The next day when Zandra came in the group could tell she was not in a good mood. Beth stood up to go to the girls side when Jonas stormed in and threw his school bag on across the room hitting one of the plants and knocking it over. Zandra turned on him at once.

"Judah! Pick it up now and go sit on the couch. I'll deal with you when the others seen here." Zandra demanded. Jonas clinched his teeth and surprising every one took a swing at his aunt. Zandra grabbed his wrist and moved around him so that she was behind him. She quickly grabbed his other wrist so that his arms were crossed in front of him. Zandra had him in a restraint hold. He struggled for a moment before he calmed down and his knees buckled under him. Zandra, despite her size, was able to support him long enough to bring him lightly to the floor. No one else moved as they watched the scene in front of them. Zandra was calm through the whole ordeal. She didn't even make a pained sound when she got smacked in the face and her nose started to bleed. When she was sure Jonas had calmed down she let him go. Tears started to steam down his face.

"Zandra..." He started but Zandra shushed him.

"I know baby boy just take a deep breath. Calm down and we will talk about this later." Zandra said helping Jonas up. With out saying a word he went and picked up the plant. Zandra sighed and plopped down on the coach between Tom and Leland. She held her nose to stop the bleeding. Jonas then let Zandra know he was goin home.

"I'll take you." Lyssa said getting to her feet. "I need to go to the store any way."

As soon as Jonas was out the door Zandra put her head in her hands.

"You ok Zay Bay?" Leland asked and Zandra nodded looking at him through her fingers smiling slightly.

"So what was that all about? Shouldn't he be in school?" Dog asked and Zandra nodded sitting back.

"He got into a fight today at school. They called me and said a teacher saw him slam a boy against a wall by the kids throat." Zandra said shaking her head. "The other kid must have said something bad against his brothers, his mother, or me. If the kid had done any thing else it would have been a lot worse."

"So he has anger issues?" Tim asked and Zandra nodded.

"Yes, and I've been the only one he listens to when he gets that way." Zandra said but shook her head. "But today is the first time in six years that he tried to hit me. I should have just moved back home when their mom died. I should have just let them stay in Iowa like they wanted."

"It will just take time for them to adjust." Beth said. "And you'll always have us if you need help."

Zandra smiled. She had a feeling that they were what she needed. A family. The most important thing to her was family and she hadn't talked to hers in three years except one aunt who sent money every month.

"I have to ask where did you learn that hold." Duane Lee asked.

"I worked at a home for people with disabilities back in Iowa and when one of them was in a behavior we had to use that hold on them." Zandra replied. Then smiled. "Wow I haven't thought of that in a long time."

"Why aren't you doing that here?" Dog asked. "It sounds like you really enjoyed it."

"I did worked there for two years." Zandra said proudly. "But I am happy just helping people that need it. I spend so much of my time helping others that I don't leave time for myself. Have done that most of my life too."

Dog smiled at the girl. She looked no older than seventeen. But he also knew that couldn't be right. He knew that Adam was sixteen and Zandra was at least a few years older than him. And that brought up another question Zandra always talked about the boys mother as if she really despised her. Dog wondered if she was really there aunt. She was so much different then the boys. They were all blue eyed with blonde hair, pale skin and all very tall for their age. Zandra on the other hand was only about 5'4 with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and medium skin tone.

"Zandra how old are you?" Dog asked and she smiled knowing he thought she looked young.

"23." she replied causing the others to gasp in surprise. "I know I age very well. When I was eighteen I got mistaken for a twelve year old with big boobs."

Every one stared at her. She couldn't help but giggle.

"i'm very open... Actually I'm really shy." Zandra said looking a little confused. "I guess you all remind me of some one back home."

"ls that a good thing or a bad thing?" Leland asked with smile.

"For you its a bad thing but for the others its cool." Zandra replied causing every one else to laugh.

"See what I mean." Duane Lee said nudging his father. "She's a keeper."

When Zandra got home she found Jonas sitting on the front step. She walked up to him and sat down next to him.

"You want to talk?" Zandra asked and Jonas just stared out to the street. They sat there a few more minutes before Jonas spoke up.

"The boy called you a cradle robber." Jonas said looking over at her. "I just lost it Zandra I'm sorry."

"Dont let the kids here get to you. I know you can do so much better than you think." Zandra replied. "Just think of this as a new beginning. Here no one knows you. You can become the person you always wanted to be. Forget your past when you need to and remember it when ever you want."

"Is that what you did?" Jonas asked trying not to sound hurt. Zandra smiled and shook her head.

"No, and yes I guess." Zandra said wrinkling her forehead. Some thing she did when she knew a conversation was going to get serious. "I guess I did change a little, but I never once forgot my past. I know that's why the past three years have been hard on me. Every one back in Iowa were such a big part of my life. Every one I cared about helped me become the caring woman I am now."

Jonas have his aunt a big hug. "You saved us you know. Back at camp when we first met, you saved us all that day. You gave us hope. No one else there could have done that. There where over a hundred kids there and you got to know each one of them. You listened to our stories, our fears, even our dreams. None of us had that at home. We never had some one believe and care for us as much as you did. You didn't even know us but you welcomed us with open arms. Zandra if it wasn't for you most of us would have died by now. Me and my brothers are so lucky to have you."

Zandra looked over at the boy and smiled sadly. He had seen so much for only being fifteen. She just wished she could blind him from that and give him the innocence children were supposed to have. But most of all she wished she could do that for Matty. He was the one that had found his mothers body and now he rarely talked. He used to be so spirited. Getting into trouble like his older brothers or even more.

"Do you think mom is in heaven?" Jonas asked.

"I think she had a hell of a time getting in. But yeah I believe she is. God would never reject the woman from the kingdom of heaven that have birth to you four boys. She may have lacked in some mother qualities but she loved you boys. I know I gave her a hard time but she was a better mother than some I had met." Zandra replied standing up. "Come on we'll make spaghetti before the other boys get home."

Jonas smiled. "So will you teach me the way you make it?"

"No more fights this semester and I'll show you." Zandra stated and Jonas nodded. "But your still grounded."