It was so hot, I couldn't catch my breath. Casey's body was pushing into me, hard and frantic. Her legs moved around my waist, bringing me closer still. Her hands were on my shoulders, pulling at me, her mouth covering mine in a heated kiss that caused my heart to jump into my throat.

Thought was completely impossible, she was everywhere. Her hands on me. Her body against me. Her smell, her skin under my fingers, her hair brushing my arm, her taste, her soft moans filling the air.

My mind was working in monosyllables, want, need, touch.

She dropped her lips to my neck and began to bite at my collarbone. Her teeth grazed, her lips, warm and wet slid over my throat. My hands moved to cup her breasts. They were heavy and so hot they almost burned me.

Then she was reached between us, her hand sliding down my chest, grazing over my nipples in their descent. I gasped and threw my head back. Her hand continued its journey down, down moving closer to the place I needed her touch with a blinding ache that consumed me.

I jerked awake, the unfamiliar surroundings coming into focus slowly. I rubbed at my eyes and tried to concentrate on figuring out where I was. Realization came finally and I rolled over in the big, comfortable bed, ignoring the pounding resonating from my more Southern regions.

Yeah, that was definitely not a friendly dream, I muttered to the empty room as I sat up and inhaled as much air as I could force into my lungs. Pulling my hands through my hair, I stood and went to the window behind the chair.

It only took a moment of fumbling before I managed to get it open and I immediately stuck my head out, letting the cold blast of air cool my heated skin.

I wasn't sure at the moment whether I wanted the dreams to stop or not. It was the fact that they never came to their ultimate conclusion that was really bothering me.

Erotic dreams of Casey, how could I possibly have a problem with that ? It was the frustrating interruptions in the actions of the dreams. Why did I always wake up just as things were really heating up ? I was sure there was some much deeper meaning behind that, but I didn't feel like thinking about it right then.

At the moment, four in the morning, to be exact, I just wanted to sleep. I was so tired my eyes burned. I shut the window and collapsed back onto the bed. My last thought before drifting away again was in the room across the hall.

The steady beating was a distant, far away thing. I couldn't understand what was causing it, but as my sleeping mind become more aware the sound grew more distinct and defined. I finally recognized it as someone knocking at my door.

I got up and answered the door as I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it into something much less scary than I was sure it was.

Casey was smiling at me brightly on the other side, a yellow sweater covering her upper half, a pair of dark blue jeans, on her lower half. Her hair was down and resting around her shoulders like a halo. Her makeup was perfect. You'd never know, looking at her that it was early morning. In her hands she held a tray.

I glanced at the it and gave her a questioning look. " I made you breakfast. " she explained cheerfully.

I had no idea what this was all about, but I opened the door and let her in.

" Did you sleep okay ? " she asked, her voice still so gleeful it made me nervous. Casey was not a morning person. Something was definitely up.

I settled onto the bed and took a closer look at the tray as I accepted it into my lap. " Okay, so you made me an omelet. What's up ? "

She shrugged. " I guess I just wanted to say thank you for being so nice last night. "

" Well, you're welcome. " I answered, digging in and not believing for a second that this was about last night.

She sighed suddenly and stood up, rubbing her hands against her thighs.

Ah, now we'll get some answers.

" Okay, so this guy Derek.. " she started. " Well, he called again this morning. "

" Did you have a nice chat ? " I was clearly weary and she could tell.

" He's coming by later, wants to go ice skating in the city. "

" That sounds fun, do you ice skate ? "

She nodded. " Yeah, it was where he took me on our first date. Anyway the thing is, " she paused to collect her thoughts or maybe to brace herself for impact. " I kinda lied to him. "

My eyebrows shot up to my hairline. " Really ? And what did you lie to your would-be suitor about ? "

She looked down, then back up at me again. " I told him that my boyfriend came home with me. "

My heart leaped, now I knew what she was getting at. Still I couldn't help but make her squirm a bit more. No one looked better squirming than Casey. " You know, I knew someone warned me once about Greeks bearing gifts. "

She put her hands on her hips and got that exasperated look on her face that I really loved. " Yeah, well did they also warn you about biting the hand that feeds you ? "

I laughed. " Touche. " This was the kind of banter that we used to have to between us. It was one of the things I missed most. It seemed like no matter what my sarcastic comment was, Casey had a counter for it. She was so quick-witted. It always amazed me how well she could keep up with me. " I just don't know, Casey, do you think we can really convince this guy we're a couple. Seems like a stretch to me. "

" Okay, " she sighed again. " You've had your fun. Are you done yet ? "

" I'm just not prepared for you coming to me needing a favor. I mean that is really new territory between us. What is it you are offering in exchange for this thing you ask of me ? " I gave her my best Brando impression and it caused her to laugh. Points for me again.

