Kenny and Brandy showed up first. Minutes later, Alex, Trudy and Miles pulled up in their cab.
As Alex, Trudy and Miles were walking towards Doug and Michelle, Michelle stepped up to Alex with a smile on her face. Alex saw the smile that she was getting and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I found out why you and Randy were never more than friends,” Michelle said.
Alex gave Michelle a skeptical look before asking, “What do you think you found out?”
Michelle whispered, “For someone who would have been a brother to me in even another reality, you are good with putting on makeup.”
Alex grinned before saying, “Trudy and Brandy showed me how to do it and I didn’t tell you because I was trying to respect the other Alex’s privacy.”
“I understand why you kept quiet, and you seem pretty mellow about your situation… well, more mellow than what I would be anyway. I’m also afraid that my sister Alex won’t be as mellow as you are being either.”
“Would Alex do anything rash?”
“I honestly don’t know what Alex would do.”
“Well, we need to correct this crossed reality before the other Alex does do something rash.” Alex then stepped up to Doug before asking, “Doug, what did you learn about Randy’s situation?”
“I was given a name of a judge to talk to, but if we can’t get him released, we’re going to have to create the device ourselves.”
“Randy is the only one who can create the device though.”
Doug pulled out the papers that Randy had given him before saying, “Randy gave me the diagrams to it.”
“What did Randy do to get thrown into a Mexican jail anyway?”
“According to the officer at the front desk, he broke into someone’s home.”
“That doesn’t sound like Randy to break into someone’s home.”
“The Randy of this reality was the one who broke into the home and we don’t know anything about that Randy.”
“Still, I don’t believe Randy of any reality who searches for his dad would break into a home. I think there must be a misunderstanding somewhere. I’m going to talk to the officer. Does he speak English?”
“He does, but what do you need to talk to him about?”
“I want to know what home he supposedly broke into, and then I’m going to talk to the owner.”
“Please don’t go out there and play Nancy Drew, and get yourself thrown into an adjacent cell to Randy’s.”
“I have no intentions on playing Nancy Drew. I just want to talk to the owner that’s all. And as I’m doing that, you can talk to the judge.”
As Alex walked towards the door to the police station, Doug yelled out, “Please don’t do anything stupid.” Alex waved without looking.
Trudy and the others walked up to Doug. When Trudy stepped up she asked, “What is Alex doing?”
“She’s planning to get the address of the person who got Randy arrested and then have a talk with him or her.” Doug saw a cab driving up with Ben and Cindy in it. “Hey, guys, Michelle and I are going to grab that cab Cindy and Ben are arriving in and go talk to the judge. Someone needs to go with Alex to keep her from getting herself into trouble.”
“I’ll go with Alex,” Miles said.
“Me too,” Trudy said.
Inside the police station, the officer at the desk was watching Alex closely as Alex was walking up. The officer pleasantly grinned before saying in Spanish, “Hi, beautiful lady. How can I help you?”
“Do you speak English?” Alex asked.
“Si, Senorita. How can I help such a beautiful damsel as yourself?”
Alex slightly grinned before saying, “My brother and sister were just in here talking to a friend of ours, who is being held in a cell. Our friend’s name is Randy Miller.”
“Si, Senorita; Senor Miller is here. Are you an affectionate friend of his?”
“No-no, we’re not affectionate friends. We’re just friends. We knew each other since we were six. Anyway, I’m not really here to see him or talk to him.”
“Why are you in here, Senorita?”
“I understand from my brother that Randy was arrested for breaking into someone’s home and I was hoping that I can get the name of the owner of that home and the house address. I want to talk to the owner and perhaps I can persuade the owner to drop the charges with the promise that Randy will return to the U.S.”
“I will give you the information, but the chance that the owner will drop the charges is remote.” The officer took the time to get the information for Alex.
As Alex was receiving the information, she said, “Gracias.”
