Present

Alise peers around the doorframe, knocking gently so as to alert her mother to her presence. Jenny, having been enjoying her morning coffee, turns to Alise with a tired grin.

"Morning, chica," Jenny greets Alise, motioning to the coffee pot with freshly made black coffee, ready to drink. Alise smiles thankfully, finding a mug on the counter and filling it up with the aromatic liquid. After adding a splash of creamer and mixing it in, Alise takes a sip of the scalding liquid, wincing when she burns her tongue.

"Mom, I did some thinking last night," Alise prompts, placing her mug of coffee on the counter behind her, "And I know this is probably something you didn't intentionally try to hide, but I've never known who my father was; I've never known if I even have a father.."

Alise trails off anxiously and scans her mother's face.

Jenny's smile dims considerably, but she nods in understanding as she knows what Alise says is true.

"You want to know who your father is." Alise nods. Jenny sighs, motioning for Alise to sit down.

"I have an idea of who it could be," Alise says, crossing the kitchen to sit on a barstool. Jenny hums.

"Who do you think it is?" Jenny asks, moving her gaze from Alise to the countertop and playing with her fingers.

Alise inhales sharply. She didn't expect her mother to be so anxious about it, but what did she expect? Her mother most likely held the assumption that she hated her! Alise can't have that! She reaches out and takes her mother's hand.

"Axl Rose."

Jenny returns her gaze to Alise, swallowing anxiously. She nods.

Alise sucks in a breath. Jenny, believing Alise is angry, begins to explain herself.

"Chica, I know I should've told you sooner, but you have to understand that I was never really sure when to." Alise nods with a small smile and squeezes her mother's hand. Jenny sighs.

"It's okay mom. I understand," Alise assures her mother. Jenny smiles gratefully. "But does he know, mom? Surely he'd have done something if he knew." Jenny pulls her hands away from Alise's, averting her eyes once again.

"No."