"God, this is getting on my nerves," Maria said through her teeth as she put in the orders for table three. She watched her mother as she sat having coffee with the Parker's.
Trust had not been present in their household, or Liz's for that matter. Maria hadn't left the house since they had returned to Roswell, and didn't expect to for the longest time. School didn't reconvene for another 2 months, and it would be a long two months. The only reason she was even here at work was because they needed the money, and her mother insisted on accompanying her.
"What did you expect?" Liz sighed, "My parents were already down on Max after we spent that night in the desert. Now, my dad wants him dead."
"My mom has similar feelings about Michael," Maria said, depressed as they stood behind the counter, watching their parents chat, "What was your story for being gone?" This was the first time the two of them had talked since coming back as well.
"I couldn't think fast," Liz confessed, "I blurted out something about just wanting to get away, and we were all on just a little holiday. Lame, I know, but I didn't know what to tell them! What did you tell your mom?"
"I didn't," Maria said, absently wiping a cloth over the counter as she waited for the food. "She's still waiting for an explanation."
"And she hasn't killed you yet?" Liz asked incredulously. "I'm surprised your here at all."
"Well, that's what being poor will do to you," Maria remarked. She cast a glance back to the kitchen, "God, what's taking so long?"
Liz sighed, "John's never done this sort of thing before, and he's not a natural like Michael was. I wish my dad hadn't fired him."
"Me too," Maria said gloomily. Work would have at least allowed her to see him once in awhile.
"Psst, Maria!" a voice behind her said. Maria turned around, startled. Michael was sticking his head around the door to the back room. He must have come in the back way.
"I'm, ugh, going to grab some Tylenol from my locker in the back," Maria told Liz rather loudly so that her mother could hear her.
Liz noticed Michael, hid a smile, and nodded, "Sure Maria. I'll cover your tables for a few minutes."
"What are you doing here?" Maria demanded as she followed Michael into the back. "If my mom catches us......well, actually that doesn't matter. You're already her least favourite person on this earth."
Michael didn't answer, just pulled her into a kiss. "Long time no see," he said breathlessly as they finally pulled apart.
"My mom isn't exactly thrilled with the fact that I was out of state without her knowledge," Maria said dryly. "I've sort of been under house arrest."
"I guessed you would be," Michael said.
"You're lucky," Maria said forlornly, flopping down on the couch. "You don't have to explain your disappearance to anybody."
"I'm not as lucky as you think," Michael said, referring to how alone he really was. It was easier, but there was nobody at home to care.
"Come here," Maria said, pulling him down on the couch with her. "I may not get a chance to see you for awhile again."
"I could always sneak into your room," Michael said as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I'll be sure to lock the door this time," Maria said with a laugh, putting her arms around his neck.
Then she remembered something. "Have Max and Isabel told their parents yet? You know, about them being al...Czechoslovakians?"
Michael shook his head, "I honestly don't know. I haven't talked to them, and they haven't called or anything. I hope the Evans didn't ship them off to some mental institution or anything."
"You need to get in touch with them," Maria said urgently. "We need to see if Max can do anything."
"Anything about what?" Michael, asked, confused.
"Valenti's in the hospital," Maria explained, "My mom told me. She suspected he knew what we were up to, and we had something to do with his coma. I told her he had no idea, but I don't know if she bought it. There's no explanation for his coma."
"I don't know," Michael said dubiously. "I mean, Max just manipulated molecular structure. I don't know what he can do for a coma. Plus, he needs the person to be looking at him."
"So we prop open Valenti's eyes with toothpicks and see if that works," Maria replied.
"I wonder why the aliens didn't just kill him," Michael mused.
"If it even was them," Maria said. "I mean, it would make more sense for them to just dispose of Valenti. There could be some other reason for his coma."
"The aliens are the best bet though," Michael replied.
"It it was," Maria said, "All the more reason for Max to try and help him. If it wasn't for us, Valenti would be alive and well right now. We owe it to him to at least see if Max can try and heal him."
"What are you talking about Maria?" a stunned voice asked from behind them. Maria whirled her head around from her position on the couch with Michael to see her mother standing there.
Amy DiLucca stood in the doorways, holding open the swinging door. Maria had no idea how much she had overheard, but she did know one thing. Her mother wouldn't leave until she had gotten some answers.
Tbc...........
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