She sat down on the foot of the bed. " I thought me letting you pretend to be my boyfriend for the afternoon was enough in exchange. "

She was smiling, so she was kidding. It was true, of course, but I was glad to know she hadn't changed so much that she assumed letting me touch her was a favor. I mean, I'm desperate but I don't want her to know that necessarily. Beside, humble had always been one of her best qualities. I was happy to see it wasn't gone.

" My, we like ourselves an awful lot, don't we ? I'm not sure there's room for me in this fake relationship. " I countered.

" Alright. " she giggled, " What is it you want in exchange for this favor ? "

I pretended to consider that for a while. Then I looked back at her. " How about we just say that I have you marker ? " I broke into Brando again since it had such wonderful results earlier. " One day, I will come to you, and you will remember this day, and this favor I have done for you. "

Again she laughed, " Thank you, Cappie. I mean really thank you. "

" Hey, " I shrugged. " You bail me out, I bail you out. What we have here is a symbiotic relationship. "

" I guess it is. "

Then she stood and smiled. " Enjoy your breakfast. Do you and Rusty have plans for today ? "

I shook my head. " I have no idea. I just go where I'm beckoned. "

" Well, have fun. Derek is supposed to be here around four. "

" Then I'll be ready around four. " I told her with a nod. Something occurred to me as she was about to leave. " Uh, Casey, "

She turned back to me with her hand poised on the knob.

" I don't have the slightest idea how to ice skate. "

" It's easy. I'll show you. It'll be fun, I promise. " Then she left, closing the door behind her.

I finished eating, grabbed a shower and was about to head downstairs when Rusty finally emerged from his room. He was dressed and looking fresh for the new day, obviously he'd been up for a while.

" Have you had breakfast ? " he asked as we started down the stairs.

I quickly related the events that transpired in my room earlier. I didn't tell him about the night before. I figured it was really between Casey and I, so I decided to keep it that way.

" So, she wants you to pretend to be her boyfriend ? " Rusty asked in amazement.

" Apparently so. "

" Wow, that's really great for you, huh ? "

I took a minute to really consider the opportunity before me. Casey and I would be pretending to be together. She was single. I was single. There was nothing standing between us anymore. I hadn't really thought about that until then. The night before she'd hit me with all the 'let's be friendly' talk, it didn't occur to me I had a chance at anything else.

Casey was everything I wanted out of life. She was all I'd every hoped for, but I felt like I'd finally managed to convince myself that we could never go back to the way things were before. I'd convinced myself, standing on that lawn watching Evan give her his lavaliere that we were through. You wouldn't know that by the dreams I'd been having recently, but it was true. Or at least I thought it was. I knew I still loved her. I knew I wanted her back. Casey was a force in my life that I would never completely overcome. But the reality of having her back was just too much to hope for.

We turned into the kitchen and found ourselves in the midst of utter chaos. It was the wonderful kind of chaos that comes from people carrying on conversations, kids talking too loudly, pots steaming and oven timers going off all at once. It was the funniest thing I'd seen in quite a while and I couldn't stop smiling.

I smiled as I was introduced to Uncle Joe, a middle aged, pot bellied man with thinning hair and a mustache that covered his top lip. I smiled as I met Aunt Gloria, again middle aged, with brown hair that was graying at the temples and a contagious smile that was warm and delightful.

These two were the source of the loud-talking children running haphazardly around the room. Laura and Ethan, ten and five respectively. Laura had that look about her that said she got everything she wanted and Ethan was a front teeth missing, glasses wearing, ball of energy that practically bounced from person to person around the room.

Casey and her mother were by the stove talking amongst themselves. I glanced their way for only a moment before my attention was snatched away by Joe and Glen who dragged me into a conversation about whether or not I thought the Chicago Bears would make it to the Super Bowl. Well, being in the capital of Illinois I knew better than to say no. Really I thought their chances were slim.

It was when I turned back to Casey that everything seemed to stop for me. All the noise faded, all the people just ghostly images. She was still standing with her mother, and I can't believe I didn't notice at first. In her arms, she was holding a wiggling, giggling pink blanket that I assumed held a very small baby. It was the look on her face as she looked down at the squirming pink ball that got me. She glowed. It was like a spotlight was pointed directly at her already beautiful face, defining her features, making her eyes seem bigger, her lips fuller, her cheek rosier. She quite literally took my breath in that moment.

