"Helen, tomorrow will have a party." Remi risked communicating to her foster mother about her desire to go to Patty's brother's party. "We were invited."

"And? Did you come to tell me you want to go?" The irony was noticeable in the woman's voice.

"Yes. I'm thinking of going. And, Roman too." Remi had a hard time convincing the boy to go with her, knowing that it would be harder for Helen to agree if he wasn't.

"Nothing done. I said I didn't want you guys in a gang. Enough what they had done in the previous school is enough." Helen referred to Remi's involvement with Oscar and Roman's involvement with Kathy.

"That's not it! It's not fair that you forbid us to go out and meet people! We were isolated at home because of your paranoia." Remi slammed the door shut like a wayward teenager. Roman just went to the bedroom in silence.

Natasha heard a car horn on the door of her house. She feared it might be Ricky. She glanced sideways through the crack of the window and didn't look like him, so she decided to check it out.

"How about a ride on my ferrari?" Edgar stepped out of the old chevrolet that didn't resemble a Ferrari at all. He showed a smile from one corner of the ear to the other.

"Oh! You did it?" The girl ran to meet him and hugged him. "It's a beautiful car!"

"Don't overdo it either! It's not that pretty, and it's a little old too, but gradually I'll put it just the way I want it."

"Ah, but it's very cool."

'Want to take a ride?" The boy suggested shyly, in fact he was eager to take her to meet his car.

"Me? Will I have the honor to ride on your car?" Natasha tried to feign astonishment, but she was flattered by his invitation.

"Yes, you'll be the first to ride my big car. Come on!" Edgar opened the door and the girl settled smiling in the passenger seat.

Edgar started the car and they drove through the outskirts of New York.

"She's not my girlfriend, at least not anymore..." "I see you together." "She doesn't accept the end." "Are you going to Freddy's party?" "Helen doesn't want us to get on with the high school people." "But that's up to you." "She doesn't accept it." "But do you want to go to the party?" "Y-yes."

Remi couldn't forget the conversation he'd had with Kurt during the high school game. His words hammered in her mind. The desire was to set aside all that Helen had taught them and to plunge only into what she was willing to do. She knew Helen loved them, so she wanted the best for them, but many of her attitudes were exaggerated and what she most wanted to do at the moment was go to this party. She needed to find a way.

"Shall we go down a little?" Edgar suggested when they reached a park. It was getting dark and not quite deserted, there were some young people talking on one of the benches and others playing basketball on the makeshift court just ahead.

"Can be." They sat on one of the cement benches and were silent for a while.

"It's all right?" The boy broached the subject and Natasha shrugged. "About what happened today..."

"It was humiliating. I never thought of passing such a shame in front of so many people." The girl was still feeling very bad for Ricky's affront at the school door. It had been one of the worst situations she'd ever been through.

"I know. It was horrible."

"Thank you for defending me." The girl gave him a sincere smile that made his heart race. "What did he talk about..."

"No problem, I don't care what he thinks." In fact Edgar was still very angry at what Ricky had said about him running after her. He didn't feel that way about her. They had always been very good friends, long before this guy came into her life and he knew his limits and would never cross if he didn't feel it was her will either.

"He's an idiot. You know, he wasn't like that, maybe he was and I was too blind or too in love to realize, but in the last few months, he has changed a lot and I wasn't getting out of this relationship, out of fear, I know I'm taking a risk and you too be here with me."

"I won't leave you alone knowing this guy is out there willing to hurt you."

"I don't care what happens to me, Ed, I just don't want anything to happen to you about it."

"Don't say that anymore. If something has to happen to me in your defense I won't regret it."

"You shouldn't be fine after seeing Sarah either."

"Actually, I think I was really scared because I didn't expect to see her with someone so fast, but it's okay, it's not me she likes. I don't even know if I liked her that much."

"She's a good girl."

"Yes she is."

"You know, I get more and more sure of what I want to do with my life."

"Hmm. Is it the same childhood wish?"

"Yes, it is. I want to be a cop." A smile broke out on her face. "I want to defend people. Do good for this country, which is my homeland. Show these bandits that you don't play with me." They both burst out laughing.

"You are right. You have to do what your heart asks, but be careful."

The girl had already done some research on what was necessary to pursue this career and intended to devote herself to pass the exams. She had many plans for next year, to prepare her body and mind for the tests that would surely demand a great deal from her.

Kurt kept looking at the role she had given him. The phone number was spelled out quickly, but he wasn't sure if he should call. She had said her foster mother disagreed with her making friends in the new school. He thought it was silly, but she seemed to have a lot of respect for the woman. The boy put the paper away and decided to call in the morning before going to work.

##########################################

Saturday dawned hotter than normal for the season. She got up early and did her exercise routine with her brother. At first they were Helen's demands, but today she couldn't help but make them. He was well aware of how strong her muscles were getting. She had finished her housework when she heard the phone ring. They didn't have cell phones, besides being expensive Helen wouldn't allow it, but she realized that few in school had, unlike where they studied before.

"I answer!" Remi warned seeing Roman go towards the device. The boy just raised his hands in surrender and left the room. "Hello!"

"Hello! Is it Remi?" The boy's voice faltered on the other end of the line. "It's Kurt."

"Oh, hi. How are you?" The girl's heart raced, she wasn't sure if it was because he called or feared that Helen would ask her questions about the phone call.

"I am fine. I just wanted to know if you're going to the party. I can stop by and get you."

"No!" Her voice came out a little louder than intended. "Not sure yet. But if it is, I will be with my brother."

"All right. See you there then."

After she hung up the phone she knew she needed to broach the subject with Helen again. She found her mother in the garden tending some plants.

"Hi daughter! Been there a long time?" Helen asked as she stood up among the plants and noticed the girl watching her.

"No. I just arrived. I wanted to tell you about the party."

"Hmm. I've been thinking. Maybe it would be good for you to go. I don't want anyone commenting that I'm overprotective with you."

"Thanks! Remi pulled Helen into a hug of thanks."

Remi was aware of how overprotective Helen was, but she knew everything the woman had gone through to be with them. She had braved the world to get them out of the orphanage where they were treated badly and bring them to the US. She sometimes had some kind of overdone rules, but she still had a good heart and her children knew how she loved them.