Hi Kit! Tina stated as she placed her order.
Hey baby girl.How you and the baby this morning.?
We are a lot better today than yesterday..Or at least she isnt
practicing her soccer kicks today. Tina answered with a smile.

Have you seen Maria yet? Tina asked Kit and Mike
No I havent seen her yet..she isnt working today. Kit replied.
I know.she was suppose to meet me here and we were going over to the center.
Tina said.
T- Do you think you should be taking her? Kit asked
Kit you are starting to sound like your sister.Look she is a good personIm a smart person Let it go.! Tina said after giving Kit one of her famous looks.
Ok Okyour right..! Kit added.
I think that is her nowI will talk to you later. Tina walked outside

Joseph Thanks for walking me here and getting up early on your day off. Maria said in a kind voice.
Your welcomeI just wish you would be honest with them Joseph stated

Hi Maria Tina said as she approached.
Maria hadnt seen Tina walk upShe was hoping Tina hadnt heard the conversation between her and Joseph.
Hey TinaThanks again for taking me today. Maria stated.
Well arent you going to introduce me to her Maria? Joseph said in a smart tone of voice.
No.Maria said playfully. Tina this is Josephhe is my roommate and one my cousins good friends.
Its nice to meet you Joseph. Tina said has she held out her hand.
The pleasure is all mine. Joseph stated as he shook her hand.

Well are you ready? Tina asked Maria We should go
YesIm ready. I brought along my resume and teaching credentials. Maria added.
Good. Tina pointed at her car and they walked towards in and got in.
Maria waved by to Joseph and then stared out the window.
So what made you interested in being a teacher? Tina inquired.
I have always liked to work with kidsI like to help kids who come from broken homes, or who have learning disabilities. Maria added.
That is really nice those type of kids are abundance at our center. Tina shared
So where are your parents. Tina asked.
Maria got quiet and thought to herself..how do I answer this one.
I grew up with my Paternal Grandmother Nina in Ohio. Plus I had my aunt and her boys. I didnt grew up with any siblings. My father traveled a lot so after mom left we moved in with my grandmotherThen my father leftHowever he would come home to visit. Maria stated.Sorry that is probably more than you wanted to know.
NoIm a good listener. Tina stated in a caring voice. So what happened to your mother. If you dont mind me asking?
Maria took a deep breath and signed Well my mother had been married before and had a little girl. However her husband and her got a divorce. He took my sister away from my mother. It broke her heart. She would write to her daughterbut the letters would always come back returned. Then she and my father had mebut they never got married..
Then one day she said she had to leave.She said she couldnt bear to look at me anymore because my eyes and my smilewhere exactly like my sister who she was forbidden to see. She would stop by the house every once in a while but my grandmother forbid her to see me. She felt it would just give me false hope. Maria began to get a tear in her eye.
Wow I really appreciate you sharing that with me MariaI know it can be hard.
Tina said has she patted Marias hand.
Well we are here.this is the center.. Tina shared.
As they walked up to the center Tina gave Maria an encouraging hug.Look I am always a good listenerso if you ever need to talk.I am always available.
BesidesI love your eyes and your smile.
Maria just blushed and smiled at Tina.

They walked into the office and Oscar came in behind them
Oscar this is Maria..she just moved her from the Midwest where she was teaching. Tina said proudly.
Its nice to meet you Maria.Im anxious to see your resume. Oscar stated.
Im going to give her a tour of the center. Then we will meet you in your office if that is ok. Tina replied.
That works for me..Thanks for coming in Maria. Oscar stated.
Thanksyou guys have done a wonderful job with this place. Maria said.

Tina took Maria for a tour and they had small talk.
Then they went into Oscars office and she told him about her career.
He read her credentials and looked over her resume.

Well just give me a couple of referencesMaria .. Oscar said. If those come back goodwell I would like to have you join our staff.
Maria was thrilled she gave him the names and phone numbers of her former principals and supervisors. I hope they get in touch with you soonI cant wait to help out.
Maria shook his hand and walked out of his officeMaria why dont you look around a bit while I chat with Oscar? Tina stated.