She must have felt my eyes on her because she glanced up at me and nodded with a funny look on her face, which I was certain was a reaction to what was undoubtedly a funny look on my face. I managed a slight wave and inclined my head towards her.

Then like a broken movie that had just been repaired, everything started again, the talking, the laughing, the movement.

The moment was gone, but it was etched into my memory. I knew I would never forget how she looked in that one second in time.

" So do you play ball, Cappie ? " Joe was asking me.

I dragged my eyes away from Casey and let them land on the older man. " I'm not on the school team, but the guys and I have been known to toss a few around in the yard. "

" I played in high school. I haven't tossed anything around in years, though. Maybe when Jeff and Tommy get here tomorrow you can get a game together. " he answered.

" That sounds great. " I smiled, having not the first clue as to who Jeff and Tommy were. I'd find out upon their arrival I was certain. I thought I remembered Rusty saying something about Jeff, but I couldn't remember what it was.

" Russ tells me you and the other guys are trying to teach him to play. " Glen slapped me on the back and winked. " Good luck with that. I've been trying to teach him since he was old enough to walk. Boy just doesn't have the moves. "

" Dad ! " I heard Rusty groan from the corner where he was surrounded by children.

" Actually, Rusty is a fairly descent player. " I told them.

" Well, that's good to hear. I'm glad he's fitting in so well at school. We were a little worried when he said he wanted to join a house. I was a Tri Lam myself in college. But Rusty just didn't seem the type. "

Another " Dad ! " from the corner.

" Rusty is fitting in just fine. He's a welcome addition to the house. " I said, proudly.

" So, Cappie was it ? " Joe asked, leaning in a little closer and I caught a whiff of old spice aftershave.

I nodded with a smile. " That's an unusual name. Is it short for something ? "

" Yes, sir. " I said, without further comment. He gave me an expectant look, but I remained silent, just smiling politely.

" He won't tell any of us what his real name is. " I heard Casey answer as she came up behind me. "No one knows. "

" You like to be mysterious, huh ? I like that. " Joe faked punched my arm and I stumbled a little.

" That's me. I like to keep em guessing. "

I was still smiling like an idiot. Casey had moved to my right side, between her Father and I. She was still holding the baby, which was now, somehow dozing, even with all the noise.

Her father put his arm around her casually and kissed the top of her head. I envied him for being able to just touch her like that. My instinct when she came up was to pull her into my side. Of course that was always my instinct when she came around. I think it was because when we were together, that's how we were with each other. We always had to be touching even if it was in the most innocent way. We had to have some kind of contact with each other.

" I can't believe you got Lucy to sleep in all this noise. " Joe was saying. " We have the hardest time getting her to nap even for a little while. "

" She's a great baby. " Casey answered, looking down with that look again.

I sneaked a quick peak at her, hoping no one would see. But as I glanced back, I caught Glen's eye and something in his return gaze told me he noticed.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and stared down at the black and white linoleum floor at our feet. Great, the man caught me ogling his daughter. That was going to leave an impression.

" I think Gloria and I are just too old to have little ones around anymore. " Joe commented. " We didn't realize it would be this hard when we agreed to take them all. "

I noticed Casey blush and she shifted uncomfortably, as Joe continued. " We can't wait for Gina to get home and take them all back. " He looked up at me quickly. " Don't get me wrong. We love our grandkids. We just aren't as young as we used to be. "

I gave him an understanding smile and looked back at Casey. " I'm going to go put her in the living room and take a walk. " she told her Dad.

" Lunch will be ready in about an hour, Casey. " her mother obviously overheard her and called as she left the room. " Don't go to far. "

" Alright, " she answered from the other room.

Glen and Joe watched her leave for a moment before jumping right back on me. " What are you studying, Cappie ? " Glen asked.

" I'm majoring in Literature at the moment. " I answered distractedly. My attention was still on the living room door.

" At the moment ? " Joe asked with a raised eyebrow.

" Cappie has majored in just about every subject there is to major in, including Physics. " Rusty supplied coming up to us, apparently having disengaged himself from the corner.

" I see, " Glen said with a knowing look that said he suddenly had me all figured out.

I was about to say something when I felt a tugging on my pant leg and I looked down into the little, face of Ethan, who was biting his bottom lip and looking up nervously.

