Nothing at my birthday. That's bad enough but when was the last time you talked to Mom or Dad. Then you just drop in out of the blue, charm the stockings off my daughter, and I'm suppose to not say anything."

"Well, maybe if I didn't get all this disapproval, I'd call more often," she snapped. "Look Nat, I'm sorry. I know I've screwed up a lot of stuff, but things have been really bad for me. I met a guy and I thought he was the one. Turns out he already had somebody."

'I'm sorry to hear that?"

"I lent him money, which I never got back. I couldn't work in California cause his wife made such a fuss. I had to go to Europe, and let me tell you Paris sucks if you're broke."

"You could have asked me for help."

"You don't have the money to bail me out of trouble.Yourhero work keeps you from making any real money."

"Don't start that argument. I do allright. One doesn't become a Hero for money. Just because you didn't inherit the gene is not enough of an excuse to give me grief about my finances. Besides, my real problem was having a child by myself, not my clinic hours."

"Trust me Nat, I light a candle every Christmas in thankfulness that I was spared initiation into your little do gooder club." She took a deep breath."Look, I'm here now. Let's not fight."

A terrible thought occured to Natalie. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Miranda felt her heart beat quicker. "No Why would you think that?"

"I dunno. You showing up out of the blue. You didn't get a bad mamogram or something, did you?"

"I need to schedule one. No, I'm as healthy as the devil allows. Layla's done talking to her too cute to not be boyfriend. Can we have a civil meal?"

Before Natalie could respond, Layla came back to the table. "Warren says the kitchen is swamped. He'll try to bring our food out to us. He wanted to thank you for the Borders gift card you gave him for graduation."

"It's a special milestone. I wanted him to know that people were happy for him."

"It's not going to be the same at school next year without Warren," Layla said dolefully.

"Your mom was just saying you're still seeing Will Stronghold," Miranda broke in.

"Yes I am, and I take satisfaction in proving everyone wrong."

"Layla," her mother objected. "All I did was warn you that high school relationships are not known for longevity and thatyou shouldn't get so hung up about one guy, even a nice guy like Will."

"How long have you been dating him?" Miranda asked.

"32 months," Layla sad quickly.

"I'm impressed. It sounds serious."

"Not too serious," Natalie said, looking pointedly at her daughter.

The waitress came with their food. Miranda speared a piece of broccoli. "You'll both be seniors, this September," she asked.

Layla, her mouth full of rice, nodded.

"Any chance your boyfriend could join us tomorrow for lunch."

"I dunno. His parents keep him pretty busy. I'm free tomorrow."

"What about your summer job?"

"I'm working for the city, helping to maintain the public gardens and potted flowers. I've got early morning water detail tomorrow, I'll be free by eleven."

"It's a date," her aunt said brightly.