TRIANGLE

HANNA'S P.O.V

"Not that they have to leave you driving around like this! What if anything happened to you, Hanna?"

Joan's first reaction when she saw me. Haha. I didn't blame her. It's worrying to let a guest drive their car around the neighborhood she's never been to before. Besides, it runs in the mothers' blood. My mom would freak out the same way.

"But I'm okay. It's fine. I was the one who asked."

"Glad you're fine... Let me drive?" She begged, or more likely ordered.

"Wheels are yours." I chuckled. "What did you buy, Joan?"

"This and that, for nena and deda's anniversary."

"The grandparents?"

"Yeah. Mark and I will be visiting them today. I wish you could come and meet them."

"That would be lovely, but I guess it's better be a private party for your family only."

"Not a big deal actually, since the boys aren't coming with us."

"Right." I nodded. "Hey Joan, I really have stated this countlessly, but I mean it, I thank you and Mark for having me in your house."

"Sweetheart, it's nothing, really."

"Never thought I'd be this accepted in a family. Especially yours. You and Mark have amazing sons. To say the least, they're artists now. And I can imagine how important it is to keep your family's safety by not giving any chance for strangers-"

"You are not a stranger. Toby says you're a friend, somebody he can trust. Then that's it. That's what matters."

Joan held my hand to convince me, also with a smile plastered in her beautiful face. I was grateful. Beyond happy.

"Thank you."

"Besides, I really can imagine now, how it's like to have a daughter."

"Toby said you really wanted to have one."

"That's super true." She gave me funny expression. "After Toby, I felt like done trying. Three boys? Enough. I didn't want to make it four."

"Hahaha. Judging from the vibes in the house, I can totally understand."

"Hahaha..."

It was a bright happy sunny day in Orlando, with an amazing woman named Joan McDonough. My life turned so quickly. From happy to sad, to confused to grateful, to lonely to loved.

We arrived by around ten, because Joan asked me to stop by other stores closer to home. She wanted to buy some more stuff she couldn't find in previous store. It was like a perfect mother-daughter day for us. Surprisingly, I got along with this family a lot better than I thought I would.

Hours were passed. Joan and I never stopped working. We made this anniversary cake for the grandparents. I used some tricks my mom taught me. And Joan was impressed at how helpful I've been. There were only two of us in the house, so why not acting like we rule a cooking show.

"So...are you going with Toby tonight?" Joan spoke as she checked the last layer of cake we were baking.

"Uhm...he asked me to get ready, yeah."

"Piece of advice?"

"Please do." I prepared myself to carefully listen to it.

"My baby boy is lucky to have you."

"J-Joan."

"Hanna, I was also young and lost. Just like you. We girls thought we knew everything, then we got closer to some guys, and they hurt us."

"I didn't-"

"Just, hypothetically, Toby told me about this Luke guy."

"I'm so sorry, I know how this looks like." I buried my head.

"No... You don't have to be sorry at all. I'm happy my son came on such a perfect time to rescue you. To bring you here. To meet me and Mark."

I was stuck in silence. Joan really did this to me. The one conversation I could never do with anybody else.

"So if I could give you something... No, that sounds wrong. All Mark and I want to know is, Hanna, you are so much welcome in this house. Always. And we just want you two to be happy."

I immediately hugged Joan. So tightly. Somebody really did care about my happiness. And it felt amazing. I cried on her shoulders. It's unbearable.

"I want you to be happy, honey. By any means."

"Thank you so much..."

"If spotlight life ever came in a way, find a way out together." She whispered. "You know what I mean."

Joan acted normal again, leaving me with so many questions in my head. Should I give in and make peace with future possibilities - whatever it would be? Should I tell Toby I actually liked him back? Should I stop asking myself to find the trace of Luke that I knew slowly vanishing?

"Oh! Mark is driving home. I should get ready. Could you please frost this one last thing right here, darling?" Joan jumped here and there.

"Okay okay sure. Let me. Just go."

"Thank you!"

I smiled and whispered, though she didn't hear; no, I thank you.

An hour later, Mark and Joan were ready to leave. They left me alone, as expectedly the boys should be home again within an hour. So I used my time to shower again, to reminisce and convince myself, to puzzle back all pieces. My time in Orlando was running out. I would be back home to Tampa in few days.

And I didn't want to waste my time on being confused.