Sabrina: Miguel…. You can sit closer if you like?
Miguel is on the floor on the other side of the room as Sabrina sits on her bed. He's sweating like mad.
Sabrina: Miguel? You've been in my room before, after all you did bring me in that one night I got drunk..right?
Miguel: I didn't have a choice.. I got you to walk in here but first you tripped over a table.. then the 2nd time you walked right into your door. So I decided it was the only way to get you to bed with you going to the hospital.
Sabrina: [giggles] Well thank you.
Miguel: Could have done without seeing your bra[covers his mouth and begins sweating]
Sabrina: [eyes open wide and grabs him by the collar] YOU MEAN I DIDN'T DREAM THAT!!!???
Miguel: [shrinks back] Sorry Sabrina. [looks down]
Sabrina: [face red] I did come on to you didn't I? [he nods] And you… you didn't do anything. [nods again] Sigh. [picks his chin up] Then I'm a lucky gal.. I know for a fact not many guys would have resisted.
Miguel:[turns away] It wasn't easy.. it felt so nice. I wanted..[she looks at him and listens] but I couldn't.. I never can.
Sabrina: [hugs him and rests her head on his back] Someday.. maybe you can. Only this time I'll be in my right mind.
Miguel: That's YOUR opinion.
Sabrina:[smacks him in the back] HA very funny. Miguel? [notices he's still turned away] Tiger is something wrong?[He shakes his head]
Sabrina gets up wand walks over to face him. She sees him crying. She kneels down and picks his head up.
Sabrina: What's wrong?
Miguel: So many things. [pulls his head away]
Sabrina: Well… I'm here… and I'm listening.
Miguel: Not now..later..I promise.
Sabrina: Okay…. when you feel you're ready. Oh hey.. I got Tabitha tomorrow, want me to bring her over?
Miguel: [ears perk up] Tabby? SURE!! I haven't seen her in a while. Sides.. I'm stuck with Matt duty anyway.
Sabrina: Great.. then it's a date.[looks at him] this is where you fall over.
Miguel:[makes a face at her] I'm not THAT weak!! [Miguel feels dizzy] um Sabrina.. may I use your bathroom?
Sabrina: Sure.
Miguel walks out of Sabrina's room and into the bathroom and shuts the door. A bit later Miguel comes out and nearly stumbles. Amy helps him up.
Amy: You okay?
Miguel: Huh? Yeah.. I am. Sorry just lost my balance. [he walks off]
Amy watches him go back into Sabrina's room. Amy goes into the bathroom and shuts the door. Then she sees something that catches her eye. She looks into the sink and runs her fingers into something. She looks at the red stuff on her fingers.. it's blood. She looks at the door with a look of great concern. The scene goes back to inside Sabrina's room.
Sabrina: You okay Tiger? [arms her arms around him]
Miguel: Huh? Yeah.. just..a bit dizzy.. not used to excitement.
Sabrina: Awwwww. You wanna go home?
Miguel: I think I better.
Sabrina: Well I best drive you there. [blinks both eyes at him]. Takes him by the arm and leads him out]
Miguel: Um sweetie..I drove here.
Sabrina: Well I'll just have to drive you back.
Miguel: But…. You said you don't like standard. Um..[dragged past Amy and Thomas] Later you two.
Sabrina gets behind the wheel of Miguel's VW Beetle. She takes a deep breath and turns the key. As she let's the car warm , she looks over at Miguel who is looking out the window.
Sabrina: Okay.. here we go. [Both wince at the sound of the gears grinding] Um eh heh rough start[gear grind again] Ack!
Miguel: [head close to her] If you can't find them .. grind them huh?
Sabrina: Shut up.[pushes his head back] Okay there we go. [She slowly pulls out and drives off.]
Later at Miguel's home Miguel walks in as does with Sabrina behind him. Miguel flops down on his couch and Sabrina does too next to him.
Sabrina:[rests her head on his shoulder] See I told you I'd get you here.
Miguel: Yeah.. and we would have gotten here sooner if you hadn't driven the entire way in 1st gear. [smiles]
Sabrina: Quiet. Next time you can walk. Sigh. Now we have a problem…. See I can't go home now.
Miguel:[sits up] Oh you planned this didn't you?
Sabrina; [sweating ] um yeah but..it's not what you think.[Miguel raises an eyebrow] See Amy and Thomas are going to.. well.. you know.