Well what do you think? Tina asked him
I think I better make these calls.we dont want to lose this oneThis is too good to be true. Oscar stated.As he dialed the first number.
Hi may I speak to Mr. Smith.. Oscar said into the receiver.
I just got done interviewing one of your teachers and I was wondering if I could get your comments about her.
Maria Milo Oscar stated her name.
Really.sincerely.Wow Oscar said.
Well thanks for that information Oscar replied.
Well what did they say? Tina asked eagerly.
The said she is an awesome teacherthat she was really good at working with at Risk KidsAlso that she took a leave of absence from themThe dont want to lose her.
Tina just smiled and said see I know a good candidate when I see one.
They walked out of Oscars office after making two more calls.
Look Oscar Tina pointed. Maria was sitting with one of the children and talking to him.
The both smiled and said I think we have a keeper
Tina called Maria into her office..
MariaI have good news your references have all checked out with flying colors.
Can you start on Monday? Tina stated. I can work with Kit on what days she needs you.
Um yeathat would be awesome Tina I really appreciate this.. Maria said in an excited voice. Tina I dont know how I can thank you.can I treat you to dinner?
Maria suggested as she gave Tina a huge hug.
I have a better ideaI will finish some last minute things hereand then you can come back to our house for a cook out. How does that sound? Tina said smiling at Maria.

Wow that would be awesome.are you sure I wouldnt be intruding? Maria asked
Dont even think like that!
Tina finished her work and they left the center.
I need to stop at the store and by some hamburgers for the cook out.
Im glad your with me you can help me carry the groceries. You know its difficult
in this condition sometimes. Tina states as she points to her stomach.
How far along are you? Maria asked
Im almost 8 months Tina shared with her new friend.
Bette this is Tina I just wanted to let you know we are having company for dinner and we are cooking out by the pool.

Tina and Maria unloaded the groceries and took them inside.
Thanks again Maria for going to the store with me. Tina said gracefully
Oh dont mention it TinaThat is the least I can do for what you have done for me today. Helping me get a job and then listening to my boring life story.
Tina smiled at Maria. Can I ask you something Maria?
Sure I know you said you havent been in touch with your mombut whatever happened to your sister? Did you have a relationship with her? Do you know who she is?
All Maria could hear was Josephs voice in her head saying You need to be honest with them!
Maria was quiet for a minute..Im sorry Maria, I shouldnt have asked you that or brought it up. Tina stated feeling she had pushed too hard for information.

Actually Tinathere is something I need to tell you.Maria said.
I dont know how to tell you.
Tina just said Spit it out. Tina stopped what she was doing to give Maria her full attention.
Maria took a deep breath and exhaled.Tina one of the reasons I moved to LA was to find my sisterTina interrupted.Well what is your sisters name. Tina asked impulsively.
Maria just froze and looked into Tinas eyes.Right then the red light went off in Tinas head.Oh..My.
Tina my sisters name is Elizabeth.Porter. Maria added she was so scared that Tina was going to throw her out of the house.
Tina began to cry..Now this makes sense.. Kit thought you looked familiar.Well that is because you and Bette have the same smile and eyes
Tina grabbed Maria into a tight embrace.Then she let go and looked directly into Marias eyes.you do!
Tina grabbed Maria again hugging herboth of the crying.
Just then Bette walked outsideShe gave Maria an evil look.
What is going on here? Tina and Maria jumped back like to kids who just got caught.
See I knew not to trust you Bette screamed at Maria:How can you disrespect me in my own home!
I.IMaria could say anything
Bette that is not how to treat a guest! Tina yelled at her.
Thats how I treat people who are not welcome in my home! Bette yelled.
Maria went passed Bette not looking at her, grabbed her book bag and saidLook Tina I need to go! Maria stormed out of the house..While she was leaving Alice, Shane, Jenny, Carmen, and Dana were coming in.
Hey arent you going the wrong way? Alice yelled at Maria.
Maria just kept walking.

God Bette I cant believe you just acted like that! Tina yelled shaking her head in frustration.
I come home from work and I see you in this tight embrace with this stranger in my house. The same stranger I warned you about.! Bette yelled.
Bette you are so hard headed! That stranger is your sister! Tina yelled as she brush passed everyone and ran out the door looking for Maria.
However there was not sign of Maria.Tina yelled but there was no answer.
Bette was frozenwith her mouth open.She couldn’t move or say anything for almost five minutes.

TBC