Milo and Jose sat in the back of Jose's mom's BMW. The ride was a quiet one. Aurora Martinez, Jose's mother, exuded an aura of a woman who took no nonsense from anyone. But Milo could tell by the small subtle lines in the corners of her eyes and mouth, that Mrs Martinez did a lot of laughing, and she cared fiercely for her family. That fact was confirmed by the large rotund black woman dressed in white and red gingham that occupied the front seat and kept glancing back at Milo and smiling. Milo had to resist the urge to laugh at the Madama spirit that was eyeing him approvingly.

"Dona Martinez, did your family have an African servant around the turn of the century? She would have been responsible for cooking and child care," Milo spoke, his eyes never leaving the front seat where the Madama spirit appeared to be. Jose shot Milo a curious glance before turning his attention to the empty seat. His face lit up with a smile as he realized what Milo must have been seeing.

"My grandmother told us about an african servant who took care of her and her sisters, Mama Ayana, they loved her like a second mother. She is buried in the family cemetery next to my grandmother and grandfather. Why do you ask?" Aurora said looking at Milo through the rearview mirror.

"Mama, you know Milo has the sight." Jose spoke up quickly.

"Ah si, casi lo olvido. I almost forgot." Aurora said smiling. "So tell me what do you see?"

"She is attached to you and your family. It is her influence that makes you a compassionate and caring mother and doctor, as well as someone who doesn't toloerate foolishness. There are times when you feel her almost whispering in your ear and when you heed her voice things always turn out for the best. She loves you most of all and she absolutely dotes on Jose. She finds things for him when he loses them. One minute he will be missing his keys and then suddenly find them on his dresser. Mama Ayana is the reason. She is here in the car with us right now." Milo said quietly.

"It is true Mama, I always just thought I was being absent minded. But there are many times I find my keys, in a spot I had already searched, after misplacing them

"I thought I felt her near. She tends to follow me when I go out, she feels it is her duty to look after me. She has gotten me out of trouble more times then I can count. Te quiero Ayanita." Aurora said softly. Milo saw the madama brush Aurora's cheek with her hand and then disappear.

Just then the car turned up the drive to Milo's house, Milo felt the change when they crossed the boundaries of the Palo Santo trees, even Jose visibly relaxed as the spiritual energies washed over him.

Welcome home Milo. The words echoed in Milo's thoughts as his spiritual court greeted him. Milo smiled to himself as he saw Jose almost bouncing in his seat anticipating seeing Piyelito.

"Calmate querido, you are going to bounce out of the window if you keep that up." Milo whispered in Jose's ear. Jose looked at Milo sheepishly and settled down, Milo took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

The car stopped in front the the house and Milo and Jose got out. Aurora got out as well.

As they were standing by the car, there was the sound of a dog barking and then like a black streak Piyelito came running across the cow pasture and launched himself at Jose. Jose caught the little dog in his arms. Piyelito went crazy licking his face and yapping excitedly.

"Yes, I missed you too. Did you have a good time with Cachita?" Jose said petting the puppy soothingly to get him to calm down. Piyelito finally settled and then reached out his nose to Milo who patted him gently on the head. Then the little dog looked over at Aurora and then back at Jose.

Rrfff? the little dog said looking at Jose.

"Piyelito, this is my mother Dona Aurora." Jose said to the little dog.

Rrfff! Piyelito said reaching his nose out towards Aurora. Aurora patted the little dog on his head in greeting.

"Hello Piyelito, you are very handsome." Aurora said smiling at the little puppy.

Jose set the little dog down on the ground. Piyelito sat down by Jose's feet on his left. The little dog stayed quiet and alert.

Milo looked around and saw a familiar SUV coming up the drive towards the house. The car stopped behind the BMW and Colonel Santana got out and walked around to open the door for his wife. Diego did the same for Adriana. Everyone walked over to where Milo and Jose were standing with Jose's mom.

"Dona Elena, Don Andrew, Adriana, may I introduce Dr. Aurora Martinez and my boyfriend Jose Martinez." Milo took Jose's hand.

Dr Martinez extended her hand to Colonel Santana and then to Mrs Santana. "It is nice to meet you both and I have heard a lot about your daughter from my son. It seems she is quite gifted."

Colonel Santana smiled. "That's my Drinita. the brightest star in the sky but I think she has met her match in Milo."

"Papa!" Adriana said blushing.

Dona Elena started laughiing "Excuse my husband he never misses a chance to brag about his daughter, usually to her extreme embarrassment."

While Adriana and her parents were talking with Jose and his mom, Milo took the opportunity to greet Diego.

Milo slapped Diego on the back, "How are you Hermano, todo bien?"

"Yea, everything is good," Diego lowered his voice "Adriana told her parents we are dating. Colonel Santana spent 10 minutes telling me all the ways he learned to kill a man with his bare hands in boot camp." Diego shuddered.

Milo laughed softly I'm sure it was only his way of welcoming you into the family. He loves his daughter and if you make her happpy he is going to be on your side.

Milo and Diego walked back over to where everyone was talking, he looked down and Piyelito was still by Jose's side, alert and quiet. He marveled at the little dog's restraint.

"Well let's go inside, Mama is very excited to meet you all." Milo said as he started to walk towards the farmhouse's porch.

"I will be right there mi amor, I just want to say goodbye to Mama." Jose said walking his mother to her car.

Aurora put her arm around her son. "Jose mijo, I love you and I love Milo. I am proud of the man you are becoming. I am glad that you figured it out. Milo has always been where your heart belonged, even when you both were little, any time you were sad or upset you would ask to come here. Natalia and I would find the two of you under the Palo Santo trees, bacalaito crumbs scattered across the blanket you were lying on, fast asleep. He is your shelter and I couldn't be more happy that you have him in your life." She kissed Jose's cheek.

"Thank you Mama, that means a lot." Jose's said hugging his mom.

"Ok Mijo, My shift at the center ends at 11 tonight. Should I call your father to pick you up?" Aurora said getting into the car. Jose closed the door for his mother. "Mama, I was thinking about staying here tonight with Piyelito and Milo if that it ok.?"

Aurora looked at her son. "Ok, you can stay but what are you going to where to school?" "I will borrow some of Milo's clothes. We have been doing that since we were 5, so it won't be a big deal."

Aurora thought about it and then smiled. "Ok Mijo, if you need anything, call. I love you Joseito."

"Te quiero mucho, Mama." Jose said stepping back from the car as Aurora pulled away. His mother waved as she pulled off. Jose stood there looking at the car until it faded into the distance. His heart full of emotions, tears rolling down his cheek. Milo came out of the house and stood by him.

Seeing Jose and the tears rolling down his cheek Milo said "Querido, que te pasa?"

Jose looked at Milo and hugged him. "Nothing, mi amor, mama just told me that she loves you and she is glad we are together. She says she knew that you were the one for me since I was 5 years old. I love you Milo, there isn't anyone else in the world for me." Milo took a hand and wiped the tears from Jose's cheeks. "I love you with all my heart and I feel the same."

Rrrrf Piyelito barked, both Jose and Milo looked down at the little dog.

"Yes Piyelito, we love you too." They said in unison and burst out laughing. Then the three of them headed inside to help with the dinner preparations.

Thank you for reading my story.  Please vote and comment, I look forward to reading what you think!