Miguel:[winces] Yeah.. and I wish I didn't.
Sabrina: Well it's a loud racket and well.. a gal need her beauty sleep. So..what do you say..let me sleep over?[looks at him]
Miguel: Sigh. Well..okay..but this is a new age we live in..and well.. you're going to have to sleep on the floor.
Sabrina: [gets to her feet] WHAT?!?!
Miguel: You gals wanted equal rights.. you give up chivalry in that case..can't have it both way.
Sabrina: Um can't we share the bed? I know you won't try anything.[smiles]
Miguel: True. (That better not have been disappointment I heard in your voice just now) Okay. Wanna borrow a shirt?
Sabrina: Yup..left mine at home.
Miguel: Okay…cool. Too bad… though.. I usually never sleep.. so you'd have the bed to yourself. But… I guess it's okay.
Sabrina: Cool.[phones rings] Um should I get it?
Miguel: I'll get it.[picks up the phone] Y'ello?
Amy: [on the phone] Remember.. keep your hands to yourself.
Miguel: [makes a face] Goodnight Ms. Amy.[hangs up]
So later in Miguel's bedroom Miguel opens his closet and gets one of his vests and hands it to Sabrina. She glares and throws it back. Miguel smiles and gives her a shirt. Sabrina takes it and feels the fabric. Miguel yawns and sets his glasses on the table and takes of his Chinese shirt. He hangs it back up . He takes off his Decepeticon T-shirt and places it over a chair. He's about to take off his undershirt when he finally notices Sabrina and stops. His face turns red.
Sabrina:[smiles] Something wrong?
Miguel: Um.. kinda?
Sabrina: Shy aren't we? But why so many shirts?
Miguel: Um well..erm..see I come from a much warm climate.. to us winter is 72 degrees. Up hear I'm wearing heavy coats and you people are like" Cold? It's barely 40 below it's sweltering!!!"
Sabrina : [laughs] Right.
Miguel: Um.. and I'm.. not to fond of my stripes.
Sabrina: [shakes her head] You're a tiger.
Miguel: And my stripe patterns are different than Matt's and my dad's.
Sabrina: Oh I bet there's nothing wrong with them. Let me see? Take your shirt off.
Miguel:[covers himself up with his Chinese shirt] Why don't you take YOUR'S off?!
Sabrina: if you want me to. [winks]
Miguel:[hops in the closet and shuts the door] NO!! I'll change in here.
Sabrina:[giggles and walks over and knocks on the door] Mind if I sneak a peek?
Miguel:[from inside] YES I DO!!!
Sabrina: Oh okay.[pulls her shirt off as she walks off screen]
Miguel:[from inside] Can I come out?
Sabrina:[off screen] Not unless you wanna catch me with my pants down.
Miguel:[from inside] GAAAH!! NO!!!
Sabrina:[off screen] Okay you can come out.
Miguel slowly opens the closet door and he steps out in a black tank top and a pair of Chinese pants. His eyes grow as big as grapefruits when he sees Sabrina in his shirt, and not much else, laying on his bed.
Miguel: [sweating] Um.. I think I'll go sleep in my closet.[turns to walk into it]
Sabrina:[grabs his tail and yanks him onto the bed] Oh will you come on!!
Miguel: [scurries to a corner of the bed] K..night.
Sabrina: [giggles] Just like that huh?
Miguel: [sits up] Sorry Sabrina.. just not used to something like this. [she crawls over to him] I'm just not..[eyes open wide as he spots something white] Um.. Sabrina..[points]
Sabrina:[looks then pulls her shirt down] Sorry.
Miguel: [sweating] Well at least your underpants don't look like your fur. Pair of boxers?
Sabrina: That would be nice.[face a little pink]
Miguel gets out of bed and walks over to a dresser and opens the top drawer. Sabrina looks over his shoulder and smiles.
Sabrina: So this is your undie drawer huh?
Miguel: SABRINA!!!! [turns red] Geez.
Sabrina: [laughs] Sorry.[turns her back to him]
Miguel: I only have one pair of boxers.[hands them to her]
Sabrina:[looks at them and laughs. They have prints of the Decepticon symbol on them] Boy I should have seen this coming. [slips them on as Miguel watching changes colors] Comfy.