“You’re welcome, Senorita. Senorita, my shift ends in two hours and I would feel honored if you would allow me to personally show you around our lovely city.”
Alex slightly grinned before saying, “My boyfriend and I have seen a lot of your city already, but sure. You showing Miles and me around would be delightful. I bet there are plenty of sights that we haven’t seen yet.” Alex saw the officer searching his thoughts as she continued to say, “Miles is waiting for me right out front, so I’ll go tell him of your kind offer.”
“Senorita, wait. I actually just remembered a promise I made to be somewhere right after I got off.”
“That’s a shame. I bet the three of us would have a great time together. Hey, perhaps another time.”
“Of course. Another time.”
“Well, bye. I’ll see you around.”
“Bye, senorita.”
Alex turned and had a smile on her face as she walked towards the door.
Miles and Trudy saw Alex smiling as she stepped out of the police station. As Alex stepped up to Miles and Trudy, Miles asked, “What happened in there for you to be smiling like that?”
“The officer at the front desk wanted to give me a personal tour of Mexico City,” Alex said.
Trudy slightly grinned before asking, “The officer hit on you?”
“He sure did.”
With a curious expression across his face Miles asked, “So how did you handle it?”
Alex grinned at Miles before saying, “I told him that my boyfriend Miles and I would be delighted for him to show us around.”
“You told the officer that I was your boyfriend?”
“I did, and after I told him that, he seemed to have remembered something he had to do instead. You don’t mind that I told the officer that, do you?”
“Oh no; I don’t mind. You can tell every guy in Mexico that I’m your boyfriend if you want.”
“Okay, thanks.” Alex then noticed that everyone, but her, Trudy and Miles was gone. “So where is everyone?”
“Ben and Cindy went with Doug and Michelle,” Trudy said. “Brandy saw a bargain store and she and Kenny went to that. They said to call one of their cell phones if we need them.”
“Okay, well anyway, I have the address to the place that Randy supposedly had broken into. The owner’s name is Catalina Mendez.”
“Okay, we need a cab,” Miles said.
Alex, Miles and Trudy walked up to the edge of the street and when a cab came by they hailed the driver.
Fifteen minutes later, Alex, Miles and Trudy were being let out in front of Catalina’s house.
The house was slightly run down. The fence was broken in a few spots. The grass was tall and was filled with weeds. A car sat on the driveway that led up towards the house.
Alex, Miles and Trudy were quiet as they walked towards the front door. Once they reached the door, Alex knocked. Alex was about to knock a second time when Catalina, a sixty-year-old woman, opened the door.
When Catalina saw Alex and her friends, she asked in Spanish, “Can I help you?”
Miles said in Spanish, “Hi, ma’am. Do you speak English?” Catalina shook her head ‘no’. “Well, anyway, ma’am, I’m Miles.” He gestured towards the others. “They are Alex and Trudy. We are here to talk about Randy Miller, the man who was arrested for breaking into your home.”
“What about him?”
“Alex is a good friend of Randy’s and Alex believes that there was a misunderstanding as to Randy’s intentions.”
“There were no misunderstandings. My son Jose came to visit me while I was out and found him in my home.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m not arguing that part, but Randy is from the U.S. and the only reason he came to Mexico City was to find his father. The only reason Randy would have come here was if a clue to find his father had led him here.”
“For whatever the reason he was here, he broke into my home.”
Alex interrupted by asking, “Miles, what’s being said?”
Miles gestured for Alex to wait before asking Catalina, “Ma’am, did you ask Randy why he had broken into your home?”
“His reason never interested me.”
“Ma’am, if I promise that Randy will return to the U.S. and not return here would you drop the charges against him?”
“That man needs to pay for his crime.”
“Can I offer you compensation in exchange for you to drop the charges?”
“What kind of compensation?”
“Name your price, and I will see if I can get it for you.”
“I have been needing repairs done to my home, but neither I nor my son has the money to hire someone to do it. My son was going to do it, but he hasn’t the time.”