I went down on one knee so I could hear him better. " What is it, Little man ? "

" Mr. Cappie, " he stammered. " Rusty says you're really good at video games. Will you play with me later ? "

I ruffled his messy blond hair and gave him my biggest smile. " I bet you're really good. Do you promise not to beat me too bad ? "

He shook his head and smiled back at me. " I promise. I'll go easy on you. "

" Okay, then, you are on after lunch. " I told him, winning myself a squeal as he turned and ran to his grandma to tell her all about it.

" You just made yourself a friend for life, My Boy. " Joe informed me as I stood up again.

" I just hope I can come away with my pride in tact. He looks like a force to be reckoned with. " I answered.

" You have no idea. " Rusty muttered.

" You boy's have plan for the day ? " Glen asked.

" Cappie and Casey are going with Derek into the city later. " Rusty said, with a nudge to my ribs. "He's going to pretend to be Casey's boyfriend to keep Derek off her back. "

I was stunned. I had no idea how to respond. I didn't know if Casey wanted our little game announced to the entire house, But Rusty had just spilled it in front of everyone.

" That's very nice of you, Cappie. " Marge called from the stove. " I know she's been worried about how she was going to handle him. "

" Actually, - " I stepped on Rusty's foot before he could get the rest of the sentence out of his mouth. I was sure there was going to be something in there about our past and I really didn't know if Casey wanted that to be common knowledge.

Rusty gave me a sharp look and I returned it with a warning one of my own.

" Actually what ? " Glen asked, glancing back and forth between us. This was a very shrewd, very observant man. I was going to have to be careful around him.

" Actually, I was thinking about going along. " Rusty covered, quickly.

" I think that would be nice, Sweetie. You should go and have fun. " Marge said.

I cleared my throat. " I think I'm going to go for a walk myself. I'd like to see the neighborhood. " I announced as I detached myself from the group.

" Don't get lost. " Marge called after me. I could feel Glen's eyes following me the entire way. Yep, I definitely had to be more cautious around him.

The cold blast of air that hit me as soon as I stepped outside was a welcome one, compared to the stuffy, overly warm kitchen. Still I finished pulling on my jacket and scanned the area slowly. I figured she couldn't have gotten very far. But my gaze came up empty. All that greeted me where beautiful, expensive looking houses, with beautiful, expensive looking cars in the drive and a fresh layer of snow on the ground.

That is probably why I was so completely shocked when, from somewhere over my left shoulder, a large ball of snow hit me in the side of the head. I spun quickly, looking intently for any sign of movement.

When I saw none, I began my advance, reaching down to grab a handful of the powdery white stuff, I began to form it into a ball as I went.

The side of the house was close, I took each step in a careful measured fashion, trying to make as little noise as possible. I molded my body against the house and peered around the side as cautiously as possible and was met with...

A howl of laughter, immediately following my second snowball to the head.

Then, as I was clearing the snow from my eyes, I heard running and the clanging of a gate.

Aha, so the little minx was in the backyard. I turned the corner and advanced quickly to the black, wrought iron gate attached to the side of the house. It was latched and I lifted the cold metal, opened the door, and locked it back behind me.

Then I was searching again. My eyes took in the small shed in the corner of the yard. A small structure too covered in snow to make out what it was sat close to the nice sized patio complete with barbaque grill and another porch swing. But I saw no Casey.

The next I knew, I was falling backwards with a fifty pound dog on top of me.

I heard Casey yelling something I didn't understand as I tried my best to dodge the drooling, slobbering tongue of the rambucious canine.

Suddenly, he turned his head to the side and I saw Casey standing behind us.

" Oscar, No. " she shouted.

The dog leaped off, taking his weight from my chest and allowing me to sit up finally. But he didn't go far. He walked to her and sat for only a second before bounding back to me and dropping into the snow at my side.

" Hello, Oscar. " I said, patting his head. " It's nice to meet you, too. "

His tail made a rapid swishing sound as it moved across the ground and I looked up as Casey came and knelt beside us.

" I'm sorry. I didn't expect him to act like that. " she apologized. " He's usually very good. "

Of course, the Cartwright's had a dog. How could the perfect American family in the perfect little house not have a perfect dog running around the yard ?

I scratched Oscar behind the ears and waved off Casey's apology. " It's okay. He helped me out really."

" Helped you out ? " she asked.

" Yeah, he got you out in the open, so I could... " I took the ball I was still holding and lobed it at her chest.

She fell back with another howl of laughter. " I am so going to get you for that. " she warned as she got upright again and took off before I could catch her.

I pursued her across the yard, gathering another snowball as I went. When I got a clear shot as she ducked from behind a tree, I nailed her in the head.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to gloat, she got me with one of her own, right in the face.

