As they board the plane, heading for their seats, Well be needing two blankets, please. Marinas little gasp tickles Jenny as she glances back at her with a big grin and wink.

***********************************

Shane and Alice are there to meet them, Look at them! They look like theyre returning from their honeymoon or something. Things must have gone well in Spain.

As always, Shane nods a hello to Jenny and wraps her arm around Marinas waist, Good to see ya, man. Marina kisses the top of her head grinning, You too, man.

Alice gives Jenny a hug, So, how you doing? You, the baby and all?

Jenny smiles, Were doing fine, and its a girl.

You went to a doctor, they told you?

No, a doctor didnt tell me. I found out in a dream. Alice rolls her eyes, thinking nothings changed.

As they load the bags into Alices car, Shane shares some news with Marina, Hey Marina, um Jennys Mom is here.

Where?

At Tims, go figure.

Because of Jennys hesitancy to talk about her mother, Let me tell her, after we get home.

Well, that could be a problem. Theres a party, welcome home and um baby shower thingy, at Bettes. Were supposed to take you there. Oh, and, her Moms there too.

Merde! Marina looks around the trunk, Jenny, could you come here? She motions for Shane to get in the car.

Looks like theres a surprise party.

Not much of a surprise, if we know. Jenny grins and chuckles, realizing Shane has told Marina.

Well, maybe. Its a welcome back and baby shower combined at Bettes house. Jenny, your mothers there, she apparently is staying with Tim. What do you want to do? We can always call and tell them were too tired, or sick or something.

Jenny shakes her head as her smile leaves her face, replaced by a frown, No, we can go. Its time she met you, and time you met her. But, Marina, dont expect anyone anything like Ana.

***********************************

Alice to Shane, Did you tell her? Is that what their talking about? Have you met her yet? Whats she like? Is she normal?

Normal? I dont know Al, I havent met her yet. Shane just smiles at Al.

***********************************

Jenny wonders why shes here, why is she staying with Tim? Did he call her? How did she afford the trip? Does she know about her and Marina? Does she know shes in a house full of lesbians? This ought to be interesting, to say the least.

She gets out of the car, rushing to the door. She surprises Marina with her quick exit, Marina fumbles with the door, so Shane jumps out and catches up to Jenny. Hey, Jen wait up, Ill walk in with ya.

Marina stands by the car door, shocked at Jennys reaction. Alice jumps out, Well, I guess we better get going if want to see the fireworks. Marina gives her a disapproving look then they head for the house.

Tina opens the door and gives Jenny a big hug, Hi Jenny, its nice to have you home.

As Jenny hugs her back, she begins to search the room for her mother. She sees Tim first, shooting daggers with her eyes. Tina, where is she.

Last I saw she was heading towards the kitchen. Jenny, are you okay with this. We really didnt know what to do? Tim brought her with him, so we called Shane to give you the heads up.

Jenny heads for the kitchen, Shane follows right behind her. She walks past Tim, ***** you, Tim.

She steps in and stops, Shane runs smack into her not expecting the sudden brakes, Whoa, sorry there sweetheart. Shane rests her hand on Jennys waist, looks about the room for the mom.

Why Jenny girl, there you are. Been a long time hasnt it girl? The woman has obviously had plenty of refreshments, the look in her eyes familiar to Jenny. She knows whats about to happen, she walks past the woman to the back door and out by the pool.

She reaches out her hand to Shane, So, I guess youre the ***** girlfriend thats fucked up my daughter.

Shanes eyes narrow, Excuse the ***** outta me? She walks past her to join Jenny outside, now knowing the events likely to unfold.

As Sandy stumbles out the door, she sees Shane speaking quietly with Jenny, her hands rubbing up and down her arms. So what are you two love birds talking about? Jenny how is it, with a woman and all? I always you knew you were crazy, just didnt know how bad until now. So your name is Maria, Marne, no, no Marina. Shane shoots her a look that would kill most, but Sandy is unaffected.

Marina listens for a moment, hearing the crude words coming from Jennys mother, understanding now the hesitation in Jenny to speak of her mother. She leaves the doorway heading for Shane and Jenny, stopping next to Shane, whispering in her ear.

Shane shoots the woman another look before heading back to the house. Marina turns to Jenny, now speaking softly to her, Do you want to leave? We can leave by the back gate. Shane went to tell Alice to get the car and wait for us. Jenny shakes her head adamantly, no.

Marina raises her head back, turns to Sandy, Im Marina. Her deadly stare, cool and calculated, numbs Sandy for only a moment.

Ah, so the little boy-girls arent your type. Did I hear a little accent in there? So, yall been to Spain, huh. Marina, you must have some money there, cause I know Jenny aint got none. She aint never gonna amount to much more than your little toy, but I guess you can afford her.

Marinas dislike for the woman grows instantly beyond her own belief, and from so few handfuls of words. What? Who d..

