The Mercer Experience *Guillermo*

[ROSE MERCER]

She was on her third cigarette, and they weren't even halfway there. When the cigarette wasn't in her mouth, she chewed the thumb nail on her free hand or played with baseball she had just bought. In her lap sat 24 Halloween cupcakes, as Rose did not cook and had thought of a dish to pass at the last minute. Guillermo's truck, which Rose had dubbed 'The Beast', barreled across New York, and the neighborhoods started to look worse and rose. Conversation was minimal, mostly due to Rose's nerves.

Finally, after awhile of driving, and another cigarette, they approached the old house that appeared to have been nice once upon a time. The white paint peeled, and had taken on a yellowish tone. The yard was gray, the earth beneath the remnants of grass was cracked and dry. The nine youngers stared out the living room window, their mouths agape in awe at the flamed truck. A young boy, who saw Rose in the passenger seat, ran up to get a better look at the car. Rose recognized the boy as Tommy Jenkins, who went to buy groceries for her Nana on her bad days. Rose gave him half a smile as she climbed out of the the cab, tossing the baseball down to him.

"Hey Tommy. How goes it?"

He wasn't listening, his eyes stuck on the car as he gripped the baseball. "Holy cow Rose. Sweet ride."

Rose smiled a thank you, nodding towards the house at Guillermo as she crossed over to it. The younger cousins, seeing a new face, rushed to the door, opening it before Rose could touch the knob. "Oh. Hey." They were creepy, in their way. Like the children of the corn, with their cornsilk hair and pale blue eyes. She looked at Guillermo, pointing at the nine cousins. These are 1-8."

"Rose, why do you call us numbers?"

"Whose your friend?"

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"What's his name?"

"Why is his skin all brown?"

"Is he related to Aunt Maria?"

Rose flinched at all the questions, her Aunt appearing out of the back of the house. This was Aunt Marshie, who was bitter and overweight. "Oh, well, look at that. I see Miss Rose graced us with her-" Her Aunt stopped her stream of bitch long enough to see Guillermo, eying him suspiciously. "Well. I see you do have something in common with your Father after all..." Rose stared at Marshie, who waddled away to the kitchen.

Her lips thinning, Rose looked at the children, who ignored the scene, poking and prodding at Guillermo with the manners of a wildebeest with down syndrome. "Hey kids, some of you are Aunt Marshie's, yeah?" They stared at her, as if discerning if she was joking or not. Rose handed the cupcakes to Number One. "Go eat all of these. As fast as you can!"

"That doesn't sound like some-"

"I'm a grown up, right? Well, I'm telling you to go pig out. Now get." Rose shooed them away, knowing that in an hour her revenge would take place in the faces of a small army of sugar stoned brats. Rose grinned at Guillermo, trying to relax a bit,

After three more steps in, she heard her Mother cry out in joy Oh God. Here we go.

Her Mother was a pretty woman, who was aged before her time, silver strands bleeding into her dark brown hair. Her skin was pale brown, her eyes large and brown like a reindeer's. She wore a floral dress, covered in flour, despite the apron she wore. Her facial features were very similar to Rose's, though the coloring was off slightly. Hey Mama..." Rose said, straining as she was locked in a constricting embrace.

"Look at you, you're so thin! I knew-"

"Mama-"

"Oh and you've been chewing your fingernails again!"

"Mama-"

"Rosaline! I am just so ha-"

"MAMA! This is Guillermo!" Rose said, needing the attention off from her.

Her Mother's eyes trailed over to Guillermo, looking him over, her smile wide. Rose could see it, the little twinkle that MAYBE someone was right for her precious hija. It made Rose uncomfortable. "Rosaline! He's so handsome!" She said, not helping the comfort level.

"Uhh, yeah. There's that I guess. Where's Nana?" Rose said, shifting a little, as her Mother embraced Guillermo. Of course.

"In her room. Be careful. She's not in a good mood today." She gave Guillermo and Rose an apologetic look. "I have to get back to dinner. We should talk later, yes?" Her Mother said, before skirting away.

