"Pumpkin Pancakes." I ordered from the aloof, overweight, over-nicotined waitress, then Drew ordered eggs and coffee. "Love makes me so hungry and I'm starving. I got to tell you Helen is so cute, and she likes me, I know she does."

"But does she like , like you?" He said, rearranging his silverware.

"Yes, I really think she does. She always smiles and never yells at me, like she does everyone else."

"She sounds like a hellraiser. And what about her other chick?"

"I don't know. She's gorgeous, but they're not happy with each other. Whenever PJ's around, Helen becomes a monster and ignores me, which I think is a sign that she's attracted to me."

"Or maybe just distracted."

"Yeah, maybe." Our coffees came and we both dumped raw sugar in the cracked, but not broken, white porcelain cups. We stirred with small spoons that could no longer reflect.

"Hey Fran..." The seriousness echoed in his voice, "I asked you to breakfast because, someone asked me to call you. To arrange this."

I smiled at him. What was he pulling now? But before I could react a hand touched my shoulder and standing above us was Hugo.

I froze. Drew smiled and got up from the table announcing "I'll leave you two alone."

Hugo looked good. Rested. Together. And suddenly, like some fortress preparing for an attack, I found myself shutting down.

"So you think by coming here, out of the blue, that I'm supposed to be happy to see you?" I said, my pissy attitude clear and forthright.

But Hugo stared me down, his eyes intense. He took my hands and calmly spoke, "I'm...sorry. I don't have much time."

I looked out the window and saw Drew standing in the parking lot, using a pay phone.

"What's going on?"

"You'll know soon enough."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Fran, don't. It's not worth trying to figure out. So much has happened. But I need you to look out for my son. You're the strongest person I know. I think he's going to try to do things. Horrible things. And I need you to fight him. Because you can win."

Hugo glanced over at the parking lot and his eyes lit up. Drew now stood on the sidewalk, non-chalantly motioning to a police cruiser that had pulled into driveway.

Shit! What had Hugo done?

"I hear your in television now."

"Uh...yes...uh..." I didn't know what to do, how to feel, or what to say. "How can I reach you?"

He simply nodded no.

He stood up. "Better that way. Remember, be strong."

As the policemen entered the coffee shop for their break, Hugo disappeared into the restroom. Once they were seated, Hugo went out the front door.

I sipped my coffee, watching Hugo and Drew hug good-bye. Hugo walked down the street, disappearing into the city. Drew turned around and returned through the front door.

Be strong? Steve? Police?

Something ominous was about to happen to our rag tag group of friends. Something wicked. Something...very difficult.

Damn it.