While Mise was at school, Uncle Ironsides decided to take the opportunity and clean up the house as well as the property.

“Man, I really need to keep up on cleaning, this place is a shit show” Ironsides said as he moved large piles of scrap metal with his forklift.

Just then the sound of the doorbell being rung could be heard from out back

“I wonder who that could be, I’m not expecting anyone and I’m pretty sure Mise isn’t either at least I don’t think he is.” Ironsides said to himself as he made way to the front door

The door bell rang again as uncle Ironsides was a few feet from the door

“I’m coming, I’m coming, hold your water.” Ironsides called to the person on the other side of the door.

“Speaking of shit shows” Ironsides said as he saw who it was that was standing in the doorway.

“I’m sorry, what?” asked the person at the door.

“Nothing that concerns you, I hope you have a good reason for being here Ms. Waters.” Ironsides said coldly

“I do. Is Mise here, I must speak with him.” Crystal replied as she looked at the inside of the house

“He’s at his new school right now. Whatever you need to talk to him about, you can talk to me about till he gets back.” Ironsides said, his cold tone unwavering

“I understand, may I come in?” Crystal asked

Ironsides said nothing and instead gestured for her to follow him into the house. He led her to the living room and they both had a seat.

“Now, what is it you need to talk to my nephew about so badly that you traveled 2000 miles?” Ironsides asked, with a cold stare to match his tone.

“Well, I came here to apologize for what I did to him, I was foolish, I didn’t realize what kind of effects something like that could have.” Crystal said in a somber and regretful tone.

“Give me one good reason why I should believe you, or better yet why I should even let you to talk to Mise.” Ironsides said

“Have you ever done something so horrible that you can’t sleep, eat, or even look yourself in the mirror after finding out the effects of what you did. Because I have and your nephew was at the business of it.” Crystal said as she bowed her head in shame.

Ironsides sat there for a few seconds before speaking.

“When Mise come back, you are not to say anything until I say so. After that you have 10 minutes, no more. If Mise says he wants you gone, you are to leave and not return unless invited. Do I make myself clear.” Ironsides said as he got up from his chair.

“Yes sir.” Crystal said as she got up as well

“Good, now can I get you anything. After all you are a guest.” Ironsides offered as he walked into the kitchen.

“No thank you, I’m good.” Crystal replied

There was a few moments of silence until Crystal decided to speak up.

“So how has Mise been doing lately?” Crystal asked

“He’s been doing fine, right now he hires himself out as a personal gourmet chef. He’s currently employed by two of his new classmate’s, Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody”

“You mean THE Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody, I’ve seen both of them in concert and they were amazing. I can’t believe Mise got hired by both of them.” Crystal said in tone that sounded like a cross between astonishment and remorsefulness.

“Well actually, Vinyl and Octavia are roommates. He’s friends with the children and relatives of many famous and well know people. I’d say he’s doing just fine for himself.” Uncle Ironsides said coming back from the kitchen with a drink in his hand

Before Crystal could respond, a large rumbling sound could be heard from outside, one that almost shook the house.

“And there he is now, and oh look he’s brought his friends.” Iron sides said looking out the window

“Wait, if that was him, then what was that rumbling?” Crystal asked in a concerned voice.

“His panzer IV tank that gave him yesterday. The same one he uses to drive around in, it’s essentially his car. He’s even allowed to drive it to school and park it there as well.” Ironsides said

“He drives a TANK!?” asked Crystal shocked at this

“Yes, is that a problem” replied Ironsides

“No there’s no problem.” Crystal said

Just then Mise, Artemis, Octavia, and Vinyl walked through the door

“Hey uncle Ironsides, I’m home and I hope you don’t mind but I brought some friends with me.” Mise called from outside the living room unaware of who was waiting for him.

“Hello Mise, and no I don’t mind. I actually have someone that would like to talk with you.” Uncle Ironsides said as Mise rounded the corner

“Really, who. We don’t get many visitors other than my friends.” Mise said as he followed his uncle’s voice to the living room.

“It’s someone I didn’t expect to see, but they insisted on talking to you.” Ironsides explained

Just as the four teens entered the living room, Mise saw who it was his uncle was talking about. And in that instant, Mise’s blood ran cold and stopped dead in his tracks.

“Mise, are you ok” Artemis asked

“Yeah, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Vinyl commented

“And who is the girl sitting in your living room.” asked Octavia

Mise said nothing, he just stared daggers at the one person he never wanted to see outside of an open casket. The person who caused him so much pain and misery.

“Mise, I know what you’re thinking and I want you and Crystal to talk things out. I’ve already had a long talk with her and you need to do the same.” Ironsides said as he looked directly into his nephew’s eyes

“Why?” Mise asked

“Because if you don’t I’m going to stuff you the muzzle of that tank and you can sleep on the moon. Now sit down and talk like a normal adult.” Ironsides ordered

Mise sat down in front of Crystal. The was a long moment of silence between the two until Mise was the one to break the ice

“What, pray tell, are you doing here. I don’t want to hear anything but the straight honest truth.” Mise asked

“Mise should we go? This seems like a personal matter.” Octavia asked

“No, you remember the person I told you all about at lunch, this is her.” Mise said gesturing to Crystal.

“You mean that’s the bitch you were telling us about, I’m surprised someone hasn’t beaten your ass by now.” Artemis said, receiving a slap in the back the head from Vinyl and Octavia

Mise just ignored the comment, but mentally smiled at hearing Octavia and Vinyl’s hands hit Artemis’s head. Crystal may have ruined his life but she was still a close family friend to most of Mise’s family.

“Mise, when I came here, your uncle asked me to give him one good reason why he should even let me to talk to you and explain to you how sorry I was for what I had done to you.” Crystal said

“Do you realize what you did to me, what your antics that day did to me and caused me to do. I was ARRESTED, I almost went to jail for 15 YEARS.” Mise said with poison on his tongue.

“And if that weren’t bad enough, I was forced to moved out of my hometown, my school, I was forced to leave everything I knew and loved behind because of you.” Mise said standing up out of his chair, his hands clenched in fists of rage, and now on the verge of tears.

“And to top it all off, I resorted to drinking whiskey and other hard liquors just to dull the pain you caused.” Mise said with a face as hard and moving as a block of granite and finger pointing directly at Crystal

The tension between the two was so thick it would take a chainsaw to cut through it.

“Mise please hear me out, ever since I found out what happened afterward I tried every conceivable way to turn it around and make it up to you. Have you ever done something so horrible that you can’t sleep, eat, or even look yourself in the mirror after finding out the effects of what you did. Because I have and you were at the business of it.” Crystal said as she bowed her head in shame as she had done before.

Mise just sat there, letting everything sink in while at the same time letting his blood pressure and heart rate drop back down to normal.

“Prove it.” Mise said

“What?” Crystal said

“I said prove it, prove to me that what you’re saying is true. If you can do so, then I will forgive you.” Mise said