Rose gave Guillermo her own apologetic look, nudging towards the staircase, hoping not to run into anymore relatives from here to Nana's room.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Rose sat in an uneasy silence the entire ride. Guillermo just let his mind focus on the directions she had given him, so his mind wouldn't wander about her family.
They arrived at a normal but somewhat shabby house and Rose got out, tossing a baseball to a kid with an awed expression.
"Hey Tommy. How goes it?"
"Holy cow Rose. Sweet ride."
She nodded towards the house and they approached, watching the eyes peeping through the front window.
They reached the door and it opened to reveal a gaggle of small kids
"Oh. Hey. These are 1-8."
The kids had wide light blue eyes and blonde hair, straight and thin. And then his thoughts were wiped away as they opened their mouths.
"Rose, why do you call us numbers?"
"Whose your friend?"
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"What's his name?"
"Why is his skin all brown?"
"Is he related to Aunt Maria?"
His jaw dropped a little lower at each question. Before he could even attempt to answer, someone else entered the room.
"Oh, well, look at that. I see Miss Rose graced us with her- Well. I see you do have something in common with your Father after all..." Her aunt said icily as she eyed up Guillermo, then waddled back to another room. He held back a glare at her rudeness to Rose.
The little kids were poking at him, nudging and prodding. He rumpled a head or two, grinning at the enthusiastic and curious children.
"Hey kids, some of you are Aunt Marshie's, yeah? Go eat all of these. As fast as you can!"
She gave one of the kids the cupcakes she brought. The kid gave her a skeptical look.
"That doesn't sound like some-"
"I'm a grown up, right? Well, I'm telling you to go pig out. Now get."
Rose shot him a grin and he was about to comment on her babysitting skills when he heard a surprised squeak of happiness.
Her mother was just as pretty as Rose. She had dark hair that was lightly flecked with silver, big brown eyes and a slightly lined face, like she spent most of her time thinking.
"Hey Mama..."
Her mother hugged her tightly.
"Look at you, you're so thin! I knew-"
"Mama-"
"Oh and you've been chewing your fingernails again!"
"Mama-"
"Rosaline! I am just so ha-"
"MAMA! This is Guillermo!"
"Rosaline! He's so handsome!"
His cheeks flushed lightly and he busied himself by keeping his eyes on Rose.
"Uhh, yeah. There's that I guess. Where's Nana?"
He smirked at Rose's discomfort, obviously trying to get away from the clutches of her family.
"In her room. Be careful. She's not in a good mood today. I have to get back to dinner. We should talk later, yes?" Rose's mother embraced him and he smiled.
"Of course, Mrs. Mercer."
Rose looked quite annoyed and led him away, apparently in search of her grandmother.

[ROSE MERCER]

As she climbed the stairs, she gave an already exhausted smile up at Guillermo, as they were followed by Number Seven (who apparently decided cupcakes were lame). Rose ignored her, as she gave a hauntingly unblinking stare in Guillermo's direction.

Nana Grace's room was the most distinguishable, as it was painted a vibrant purple with hot pink trim. Even the door knob was different than the rest of the house, appearing to be something like a Victorian Crystal knob. Rose decided now was the time to acknowledge the little stow away, whose strange stare was still locked on Guillermo. "Didn't I just give you lot two plastic containers full of sugar? Shoo. Go on! Scat, you creepy thing..." Number Seven rolled her eyes, but stood stationary. Rose shrugged, tapping Nana Grace's door lightly. "Nana?"

As Rose started to open the door, she heard (and felt) a large, glass, bottle be hurtled in the direction of it, shattering. Rose laughed as she heard Nana Grace inside. "What did I tell you little shits about-" Rose popped her head in, her grin wide, as her Grandmother's face changed from one of anger, to one of pleasant surprise. "Roz? Honey! Oh, come on in. I thought you were one of the other ones. Caught the trying to play dress up with my cloths."

When Rose opened the door, letting Guillermo see her beloved Nana, Rose had to appreciate the peculair effect on him. Here was a woman, as attractive as a woman close to the age of sixty seven could be, in a peculair outfit. She wore a black beaded flapper, with nude nylons, Over this, she wore an open, vibrant blue and orange kimono as a robe. On her small hands she wore delicate, white, lace gloves; and held a long stemmed cigarette holder. On her tiny feet she wore short heels, with white fluffy tufted fur on the strap, like one saw on the tops of fourth grade girls pens.

Her Grandmother's dark blue eyes, almost identical to Rose's in coloring, fell upon Guillermo. It was there that Rose noticed where she had gotten her little smirk from. "Well hello, Sailor. Rose, this yours?"

Rose giggled, grinning at Guillermo. "Just a friend Nana. This is Guillermo Salas-Ortiz."