Miguel: [crawls back into bed] Okay good night.[pulls the covers WAY over his head]
Sabrina: gets into bed and looks at him] Sorry. I was just playing with you.
Miguel: [pokes his head out] I'm sorry I'm not bolder.
Sabrina: You don't have to be.[lays next to him resting her head on her arm] I like you..sweet and shy.. just how you are right now. May I get closer?[Miguel weakly nods] Thank you.
Sabrina moves closer and lays her head on his chest. Miguel slowly wraps his arms around her and sighs.
Miguel: This isn't so bad.
Sabrina: No..it isn't. I don't know if you know this but.. I feel really safe with you. I know you'd never do anything to me, I know that you respect me enough and love me enough to where we can be like this and nothing will happen. [looks up at him] But.. you can loosen up a bit. I won't bite.[smiles]
Miguel: Good.. cause you'd probably get sick biting me.
Sabrina: Can I ask just why you feel you're stripes are odd?
Miguel: They just are. My stripes are in a different pattern than other tigers. That and.. well.. a tigers chest and tummy are suppose to be white.. well my stripes run through my chest and tummy in an odd pattern.
Sabrina; What do they spell out "butthead" or something?[smirks]
Miguel: Very funny. No.. they just.. um.. forget it.
Sabrina: Well I'll be the judge of that.. when I see them.[reaches over and places her glasses next to his on the table] And I will.
Miguel: Um.. what makes you think you will?[sweating]
Sabrina: Well…. One day.. you and I will.. you know.
Miguel: [sweating even more now] We [swallows hard] will?
Sabrina: Well..won't we?
Miguel: I..I suppose so.
Sabrina: And you'll see me.. without a shirt..[Miguel starts trembling] STAY WITH ME TILL I FINISH!!! without a shirt.
Miguel: Seen that. Sabrina.. listen.. I know.. that..yes.. I suppose one day.. we will.. um..[voice cracks] make love. But..I'm not thinking that far ahead.
Sabrina:[looks up at him] No?
Miguel: No. I'm happy with the way things are now. I enjoy.. having fun.. talking.. I love talking to you.. and I love sharing stuff with you.. but.. that's a huge step. It's not that I don't trust you..nor that I don't love you..just…[sighs] it's not an easy thing for me. I.. [Sabrina listens and has a look of great concern on her face] Nevermind.
Sabrina: No..what is it?
Miguel: I can't….. I just…
Sabrina: Miguel…. You can trust me.. you know that.. don't you? [looks at him]
Miguel: Yes.. I know I can.. it's just hard for me to share things with other people. I've… I've kept things to myself for so long. Do you know what it's like to.. growing up that way. Feeling you have to keep things to yourself cause people will think your stupid or weird?
Sabrina: Yes I do. It was worse in High School.. I was teased constantly.. and belittled.. even by my own gender. I grew up.. keeping things bottled up inside. But I met Amy.. and she helped me.. don't you have any friends.. guy friends?
Miguel: Well there's Mike Zorro.
Sabrina: You mentioned him once. Tell me about him.[rests her head back on his chest] Help you open up to me.
Miguel: Well.. he's my oldest and best friend. He's a black fox.. and like me he comes from a mixed family. His dad's a fox and his mom is a black bear. Kinda odd cause he's kinda big and burley for a fox.. but he gets that from his mom. He's a great guy. I always know I can trust him.. and depend on him. [looks at Sabrina] One time…my..
Sabrina: Shhhhhh. It's okay. Go on.[rubs his chest]
Miguel: My family… my mom went to spend Thanksgiving with my aunt.. she took Matt with her… my dad was working so.. I was alone for.. that day.[Sabrina picks her head up and looks at him] but.. Mike's family.. they opened their home to me.. and I spent it with them.
Sabrina: [smiles] That's sweet. He sounds like a great guy. I'd like to meet him.
Miguel: Maybe one day you will. He comes to visit me when he can. He'd love to meet you.
Sabrina: [smiles] That's all huh?
Miguel: Well there ARE the Seraphim.
Sabrina:[makes a face] You mean those weirdos at the comic shop? You're better off. [puts her head back down] They scare me.
Miguel: They don't see many women in their line of work.[sweating]
Sabrina: What about that mailboy.. you hired..Zander?
Miguel: Alex? Heh he's more like my personal fanclub. But yeah I guess he's a friend too.
Anyway, I think we should get some sleep mi amor.
