Break In

Nine

Ana had given her notice to her employer the month before and was in the middle of finishing her last projects before she moved to Santo Padre City Council. Ileana had been successful in taking over the vacant position Ana was leaving. It had surprised Ana because when she called Ileana before resigning, she hadn't been interested. Suddenly she had got an upset call from her friend and she wanted to position as soon as possible.

Ana looked at Phoenix as he packed up the last of his room. The boy was excited to go on a new adventure. Mostly he was excited to be moving into the house Nestor and Ana had chosen together. It had a pool and a large lawn that he couldn't wait to practice his archery with Nestor on. The two were impossibly close and Nestor was always teaching Phoenix some new skill that Ana couldn't keep up with.

Only last week did she catch Phoenix lighting a fire with sticks and Nestor had received an earful for that little tidbit. Sometimes the man needed boundaries but most of the time it's wasn't an issue. Archery was the latest trend and Ana worried that once it was mastered he would turn to guns. That was a hard no at Phoenix's age and she made a mental note to tell Nestor that too.

"Come on sweetie. Nestor will be here with the trailer soon." Ana called to her son as she boxed up her last few photo albums.

"Ready!" He called from his room before dragging the box along the carpet.

A loud truck parked in the driveway and Nestor walked in the house with a grin. She kissed him excitedly, they had waited two years for this, taking things slow. A roar of motorcycles sounded and Nestor pulled back from the kiss.

"That's the help." He said walking out the door again. "Thanks for coming."

"Why have Ez and not use the muscle?" A voice chuckled as Ana stepped out to greet the helpers.

She stepped out the door and onto the porch and froze as she saw the man who had ruined her. There smiling happily was Angel. Ez caught her eye first and whacked his older brothers arm and pointed her way.

"Ana?" Angel asked as his face looked pained.

She pursed her lips together and crossed her arms angrily. Angel swaggered over to her as Nestor stood fuming.

"Don't come near me." She threatened as he stepped onto the bottom step. "Nestor."

She looked to her boyfriend who was smart enough to have figured out her history now. He felt stupid for loving her angel wings now he knew that it was that bikers tramp stamp he left on her. He looked at Ana as she called out to him but he couldn't make his feet move. A look of betrayal flashed over her face before she backed up inside and slammed the door shut.

"You should go." Nestor sighed running his hand down his face.

"Fuck that. I need to talk to her." Angel said before yelling at the door. "You owe me some answers Ana!"

The door swung open, slamming against the wall and she stomped over the porch until she planted her hands on his chest and pushed him off the step. She pointed angrily at him and hissed at the stunned Mayan.

"I owe you nothing. You left me remember! I went to your place and you were gone. No goodbye, nothing!" She growled. "My one fear is being abandoned and you did just that!"

Nestor saw Angel getting up off the grass he had landed on and stepped in between the two. Nestor knew the fear and insecurities Ana had, dating back to when her mother left her with her father as a baby. The feeling of worthlessness she had from those experiences had been something he spent many months helping her overcome.

"Mom?" Phoenix asked quietly sticking his head out the door. "Do I call Aunt Emily?"

"No baby, it's not an emergency." She said instantly faking a smile and calmness she didn't feel. "Go play in your room for a little bit okay?"