Graffiti chapter five: Maria and Michael by blackdragonflower

"Maria is..."

"Yes. She's dead." Mello muttered. Matt was awestruck and looked between the two in utter astonishment.

Crystal was silent. She looked down at the floor and sighed deeply. "Then you are my grandson."

"Yes."

"... Did she ever... talk about us... where she came from? Did she ever tell you things like that?"

"No."

"Sounds like her. The stubborn girl."

"Wait hold up!" Matt interrupted. "Crystal you're Mello's grandma!?"

"It would appear so Matt." The woman seemed to grow twenty years from the knowledge she had gained hanging heavy on her mind.

"Mello... "

The blonde's fist curled as he glared at it. "I couldn't save her... from death... I failed..."

Both Matt and Crystal stared at Mello wondering what he was getting at. "Sweetie... what are you talking about?"

"It's a long story. Are you sure you want to listen?"

"I want to know exactly what happened to my daughter and why she ran away so long ago without so much as a letter to say goodbye."

"She was ashamed." Mello curled up his chin resting on his knees. He grinned weakly then it turned to a frown. "I can only tell what she told me and what I know personally... My mother, Maria ran away at eighteen because I was conceived. She ran away because she was embarrassed and afraid of what her parents would say. I was created with a man named Michael and he promised he would love her and take care of her despite everything he was involved with."

Josh stopped and hid himself when he heard the name, Michael. It was one every member of Rulebreakers learned to respect, but learned to hate as well. He pressed himself against the wall outside the doorframe listening carefully trying not to make a sound. Matt was agape having recognized the name like Josh. "You're dad was the Michael?!"

"Yes. The one and only." At these words Crystal was puzzled. She was in the dark about the gangs, she didn't know about their histories, even though it was because of them her life had been flung into an unexpected direction. "My father gave her everything she could ever want despite the fact he was pretty poor. Then I came, December 13th, 1989." Mello became distant a moment. "She told me it was snowing... pure white snow... and it was the most beautiful day she'd ever seen..."

'What is he blabbing about?! Get back to the part about Michael!' Josh thought with venom.

"Maria liked the snow... she always told me she would have a child while it was snowing... I'm glad she got her wish..." Crystal said. "Please continue if you would..."

Matt absently grabbed a cookie and began to eat nibbling on the edges. "We lived in the apartment above a local bar where she worked part-time as a bartender. We were always short on cash... but her and dad didn't mind and we always ate so it didn't matter. When I was three... my father Mihael was killed. He was shot, the bullet barely missing his heart. He died from loss of blood and infection. My mother was devastated but kept working for me... Once I got older I did everything I could to help her including spending time with dad's friends who always helped and took good care of us even though they didn't have to and we never really wanted them to. They helped me find jobs to raise money and that's how my mother and I survived at least until... she died too..."

Matt could swear he heard Mello's voice crack for just a moment but he couldn't be sure. This was a lot of information to absorb. The redhead knew however that the blonde was withholding some information and sugar coating some of the story he was telling. Crystal didn't know that though, and she didn't need to know. "Mello... where have you been living?" Mello's grandmother questioned watching both boys.

"I live at Wammys orphanage with Matt."

" Would you consider living with me?" Crystal asked her blue eyes dim. She slid a sliver of hair behind her ear.

"Thank you for the offer..." Mello sighed his face hidden by a curtain of blonde hair. "but I have to decline. I enjoy living at Wammy House."

"I see. That's too bad. But I can't do anything since you are not in my legal custody. You will take care of Matt for me won't you?"

"Crystal!" Matt whined blushing, "You're treating me like a kid again!"

"Oh I'm sorry." Crystal smiled nervously. "But you will promise me to take care of yourself won't you Matt?" The redhead licked the cookie crumbs from his lips and ran over tackling Crystal in a hug.

"Of course Crystal! I promise!" The woman hugged Matt close and ruffled his hair.

Josh decided it was time to make his reappearance. "Um... excuse me?"

"Josh... You came back... Forget something?"

"Um yeah..." Josh smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "I forgot I was going to take Matt and his friend Mello to see everybody."

"Oh. Alright."

Mello's eyes narrowed at Josh. He had the feeling that this kid hadn't just forgot and come back for him and Matt. In fact, Mello had a strong suspicion the boy had never left and had eavesdropped on a conversation that was in no way his business. "We should probably go... I'm sorry for intruding." Mello replied to Crystal without taking his cold blue eyes from Josh.

"Please come visit again Mello and bring Matt with you. I'll see you soon."

A quick nod. Mello slid off the couch. Matt pulled away from his hug and ran to catch up with Mello. He looked back waving. "See you later Crystal! It was nice seeing you!" The trio of boys left Crystal alone.

She pulled a crucifix necklace from her pocket and looked at it. "I wonder Maria... did you name him after a seraph you loved so much? Did you name him after an angel like you'd always planned since you were a little girl? He looks like you... but the other part... must be his father. I wish I could have met him Maria... I love you. I pray God is taking care of you and your husband. Your son is a beautiful child, just like you use to be."