"Well, I could use a few more friends like that. Rozie, close the door before those Hyena's get in." Nana Grace said, putting out one cigarette from her stem and replacing it with another, before approaching Guillermo and taking his chin into his hands. Rose closed the door, squeezing Guillermo's hand to let him know this was perfectly normal. "Alright, Guillermo, lets take a look at you. Ooooh, he has a strong chin Roz." Rose giggled a little. "But sensitive eyes. Watch out for him Roz, he'll be a little trouble." Nana winked at Guillermo before embracing her Grand Daughter, and pouring herself a new glass of schnapps.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

One little girl followed along behind them. Her stare was starting to make him feel a bit paranoid. Rose lost patience quickly.
"Didn't I just give you lot two plastic containers full of sugar? Shoo. Go on! Scat, you creepy thing..."
The kid stood motionless and Rose gave up, knocking lightly on the door.
"Nana?"
Suddenly there was a bang and a shattering from inside the room and Guillermo jumped in surprise.
"What did I tell you little shits about-"
Rose's grin was wider than he'd ever seen it before. It was infectious.
"Roz? Honey! Oh, come on in. I thought you were one of the other ones. Caught the trying to play dress up with my cloths."
Rose opened the door, revealing her grandmother. She was very lively looking and certainly was dressed very oddly. He tilted his head to the side in amused confusion.
He caught her grandmother's eyes and noticed how similar they were to Rose's. He smiled.
"Well hello, Sailor. Rose, this yours?"
Rose giggled, grinning at him. "Just a friend Nana. This is Guillermo Salas-Ortiz."
"Well, I could use a few more friends like that. Rozie, close the door before those Hyena's get in."
He grandmother extinguished her cigarette, replaced it, then came closer, taking his chin and apparently inspecting his face closely.
Slightly alarmed though he was, he calmed when Rose squeezed his hand.
"Alright, Guillermo, lets take a look at you. Ooooh, he has a strong chin Roz." Rose giggled a little. "But sensitive eyes. Watch out for him Roz, he'll be a little trouble."
"Nice to meet you, Ma'am," he said, letting his dark eyes drop shyly to the floor. He knew that this was someone Rose cared a lot about, considering how comfortable she became.

[ROSE MERCER]

"Nice to meet you, Ma'am," Rose heard Guillermo say quietly, his eyes dropping shyly.

"Polite too? Tell me Roz, is he a Billionaire? I swear, if he's the trifecta, I might just have too steal him away." Grace Mercer said, laughing thickly from her heavy years of smoking. Her room was a mixture of ages, though the 20's seemed to be favored to her. And on her mantle, she had a line of pictures of her Grandchildren, especially Rose. Various ones: Senior Prom Queen, Little League, a Beauty Pageant her Mother made her enter, a few even had Seth in them.

Rose moved over to the back window, peering through the lace curtain where her Father stood laughing with his Brother in Laws, his trademark beer in hand. Her lips thinned, though she tried to keep hints of nervousness off from her face. "Roz, we were almost worried you weren't coming. The way your Mama tells it, you just left over night."

Rose kept her eyes on her Father, as she answered. "Yeah, well. I've been busy."

Grace smirked at Guillermo. "I can see that."

"Nana!" Rose said, though unable to hold back a smile. It had to be a little embarrassing for Guillermo, to have a older woman be so forward.

"I'm admiring your taste is all Dear." Nana Grace said, giving Guillermo's butt a little pinch, taking a drink from her glass. Grabbing Guillermo's arm, she started tugging him towards the door, before Nana made him faint or something. "Can I suggest showing him your bedroom, Roz?" Her Grandmother laughed thickly, going into a fit of coughs.

"Thanks Nana." Roz chuckled, her cheeks turning the same color as her name sake. Back out in the hallway, she laughed, trying to make light of such an awkward situation. "She is really the coolest old person I know, when she's not hitting on people. She thinks life's too short to be subtle-" Number Seven stood out in the hallway, staring at Guillermo again. "Seven. What is it?"

"Trixie says he's your boyfriend." She said, her voice curious, cute, and sticky.

"Well, Trixie is an idiot. He's my friend." Rose replied, flippant in tone, attempting to walk past her.

Seven blocked the way, her voice getting a little edge to it. "Is he a girl?" Rose crossed her arms, her patience quota already wearing thin. "So then he's your friend who is a boy. Your BOYfriend."

Rose frowned, knowing this little game. "Shouldn't you be playing in the street, running with scissors, or something."

Walking past the little blond, she took Guillermo's hand, the discontent feeling bubbling in her belly. "BOYFRIENDS AND GIRLFRIENDS HOLD HANDS!" Rose released as they headed down the stairs, rolling her eyes.

"My Mama probably needs help in the kitchen. C'mon." Rose muttered, as they past her younger cousins, their faces smeared with orange frosting, holding their bellies, the wrappers surrounding them. As the pair got closer to the kitchen, the smell of food was rich. Her Aunts sat in the corner, their froofy drinks in hand, watching as Maria Mercer checked on the various pots on the stove. Upon seeing Guillermo and Rose, the Aunts began muttering amongst themselves. The words: 'Shameless' and 'Shabby' piqued Rose's ears, making her eyes sharpen considerably. "Aunt Marnie, Aunt Margie, this is Guillermo. Aunt Marshie, you met him briefly."

