"I called you. Like four times," Gabriel scolded over the phone.

"Uh huh," Miguel checked the wiring of one of his robotic arms. There really wasn't much to do, just anything to stall.

"What do you mean 'uh huh?' Seriously?"

"It means I acknowledge that you called me."

"You can better acknowledge it by calling back. That's always an option."

"When I heard the voice-mail I saw it wasn't anything urgent or important so I figured I'd get to it when I got to it," he closed the panel back.

Gabriel's hologram looked at his brother disapprovingly and shook his head, "You have to visit mom. That's pretty important, Miggy. She's getting older and sicker."

"Mm hm," he crawled to another panel, searching for another distraction.

"Don't be like that. Just please come visit. I'll go with you. She really wants to see you. She says she's seen you like 4 times in the last year."

At the behest of Gabriel each time. One would think there would be an easy to follow pattern showing itself there. Clearly not.

"What's a good time for me to come by?"

"You can come by whenever you want. But I have no intention of leaving until 7 or 8. I still have work to do."

"Then we can leave at 6:30, since you never won't have work. I'll be there then."

"7 or 8," Miguel hung up without another word to his brother, "Do you think if I break my leg he'll still make me go?"

"He'll probably roll your wheelchair and lock it there. You got anything better?"

"I thought about my arm, but that doesn't stop me from walking. Maybe another concussion. Pretend like the fridge fell on me or something."

"There you go, just surround yourself with thawed veggies to really sell the bit."

Wishful thinking of course.

X

"Miggy, I'm here," Gabri waltzed in, "Miggy?"

House was nice and dark, but he could hear the music. So he was either there or set up an elaborate ruse to slip away.

"Lyla, are you here?"

"Yea?"

"Where is Miggy at? Please tell me he's not off doing spiderman stuff when we agreed on what time to leave."

"Have you checked the couch?"

Gabe turned, seeing his brother tapping away at his game, "So you're not going to answer when I'm calling you?"

"No, because I don't want to go and I told you I don't want to," he continued playing his game, not even bothering to look at his brother.

Gabe rolled his eyes, "Come on man, it's not that bad. I know it used to be, but it's better now."

Mig stared at the screen, putting in a 36 hit combo.

"You're being a little dramatic. Come on," he tossed his brother a jacket.

Gabe had to virtually drag his older brother into their mom's home.

Conchata opened the door for her sons. She was genuinely surprised to see Miguel. A normal mother would have shown appreciation, maybe a joy or a half-hearted shame for him clearly being coerced to come. Not his mother though.

She immediately pushed Gabriel aside to slap Miguel across the face.

"I'm here in this home and this is how I have to see you?"

He rolled his crimson eyes, "Sorry I haven't visited you more."

She slapped him again, "Don't you dare lie to me!"

Mig glared down at her and shrugged, "You're right. I'm happy I haven't visited you." That comment was rewarded with yet another slap to the opposite side of his face. For talking back to her of course. What a wonderful visit so far.

"Mom, that's seriously how you're going to behave?" Gabe pulled her away, "You begged me to have him come see you, the least you can do is be civil!"

Conchata scoffed, pulling away, "Come inside. Tell me what in your life is more important than your mama," she walked ahead of them to the small kitchen to get them some drinks.

Mig turned to walk out when she gave him her back. If Gabe hadn't grabbed him he would have been half way to his car.

They sat and talked for a few minutes. It was mostly mom complaining to Gabe about someone taking her things- they weren't. As well as making more passive aggressive jeers at Miguel.

After 20 minutes of him existing in her presence and nursing some ice tea, Miguel spoke up.

"So, per usual, nothing is wrong with you. You're just looking to raise a false flag because you want attention?"

Gabe sent him a sympathetic look as their mother shot him a cold stare.

"Maybe if you visited more regularly I wouldn't have to. Why can't you be loving, like Gabriel? You would think my son would want to see me. Instead you keep me locked away here and try to forget I exist."

"Well," he stood, dusting his pants off, "I did a lot of work, I'm going to head home now."

"Well thanks for the visit, I suppose I'll see you again in another year if I'm not dead," she spat.

"Guess so. Are you coming, Gabri?"

Conchata grit her teeth, following them both to the door, "You are unbelievably ungrateful, do you know that Miguel? Have you any idea how many would kill to have a mother like me in their lives?"

"They can have you," he mumbled.

"Say that again!" She demanded, beating him in the head with her shoe.

"Mom," Gabe tried putting himself between them, "Can you please?"

Miguel rubbed the back of his head and glared dagger at the woman, "I hate you. You're a horrible, narcissistic woman with equally terrible taste in men. The only way I plan on seeing you again is to watch them lower you into the ground."

"Miguel!?"

"Who do you think you're talking to?" She narrowed her eyes at him, "You apologize to me right now!"

Mig shook his head and walked away. Gabe chasing after him and apologizing as their mother continued to shout from her room.

X

Jess hugged him tight, hearing how bad things went for him this week, "I'm so sorry that happened. I'm not close with my family either, don't even know where they are. But you're safe here. You're safe and loved."

He sulked, tears still leaving trails down his cheeks, "You're my real mom."