“So do you want me to hire a handyman to fix your home?”
“I want your friend, the one who broke into my home, to be the one to make the repairs. I have the money to buy the supplies. I just need your friend to do the labor.”
“If Randy agrees to be your handyman, will you drop the charges?”
“Si. Once the repairs are done then he can go back to the United States.”
Alex gave Miles a curious look before asking, “Miles, what’s going on?”
“Senora Mendez will drop the charges against Randy only if he agrees to stay in Mexico and make repairs to her house,” Miles said. “Once he’s done with her house then he will be free to leave.”
“Tell Senora Mendez that Randy will do it or I’ll personally kill him.”
“What is she saying?” Catalina asked.
Miles grinned before saying in Spanish, “She said that Randy will do it or she’ll personally kill him.”
Catalina smiled and nodded at Alex.
“Miles, ask Senora Mendez if she can call us a cab so we can talk with Randy,” Alex said.
“Senora Mendez, could you call us a cab so we can return to the police station?” Miles asked.
“I’ll drive you,” Catalina said. “I want to hear it for myself what Randy says.”
Miles faced Alex and Trudy before saying, “Senora Mendez will drive us. She wants to hear it for herself that Randy will repair her house.”
Alex looked at Catalina before saying, “Gracias.”
Catalina grinned and nodded.
At Judge Torres’s house, Doug, Michelle, Ben and Cindy stepped up to the front door and rang the doorbell.
Judge Torres opened the door and after seeing everyone at the door he asked in Spanish, “May I help you, people?”
Michelle looked at Doug and said, “He wants to know what we want.”
“Judge Torrez, there’s a man waiting for trial at the police station,” Doug said. “He was arrested for breaking into someone’s home; however, I think there was a misunderstanding as to why he was there.”
“Who are you, people?” Judge Torres asked in English as Doug’s phone rang.
Doug took his phone off of his belt. “My name is Doug.” He glanced at the phone and saw that it was Alex who was calling. He then held out the phone for Michelle to take. “Answer the phone for me.” Michelle took the phone and as she walked away she answered it. Doug turned back towards Judge Torres. “My friends are Cindy, Ben and my sister Michelle. The person I’m referring to in the jail cell is Randy Miller.”
“I’m familiar with Senor Miller and his accusation, but why are you at my front door?”
Before Doug was able to answer Michelle said, “Doug, Senora Mendez, the person who filed charges against Randy is willing to drop the charges if Randy will stay on temporarily as her handyman. Alex, Trudy, Miles and Senora Mendez are on their way to the police station now.”
“The person you are talking to is with Senora Mendez now?” Judge Torres asked.
“Si,” Michelle said.
Judge Torrez stepped out of his doorway and said, “I want to talk to Senora Mendez.”
Before Michelle handed over the phone she put the phone to her ear and said, “Hey, Alex, Judge Torrez wants to talk to Senora Mendez.” Michelle then handed the phone to Judge Torrez.
Doug, Cindy and Ben watched Judge Torrez’s facial expressions and movements as he talked in Spanish to Catalina. Michelle listened more closely at what was being said and was able to understand most of it.
Judge Torrez talked for a short time. He then handed the phone back to Doug and said, “I’ll meet everyone at the police station.”
“Okay,” Doug said before he slightly held up the phone. “Oh, do you know the number for a cab? The cab we came here in is gone.”
Judge Torrez gave Doug a skeptical look for a second before saying, “Since we’re going to the same place, I’ll give you and your friends a ride.”
“Gracias,” Doug said.
“Stay put and I will be back in a minute,” Judge Torrez said before turning and walking back into his house.
At the police station, Alex, Miles and Trudy were in the visiting room while waiting for Randy. At the table Alex was seated between Trudy and Miles. An officer escorted Randy into the room and just after Randy stepped in, he gave Alex and the others curious looks.
