Once Upon A Time: Season 3

Chapter 13

Once we had checked into the hotel, Henry collapsed on the bed and went back to sleep. Mom headed over to the door to leave without saying anything

"Bit late to be starting work" I said

"I was going to meet an old friend" She replied

"Really? Who? You've never mentioned this place before" I said

"It's late ok. I'll explain in the morning" She said as she walked out the door, leaving me alone with Henry. I couldn't sleep, even after Mom had come back. I felt like I had been in this town before, it all seemed familiar but also not at the same time. Plus mom was being weird and I know she had rejected Walsh, but it was weirder than I expected her to act after declining his proposal. Everything just felt off.

The next morning, the three of us went to the diner that was attached to the hotel for breakfast.

"Here you are hen- young man" Said the girl handing him his hot chocolate. I felt uncomfortable, she kept looking at me in a weird way, sort of like flirting and pity at the same time!

"The cinnamon, how did you know?" Henry asked looking at his drink

"Uh, lucky guess. You have a cinnamon kind of face" She replied before walking back behind the counter. Just then, two people came into the diner and walked right over to our table

"Henry, Hope, this is David and Mary-Margret" Mom said introducing us

"Are you helping my mom with the case?" Henry asked them "Or are they the ones who jumped bail?" He whispered to Mom

"No, they are old friends" Mom replied

"Old friends? From where?" Henry asked

"Here" Mary-Margret said at the same time Mom said "Here"

"Well Phoenix, and then here" Mom said. I felt like they were lying but I didn't want to say anything till I knew more and was certain she was lying!

"I thought you were only in Phoenix for being in that place" Henry said

"Right, we were cell mates" Mary-Margret replied

"Really? What were you in for?" Henry asked

"Banditry" Mary-Margret replied. Both of them sat down with us "People make mistakes. The important thing is to find a way to keep moving on"

"Did you know my dad?" Henry asked

"Should we order?" David asked avoiding Henry's question. Suddenly there was a loud crash as someone dropped a cup. Everyone turned and saw a tall, dark haired, pretty woman standing, staring at me and Henry with a look of shock on her face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" She said still very pale, like she had seen a ghost

"It's ok" Henry replied

"Are you ok?" I asked. Before she could answer, Mom got up and walked over to her and pulled her aside so that they were far away from me and Henry. Was she an old friend too? How did Mom know everyone yet have never mentioned this place or these people before? David suddenly got a phone call and rushed over to Mom. Before I could do anything, she was rushing past us telling me and Henry to stay with Mary-Margret

"So... how far along are you?" I asked as Henry played on his game controller.

"Oh, um... 8 months" She said as though she wasn't sure. It went back to awkward silence and I went to the counter to get another drink

"Hey ho- um, what can I get you?" The girl asked

"Coffee please" I asked. I waited for her to bring it before asking her "Is there anything fun to do around here? The town kind of seems... dead"