I know you're all wondering what could possibly go wrong in Trenton. Here's a bonus chapter for you. Enjoy!

17. You Can Always Go Home

The next day, my mother called during my lunch break to reconfirm that I would come on Saturday. I informed her that she should not invite anyone as I was bringing a date. My mother complained and by the time I got off the phone, I was annoyed and in a foul mood. Carlos must have sensed my mood when he returned to his desk after lunch and said, "Is everything OK Babe?"

I looked up at Carlos and said, "Yes, I just spend the last 20 minutes listening to my mother complain about my request that she not try to set me up on Saturday. I explained that I was bringing a date and she then moved on to her embarrassment of having to call the Orrs and change plans again. It annoyed me and now I'm in a bad mood."

"Don't worry Babe, I'm sure your mother will come around. Eventually she'll realise that you are not going to bend to her will. You have your own life that you live in your own way. She'll just have to accept that."

I smiled at Carlos and returned to the papers I was reviewing. One of our customers was facing fraud charges and I was trying to find evidence that the missing money was somehow a mistake. After another 3 hour of searching, I threw down the papers and walked into the break room to get a coffee. I ran into Ricardo and explained my progress. He was concerned that his friend was facing criminal charges, so I promised to keep at it. At 5:30, the room was completely empty. I read a line on the spreadsheet and then jumped up. I re-read the line and let out a whoop.

Carlos looked up from his computer and said, "I take it you found the problem Babe?"

I nodded and looked at the time. "What are you still doing here Carlos? I would have thought you and your father would have left by now."

"We normally do, but Papa called a little while ago and said that he was stuck in a meeting. He said he'd stop by on his way down."

Ricardo walked in the room a few moments later with a scowl his face. He took one look at the expression on my face and asked, "Did you find something?"

I nodded and he rushed around to my desk. I highlighted a line on a spreadsheet and Ricardo's scowl turned into a grin. He hugged me and said, "I can't believe that they missed this. Thank you Stephanie, you have no idea how much this will mean for the client and our company. We can prove that the mistake was on the IRS's side. This should make our client very happy. Please won't you join us for dinner tonight? I called Maria earlier and suggested that we go out to dinner because I was going to be late. Now we can make it a celebration."

I was a bit red and said, "All I did was find a typo in an IRS report. It wasn't all that special."

"Of course it was dear. You were the third person to review those files and nobody else found the mistake. Your discovery means that the IRS has no case against our client and they will have to compensate him thousands of dollars for the legal fees he incurred during their mistaken investigation. This saves my firm as well. If news of the investigation had gotten out, I would lose clients. Your efforts probably saved this company. The least I can do is take you out for dinner with the rest of my family. "

I smiled at Ricardo and said, "OK, when you put it like that, I'd be honoured to join your family."

I sat in the backseat and relaxed on the way to the restaurant. Maria and the girls were very happy to see me and we had an extremely lovely evening. Ricardo was very happy and he even called his client while I was there to give him the good news. Carlos drove me home that evening and while we drove, we talked about our weekend plans. Carlos would arrive at 9:00 Saturday morning and we'd drive straight to Mary Lou's. We'd then go to the dress shop and I'd try on the dress and get fitted for alterations if necessary.

That is exactly what happened, except I forgot that Carlos would be with me. His presence caused quite the scene. Mary Lou and the rest of the girls were pretty good when I introduced him. Mary Lou pulled me aside and bit her knuckles in an attempt not to say something too rude. I grinned and said, "He's not bad to look at, is he?"

Mary Lou looked back at Carlos and gave me thumbs up. I laughed and returned to rescue Carlos from the drooling women who had surrounded him. If I thought the bridesmaids were bad, you should have seen the women in the dress shop. Carlos got so flustered that he ended up going next door to the record shop while we did the dress thing. I found him flipping through CDs, holding the latest Pixie Dust Grinders album. I was so sad when that band broke up earlier this year. At least I got to see them one last time beforehand.

I pointed to the CD and said, "I like that band. I saw their last performance in February."

Carlos smiled and nodded. "Me too Babe. It was a great night."