The officer again stood by the door and as Randy stepped up to the table he asked, “Who are you, people?”
“Don’t tell me that you don’t recognize your best friend since the first grade?” Alex jokingly questioned.
Randy thought for a second before giving her a grin and asking, “Alex? Is that you?”
Alex smiled before saying, “It’s me.”
Randy sat down before saying, “Wow, you look awesome.”
“Thanks… I think. Anyway meet two good friends of mine. Miles and Trudy. Miles; Trudy, meet Randy.”
Randy and Miles shook hands while saying almost together, “Nice to meet you.”
Trudy just waved and said, “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Randy responded before facing Alex again. “So, Alex, I doubt you came here just to say ‘hi’. So, what’s up?”
“I believe we’re able to get you released from this police station on one condition,” Alex said.
“And that is?”
“Senora Mendez will drop the charges if you remain in Mexico City and be her handyman for a short time.”
“She wants me to be her handyman?”
“You broke into her home and she believes you have to pay for your crime. Miles offered to compensate her for her to drop the charges. You being her handyman is the only thing she would accept.”
“One, I’m not the one who broke into her house and two, why is Miles making any offer to compensate her?”
Miles exclaimed in an agitated tone, “I was trying to help.”
Alex took hold of Miles’ arm near the wrist before whispering to Randy, “The Randy who belongs in this reality is guilty and like it or not, you have inherited his guilt. As for Miles making that offer, he’s the only one of us who is able to speak Spanish and I told Miles before we met Senora Mendez that I wanted to do whatever it takes to get you released. And Miles did just that. All you have to do is accept the offer. Now do you want to accept Senora Mendez’s offer or do you want to wait in jail for your trial to begin?”
“For how long do I have to be her handyman?”
“Her house is slightly run down and she just wants you to repair what needs repairing. Truthfully, I don’t believe you will have to be the handyman for too long.”
“Why do you believe that?”
“You gave Doug the diagram to build the device, so while you are repairing Senora Mendez’s house, everyone else will work on building the device. Once we’re done, we will come back here and activate it.”
“All right, Alex; I’ll accept Senora Mendez’s offer.”
“Good. I think you made the right choice.” As Alex was standing up she continued with, “Trudy, Miles and I will go out and tell Senora Mendez what you are going to do.”
The officer turned and watched Miles and Trudy as they stood up.
As Randy was standing up he said, “Miles, thank you for your part with getting me out of here.”
Alex gave Miles a pleasant grin as Miles said, “You’re welcome.”
As Alex, Miles and Trudy were walking back to the front of the police station, Randy was again being escorted back to his cell. After Alex, Miles and Trudy stepped up to the officer at the front desk, Alex told the officer that Randy accepted Senora Mendez’s offer.
Senora Mendez called her son Jose and told him what was happening.
When Judge Torrez, Doug, Michelle, Cindy and Ben showed up, Judge Torrez used the computer and roughly wrote up a contract that stated that Randy had to work for Senora Mendez for either six months or when the job was complete. Meals, room and board were the only things Randy would receive for payment.
Before Catalina and Randy were able to sign the contract Jose walked into the police station and voiced his objections to it.
Miles and Michelle listened to what was being said with interest as the others watched in confusion.
Alex listened for a short time before tapping Miles on the shoulder and saying, “Miles, that guy looks irritated. What’s going on?”
“That guy is Jose, Senora Mendez’s son, and he is objecting to Randy being released and working for his mother,” Miles said.
Alex faced Doug before asking, “Doug, does Jose Mendez look slightly familiar to you?”
Doug looked at Jose for a brief moment before shaking his head and saying, “No. Does he look familiar to you?”
“I know he’s not the guy I saw in Phyllis’ picture, but he does have similar features to the one who is.” Alex turned back to Miles before requesting, “Miles, ask Senora Mendez or Jose if Jose has a brother.” Miles was about to respond when Alex continued with, “Oh and if Jose does have a brother, then ask if the brother was born with a cleft lip.”