Marshie gave a sneer like smile. "Charmed."

Rose looked at Guillermo, making her voice low, but audible to everyone in the room. "Isn't Marshie so brave for being polite? After Uncle Tim was caught conoodling with his secretary. Oh, it was such a big spectacle. I'm pretty sure EVERYONE knows about it." Rose gave a 'that's-a-shame' look, her eyes smiling, tickled. Marshie's face flushed, and she turned back to her sisters, speaking of other things. Satisfied, Rose looked at her Mama's disapproving face. "So, what can we do?"

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Polite too? Tell me Roz, is he a Billionaire? I swear, if he's the trifecta, I might just have too steal him away."
Guillermo's smile was fading as he watched Rose move across the room, gazing at the pictures sullenly. His chocolate eyes took in her every move, concerned.
"Roz, we were almost worried you weren't coming. The way your Mama tells it, you just left over night."
Rose didn't turn to acknowledge her grandmother.
"Yeah, well. I've been busy."
Nana Grace smirked at Guillermo. "I can see that."
His cheeks tinged pink again as Rose turned, her voice indignant but contradicted with a smile.
"Nana!"
"I'm admiring your taste is all Dear."
Nana Grace pinched him and he yelped in surprise, his eyes wide with incredulity. This was quite a different state than Rose had ever seen him in, he was sure.
"Can I suggest showing him your bedroom, Roz?" Her Grandmother laughed thickly, going into a fit of coughs.
Guillermo chanced a grin, but Rose's red face seemed to be a negative.
"Thanks Nana. She is really the coolest old person I know, when she's not hitting on people. She thinks life's too short to be subtle-"
Rose explained after closing the door. The little girl still stood there.
"Seven. What is it?"
"Trixie says he's your boyfriend."
Rose glowered at her.
"Well, Trixie is an idiot. He's my friend."
"Is he a girl? So then he's your friend who is a boy. Your BOYfriend."
Rose's frown deepened. "Shouldn't you be playing in the street, running with scissors, or something."
She grabbed his hand to lead him down the stairs and the girl instantly shrieked,
"BOYFRIENDS AND GIRLFRIENDS HOLD HANDS!"
They continued to descend, although no longer holding hands.
"My Mama probably needs help in the kitchen. C'mon."
Her aunts sat in a corner of the kitchen, whispering to each other and shooting glares at him.
"Aunt Marnie, Aunt Margie, this is Guillermo. Aunt Marshie, you met him briefly."
One of them sneered and he couldn't fight the indignant frown. "Charmed."
"Isn't Marshie so brave for being polite? After Uncle Tim was caught conoodling with his secretary. Oh, it was such a big spectacle. I'm pretty sure EVERYONE knows about it."
Rose shared a stare-off with her aunt, making her aunt turn magenta and apparently finished, turned to her mother who was doing all the cooking alone.
"So, what can we do?"
"Whatever you need, Mrs. Mercer, I'd be happy to help."
Anything to spite those bitches in the corner.
Guillermo internally fumed at the way they looked at Rose. Like she was less than them. But she was so much more.

[ROSE MERCER]

"Whatever you need, Mrs. Mercer, I'd be happy to help."

Though Maria was not fond of Rose's defense tactics against the Awful Aunts, she seemed to soften at Guillermo's politeness, which also gained distrustful gazes from the peanut gallery. "Well, if you two don't mind peeling the potatoes..." Rose saluted, smirking as she went to the sink, beginning to rinse the spuds.

This was going surprisingly well. Sure, her Aunts were bitches, but big deal. Even the sticky kids were kind of cute. Mary Anne and her respective side kicks weren't anywhere to be found. Hell, maybe she'd even see Stinky and No-Good later. Splashing Guillermo lightly with water, her smile was wide and mischievous. Today was going to be okay, yeah.

And then her Father came in.

"Maria, where the hell is that beer?" Jimmy Mercer, whose voice was gruff and short, entered through the back door. He was not a bad looking man, though he was sporting a beer gut. His frame suggested, though, that he was once in good shape. His skin was heavily freckled, his hair thinning, and a light, strawberry blond. Even from the other side of the kitchen, Rose could smell the thick cloud of beer odor on him. Instantly, Rose tensed, focusing on the potato in her hand.

"Sorry Honey, I've been trying to get dinner ready." Rose bit her lip as her Mother dropped what she was doing to fetch him another six pack. But she said nothing, and instead waited for the clang of the back door, peeling the potato carefully with a knife.