Carlos paid for the CD and then we headed for lunch. He asked where we should go and without a second thought, I directed him to Pino's. It was my favourite place to eat and I had a major craving for one of their meatball subs.

We sat in a booth near the middle of the restaurant. During our meal, a few friends from high school came past and I exchanged greetings. When my friend Eddie came by, we exchanged hugs and he confided in me that he was proposing to my cousin that night. They were still young but he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He explained that they would have a long engagement. I wished him luck and he was on his way.

Carlos was looking at me with a funny expression on his face. "You know Babe, it seems like you were quite popular. Everyone you have met has seemed really happy to see you."

I laughed and said, "With the exception of Eddie, it was all an act. Eddie and I have been friends since we were babies. The others were just being friendly. We aren't really that close."

I was just about to explain Eddie's relationship with my cousin when a familiar voice said, "Cupcake!"

I groaned and turned to face Joe Morelli. He was wearing a shit-eating grin that made me want to punch him in the face. "Joe, what do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?"

Joe laughed and said, "I just wanted to say 'Hi' and make sure that everything was OK with the whole ex-boyfriend fiasco."

"Gee Joe, how tactless of you to bring that up."

I looked over at Carlos who was eying Joe carefully. I looked at Joe and he was doing the same with Carlos. I sighed and said, "Carlos, this is Officer Joe Morelli. Joe, this is Carlos Manoso."

The two men shook hands, but they didn't stop their eye contact. Joe was glaring at Carlos and Carlos had a wary expression as well. I rolled my eyes and said, "Joe, if you'd excuse us, we need to be getting on our way. I have sights to show Carlos and then we're going to my parents' for dinner."

Joe smiled and said, "OK, see you around Cupcake."

I glared at Joe and said, "Please stop calling me that."

He shrugged, smiled and walked away. It was hard not to watch him leave. I know what you're thinking, it was because I was staring at his ass, but that's now why. It was because he was wearing a uniform and people looked like they respected him. In high school, he was always a bit of a rebel. People always held that against him and he never really tried to fight against their perceptions of him.

I returned my focus to Carlos. He was studying me carefully and then finally asked the one thing I was hoping he would never ask. "There was something between you and officer what's-his-name, wasn't there Babe?"

I groaned and said, "Joe and I have known each other since I started school. We sort of had a thing in high school, but when he left for the Navy, it ended."

Carlos raised his left eyebrow and said, "That guy was in the navy?"

I nodded and said, "He just finished his 2 years. I'm not sure why he left, but I think he has always wanted to be a cop."

Carlos accepted this and after paying, we left and I showed him a few of the sights of Trenton. It's not the most interesting town so the sights didn't take very long. I didn't want to go home too early because I wanted to give my mother as little time as possible to berate me. We ended up walking in the park around the duck pond to kill some time.

Carlos looked around and said, "For a state capital, this is a really quiet city."

I nodded in agreement and said, "It's pretty boring really. Growing up here was dull as hell. I find New Brunswick to be teeming with activity in comparison."

Carlos laughed and continued walking around the park. At 5:15, I suggested that we head back to the car. We arrived at my parents' house 30 minutes later. When we arrived, we had 15 minutes to spare. As soon as I walked in, I could hear my mother talking to someone and it didn't sound like my father. "Oh that must be Stephanie."

I walked into the living room to find my mother and father, a couple I didn't recognise, and the Dick. I looked at my mother and back at Carlos. My mother walked over and said, "Stephanie, welcome home. I'm so glad that you could make it. I wish you would have told me that the friend you were brining was a boy."

She then leaned in quietly and said, "I'm sorry but I couldn't cancel on the Orrs twice in a row. We'll just have to make the best of things and soldier on."

I looked at my mother and then over at my father. At least my father had the decency to look embarrassed. In fact, he looked a little annoyed at the whole situation. I looked at Carlos and he looked a little shocked so I leaned over and said, "I'm really sorry. It seems that my mother has decided to try and set me up regardless of the fact that you're here. We'll hurry through dinner and get out as soon as we can."

