Chapter 94: Home is Where the Heart is
[Kunzite moves to a chair as Zoi's mother enters. She's crying. Not her usual 'exaggerated sniffling while blotting eyes with a tissue so as not to ruin her makeup' crying. She's red and puffy and tears are forming a river down either side of her face. Zoi's alarmed to see his mother so distraught.]
Zoi: Oh, Mom, don't cry!
[Zoi's mother takes Kunzite's place at Zoi's side]
Zoi: I'm so glad to see you.
[Zoi's mother bends over to hug him, her tears falling on Zoi's cheeks]
Renee: Zoi, I was so upset!
Zoi: I'm sorry, Mom. But everything is fine now. It's ok.
Renee: I'm just glad to finally see your eyes open.
Zoi: How long have they been closed?
Renee: It's Tuesday, Hon.
Zoi: [shocked] Tuesday? [He looks to Kunzite who nods]
Renee: You were out for a while, Hon. The doctors didn't think you were going to make it.
Zoi: I know.
Renee: You're lucky Dr. O'Sama is here. She's such a nice lady…very old though. She looks like she should be making houses out of gingerbread instead of treating patients.
[Zoi thinks of Hansel & Gretel and giggles]
Zoi: So you've met Kunzite's mother?
Renee: And Kunzite's sister, Beryl. She's a sexy girl.
Zoi: [smiles and nods] That she is.
Renee: And his brother Neffy…VERRRRRY handsome.
Zoi: [frowns] Don't go out with him.
[Zoi's mom laughs]
[She looks at all mylar balloons and little vases of flowers]
Renee: You never told me you had so many friends here in Hen Tie.
Zoi: Where's Giancarlo?
Renee: Italy—oh Zoi! [She smiles with excitement] The best news, you'll never guess!
Zoi: What?
Renee: Giancarlo's in Italy right now because his uncle and his cousins were in a terrible accident.
Zoi: [wide-eyed] Oh, no. Are they going to be ok?
Renee: [purses her lips] No. They're all dead.
Zoi: How is that good news!
Renee: Oh dear, I should have phrased this better… The good news is his family really does own a castle! Giancarlo's uncle was worth millions and Giancarlo's father is the closest surviving relative! Family is very important there, far more important than here in the states. Your new grandfather is dying to meet us, so we're going to Italy to live with him!
Zoi: That's great, Mom!
Renee: You'll love it so much! It's always sunny there, and we've found a really good school for ex-pats. Most of the students are British and German, but at least you'll be able to continue your schooling in English until you've had a chance to become fluent in Italian.
Zoi: Wait, Mom, what are you talking about? I'm not moving to Italy.
Renee: Why not?
Zoi: I live in Hen Tie.
Renee: [giggles] But you don't have to anymore, silly. Giancarlo's father has so much money now none of us will have to work another day in our lives. No more sleeping on couches in fleabag apartments for you. You'll even have your very own bathroom! In a castle!
Zoi: Mom. I want to live in Hen Tie. I'm already settled in school and I have a lot of friends.
[Zoi's mom stares at Kunzite]
Zoi: And dad needs me. He's all alone here and he can't cook at all.
Renee: You want to stay in Hen Tie? Why?
Zoi: I told you, school, Dad…
Renee: Honey, you hate Hen Tie.
Zoi: It's not so bad.
[She deliberately looks between Zoi and Kunzite]
Renee: But a castle! You've wanted to live in a castle since you were tiny! It was your big dream! To live like a fairytale princess…It's this boy isn't it?
Zoi: He's part of it. Though I'm sure he'd have no problem coming over to visit me in Italy, whenever he feels like it.
Kunzite: [under his breath] That's for damn sure.
Zoi: This place is really special. Once you get used to the dark and cold, you see how special the people are here. It's like no other place on Earth. I really can't see myself starting over again, anyplace else.
[Zoi's mom sighs in resignation]
Renee: [reaches into her purse and hold a dollar bill to Kunzite] Could you be a lamb and go get me a pop or a soda or whatever they call them here? I've lived so many places I can't keep track.
Kunzite: What kind?
Renee: Diet, I guess. I don't care, as long as it has bubbles.
[Kunzite leaves without taking the dollar]
Zoi: [staring at the closed door] I take it you've already met Kunzite.
Renee: Yes. And I want to talk to you about that.
Zoi: Uh-oh. What about?
[Zoi's mom lowers her voice to a conspiratory whisper]
Renee: I think that boy is in love with you.
Zoi: [blushes] I think so, too.
Renee: And how do you feel about him?
Zoi: [blushes even deeper] I'm pretty crazy about him.
Renee: [Voice drops with motherly concern] He seems nice, and, my goodness, he's incredibly good looking, but you're so young, Zoi!
Zoi: [twirls a lock of hair around his finger] I know that, Mom. Don't worry about it. It's just a crush.
Renee: [nods]That's right… [Glances at the clock on the wall]…oh dear.
Zoi: Do you need to leave?
Renee: Giancarlo's supposed to call in a while…I didn't know you were going to wake up.
Zoi: No problem, Mom. I won't be alone.
Renee: I'll be back soon…I've been sleeping here, you know?
[She points to the suitcase on the couch, pleased with herself]
Zoi: Mom, you didn't need to do that. I wouldn't have known.
Renee: I was too nervous to stay in a hotel…
[Zoi smiles, touched by her concern]
Renee: There's been a lot of crime in the area.
[Zoi's face falls since he thought she'd been worried about him]
Zoi: Crime? There's been a lot of crime?
Renee: For heaven's sakes Zoi! You were kidnapped by those crazy Blackmoons, and then very nearly killed when their cult compound caught fire! Yes. I'd say there's been a lot of crime!
Zoi: [winces] I meant aside from that.
[Zoi's mother realizes she's being insensitive.]
Renee: I can stay, baby. If you need me.
Zoi: No, Mom. I'll be fine. Kunzite will be with me.
[Kunzite returns and hands her a can of diet cola. Zoi blushes and smiles. Zoi's mom notices this and looks at Kunzite like he's the reason she should stay.]
Renee: [points and stares directly at Kunzite] I'll be back.
Zoi: I love you, mom.
Renee: I love you too. Try to be careful, honey, I don't want to lose you.
[Zoi's mom kisses the top of his head and pats his hand before she leaves.]