At the other end of town, Lauren was getting ready for the arrival of Lonna’s aunt. Lauren was very nervous about meeting the woman who had raised Lonna. Wait how did she know that, oh yeah Mary had told that morning. So she was meeting Lonna’s mother, much the same way that Lonna would be spending time with her mother Lauren would be spending time with Lonna’s. if anything this made Lauren feel more nervous. She would be arriving around Six. It was now almost 530 which gave Lauren just enough time to get the trà sen ready. Whatever that was Lauren thought. Shed went into the kitchen opened up the cupboard and took out a few boxes of stuff and started to prepare this stuff. She just seemed to know what to do, and after a few minutes, she realized that she was making some kind of tea. She just hoped that it was something that this woman liked. Precisely when the clock reached six there was someone at the door. Lauren thought that this was going to be a difficult meeting.
Back at the Rodriguez house, Lonna had settled in a bit. She sat in what she found out had been Laurens’ room and by extension was now hers. It had turned out that all her ”Mom” had wanted was a hand to put some of the groceries away. She did not seem to notice that Lonna was not her daughter much to Lonna’s’ surprise and relief. It was now a little after six and she was on her way down to have her evening meal. This as it turned out was a pizza. This was something that Lonna did not have that often as she did not want to put on any weight. Just now however that was the least of her worries at the moment. While she and Mrs Rodriguez sat enjoying their meal Lonna thought about Lauren again and wondered what her aunt would be talking about. How many of her secrets would Lauren find out about and how would she then use them against her? Well, two can play that game as she spent the next hour or so carefully questioning her new Mom for ammunition against Lauren if she needed it.
Lauren had spent the last hour listening to Lonna’s aunt mostly about what she had been up to. It seemed that the elder woman was one of those who spent most of her time talking about herself and did not wait for her “niece” sitting in front of her to answer questions. “So dear are you seeing anyone? She asked when finally seemed to notice the woman sitting in front of her. It was either that or she had run out of things to say Lauren thought. Lauren answered her with a “no” “You know I know this boy who would be just right for you. You should meet him.” “Aunt Nguyên,” Lauren said aloud. “Please no more blind dates!” Lauren said knowing that somehow it had been the right thing to say. “He is such a nice boy Cô bé. One little date wouldn’t hurt would it?” The aunt asked, “I know you mean well but I will find my own boyfriends.” Lauren told the elder woman. “Would you look at the time? I didn’t know it was getting that late. I must be going.” The older woman said. “I didn’t mean to upset you Aunt but we have had this talk before, haven’t we?” Lauren asked her temporary aunt. “You didn’t upset me I have things to do tomorrow and so do you. It has been lovely catching up with you Cô bé.” The aunt said as she headed towards the door. Lauren tried to say sorry for what had been an awaked end to what had been a somewhat pleasant evening but there was no stopping the older woman who left a few minutes later.
Back at the Rodriguez Lonna had an equally pleasant evening speaking to Mrs Rodriguez who seemed to be honestly interested in what her daughter had been doing that day. Lonna told her as much as she could leaving out details of the incident. The main reason the two women were now sitting opposite each other. As the night went on Lonna found out about Laurens’ father and why he wasn’t there. This new information helped her understand Lauren a little bit more. She thought that Lauren had been lucky at least she had had one parent to help her grow up. Lonna had had to make do with her aunt. She liked her aunt but there were times she wished her mom or dad were there instead of her. Only sometimes though her aunt had been good to her. Despite coming from a large family only her aunt was willing to take care of her. She did wish that she had not tried so hard to marry her off. Even no at her age, she was still trying to do it. Well, not tonight she wasn’t. Poor Lauren she thought she would have to put up with that.
Back with Lauren, she was angry with herself that she had let her no, Lonna's aunt upset her by trying to set her up on a blind date again. She stopped as she was clearing the cups of tea away. How had she known that this was not the first time that Lonna’s aunt had tried to set up a date for Lonna? How had she known what the woman's name was when she had been calling her aunty all night up till that point? What was happening? She should speak to Lonna about this but when she looked at the clock she saw the time. If she were to call at this time of night her mother would think that there was a problem at school again. At school yes why not wait until tomorrow when she could talk to her then. Yes, that would make it easier.
Lonna was now sitting in Lauren's bedroom for the second time that day wondering what to do now. She started to find an outfit for the following day. Lauren’s taste left a lot to be desired, Lonna thought. Her discovery stopped her from looking any further. It was Laurens' diary. She knew she shouldn’t but she took it off the shelf in the closet where she found it and opened it. What she saw on the inside cover shocked her a little but made her all the more determined to read it. After all, it did say that it was the diary of Lonna Tran aged 30. She was so interested in the contents that she had not paid that much attention beyond her name being on it maybe she should have.