"Rose." Jimmy barked suddenly, making her flinch. She looked at him, keeping her face blank. "Ain't you gonna say 'Hi'?"

Rose bit her lip, not wanting a fight in front of Guillermo. Perhaps her Mother's plan to get her to behave worked a little better than Rose had thought it would. "Hi."

The tension in the room was palpable, much to the delight of her Aunts. If not for a sudden retching sound coming from the living room, they would have watched the drama as closely as a tennis enthusiast watched a game. Disgusting. Luckily, the cupcakes Rose had served the Younger Cousins earlier, appeared not to agree, and the three went to check on their precious babies. Jimmy on the other hand watched his only child closely. "Who the fuck is this?" He nodded at Guillermo's direction, as Rose looped her pinky around his thumb.

"Rose's friend Guillermo. I had mentio-"

"Can't she talk for her damn self? Or did Miss Rosaline suddenly become too good to talk to her family since she ran away to college." He asked, his voice dripping disdainfully, as if College was code for a Crack Den.

Rose put down the knife, shaking her head, before laughing darkly. "Seriously? You know, most parents would be real pleased that their kid is in college. They ASPIRE to it. And it's not like your paying for it."

Jimmy pointed at her, threateningly. "Don't you get lippy girl."

Rose put her hands in the air, as if shaking her hands of the whole conversation, returning to the potato.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Well, if you two don't mind peeling the potatoes..."
Rose saluted her mother cheekily and went to peel, Guillermo joining her instantly.
She splashed Guillermo with water, grinning widely and mischievously.
"Maria, where the hell is that beer?"
A deep voice echoed in the kitchen, despite the average size.
"Sorry Honey, I've been trying to get dinner ready."
Rose seemed to shrink a bit, almost like she didn't want to be seen by-
"Rose. Ain't you gonna say 'Hi'?" the man said, making Rose flinch with his tone.
Rose bit her lip, "Hi."
The almost-happy atmosphere was immediately extinguished.
Guillermo felt the way everything paused to draw attention to this man and Rose.
A retching sound came from the other room, and her aunts bustled out quickly.
"Who the fuck is this?" The man asked, nodding at Guillermo.
Guillermo's eyes hardened at the way he spoke to Rose.
"Rose's friend Guillermo. I had mentio-"
"Can't she talk for her damn self? Or did Miss Rosaline suddenly become too good to talk to her family since she ran away to college."
He wanted to step in front of her and get in her father's face.
Rose laughed, shaking her head in disgust.
"Seriously? You know, most parents would be real pleased that their kid is in college. They ASPIRE to it. And it's not like your paying for it."
This was her father.
This was her FATHER.
He was starting to understand why she never spoke of her family life and her father's aggressive stance and tone confirmed his suspicions. This man had hurt her.
Guillermo nearly shook with rage, reaching to take her hand. He didn't care who saw or what they would think. He wanted to tell her that he was there. No one would hurt her while he was there.
Her father jabbed his finger in her direction. "Don't you get lippy girl."
Rose put her hands in the air, then turned back to what she was doing.
Guillermo held back a glower and took Rose's hand again when she dropped it to her side.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose seethed with anger, though she kept it under wraps. Guillermo's warm hand suddenly clutched hers, and she looked at him in genuine shock. Shaking this off, Rose shrugged at him, as if telling him it was no big deal. She heard her Mother mutter to her Father, trying to keep peace. As always. "Please Jimmy, things are going so well." Rose held back the flinch as he opened his beer, scoffing loudly.

"So, what? I'm not allowed to talk to the damn girl?" He barked, as Rose counted the peels. "And why the hell is he here? This ain't no damn soup kitchen. We aren't feeding the neighborhood. Isn't this day suppose to be about family or something?" He was reaching now, wanting to be offended. So long as Daddy got his turkey and beer, he didnt give a damn.

"As oppose to getting Faced." Rose grumbled, wondering if she was on peel fifteen or sixteen.

"You got something to say Girl?"

"Course not. Little woman should be seen and not heard."

Jimmy started to rise, as Rose continued to focus on her potato, her anger rising and rising.

Maria Mercer let out a sigh. "You two... Guillermo, they were really quite close once." Rose's eyes darted up to the window in front of her, her lip trembling with anger. Her Mother was too concerned with the gravy to notice. "I remember once, Jimmy came home from work, and Rose was all excited because she had just won a kickball game at school." Her Mother chuckled at the memory, as Jimmy leaned against the wall, drinking his beer. "And he asked her why she was making such a ruckus, because she was bouncing all over the place. She's always been so spirited. And so she told him 'Daddy, I beat all the boys at kickball today. None of them could catch me, none of them could out kick me', and Jimmy smiled and took her and Seth out to ice cream. Rose, don't you remember? You had said it was the best day ever."