Jenny reaches her hand to stop Marina, No Marina, theres no reason to speak to her. She doesnt care what you or I say. She only cares about what she has to say. Isnt that right mother? So why dont you tell us why youre hear and what you want. Then, we can get this done and over.

Sandy approaches them stumbling along the way, reaching out her arms to Jenny, Just wanna see my girl, I hear you got married and wanted to congratulate ya. Cept I dont know which marriage to congratulate you for. Your marriage to Tim, or your illegal marriage to the foreign *****.

Jenny says nothing, Marina says nothing, neither of them taking their eyes off her. She steps closer and closer, finally nearing enough, Marina steps in front of Jenny, Stop.

You get outta my way. She pushes past Marina, falling into Jenny, they both begin to fall. Marina turns and quickly catches Jenny but Sandy continues to flail as she splashes into the pool, Marina, she cant swim.

Marina watches her thrashing her arms about in the water, Good.

Sandys head goes under, then she bounces out again, arms still waving about, Marina, neither can I.

Marina slowly removes her shoes, hands her necklace and watch calmly to Jenny and rolls her eyes just before jumping. Sandy immediately begins to fight her. Marina smacks her hard across the face, turning her over and tightly wrapping her arm around her throat and shoulder, pulling her to the edge. Shane and Bette grab Sandys shoulders and pull her onto the deck.

Most of the guests were now in the backyard, including Tim. Bette shakes her head staring down at the drunken woman, Now what do we do?

Cool is Marinas tone, deliberate is her meaning, I believe shes Tims guest.

Shes not my ***** mother, he says incredulous, accepting no blame.

Bette turns him, just as Shane does, but its Marina that speaks, Take her to your house. Her stare is cold and threatening.

Yes Tim, take my mother to your house. Jenny words are soft spoken, the sadness not far from the surface, the ridicule expected confirmed. He walks to Sandy, helping her up, stunned and no longer aware of her whereabouts, he helps her through the back gate to his house.

Marina turns to Jenny, raising her hands frustrated shes dripping wet, wanting to hold Jenny. You should go in the house and get dry. Ill go help Tim put my mother in bed.

***********************************

Her words are slurred, barely intelligible, Tim, youre such a sweet boy. Jenny, why cant you see a good thing when you have it? Why dont you ever learn? Sandy passes out before they get her undressed, Jenny continues to undress her as she had many times growing up, her mother the lush, her mother the drunk, her mother.

Why did you bring her there Tim? What was your point? Tim cant look her in the eyes, accusing him, knowing shes right.

I thought there wasnt enough time for her to get so wasted before you got here. Im sorry.

How did she get here? Whys she here Tim?

She came on a bus, called me and I went picked her up earlier this afternoon. Im not sure why shes here. She didnt tell me, all she said was she wanted to see you and your ***** girlfriend, and something about a newspaper article.

***********************************

Jenny had already been gone about an hour, Bette and Tina had asked the quests to leave with their apologies. Only the inner circle remained behind, dazed over the whole incident, Wow, that was surreal.

No one commented back to Al, they sat and wondered, wondered about the life Jenny had been subject to, understanding better her quiet passive nature, her bouts of imaginings far from their center. Only Shane could truly empathize, No Al, not surreal, unfortunately, very real. She stood up when Marina walked out of the bathroom, once again in dry clothes, Guess its a good thing our bags were still in the car. Marina tried to lighten the mood, not wanting Jenny to return to silent stares and unspoken questions.

Look, if you just sit here when she comes in, it will make her even more uncomfortable. Maybe, it would be best if you werent here. No, better yet, Ill go to Tims and get Jenny. Maybe you could drive us home Shane, is your truck here?

Sure, Ill pull it up in front of Tims. Nite all.

Tina and Bette walked her to the back door, Sorry Marina, well do the party again sometime. Let us know if you need anything.

***********************************

Marina walked into Tims house, Wheres Jenny?

Tim still uncomfortable in Marinas presence, You know you could knock,

Do you know how dangerous that was? Jenny or the baby, or both, could have been hurt. Marina glares at him, lashing out at him inside her mind, forcing her calm to the surface. She couldnt believe how irrational the woman was, how inconsiderate Tim had been, knowing the woman was like that.

Baby? Jennys ***** pregnant? Well, Marina how does it feel to have her ***** around on you too?

Marinas teeth clenched, You dont know what youre talking about. Jenny? Jenny, are you alright?

Stepping out of the hallway into the living room, Shes sleeping. She probably wont wake up till late tomorrow, but shell be in a mood, trust me. I looked through her purse, because of what you said about a newspaper clipping. I found this.

She hands the crinkled paper to Marina, Its an article on the sale of your mural, seems it hit newspapers all over the states. Jennys face is worn, tired from the ordeal, concerned with now knowing why shes here, she wants money.