Miles gave Alex a curious look for a second before saying, “Okay.” Miles then walked up to Catalina and Jose and asked them what Alex wanted to know.
Both Catalina and Jose said, “No.”
Before Miles had a chance to walk away, Catalina suddenly had a thought and said, “Wait. My sister Francisca had a baby boy name Roberto who was born with a cleft lip. When Roberto was only six months old Francisca took him to a doctor in the United States. Francisca came back three years later without Roberto. She would never tell me what happen to Roberto, except that Roberto was with a nice family. Francisca died a few years later from AIDS.”
Miles repeated what Catalina said in English for Alex to hear. Alex then said, “Miles, tell Senora Mendez that I have seen a picture of Randy’s father and that he had a visible scar from having a cleft lip as a baby. I’m thinking that Randy’s father is Roberto.”
After Miles translated what Alex had said, the officer at the front desk said in Spanish, “Senora Mendez, Senor Miller was found with a photo of a man in his possession when he was arrested, and the man in the photo does look a little like Senor Mendez.”
“Do you have that photo?” Catalina asked.
“Si.” The officer walked to where Randy’s personal belongings were kept. He searched through Randy’s personal belongings and once he found the picture he handed it to Catalina.
Catalina looked at the picture before looking at Jose and saying, “This man does look a little like you and from this picture I can also see a mark on his lip that could be a scar. So there’s a chance that Randy might be my sister’s grandson.”
“Mother, just because the man in the picture may or may not have a scar from a cleft lip, you shouldn’t be taken in by Randy Miller.”
“Jose, Alex knew enough to ask about the cleft lip and this man in the picture can easily be a relative of ours.” Catalina looked at the officer. “I want to talk to Senor Miller.”
“You will need a translator with Senor Miller. He cannot speak espanol,” the officer said.
“Okay. Please arrange it,” Catalina said,
“Si,” the officer said before stepping away.
Eight minutes later, Catalina was sitting in the visiting room as an officer who was able to speak English escorted Randy into the room. After stepping in the officer said in English, “Senor Miller, this is Senora Mendez.”
“You can tell Senora Mendez that I accept her offer,” Randy said.
After the officer translated what Randy had said, Catalina said, “Tell him to have a seat and that I’m actually here to find out what his father’s name is.”
After the officer translated what Catalina said, Randy sat down before saying, “I know his name by Robert Daniels, but according to my mother he was adopted by a couple when he was about two years old, so that’s not his birth name and I don’t know what his birth name is.” The officer was about to translate when Randy continued to say, “I do know that he was born in Mexico City, and three years ago I was told by someone who used to work with him that he returned here.”
The officer translated, but it wasn’t verbatim. Catalina then said, “According to Alex, your father had a cleft lip at birth.”
After the officer translated, Randy said, “He did. My mom told me that he had a few operations to correct it before he was three.”
The police translated what Randy had said. Catalina then said, “My sister had a son named Roberto. He was born with a cleft lip. I now believe that your father is my sister’s son.” The officer translated what Catalina said. Before Randy responded Catalina said, “Tell Senor Miller that I’m rescinding the offer I made him, but I’m still dropping the charges against him.”
The officer translated. Randy put out his hand to shake hands before saying, “Gracias.”
After shaking hands Catalina stood up and walked out. The officer escorted Randy back to his cell.
When Catalina stepped back up to the front she told the officer at the desk, “I’m dropping all charges. There was no crime committed.”
“That man broke into your house!” Jose uttered. “I caught him there myself.”
“He is my sister’s grandson. I believe Alex when she said that he was in my home looking for his father.”
“Mother, you are falling for these people’s con,” Jose said.
Catalina turned towards the officer before saying, “There’s been a mistake. Senor Miller committed no crime against me.”
As Jose continued his objection, Alex asked, “Miles, what’s going on?”