Staring out the window, Rose wiped off her hands, nodding blankly, laughing hollowly. "Oh, I remember. That's a good story, Mama. You know what else is a good story?" Rose smiled, her grin not reaching her eyes, which were stone with anger. "Junior prom. You remember Junior Prom Mama?" Maria looked away, shaking her head, as Jimmy started to tense. "Oh come on, Mama, you have to remember. I know Daddy does." She looked at Guillermo, taking on the same nostalgic tone her Mother just had. "Well, see, I had gotten asked out by a senior. His name was Jamal Wiltson. He played football, had a little bit of a reputation. Daddy said I could go, if I could save up the money for a dress. Remember Daddy? Well, he really didn't think I would be able too, and he got pissed. Are you remembering yet Mama? And so he forbade me to go." Rose started to laugh, as if it was a happy memory. "Said no daughter of his was going to become the neighborhood slut. Well, I said I was going, being the little spit fire that I am, and Daddy didn't take too kindly too that, did you Daddy?"

Rose's stare was dangerous now, the smile fading gradually, the merry tone leaving her. She'd throw a chuckle here and there. "Rose-"

"Mama, I'm not done." Rose snapped, her tone suddenly very severe. Stared at his daughter, his mouth trembling in the same fashion hers just was, filled with rage. "So, guess what my Dad did, Guillermo. He BEAT my face in until I was unrecognizable, so that Jamal wouldn't want to take me. And it worked. My face became something similar to a black and purple pin cushion. It took three days for the swelling to go down enough for me to see." Rose laughed thickly at this, her eyes burning. "I wasn't even allowed to cry, because Mercer's don't cry. Right Daddy. That's what you taught me?"

"You have ugly talents, Rose." Jimmy breathed, eying Guillermo, as if sizing him up, to see if he'd fight back.

"I learned from the best." Her tone held no trace of mirth, but anger prickled it, in it's quiet and severe tone. With that, Rose turned on heel, as Jimmy stared, pure rage on his face. Pure, hot, rage.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Please Jimmy, things are going so well," her mother whispered, as if any movement could make the unstable environment crash.
"So, what? I'm not allowed to talk to the damn girl? And why the hell is he here? This ain't no damn soup kitchen. We aren't feeding the neighborhood. Isn't this day suppose to be about family or something?" Guillermo frowned. His voice was cold and angry, trying to get at Rose. It seemed to be working.
"As oppose to getting Faced."
"You got something to say Girl?"
"Course not. Little woman should be seen and not heard."
Rose's face was flushed with anger and Guillermo gripped her hand tighter, trying not to let his own emotions run wild.
Maria Mercer sighed and addressed him.
"You two... Guillermo, they were really quite close once. I remember once, Jimmy came home from work, and Rose was all excited because she had just won a kickball game at school. And he asked her why she was making such a ruckus, because she was bouncing all over the place. She's always been so spirited. And so she told him 'Daddy, I beat all the boys at kickball today. None of them could catch me, none of them could out kick me', and Jimmy smiled and took her and Seth out to ice cream. Rose, don't you remember? You had said it was the best day ever."
Rose's face, just previously contorted with anger, now slipped into a cold, cruel mask of indifference.
"Oh, I remember. That's a good story, Mama. You know what else is a good story?"
Rose's smile was like one of a villain in a horror movie, merely there to frighten one with a false sense of security.
"Junior prom. You remember Junior Prom Mama? Oh come on, Mama, you have to remember. I know Daddy does."
She looked at Guillermo as her mother shook her head, her voice morphed into a mockery of a storyteller.
"Well, see, I had gotten asked out by a senior. His name was Jamal Wiltson. He played football, had a little bit of a reputation. Daddy said I could go, if I could save up the money for a dress. Remember Daddy? Well, he really didn't think I would be able too, and he got pissed. Are you remembering yet Mama? And so he forbade me to go. Said no daughter of his was going to become the neighborhood slut. Well, I said I was going, being the little spit fire that I am, and Daddy didn't take too kindly too that, did you Daddy?"
Rose's eye landed upon her father, who was tensed and frothing with anger.
"Rose-" began her mother in a fearful, wary tone.
"Mama, I'm not done. So, guess what my Dad did, Guillermo. He BEAT my face in until I was unrecognizable, so that Jamal wouldn't want to take me. And it worked. My face became something similar to a black and purple pin cushion. It took three days for the swelling to go down enough for me to see. I wasn't even allowed to cry, because Mercer's don't cry. Right Daddy. That's what you taught me?"
Guillermo thought he would burst from the fury in his chest, watching Rose blink quickly to fight the coming onslaught of tears.
"You have ugly talents, Rose," her father said, glaring at him. Guillermo glared right back, his dark brown eyes nearly black under the shadow of his draw eyebrows
"I learned from the best." Rose's tone was cold but quiet.
He wanted to pull her into a hug and tell her everything would be alright. But he suddenly realized why he couldn't promise that.
He embraced her from behind anyway, holding tightly.
"Only a coward hits a woman," he breathed into her ear, unable to help from venting a bit of anger.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose's eyes stung fiercely, as she held back tears, watching her Father hold back the urge to slap her on the spot, and her Mother focusing hard on the food. Guillermo's arms wrapped around her shaking body, and the tears became harder to hold back. "Only a coward hits a woman," An egg landed in Rose's throat, as she blinked a few times, trying to sooth herself. It was difficult to, with Guillermo holding her like that. But she would not cry, not in front of Jimmy Mercer.