" Ha, " she called. " I think that's four to me and two to you. "

" I don't think the first one should count. " I countered. " It was a surprise attack. Completely unprovoked, I might add. "

We were shouting at each other behind our cover, for me it was the shed. She was still behind the tree and Oscar was bounding between us, merrily wagging his tail and barking loudly.

" What kind of dog is Oscar ? " I asked, hoping to draw her out and catch her off guard.

" He's a boxer. He's registered and everything. My Mom studs him out. " As she talked I moved, silently and quickly. Going around the shed and coming out the other side. I had her in my sights as I rounded the corner. Her back was to me. She was staring intently at the place she had last heard my voice, waiting for sign of movement. Any chance to strike.

Oscar was my downfall. He leaped over to me as I tried to come up behind her and she spun, following him with her eyes.

The second she spotted me, she darted, trying to run for cover. I caught her around the waist with my arm and we both went down. Her body directly on top of mine and laughter from both of us.

We landed with a thud on the hard packed ground. Her warm body braced against mine. I felt a sharp jab of pain in my shoulder from the impact but I could have cared less. Casey was lying on top of me, looking into my eyes as the laughter slipped away from her face.

Then I didn't know what was happening. One second she was looking at me, her eyes full of something I couldn't define. The next she was kissing me like my lips were the only thing standing between her and a certain painful death.

Her breath was warm against the cold of my skin. Her hands pulled through my hair, holding me to her. I felt her pressing into me, her body warm and insistent.

It was over as suddenly as it began. She pulled away and manuveured until she was sitting beside me.

" I'm sorry. " she mumbled with her back to me. It was so quiet I almost missed it.

I pulled myself up and put my hand on her shoulder. " Why are you sorry ? "

" I shouldn't have done that. I guess I just got caught up in the moment. " she told me, still refusing to look at me.

" It's okay. You can kiss me anytime you feel like you want to. I didn't withdraw those rights and privledges, you did, remember ? You still have an open invitation." I said.

She gave me a glance and a lopsided grin. " I know, but since I did withdraw those priledges it isn't right for me to use my invitation. "

" What are we doing here ? " I asked, wanting to know exactly what was going on in her head.

" We are sitting in the snow in my backyard, freezing our asses off. " she said.

" Well, okay. That's true enough. "

Obviously she wasn't ready to answer the question, so I didn't push. I was determined to give her time to figure out where her head was.

She twisted her body and turned so that she was looking directly into my eyes. " I have no idea what we're doing here, honestly. "

" That's okay. " I told her, brushing a bit of snow off her shoulder. " You don't have to know. Maybe we can just figure it out as we go. "

She looked away for a moment. I could see her mind working as she considered my offer. Then she looked back. " I've really missed you. "

I wasn't expecting that and I'm sure it showed on my face. " I've really missed you, too, Casey. "

She shook her head, like she was physically trying to clear the thoughts from her mind. " I don't know what I'm doing. " she admitted. " I don't know what I'm saying. "

It was time to lighten the mood. It this went on much longer I was afraid we would lose whatever ground we may have gained. So I scooted away from her as slowly as I could without her noticing, until I was far enough. Then I started balling my hand around a clump of snow.

We sat in silence. She wasn't talking anymore. She was thinking and that didn't usually lead to good things.

" Casey, " I said, to get her attention. When she looked up, I lobed the snowball into her shoulder. "You have a little snow right there. " I laughed and she joined me, brushing the white powder from her coat.

" Okay. I see how we're going to play now. " she announced.

Then she was on me again and for some reason, I couldn't fathom, she was fumbling under the edge of my jacket, snaking her hand underneath.

I realized what she was doing a fraction of a second too late. I howled as her cold hand came into contact with my bare stomach, the contrast between the warmth and the cold so shocking it was almost painful.

" That wasn't playing fair. " I said, with her still on top of me. I was holding her there with an arm around her waist.

Apparently, it occurred to her that I wasn't just being affectionate, because her huge hazel eyes, widened in understanding and she squirmed against me, trying to break free. But she wasn't fast enough and I managed to get a good bit of snow down the back of her shirt before she could move away.

She screamed and jumped off me, her face a mixture of shock and merriment.

" That wasn't fair. " she complained loudly.

" All's fair in love and war. " I said, coming to my feet beside her.

Then she turned to me with a very serious expression. " Which is this ? "

I stepped back. I had no idea how to answer that. I couldn't tell if she was kidding or really serious. I didn't know exactly what she was expecting to me to say.