We all sat down at the table. I sat in between Carlos and Dickie. Carlos was at the corner nearest my dad and Dickie was sitting near my mother. This made it easy for her to steer the conversation and steer it she did.

"So Richard, your mother tells me that you are going to Law School in the fall. Isn't that impressive Steph? It's a really honourable profession."

Dickie spent the next 5 minute or so wafting on about how he hoped to join his father's firm and make partner by the time he was 30. He wanted to do criminal trial law and was looking forward to law school. He also confessed that he really wanted to settle down with a nice Burg girl.

Mrs Orr kept asking me about my school and would I quit if the right man came along. I actually spit the milk out that I had been drinking when this question was asked. I looked around at the people at the table with me and then looked directly at my mother before answering.

"I intend on finishing my education and starting a career that I can be proud of before settling down. The right man will understand this and support me for it."

My mother was glaring at me but I was ignoring her. Mr Orr seems OK with this statement but Dickie and Mrs Orr, not so much. Dickie cleared his throat and said, "I think I could marry a woman with a career, as long as it was understood that my career would come first and once kids came into the picture, she'd have to give up her job."

I saw the women nod their heads and figured I'd keep my mouth shut because I couldn't do anything to salvage this debacle of a situation. I just kept my head down and finished my food. When I cleared my plate, I looked over and saw that Carlos and my father were having a quiet discussion. I couldn't tell exactly what they were talking about because my mother and Mrs Orr were talking quite loudly, but I did hear something about the army. I assumed Carlos was asking my dad questions about his time in the army.

When dessert and coffee were brought out, Mrs Orr pulled me aside and asked, "Do you think that you'd be interested on dating my dear Richard?"

I looked at Mrs Orr. She looked kind of dim-witted so I was gentle. "I'm really sorry Mrs Orr, but that young man over there is my boyfriend. I'm not interested in dating anyone else."

I was pointing at Carlos while I spoke. Mrs Orr looked offended and walked away. She started talking to my mother and a few minutes later, my mother came in to explain that we needed to go say goodbye to the Orrs they were leaving. My mother insisted that I let Dickie kiss me on the cheek, so I placated my mother. Luckily Carlos stood close by when Dickie approached me because I could tell that he was up to something.

When Dickie got near, he leaned in to give me a kiss and then whispered, "That brown boy that you've brought home is not good enough for you Steph. Ditch him and give a real man a chance."

I didn't even think about it, I just reacted. The next thing I knew, I had slapped Dickie across the face and his mother was rushing over to see if her baby was injusred. She glared at me and demanded to know what had caused me to assault her son in such a manner. I looked at her defiantly and said, "He insulted my boyfriend because of the colour of his skin. Richard then went on and implied that he was a better man. I was taught to treat people with respect, but that respect has to be earned. Richard's behaviour was unacceptable and I am not sorry. You can lose my phone number. I am not interested in being friends with anyone who will judge a person they don't even know based on how they look."

Mrs Orr glared at me and dragged her son out the door without saying a word to anyone. Mr Orr smiled shyly and followed them out the door. It looked like he was actually embarrassed by his son's remarks and his wife's behaviour, but he wasn't going to do anything about it. As soon as they were out of the house, I slammed the door and walked into the living room.

Carlos was beside me and he had his arm around my shoulder. He leaned over and said, "You defended my honour Babe, I'm grateful."

Before I was able to reply however, my mother walked in from the kitchen. I can only assume that she went for a little liquid fortification, because as soon as she crossed the threshold, she started her rant.

"Stephanie, Carlos, I apologise. I was more worried about how it would look if I cancelled on the Orrs for a second time. I should have been more worried about why Cathy Orr was so pushy about getting you and Richard into the same room. Now I understand it is because he's a horrible little shit who can't get a date on his own."

I looked at my mother with an open mouth and tried to say something. I closed my mouth and then swallowed, but it was my dad who broke the silence. "I am glad you slapped that boy Steph. He's an idiot and you deserve better."

I smiled at my dad and laughed when the realisation of what had just happened hit me. My mother wasn't angry that I did something that would result in rumours and gossip. In fact, she apologised and expressed regret. Was this really my mother?