Her Father bounced from heel to hell, anxious in his own agitation. His lip would occasionally snarl, as he tried to retort to what was just revealed to a stranger, but he remained quiet in his corner. He wanted to hit Rose, she knew it. But with Guillermo's arms around her, he couldn't react properly. Not without bringing him into it, and Jimmy Mercer hated a fair fight. Guillermo was a strong young man, who might not have the equivalent girth, but could probably make up for it with speed. He watched hungrily as Rose began taking Guillermo's hands off from her, trying to prevent herself from sobbing on sight. "That was a pretty little speech, Rosaline." Jimmy said, hoarsely, watching his daughter turn to her Best Friend, holding up her hand in request for a moment of space. "Any other family business you want to share?"

Aunt Margie appeared in the doorway, thinner than Marshie, with the same stark blond hair. She took in Guillermo's worried expression, Jimmy's rage, Rose's shaking body. It wasn't difficult to figure out what was going on. "You're disgusting. All of you. If it hadn't been for Nana, I wouldn't have bothered. I shouldn't have bothered." Rose muttered, allowing herself to be just heard slightly. Her Mother looked especially stung by the comment. "I'm out of here-"

Rose marched past her parents, her heels clicking on the loose tiles of the floor, as her Father caught her by her arm. "You're not leaving yet-" Rose yanked her hand back, her face stiff.

"You don't scare me. In fact, I pity you. Must take some kind of fucked up to hit a seven year old, to make yourself feel less of a pathetic waste-"

The crack against her cheek echoed through the kitchen, as the force of the blow broke a small piece of skin, letting a single line of blood trickle down her face. Had she not caught herself on the counter, she would have crashed to the floor, and she could not help the small victory in her chest for having got to him so bad.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo felt her pull away, holding up a hand to him and he backed away slightly, realizing that she needed a minute to pull together.
"That was a pretty little speech, Rosaline. Any other family business you want to share?"
"You're disgusting. All of you. If it hadn't been for Nana, I wouldn't have bothered. I shouldn't have bothered."
Her mother flinched slightly, her brown eyes hurt.
"I'm out of here-"
Rose attempted to leave the room and her father caught her arm.
"You're not leaving yet-"
Rose tore her arm away.
"You don't scare me. In fact, I pity you. Must take some kind of fucked up to hit a seven year old, to make yourself feel less of a pathetic waste-"
Almost in slow motion, Mr. Mercer's hand made contact with Rose's face, making a sharp echoing crack. Rose caught herself on the counter, gasping, a line of blood running from her face.
Guillermo snapped.
He lunged forward, pushing her father away from her, before punching him in the jaw, hard and quick enough to make the aging man lose his balance and fall to the kitchen floor.
"Don't touch her, you bastard!" He bellowed, "Ella vale más para mí que cualquier otra cosa! Usted debe estar contento de que ella aún tiene la fuerza para mirar siquiera a ti, porque tú eres más que un monstruo que no puede ganar su amor!"
He had never felt so much rage in his life.

[ROSE MERCER]

Had Rose had time to stop him, she probably would have. But with impressive speed, Guillermo crossed the kitchen, punching her Father square in the jaw, making the man topple to the floor. Her Mother cried out, gaining a look of reproach from Rose, as her Father held his jaw. "Don't touch her, you bastard!" Guillermo bellowed, his anger in full bloom. "Ella vale más para mí que cualquier otra cosa! Usted debe estar contento de que ella aún tiene la fuerza para mirar siquiera a ti, porque tú eres más que un monstruo que no puede ganar su amor!" Rose looked at him, wide eyed, as Maria Mercer held her hand to her heart. Margie raced off to find her sisters, baffled by this dramatic turn of events.