Sabrina:[yawns] Okay.[lays her head on his chest and sighs] Buenas Noches Senor Tigre.
Miguel:[sweating] Um.. close enough. [turn reaches over and turns off the light.]
Miguel lays there with his eyes open. He looks down at Sabrina. She nuzzles him and sighs again. Miguel smiles and kisses her head and goes to sleep. The following morning Sabrina is zipping up her pants from the back as she watches Miguel still asleep. She walks over and places a kiss on his forehead and leaves a note on his table. She walks out of his front door and sees Amy waiting in a car. She walks in and the drive away.
Amy: [smiles] So…. Have fun?
Sabrina: Oh yeah..[looks at Amy] We stayed up late.. ate pizza, did each other's hair and talked about boys.[rolls her eyes] Nothing happened.
Amy: Sounds like an eventful night.. but that better not be disappointment I hear in your voice.
Sabrina:[glares at Amy] Just drive.
Miguel wakes up and stretches. He looks and sees a note left for him. He reads it and smiles. Later, Sabrina is driving in her car with Tabitha in the passenger seat. Tabitha for once doesn't look happy or hyper..she looks very quiet.
Tabitha: Sabeena.. do we gotta go see you're fwiend?
Sabrina:[looks over at her] What's the matter? Don't you like meeting new people?[hides her smile]
Tabitha: No..not if it's Blaine. [looks outside the window]
Sabrina: Well..you may like this friend.[smiles]
Tabitha: [rests her head on her arm] No I won't.
Sabrina smiles as they pull into a familiar house. Tabitha looks around as they get out of the car. She recalls this place..but doesn't remember where. Then the door opens and..
Miguel: TABBY!!!
Tabitha: [eyes light up like a Christmas tree] MIKEY!!?? YAAAAAAAAAAAYY!![ runs at him to hug him and tackles him to the ground]MIKEY MIKEY MIKEY MIKEY
MIKEY!!
Sabrina:[pokes her head in] Happy?
Both: YUH HUH!![nod like mad]
Sabrina:[walks in] Good to hear it.
Matt:[walks in] Who was it big bwuder?[sees Sabrina and Tabitha] Huh? YAAAAAAAY!![runs toward Sabrina] Ms. Sabrina ma'am!!!
Tabitha: HEY!!![crosses her arms and taps her foot] Ahem!!
Matt: [sweating then runs and hugs Tabitha] TABITHA!!
Tabitha: That's better.
Miguel: Gee kinda whipped aren't you there lil bro?
Sabrina:[glares at him] What was that?!
Miguel: [shrinks]Nothing dear.
Sabrina: [smiles] Thought so.
Miguel: Um gypsy gal.. [looks worried]I do have to warn you about something. You see Matt didn't come alone.
Sabrina: Huh? What do you mean? [Miguel, sweating points behind her. Sabrina makes a face] I'm going to turn around and there's going to be something horrible behind me. [turns and sees Hilda Tigre] And I was right. Sigh.
Hilda: Hello Samantha.
Sabrina:[winces] Um.. that's Sabrina.
Hilda: Sorry. [looks at Miguel] Why is she here?
Miguel: She brought Matt's playmate over.
Matt: [pulls Tabitha by the hand toward his mother] Mommy.. this is my girlfriend Tabitha.
Hilda: Eh?[eyes Tabitha]
Tabitha: [looks up at her] HIYA!! I'm Tabitha. Are you Matt's mommy?! Wow you're very pretty.
Hilda: [faces changes expression and pats Tabitha on the head] My, such a sweet girl. Matt has such good taste. It must skip a generation.[glares at Sabrina.. then at Miguel]
Miguel: Mom...you were leaving.
Hilda:[raises an eyebrow] Do you want me gone?
Miguel: [winces then takes a deep breath] I won't have you scaring off my guests. Anyway you came to drop off Matt and you did that.
Hilda: Yes well.. I do have a lot to do.[walks off] Oh Miguel remember.. your grandmother is in town.. so please drop by and see her.
Miguel: Will do.[opens the door]
Hilda: [walks out and turns] Nice meeting you Tabitha, [glares at Sabrina] later Sabrina.
Miguel: [shuts the door] GOD the room temperature drops when she enters a room huh?
Sabrina: She hates me doesn't she. [leans on the couch]
Matt:[gets on the couch and hugs her] I like you Ms. Sabrina ma'am.