So I did what I felt like doing, moving completely on instinct. " Both, " I whispered as I leaned in and kissed her.

She didn't object and she didn't pull away. Instead she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back. It was different from the first kiss. This one wasn't nearly as hot or as insistent. It was just a kiss, but it meant so much more than that. My heart was beating so hard against my ribcage, I was sure she could hear it. For the first time in over a year, I had felt like kissing her and I did it. And she let me. There were no hidden motives now. There was no agenda. It just was what it was, a kiss in the snow between two people who simply wanted to kiss each other.

Her eyes were twinkling as she pulled away. " We should build a snowman. "

I laughed. " A snowman ? "

" Yeah, you remember, like the time we built the snowman in the yard of the Kappa Tau house ? "

" I remember Beaver deciding the next day to make it a decidedly MALE snowman, complete with parts. " I grinned.

" Yeah, well, " she grabbed my hand and hauled me to the front year. " We have children around so no dirty parts. "

" So, what happened back there in the kitchen ? You seemed fine, then you just bolted. " I had been wanting to ask, but I was afraid she'd be upset that I noticed.

She turned to me suddenly. " That was one of the reasons I didn't want you here. "

I took a step back before I noticed that her voice was defensive or angry. It was just as matter-of-fact as it would have been if she was telling me about the weather.

" I don't understand. " I told her.

" I have another favor to ask, and it's kind of a big one, but it means a lot to me. "

I nodded in acceptance.

" It's just that, you're going to hear and see a lot of things that I'd rather everyone at school not know about my family. " she started ringing her hands.

" Like what ? " Now I was really intrigried. Was Uncle Joe on the lamb from the police ? Were there heroine deals going on in the basement ? Was there even a basement ?

" Gina is in rehab, for one. That's why Uncle Joe and Aunt Gloria have the kids right now. " she explained like she was telling me her deepest darkest secret.

I laughed. I didn't mean to, but I was unable to stop myself. " That is the big secret ? You have a cousin in rehab ? So does ninety percent of the school. Hell, half of them have been in rehab themselves. "

" Cappie, " She turned away from me and I could tell that she really was upset. " You know the circles I run in at school. I just don't want them to know that I have... " she trailed off.

" A normal family with problems and real people that seemed to care an awful lot about each other ? " I finished for her. " Yeah, you wouldn't want that getting around. "

She spun back to me, her eyes blazing. " I knew you wouldn't understand. You think everything is no big deal. Everything is a joke to you. "

Somehow we were in the middle of an argument and it was beginning to sound like a very, very familiar one.

" I didn't mean for it to sound like that, Case. I just don't understand. How could you possibly be ashamed of these people. They're wonderful and you're lucky to have them. "

" I know that. I'm not ashamed of them. I love my family. " she countered.

" Really, is that why we dated for over a year and I never got to meet any of them ? Hell, I didn't even know you had a brother until he showed up at school. " Now I was getting angry. How could she not be proud of these people that loved her so much ? How could she not appreciate all she had here ?

" I'm not ashamed. I just don't talk about my family. " she answered, turning away.

" And why is that ? Because they aren't loaded down with more credit cards than they could ever need ? Because they don't live in a mansion on a hill somewhere out of reach by the outside world ? Or because they live in the real world where shit happens and they don't have the money to sweep it under the rug and pretend everything is fine ? Instead they do what families do, they help each other out. They work through the problems together. You have no idea how lucky you are. " I fumed.

She was staring at me wide-eyed, shocked into silence but it only lasted for a moment. Then her eyes took on that look she got when she was intending to hurt. " Of course, here we go. Poor little lost boy, doesn't have a real family, so he has to mooch off his friend's. How long did it take you to talk Rusty into letting you tag along ? "

I was stung. She had landed a direct hit, but there was no way in hell I was going to let her know that.

" I am not ashamed of my parents. My folks are great people. I have all the respect and pride in the world for them. " I said.

" Really, is that why we dated for over a year and I never meet them ? "

I was really pissed now and the words were coming out of my mouth before I could stop them. " You never acted like you wanted to meet them. But then meeting my parents couldn't advance your station in life, could they ? I guess you couldn't figure out how meeting them would help you get ahead. "

I didn't even know what I was saying until I heard the words myself, but then it was too late. Then I was once again cursing my parents for teaching me to speak.

Tears welled in her eyes and she turned abruptly and sprinted to the house. I tried to call after her, to apologize, but she ignored me and went inside, slamming the door behind her.