***********************************

As they get into bed, the worry still has not left Jenny and Marina tries to comfort her, Then well give her money and shell go away.

Jenny shakes her head sitting Indian style on the bed, No, no, shell just keep coming back. Shell want more and more.

Marina lays beside her on her side resting her hand on Jennys thigh, Jenny, weve had along day, you need to rest. For you and for the baby, you need to rest.

You said shell sleep late, we have time in the morning after weve rested and thinking clearly, to come up with something to appease her.

Yes, yes we will. She scoots down next to Marina who wraps her arms securely around her, Im so sorry Marina. Im sorry if this embarrassed you.

Marina shakes her head again and again, No, no, Jenny, it has not embarrassed me. I am simply concerned for you, thats all. Come, close, rest your head. Kissing her forehead, Goodnight, Jenny.

***********************************

What the ***** is going on?

Sandy can hardly open her eyes, her breath fowl, Marina turns her face, You need to get up. We need to talk.

Who the ***** are you? eyes squinted, fighting off Marinas hands pulling at her, raising her up in the bed.

Get up, you need a shower. Marina pulls her to her feet, taking off the gown Jenny had put on her mother. Pushing her towards the bathroom and leaning her against the bathroom wall, Marina turns on the water, Get in.

Its ***** cold. Sandy tries to get back out, but Marina shoves her back in, Yes, it is. You should wake up then. Now here, take the soap and wash yourself, you smell. Sandy is stunned by the abruptness of this woman, the commanding presence she possesses, Okay, okay, I can take care of myself now. Im awake already.

Marinas glare is unforgiving, Tim made coffee and some breakfast, when youre done come to the kitchen.

***********************************

Look Marina, I didnt think it through last night. I Im sorry. I didnt know about the baby. I would never harm Jenny especially with a baby.

Stop talking about it, I dont want her mother to know. Now listen, this is what we have to do

When Sandy walks into the room, Tim gets up to make her a plate and pour her coffee. Marina takes the lead, Sit down Sandy, there some things you need to know.

Youre one bossy foreign ***** arent you? Marina stands up, making it clear the physical advantage she has over Sandy, clear the lack of fear in her eyes, certain her lack of tolerance for her insolence, Sit down now

Tim watches as he fixes the plate, his admiration for Marina involuntary but there, Heres some eggs and toast, they outta soak up some of the leftovers.

I thought this was your house and this ***** is who took Jenny away from you. Tim looks at Marina as she looks back at him, Right on both counts. Now shut up and eat, and listen to what she has to say.

***********************************

When she gets back home, Jenny is just getting out of the shower. Jenny grabs a robe and heads downstairs, Whereve you been? Its so early I thought we were sleeping in?

Marina heads to the kitchen with the shopping bag and starts putting things away, We didnt have anything to eat, so I went out to get a couple things. Finished she heads for the stairs and to Jenny, I thought you might want to lazy around in bed a bit. Maybe have some breakfast in bed.

Jenny smiles at the idea but her thoughts jump back to Sandy, We cant. We have to take care of things with my mother.

Marina stops on the step just below Jenny, Ah, but we can, I spoke to Tim this morning. It seems Sandy packed and up and left early this morning, told him wed never see her again. I hope that doesnt upset you. Not entirely sure how Jenny would react to the last words, Marina searches her face for signs.

Really? Shes gone?

Yes, Jenny, shes gone. Marina rests her hands on Jennys hips looking deep into her eyes.

I wonder what Tim said to her? Jenny is uncertain about the news, uncertain they are true.

He fed her breakfast and took her to the bus stop as she requested. He didnt say they had any words or anything. They had agreed it best for Jenny to not know of the happenings this morning. Nothing too awful had transpired should she ever find out, but they had decided there was no reason for her to not at least have some peace of mind thinking her mother made the choice to leave her to life.

***********************************

Youre timing is excellent Sandy. Jenny and I returned only to put our belongings up for sale. We intend to return to Spain to live. You will never be able to reach Jenny, never be able to bother her again. So take this offer and never look back. Take this opportunity to correct your life, live it out with some resemblance of respect for yourself.

They took her to the bus stop, Marina handed the driver the ticket, ensuring Sandy didnt turn it in for cash. She handed her a bag of food to feed herself during the 3 day trip back home. Finally, Marina assured her the ten thousand would be in her account upon her arrival home, This is your chance, the one you never had. Take it, make use of it, it will never happen again.

***********************************

Maybe she had a change of heart. Last night was not exactly pleasant, maybe she decided she had done enough harm.

Jenny wraps her arms around Marinas neck reflecting with a soft smile, Maybe. Maybe.

Now what were you saying about breakfast in bed. Marina steps towards her backing her up the top step, first, I think we should work on getting an appetite

She picks her up and walks to their bed, staring into the eyes of this young woman, this woman who commands her heart.