Sabrina:[smiles and kisses his forehead] Thanks Matt.
Tabitha: HEY!![glares at Sabrina]
Sabrina: Oh I'm sorry then you kiss him.
Matt and Tabitha:[look at each other then make faces] EWWWWW!!!
Miguel: Wait till they get older.. they'll wish they had. Anyway..[kneels down next to Tabitha] Wow Tabby.. you've grown since I last saw you.
Tabitha: Uh huh.. and look.[shows him her teeth] My tooth grew back.
Miguel: Ah.. so no more THHHHH is instead of SSSSSS? Great.. wow.. you're growing up to be a big, pretty girl.
Tabitha: Prettier than Sabeena right?
Miguel: I wouldn't doubt it. [smiles as Sabrina rolls her eyes in the back]
Sabrina: Sigh.
Miguel: [kisses Tabitha on the forehead and stands up] Sweetie.. don't worry about my mother okay.[hugs her] I'll deal with her.
Sabrina: I just wish.. she'd be a bit nicer towards me.
Tabitha: Yeah.. mommy likes Mikey. OOPS!![covers her mouth]
Sabrina; [eyes open wide] WHAT!!!!??? When did?[sees Miguel trying to sneak off] GET BACK HERE MISTER!!! [pulls him back by his tail] When did you meet my mother!!??
Miguel: Endora? Um well eh heh.. um.. this morning.
Sabrina: Go on.[crosses her arms]
Miguel: Um well.. I went to go buy some stuff..was running low on food and well..
Flashback starts as Miguel walks down the aisle of a nearby supermarket. There's quite a commotion in the next isle. Miguel's ears perk up as he hears something familiar. He walks into the next aisle and sees a small little girl skunk running up and down.
Miguel: Tabby?!
Tabitha: [turns around and her eyes light up] MIKEY!?!?!? YAY!!![runs up to him and nearly knocks him down as she leaps into his arms] MIKEY!!! What are you doing here!?!? Are you here to see me?!??! Have you seen Sabeena?!?! Who come you aren't with Sabeena no more?!?!
Miguel: [pats her on the head] Oh but I am Tabby. We're together now.
Tabitha; [eyes light up] YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA!!!! Sabeena's with Mikey !!! [hops out of his arms and does laps around him]
Miguel:[smiles then his expression changes] Um Tabby? Are you here with Sabrina?
Tabitha:[puts on the brakes and looks up and him and shakes her head] Nopers! I'm here with my mommy!!! You gotta see her!!
Miguel: MOMMY?!?!? NOO!!!
Miguel tries to run off but Tabitha grabs him by his tail and drags him a few aisles down. She looks around and there she finds who's she's looking for.
Tabitha: OH MOMMY!!!![hollers down the aisle]
Miguel: Let me go!! Please!! TABITHA I'm fully prepared to gnaw my won tail off if I have to!!! [looks up and sees someone coming towards them] Oh dear. [his ears droop down as does his shoulders as he becomes very pale]
A bit away, a female skunk comes towards them. She has short hair and glasses like Sabrina but she is more mature looking. Her name is Endora and she is Tabitha and Sabrina's mother. Miguel looks without blinking.
Endora: There you are Tabitha. I thought I told you a hundred times not to run of like that.
Tabitha: Lookit lookit!! Mommy.. this is Mikey.. he's Sabeena's boyfriend!!
Miguel: [tries to scurry off but all he does it work away at the tile on the supermarket floor] PLEASE LET GO!!! [tugs at his tail but the stops as he sees Endora in front of him] Um.. hello.
Endora: Hello.
Tabitha: See see?! He's Mikey.. he's with Sabeena.
Endora: I see.. so.. you are not Blake? I see.[looks him over] Mikey is it?
Miguel: Um.. [swallows hard] No.. my name is Miguel…..Miguel Tigre. Um..[bows] Nice to meet you Ms. Endora. Please forgive my my behavior.. but.. I..I.. I'm a bit afraid of parents.. especially those of.. my gal..had a lot of bad experiences. I'm.. I'm sorry.
Endora:[looks at him then smiles and turns to Tabitha] He's a polite one isn't he? Very sweet and unsure of himself.
Tabitha: Yuh huh!!! He's lil bwuder is MY boyfwend.. and he's much cuter.
