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After the band practice wraps up Consuelo and Alicia say their good byes.  They drive a little ways in silence, broken by Consuelo.  "Mr. Jack says you are a good fighter, and that he'd like to help you train.  I smiled and nodded and said I worry that it's not the right thing for a girl your age.  And he says to me, discipline and focus serve everyone well, no matter what the gender or age."  She nods, "I like the sound of that.  I think you should do it."

Alicia doesn't respond but keeps looking out the car window. Consuelo has grown used to these moments, when her daughter's mood swings take her down silent pathways.

Finally, without moving her head, Alicia asks, "Mom, are you going to start seeing Mr. Grif-fiss?" There is no accusation, no heat in her voice, just a resigned monotone.

This in itself sets off some mental alarms in Consuelo's head. She expected a reaction regarding the obvious interest Andrew had shown her (and which, she had to admit, she'd enjoyed), but, knowing Alicia, she'd expected at least a bit more emotion.

"He's nice, but I think we're going to just be friends.  It would be weird otherwise.  He and I are in the same place.  Single parents, with teenagers.  He's certainly not ready to be more than friends."  Consuelo puts a hand on her daughters shoulder.  "Are things okay with you and Ree-is?"

Alicia sighs and turns to face her mother. "We were kinda freaked out when we saw you guys together. Ree-is's probably having his own talk with his dad."

She turns back and rests her head against the glass. "I guess... it kinda made me realize that it couldn't last forever, y'know? I mean, things'll change, stuff will happen, and one day he won't be there any more.

"And it makes me, I dunno, sad."

"I wish I could tell you that it wouldn't be that way.  Maybe it wont be, but you should enjoy the time you have together, yeah?  You're kids, and you should be having fun and being kids until you can't anymore."  she raises a finger, "But be responsible too."

Her mother's admonition makes Alicia smile. "Yes, mom," she answers dutifully and goes back to staring out at the passing landscape.

A phrase she'd heard from a movie scrolls across her mind. Your childhood is over the day you learn you're going to die. She doesn't know what triggers the thought, but it certainly doesn't help her mood.

"Mom?" she ventures. "Is it all right if I head over to Ree-is's later tonight?"

"No school tomorrow, but we're going to church.  You better be ready in the morning, no complaining."

Alicia sighs. Some things never change.

"Yes, ma'am."