God, how wonderful it was to be off that flight. California was just as he remembered it. She smiled as memories of her childhood washed over her, like the time she dated Michael and truly believed he wasn't that gay after all. Those were the days that helped her grow as an individual. "I should really call mom and dad. They wouldn't like it if their daughter didn't come visit them when she's here." He didn't realize he'd expressed his thought aloud. Alex rummaged through his bag, looking for his cell phone. He really needed a better organizational strategy, he decided. Finally he found what he was looking for; her cell phone was hidden between her makeup kit and files. He dialed her parents' number. The phone rang three times before his mother answered. "Hi. This is the Dunphy residence. How can I help you?" “Hi mom, I'm Alex,” he said, sitting down on the bench. "Alex honey, how are you? Is everything okay?" He heard concern laced in his mother's voice. "I haven't seen you in ages." Giggling, Alex replied, "Mom, I'm fine, thanks for asking. So, how are Dad and Luke? And Mom, I came to visit you guys for Christmas, and it's only July." ." "I know, honey, but it seems like an eternity. Your dad is still the same old dad. And Luke – well, Luke still lives here. He's in his twenties, you know, and he doesn't want to move yet. "He held back a snort. "I'm happy to hear that everything is going great. So, how's Haley?" "Since when have you and Haley been so close?" He heard the wariness in Claire's voice. "Anyway, Haley is doing great. She and Dylan have been broken up for over a year now. And she's dating this new guy, Joe or something." "Uh-ha, I see. Regarding Dylan, Mom can... middle of paper... he went to the gym a lot in the ten years Alex had been away, his muscles ripping through his shirt to prove it. His jeans seemed to fit perfectly in all the right places. Alex shivered at the thought, feeling hot flashes in all the wrong places. Those thoughts were deplorable. Come on, Alex, pull yourself together for two years, not to mention a few flings in between, he did this to a girl. Without even thinking about it, she let go. “Did you really steal the jewels?” He put a hand over his mouth to keep quiet. She believed he was innocent, so why was she accusing him? Dylan's eyes became even crueler than before "Don't steal anything!" He laughed a mysterious, hollow laugh. "Of course everyone believed it because of my past. But then, who really cares?" Where was Dylan? Who was this idiot who replaced him?