Endora: I see. [turns to Miguel with an indifferent expression on her face] Miguel is it? Come help us with our groceries. [walks off]
Miguel: Yes ma'am.[follows]
Endora walks around picking stuff up and putting them into a shopping cart. The cart is pushed by Miguel, and Tabitha is riding, seated inside.
Tabitha: Mikey.. don't be afwaid.. mommy won't hurt you. I pwomise.
Miguel: [changing colors] It's the unsettling silence that's killing me more.
Endora: [looks back] I was waiting to hear what you had to say.
Miguel; Um.. [shrinks back a bit] I don't have much to say really.
Endora: [picks up cans of soup and places them in the cart] You're afraid of em aren't you?
Miguel: Huh who me? No[[stand sup straight] I'm a tiger I fear no one.
Endora: [walks up to him] Don't lie.
Miguel:[shrinks and whimpers] Yes ma'am.
Endora: [Smiles] I won't hurt you.[walks back down the aisle]
Miguel: Ms. Endora..you know these soups aren't very good for you.. they are LOADED with sodium. You're better off eating the can it come sin.
Endora: [looks back] Really? [picks one up and looks at the label] I see. Well… I'd get something healthier but my husband would have a fit.[ sees Miguel's claws dig into the car handle] I see.. so that's who you're afraid of. [walks up to Miguel] You have good reason to be..[Miguel swallows hard] he made Blake cry.
Miguel:[sweating bullets] R… really?
Endora: [makes a goofy face] No.. just joking with you. [Miguel falls to the ground] I am not devoid of humor Miguel.
Tabitha: [giggles] Poor Mikey.
Endora: [turns to Tabitha] I like this one.. he's not at all like Blake.
The flashback ends as Miguel and everyone are seated. Miguel and Sabrina on the couch; Matt and Tabitha on the floor.
Miguel: And well I helped them load their stuff into the car.
Sabrina;[sits cross legged next to him and crosses her amrs] then why did you two act like you hadn't seen each other just now?
Tabitha: Cuz Mikey gave me 5 bucks to pwetend I din see him till now.[smiles at Sabrina]
Sabrina: You little sneak.[looks at Miguel] You BIGGER sneak. Sigh.[flops back in the chair] Well at least she likes you.. [makes face] and she'll never stop calling me about this now. But… your mom loathes me!!! [bursts into tears] SHE HATES ME!!!!
Miguel: Hoooboy!!! Sweetie.[tries to comfort her]
Matt: Boy gwown up are so cwazy.
Tabitha:[shakes her head] Yeah I never wanna gwow up.
A bit later..
Miguel: Sabrina.. listen I'm going to take the kiddos to the office. I got a few things to do there.. can you do me a favor?
Sabrina:[laying on the cough with a wet towel on her head] Sigh Sure.. what's up?
Miguel: Well.. there's this place at the mall.. they sell scented candles there.. you know the place.[she nods] Well my mom forgot to get this special candle ..it's my grandmother's favorite.. so could you please?
Sabrina: [gets up and takes the piece of paper] Sure.. wouldn't want HER to hate me too.[gets up and leaves]
Miguel: [smiles and watches her walks off] heh. [turns and looks at the kiddos] let me tell you something kids… one of the most important things in life.. is timing.[kneels down to them] By the time she gets there.. she'll meet someone who will cheer her up. But this is our secret.. K? [the kiddos giggle and nod]
Sabrina wanders around in the mall for a while, then she finds the shop she was looking for. She enters it and breathes in. the beautiful scent of all the candles and oils fill her nose. The scent is so sweet and relaxing she almost forgets about her problems. However, she sees a small panda figurine and she remembers. She slumps towards the scented candles and looks for the one she needs to get. Behind her a red kangaroo notices her and walks up to her. She is a rather old and aged female. Her name is Maria.
Maria: I couldn't help but notice you're looking a bit down there miha. Anything wrong?
Sabrina:[turns and looks at her] Huh? Oh.. no.. just.. pondering my fate?
Maria: [smiles] If you do that, you'll miss out on tons of good things that come your way. What has you so trouble dear?
Sabrina: [looks through the selection] You wouldn't understand, not unless you ever had a mother hate you cause you're dating her son.
Maria: [laughs] Oh I've been there. It's nothing to get worked up about..after all people CAN change their minds later.
Sabrina: [looks down then turns and looks at her] But.. I really haven't done anything to her to make her hate me.. she just does.
