Aunt Maria was the first to answer the door, but probably only because her main diet didn't consist of potato chips, the occasional deluxe pizza, coke, and beer.

Yes, I would say Uncle Barry was definitely slower to his feet.

Aunt Maria glanced behind me, noting the hummer.

When Paul got out, understanding, scornful understanding, passed over her face.

Paul grinned, shaking her hand. "Hello Ms. Simon."

She looked him over, glancing back at me inquiringly, pencil eyebrows raised. I shrugged.

"Please, call me Maria," She said, turning back to face him, her face melting into the gregarious hostess.

"Paul, Paul Slater." He grinned, flashing his white teeth in that self assured charm.

She looked slightly dazzled. As dazzled as Aunt Maria could possibly be, anyway. She looked at me again, only this time she looked a little dazed.

"Maria!" Uncle Barry's voice rocketed through the house, rumbling the floor. "She's here?"

"Yes!" She yelled back.

"I'll be right down!"

"OK!"

Maria turned to us, face complete undazzled by now. "It might be awhile till he actually makes it down here- but won't you come in and have dinner with us?" She asked Paul, but it was obvious she wanted nothing but him to leave so she could interrogate me about every aspect about my new "boyfriend".

But maybe he sensed that too, because, turning to shoot me a 'good luck' grin, he replied, "No, actually, my uncle wants me home too."

"Oh," Her tone was sugary and rushed- I wish she could make it a little less clear how much she was ready to get him out. "Who's your Uncle, dear?"

"Denis Washington." He said politely, shrugging.

She stared at him. Soon the astounded stare changed to a furious glare. He backed away a few steps, hands raised, "Hey lady," He murmured.

I stared at her, completely shocked, and even more so embarassed.

"Why don't you go and set up your things in the room, Susannah. Bye Paul." She said tartly, slamming the door in his face.

I shook my head, incredulous. "What was that about?"

"Go set up your things."

"Not until you explain why you just slammed the door in his face." I replied, tone like steel. I was usually beyond 'sweet little neice' to both of them- but this was ridiculous.

She turned to glance at me, mouth set in a sort of frenzied anger.

"Do your uncle and I a favor, and don't ever go and see that boy again." She commanded me, "And no where near his uncle." She added in a quiet murmur I wasn't supposed to hear.

She walked away quickly before I could say anything else.

My cell phone hummed in my pocket. I glanced at it.

School calling, my screen read.

I flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Querida."

My breath caught in my throat. "Jesse!" I cried, thrilled, losing all thoughts of my Aunt, her strange behavior, and least of all Paul Slater.

"You made it." He sounded obviously relieved, and I rolled my eyes.

"I know, I know, it's a miracle I made it to Lame Deer Montana without a terrorist bombing my plane."

He ignored my sarcasm. "How is your family?"

"Fine, just fine," I replied automatically, "You?"

"My family?" He sounded confused, and slightly sad.

"NO- how are YOU?"

He sighed. "I'm fine, Susannah."

"Good."

"Yes- I'm so sorry I couldn't come with you." He sounded honestly sorry, and I was completely perplexed.

"WHY- I'm going to be fine, Jesse."

"I have no doubt you can take care of yourself Querida," He sounded bemused, "I'm just sorry I can't BE with you."

"Oh," I breathed. My heart was warmer than ever. "Me too."

"I'm going to miss you," He told me, before sighing again. "I believe the phone would look strange if it was suspended in the air- and Sister Ernestine is approaching."

"Yeah," I said unhappily, "It would look a little…strange."

"I love you," He whispered into the phone.

He disconnected before I could reply.

I stood, disoriented in the hallway, for several minutes.

"Almost done?" Maria shouted through the house.

"What?" I yelled back, snapping out my daze.

"Done unpacking?'

"OH- wait a minute!" I shouted back to her, dashing up the stairs.

After ten minutes of taking out all my clothes, I collasped on the bed, exaughsted. It'd been a long day, and I was tired.

That night, I kept dreaming that my heart had been somehow disconnected from my chest, and was suspended, blood and all, in the sky. Two birds, one blue eyed and and one black eyed, circled it, waiting to swoop.

I stood below my heart, staring up at the competing birds helplessly.