“Senora Mendez is dropping the charges against Randy, and Senor Mendez doesn’t like it.”
Catalina walked away from Jose and walked up to Miles. Michelle stepped closer so she could hear as Catalina said, “As you heard, I’m dropping the charges against your friend. When he gets released, he can return to the United States with you and the others.”
“Gracias,” Miles said.
“Tell Randy that if he is ever in Mexico City again, he’s welcome to visit me.”
“I’ll tell him.”
Catalina nodded and after she turned and was walking away, Alex asked, “What did she say?”
“Once Randy is released, he is free to leave Mexico,” Miles said.
“Randy is also welcome to visit Senora Mendez if he ever returns to Mexico,” Michelle added.
“Awesome. We’re finally getting a break,” Alex said.
“So I guess it is just a matter of days for you to go back home,” Miles sullenly said.
Michelle caught the tone and gave Miles a curious look. Alex also caught the tone and responded with, “It looks that way. I think it’s better if it happens sooner than later anyway.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Miles said insincerely.
Alex ignored Mile’s tone and said, “Well, I actually need to use the restroom. So I can ask the officer where I need to go what is the word… or phrase for the lady’s room?”
“It’s servicio de senoras.”
“Thanks,” Alex said before turning and walking away.
Miles noticed Michelle looking at him and when he looked at Michelle, Michelle said, “You like Alex. I’m mean, the Alex who is here now.”
“I like both of them actually.”
“But you don’t like both of them in the same way, do you?”
“How old are you again?”
“I’m sixteen, and I’m old enough to know when a person has a thing for another person. And you have a thing for Alex.”
“I can’t have a thing for Alex for a few reasons.”
“Okay; whatever you say.”
Miles gave Michelle a skeptical look before saying, “I’m going outside for a bit of fresh air.” Miles then walked away.
Alex stepped out of the stall and as she stepped up to the sink to wash her hands, Michelle entered the restroom. Alex glanced at Michelle long enough to see who was coming in as she turned on the water.
Michelle walked up to Alex and said, “Miles has a thing for you, you know.”
“He did have a thing for me, but then I told him the truth about me… about how I wasn’t Alexandra in the other reality.” Alex turned off the water.
As Alex was reaching for the paper towels Michelle said, “From what I saw, Miles isn’t concerned with who you were in the other reality.”
As Alex dried her hands she said, “I think it’s just that he is able to talk to me easier than he can with the other Alex, that’s all. So I wouldn’t read too much into it. We’re just friends, and he knows that we can only be just friends. He’ll miss me when I return to my reality, and honestly, I’ll miss hanging out with him too.” Michelle looked at Alex as if she was trying to make sense about something. “What?”
Michelle smiled before saying, “Oh my God. You have a thing for Miles too.”
“Even if that was true, which I’m not saying it is, there is no way I can act on it.” Alex threw the towels in the trashcan. “I don’t belong here. I belong in the other reality with Bonnie, my fiancée.”
“And what if you or the others can’t get back? What if Randy’s device working the first time was a fluke?”
“We’ll know in a few days. We need to join the others.”
“I need to use the bathroom first.”
Alex nodded and as she was walking towards the door, Michelle entered a stall.
Minutes later, as Michelle was returning to the front of the police station, she could only see Doug. She walked up to him and asked, “Where is everyone?”
“The officer at the counter told us to clear out as we wait for Randy to be released, so everyone went outside to wait. I was about ready to walk outside myself when you walked up.”
As Doug and Michelle walked towards the exit, Michelle asked, “Doug, do you know that Alex romantically likes Miles?”
“I do. In fact, she’s losing her male identity rapidly and that has her scared. That’s why she is so focused on getting back to our own reality.”
“How long will it take Randy to re-create the device?”
“I’m thinking it will take him a week; two weeks at the most.” Doug opened the door and motioned for Michelle to walk out first.