Maria: What do you care.. your guy loves you right?
Sabrina: yeah.. but.. I want her to like me too. I Kinda imagine me meeting her and her being this nice woman.. who takes me in.. is like the mom I never had.. and teaches me cool stuff like how to cook.. and stuff like that. Like.. a much older best friend. Instead I got a woman Hitler.
Maria: Well my dear.. my advice to you is.. you should stop watching too much TV.. you're starting to believe it. It's never like that.. not at all. There are always problems at the beginning, but if you work at it.. a little tolerance.. and loads of patience. But you are a sweet girl.. it shows cause you don't just blow her off..you try and want things to work between the two of you. Any other girl would just tell her to go to hell and be done with it. My daughter may not like you.. Sabrina.. but I do.
Sabrina:[eyes open wide as does her mouth] y….y….
Maria: [smiles] Close your mouth dear.. you're letting flies in. My name is Maria Helen. I am Miguel's grandmother.. and yes.. I am Hilda's mother. Very stubborn that girl.. gets it from her father.. god rest his soul.
Sabrina: But..but.. you're a.. a kangaroo!! And she's..
Maria: A panda.. yes… so was my husband. Like I said.. she gets it from her father. Shouldn't shock you.. after all Miguel is a tiger. But I love him just the same.
Sabrina: But..but how?
Maria: Um.. well aren’t you old enough to know about where kids come from?
Sabrina:[makes a face] No.. I mean.. how did you know I was me..um aw you know?
Maria; Ah well my grandson told me the whole thing.. he told me about you.. a while back.. I was so happy. Miguel deserves some happiness after all he's been through. Anyway he called telling me of this place.. where I could find these[reaches behind her and grabs a scented candle] Plus he told me to keep an eye out for a cute little skunkette with glasses and short hair..looking rather troubled. He told me you were sweet.. and pretty.. he was right.
Sabrina: Oh… um.. ma'am.. I..
Maria: Call me Maria.. I maybe old.. but I don't have to sound it.[winks]
Sabrina: Um.. Maria? I I..
Maria: Listen mi amor.. you don't have to worry about Hilda.. you two have my blessing.. and if she doesn't like it.. she can come and face me. Same applies if she tries to keep you two apart.
Sabrina:[smiles and hugs her] Thank you Maria. You made me feel better.
Maria: Miguel said I would. Just do me a favor.. care for him.. I don't have very many years left in me.. and I'd like to know.. he'll be fine when I'm gone. I love that boy.. I practically raised him.. like my own. Anyway don't worry….. Hilda maybe stubborn.. but she can change her mind.. and after seeing you.. and how you are.. I know for a fact.. one day she will.
Sabrina: Thank you. [takes the candle] Um.. let me get that for you.
Maria: If you insist.[turn to the reader as Sabrina walks to the cashier] hey I maybe sweet.. but I'm not stupid. And who am I to stop her if she's feeling generous.[winks]
At eMenaergie the phone rings. Miguel looks around and goes and answers the phone.
Miguel: Hello?
Sabrina:[at a pay phone at the mall] you are quite the trickster.. you know that? But.. you're the sweetest guy I know.. thank you tiger. I love you.
Miguel:[smiles] I love you too gypsy-gal. Hurry over..K?
Sabrina: Oh.. you bet I will. Later
Sabrina hangs up and sighs. She smiles and walks off. Miguel hangs up the phone and smiles. Then he makes a face as he is stricken with pain. He doubles over and grabs his face as he gags. He pulls his hands away and sees blood. He grinds his teeth and makes his way to the bathroom. Tabitha steps out from the hallway and stands there worried. Funky walks up behind her and kneels down.
Funky: He's okay Tabitha. He's just working to hard.. if he'd get some rest and take it easy.. he'd get better.
Tabitha:[wipes her eyes] Then I gotta make sure Mikey takes it easy.
Funky: You do that chica. But please don't tell Sabrina.. we don't want her to worry.
Tabitha: Okay.[nods]
Funky: Matt's with Azul in the pool room.. go with them. [Tabitha nods and runs off] Sigh. Miguel.. I can't keep covering for you.. what am I going to do? [Looks down. But then she sees a young lion pushing a mail cart behind her] Aw.. my prey has shown itself. OH ZANDER!!!!![skips off after him]
END OF CHAPTER 3