My mom was watching me closely. My dad had invited Carlos out to the garage, leaving me alone with my mother. She sat down beside me and was silent for a few minutes. After a little while, she said, "Steph honey, I am sorry that I pushed Ryan and Richard on you. It's clear to me that you need more from a man than a boy raised in the traditional Burg. I just worry about you."

I looked at my mother and said, "You don't need to worry about me Mom. I'm old enough to know what I want. I know what is right for me and what isn't. Neither Ryan nor Dickie is right for me. All they want is a little housewife to act as their slave. I have more ambition than that. I want to do things with my life. I want a career and I want to see the world. I will settle down with the right man when the time is right. Until then, you're just going to have to trust me."

My mother smiled and asked, "Is that young man out there with your father the right man?"

I shrugged and said, "I like Carlos, but we're not actually dating. I brought him for protection from Dickie. It seems to have worked and he's probably out in the garage getting some really useful advice from Dad."

My mom looked at me and I could tell that she didn't understand. "Carlos is thinking about joining the Army. He wants to be a Ranger and since that was Dad, he's probably asking all sorts of questions."

My mother grimaced and said, "Being separated from your father when we first got married was the hardest thing in my life. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."

I knew what my mother was getting at so I said, "Mom, I'm not even 18 years old. I'm not ready to get married. Even if I was in love with Carlos and he joined the army tomorrow, we're still too young to get married."

"But Mary Lou is getting married. She's not much older than you."

I sighed and said, "Yes Mom, but Mary Lou wants to be a wife and mother. Her life's ambition is to have Lenny's babies and take care of him. I don't feel that way about anyone. I doubt I ever will. I want to live my life. I don't want to depend on another person for everything. I respect Mary Lou's decision. I respect that you and Val are happy with your lives. It's just not for me."

My mother sighed this time and said, "I suppose not. Just don't hate me if I keep trying though."

I rolled my eyes and said, "I am capable of finding my own dates Mom."

"I know Dear, I just want to see you happy."

We sat in silence for a few more minutes before my dad and Carlos joined us. They were smiling when they came in so I assumed that they had a nice chat. I looked at the time and said, "We should probably get back. Thanks for dinner."

I hugged my dad, waved at my mom and then we left. I looked over at Carlos and said, "I'm sorry you had to sit through that dinner with the Orrs. Who knew that Dickie lived up to his name so well?"

Carlos laughed and said, "You did a pretty good job defending me. I hope your mother wasn't too hard on you when we were out in the garage."

I shook my head and said, "She actually apologised for inviting the Orrs. She then went on to say that she respected my independence but she would always be on the lookout for a nice Burg man to fill that void in my life. She knows that you are not my boyfriend so I'm afraid she'll keep this up."

Carlos shrugged his shoulders and said, "I suppose you can just refuse to come home. It's not like they can make you."

I nodded and then asked, "What did you and my dad talk about all evening? He seemed to be quite chatty. He never talks so it must have been interesting."

Carlos smiled and said, "I liked your dad. He seemed nice and he was very forthcoming when I asked him some questions about what it was like to be in the Army. He didn't candy coat things like the army recruiters. He said that it was a hard job, but one that was honourable and fulfilling at the same time. It was really helpful."

I nodded and turned back to focus on the road. We were stopping in New Brunswick to visit the gang and spending the night. I was staying with Molly and Carlos was crashing at Lester's. We weren't expected until 8:30 but it was closer to 7:30 when we arrived. Since Molly was still working, Carlos and I went to Lester's. When we pulled into the drive, Lester poked his head out the door and grinned and waved.

We had an enjoyable weekend. I got caught up with Molly and Christie and Carlos and the guys went out on the town. I met back up with Carlos on Sunday afternoon. He had to work that evening and I wanted to get an early night. He dropped me off around 6:30PM and I kissed him on the cheek before climbing out of the car.

Wow, Steph's mom seemed to chill out as the evening progressed. It's a holiday weekend here in the UK so I may miss a day or two. It all depends on the weather. More to come, but maybe not as quick as you're used to updates.