Of course, the issue with unburdening to Salali was that the large Native woman was a force to be reckoned with. Salali was not able to have children of her own, and Ace knew that their shared Native ancestry prompted the large woman to view Alice as a surrogate daughter. So when someone hurts her little girl, Salali was more than a little intimidating. Right now she was directing Alice to wash up her face, grab Monster's leash and then go to Malcolm's house because god d***it, Alice and Malcolm were good together and anyone who would let a little thing like age discrepancy stand in hte way of that was stupid and pitiful. Salali's words, not Alice's.
                              
So Alice was sitting in the passenger seat with an agitated Monster on her lap, trying to stick his head out the window. Ace felt a hard knot in her gut, tightening painfully the closer they got to Malcolm's parents' home. She'd remembered the route there, and Salali had known both Malcolm and his family for a year or so now so she drove with a purpose. Though Sal being Sal, the large Native woman was smoking one of the thick cigars Alice had bought her in Mexico. Normally Salali would have torn the cigar open and dumped the tobacco into her pipe, but the need for haste had her chewing on the stogie. Alice tried not to look like she was about to throw up or pass out, but she couldn't trick the large Native whom was her own surrogate mother. 
                              
"There is not much they can do Alice. Remember that. And if they don't like it, tell them to take a long walk of a high cliff." Salali said bluntly, giving the startled Alice a wink. 
                              
"Yeah sure. Hi, it's me, the no longer underage student sleeping with your son, her teacher. Oh and we're engaged. Sorry if you don't like it but oh well, jog on?" Alice said sarcastically. 
                              
"Exactly. Though I think you can omit the references to sleeping with him. If they haven't figured out that you two are sexually active already, they haven't been paying attention to how you look at each other." Salali calmly critiqued. Alice felt her cheeks flame as the large Native woman calmly pointed facts out. 
                              
"I don't think I can do this." Alice moaned softly, almost overwhelmed with the need to bolt, hide and find a safe place to disappear. 
                              
"Too late, we're here." Salali stated, pulling the car to park on the side of the road. Alice stared at the Vega house with terror and panic in her eyes. She fumbled with her cell phone, realizing that Malcolm needed to know that they were about to crash the party. Salali just got out of the car, suspension dipping a little as the large woman hauled herself out of the car. Alice took a deep breath and hit send.
                              
Salali and I are here. Brace yourself.
                              
Malcolm probably only got the message a moment before Salali walked striaght up to the door and knocked, seeming far too calm for Alice's frazzeled nerves. But Monster wouldn't let Alice hide back at the car, he pulled her over to the large Native woman, seeming to know that Alice couldn't bring herself over there without prompting. The puppy was snuffling the door and welcome mat, probably recognizing Mal's scent, and trying to memorize the others. Alice felt footsteps come down the hall and she flinched with each echoing footstep, pulling in on herself, hunching defensively. 
                              
The front door swung open and Malcolm's Abuela stood there, regarding them solemly. The old woman had given Alice her blessing, but that was before they found out she'd lied to them. Alice didn't expect her youth and status as a student would win her any credit with his family. The Abuela looked Alice straight in the eye and Ace saw the challenge there. Taking a deep breath in, Alice straightened her shoulders, refusing to be ashamed of falling in love with a good man. 
                              
"Es hora de maldito." Abuela said, shaking her head. (It's about d*** time). "Si usted es digno de mi nieto, ir allí y mostrarles." she pointed towards the family room. (If you're worthy of my grandson, go in there and show them). Alice gaped at the older woman and did not miss the amusement in the old lady's eyes as she gave Alice a slow wink.