Jimmy stared, his eyes darting from Guillermo to Rose, and back again. "Boy, you're going to pay for that!" He yelled out, rising to his feet and grabbing Guillermo's shirt, his fist cocking back. Both Rose and Maria went forward, trying to stop the fight. Rose because Guillermo was not going to jail over her Father, Maria... probably trying to protect her aging husband. Jimmy did not care for the presence of the women, and his fist came close to connecting before a pistol was fired.

Plaster from the ceiling rained down over the scene, as Grace Mercer stared into the kitchen, the pearl handled Lady Gun raised above her head. "That is quite enough of that." She spoke, in a sagely dignified tone, placing the pistol in the lace garter around her thigh. She entered the kitchen further, the Aunts and Cousin's watching from way of the entrance to the dining room, the Uncles watching from the back screen door, all shocked by the sound of a gun. Rose wondered if this was how animals felt at the zoo, but Nana Grace was unfazed, stepping between Guillermo and Jimmy. Her eyes landed on Guillermo first. "You made your point Dear. Why don't you take Rosaline to the bathroom, and help her clean up."

"Ma-"

"James. Do not further shame yourself by speaking. You're lucky I got down here when I did, what this Young man would have done to you. Now for God's sake, act like you were raised with sense I stay quiet." Grace Mercer spoke in a quiet, severe, voice.

"Mother, you didn't see what that mongrel-"

"Macia Anne, you say one word against that boy, I'll shoot off your big toe, so help me." No one spoke, afraid that she meant what she said. Grace touched her Granddaughters cheek, light as a feather, though still receiving a wince. "Go get cleaned up, Baby." Rose nodded, walking past her family silently, leading the way to the bathroom.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Boy, you're going to pay for that!"
Her father grabbed a handful of his shirt and Guillermo's jaw set, daring him to hit him. He very nearly did, when both were startled by a very near gunshot.
Grace Mercer stood with a gun pointed at the ceiling over her head. "That is quite enough of that." All the family members had gathered now, and Guillermo was quite beginning to regret his choice of action.
Nana Grace was cool and calm, claiming the space between the two men
She met Guillermo's embarrassed gaze.
"You made your point Dear. Why don't you take Rosaline to the bathroom, and help her clean up."
"Ma-"
"James. Do not further shame yourself by speaking. You're lucky I got down here when I did, what this Young man would have done to you. Now for God's sake, act like you were raised with sense I stay quiet."
Her voice held a strong authority and Rose's father fell silent.
"Mother, you didn't see what that mongrel-" started an aunt, but she was also cut off by the grandmother.
"Macia Anne, you say one word against that boy, I'll shoot off your big toe, so help me."
Nana Grace stroked Rose's cheek lightly and Guillermo caught the flinch, feeling the rage bubbling inside him again.
"Go get cleaned up, Baby."
Rose nodded dazedly and Guillermo followed her out of the kitchen, avoiding the stares of her family members as he went.
He couldn't tell what Rose was thinking, and her silence made him tense.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose entered the bathroom, closing the door behind Guillermo, wiping her tear brimmed eyes, still determined not to cry. Instead she started some water, inspecting her cheek closely. A bruise was already forming, visible under her thin layer of foundation. As she wet down the wash cloth, her hands began to shake, and she felt herself lose control. "I-I'm sorry. We shouldn't have-" Rose's hands shook so bad, the wash cloth dropped from her hand, with a solid 'splat' into the sink. "You d-didn't need t-to see..."

A few tears escaped, and she turned away, hiding her shame, taking a deep breath as she wiped them away. Feeling her control returning, though just barely, she dabbed the little cut on her cheek gently. "I should have just ignored him. Not brought up... that story." She reviewed the immediate past like a horror movie. "That was a very nice thing you said." It was a lame way to thank him, for such a chivalrous action, but Rose felt completely out of her element here. Sure, in the past, Seth had given her a refuge, and Nana never allowed her Father to get bad when they were here, but no one ever flat out stood up to her Father for her.

Her face began to sting more and more, seeming to get worse as the indistinct yelling got louder and louder. She tried not to listen, though it could not be completely ignored. Her Father was out for blood, both her and Guillermo's. "Jesus-" She said, closing her eyes, trying to keep her shaking under control. "I knew... I'm sorry. I had convinced myself if I just kept a distance..." God, more tears. She tried blinking them away, feeling stupider as she became more upset. "I'm being dumb, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be crying." Rose spoke as if that was the worse thing to have taken place tonight. "It's just- damn it- this really stings."