returning {to the past} -crystal

[~echo~]

Anita laughed a little, returning his smile. "I've been in worse, though," she replied, then instantly regretted it. She didn't want him to think everything they had been through together was his fault.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex's smile faltered a little, but it was back in place in the blink of an eye. "We always scrape through, though, huh?" He grinned as he pulled away from the curb, towing her car along with them.

[~echo~]

Anita's smile didn't return. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean you," she murmured.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex shook his head. "Nah, it's okay. I know a lot of what we went through was because of me... I shouldn't have gotten you mixed up in my troubles. I could have gotten you killed." He paused and gave a rueful smile. "And I wouldn't change any of it." He glanced over at her. "I wouldn't give up meeting you for anything."

[~echo~]

She looked over at him, her eyes wide. Then she gave a blush and a tiny smile and looked away. "I've missed you, Alejandro."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Some of the laughter slipped away from his eyes. "I've missed you, too," he said. "And I'm... I'm sorry. I just want you to know that. I'm sorry I left you like that."

[~echo~]

Anita squeezed her eyes shut. Keep it together, she thought. Finally, she replied. "I know. I forgive you." She thought a moment then chuckled. "Sorry I had to go poking my nose where I wasn't wanted. Perhaps I should be a detective instead."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Something flickered across his face, gone before it could be identified. "Or a reporter," he said lightly. "Or... a lawyer." He shot her a grin. "You can poke into other people's business all you want."

[~echo~]

Anita gave a tired smile. "Right. Anyhow... how are Luis and Carlos? I sort of broke my promise about keeping an eye on Carlos when we left Queens."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Luis is doing great, actually," Alex said. "He's going to NYU, majoring in chemistry. Carlos..." His voice trailed off and he grimaced. "Well, that's actually part of the reason I'm here. I guess he got into some trouble."

[~echo~]

"That's great," she replied about Luis, then paused when he mentioned Carlos. "Do you think he's involved with the gang still?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex hesitated and then heaved a sigh. "I really don't know. He told me last year that he'd gotten out for good, but then Mom found a gun hidden in his house. I don't know what he's up to... I'm not sure I want to. I nearly paid with my life to escape that world, and now I might have to dive into it to drag my brother back to safety." His fingers tightened around the wheel. "Part of me wants to turn and walk away. I can't decide if that part is selfish or cowardly."

[~echo~]

Anita listened to him, thinking to herself for a while. Then, she shifted slightly. "It's sensible," she said. "It's not cowardly. You know what that gang did to you, and knowing that you might have to go through that again... it's smart not to get back into that. But, should you need a defense lawyer... you know who to come to."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex smiled faintly. "A bit cocky, hmm?" He turned a corner and then parked in front of a modest auto shop. The owner was a friend of his from back in the day, one of the few that wasn't associated with the gang. He turned off the truck and looked over at her, his face turning pensive. In a way, he hadn't completely escaped that world. He could have gone in the direction of the boring office job, as he'd told Anita, but deep down he knew he'd never be content with that life. He was, if not happy, satisfied with where he was. "Tomas will get you sorted out," he said. "He's a good guy, and won't overcharge you... especially since you're a friend of mine."

[~echo~]

Anita watched him, wanting to say something, having nothing to say... She didn't want him to go. She might never see him again. Anita averted her eyes and got out of the truck, waking over to him. "Alex... it's been wonderful to see you. Here, call me if you want to get together to catch up some more." She tucked a small slip of paper into his hand, then turned away and walked over to Tomas. "Hi. I'm Anita," she said.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex's fist clenched around the paper and he took a deep breath. He didn't want to think about whether he'd ever call or not. Instead, he caught Tomas's attention with a wave, just so he knew she was his friend, and then pulled away from the shop. Time to go figure out what the hell Carlos was up to.

[~echo~]

(Should we timeskip? I don't see any more worth coming out of this section.)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Yup. I'm thinking they get together again, and something gang-involved can happen. Like some old enemies heard Alex was back in town )

[~echo~]

(That's a good idea. Would you mind starting?)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

When Alex called Anita's phone the next day, it went to voicemail. He figured she was busy, so he left a message. "Hey, Anita. It's Alex. I was hoping I could see you again soon, maybe this evening or tomorrow? I'd love to catch up while I'm still in the area. So, yeah, give me a call back when you get this. Bye."