It was early in the morning, the sun almost rising. Tina, feeding Jules in the living room was thinking about life. Feeling, seeing the little boy in her arms a shudder run through her body. He was so cute, so fragile. They were right, even she could see it. He was a Kennard, there was no doubt about it. He even had a resemblance with little Tina.

Little Tina. What a mistery. So many memories, so many forgotten stories, so many never lived opportunities. Even since her talk with Helen, Tina has been thinking about the past. How to live the present with the past showing up at every corner. Helen. What was she going to do with Helen? Her words, her actions, the past was in Tinas head all the time. Making her wonder, maiking her think.
Sighing, noticing the baby moving Tina looked up, seeing Shane leaning on the door, watching her.

You ok? Whispered Shane walking closer.

Nodding, Tina noticed for the first time the warm feeling of death tears resting on her cheecks.

You want me to help you with Jamie? Asked Shane, sitting at Tinas side.

No, she already ate said Tina, cleaning her face.

Why are you up so early? She asked Shane, cleaning Jules chin.

Looking to her room and then back to Tina, Shane whispered, shyly,

Greta moves too much in her sleep her words a secret, her face softening looking at the baby.

Greta, eh whispered Tina, smiling.

Yeah nodded Shane, not looking up.

Am happy for you Shane, she is great added Tina, caressing Shanes bare leg.

Yeah she answered, looking up Tina, noticing the worried eyes, the tired look.

Holding Shanes stare Tina sighed, knowing, sharing, silencing scary words.

You want to go for a walk? Asked Shane standing up.

Now? Asked Tina looking around.

“Yeah, is the best time, the sun is rising, it smells great and there is always a great breeze around answered Shane, taking Jules in her arms.

Looking at Shane, noticing her sweet eyes, her welcoming look, Tina nodded, shyly smiling.

Ok, let me put him back to sleep and get dress, see you here in a minute ok said Tina, taking Jules back in her arms.

Ok nodded Shane, walking back to her room to put some clothes on.

A few minutes later Tina found Shane waiting for her at the porch.

Ready? Asked the brunette standing up.

Yeah nodded Tina, looking down.

Lets go added Shane, taking Tinas hand, leaning her towards her truck.

I thought we were going to walk said Tina.

We are, we just need to get there answered Shane, opening the door for Tina.

Nodding, Tina jumped in, letting Shane lead.

Shane drove the car for a few minutes in silence, feeling Tinas stare, Tinas body tensing.

You want a coffee for the walk? Shane interrupted, trying to get Tinas attention.

Sure Tina whispered, squeezing her hands, still lost in her own messy thoughts.

Ok, just a second Shane said, stopping the car in front of Moss, jumping out.

It only took Shane a couple of minutes to come back holding two large coffee mugs. Giving them to Tina she turned the engine on again.

Holding the coffee, feeling her warmth, Tina finally came back to reality. Looking at Shane quietly driving she asked,

“When was your first time?” her words carefully flying to Shane, sweetly wondering.

Shane, without looking at Tina, knowing exactky what she was talking about, took a cigarette from the packet and lighted it.

I was thirteen was in San Francisco had just run out of a foster home

Nodding, Tina turned to look at Shane better. She moved her hand to caress Shanes thin beautiful arm but then, as if something warned her, Tina stopped, moving her hand back to her lap.

I havent thank you Tina said instead, looking back to the road.

Thank me? asked Shane, turning briefly to look at Tina.

For being with me during labour Tina said, remembering.

Yes you didit was an honour Tee nodded Shane, smiling

Is not that you were there Shane is that you really were there you held my hand, you wrorried, you cried I couldnt have done it without you

And you didnt fnished Shane, smiling.

Bette did she added, smiling still.

Yes she did but you were the one that held me, that supported me Tina said, this time finding the road to Shanes hand, leaving her hand over Shanes.

Here were are said Shane, stopping the car

What? Whats this? asked Tina, looking around

the zoo? Tina asked, incredulous, unable to top a smile growing on her face.

Yeah, cmon commanded Shane, opening Tinas door.

I think is close Shane Tina whispered, seeing the locked doors.

I know, cmon Shane said, leading her friend to the security booth.

Hey Seth Shane greeted, knocking on the glass window.

Shane honey said an old man walking out.

Hey, how are you ? asked Shane, sweetly smiling, hugging the old man.

Good, am goodhow are you? (looking at her)you are too thin Shane he said, shaking his head, noticing Tina.

Dont you think she is? He asked Tina, looking for support.

She is nodded Tina, caressing Shanes bare arm.

Am great guys, so Sethcould we..? Shane asked, looking at the gate.

Sure honeySean is inside, Sarah and Mark tooyou have two hours ok Seth finished, opening the gate for them.

Thanks Seth, you are the best Shane said, teasing him, kissing him on the cheeck.

Yeah, yeah, cmon, walk in

Shane took Tinas hand, leading her inside.

Nice to meet you Lady said the old man, waving at them.

Nice to meet you too whispered Tina back, smiling at him.

As the doors were closing behind them Tina looked around.

Wow Shanehow you?…wow Speechless Tina was pacing up and down, looking around.

Yeah proudly said Shane, shyly smiling.

You sure know the right people Tina said, taking Shanes hand for a minute.

So, shall we? Asked Shane, pointing a path at her left.

Nodding, smiling Tina followed her hand.

Shane, how you know Seth? Asked Tina, watching the bears peacefully sleeping.

I lived here nonchalantly answered Shane, taking a little stone from the ground.

What? Asked Tina, stopping her pace.

Seth was Juless best friend she added, taking Tinas hand, encouraging her to continue walking.

Walking along Shane, Tina shook her head, not sure what to say, what to ask.

When Jules died I was living with him, I was already out of the streets, but I didnt have enough moneySeth lives herehe invited me in

Nodding, Tina sqeezed Shanes hand, watching the hippos walking into the water.

He seems nice she whispered, still unsure of what to say, impress.

He is said Shane, releasing Tinas hand.

Opening a small fence Shane walked in. Tina, astonished, unable to move, looked.

Opening a small steel box Shane took a walkie, turning in on.

Hey beauty she said, her voice, ***** as *****.

You *****! somebody else talked back, drawing a smile on Shanes face.

***** herehow are you? asked Shane, chuckling.

Dont even dare Shane, we finally tamed her back pleaded the ghost from the walkie.

Glad to talk to you Sean, take care finished Shane, smiling, turning it off.

What was that? Asked Tina, amused like a little girl.

Wait here, you gonna meet a real chick answered Shane, walking iniside.


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