Chapter 8 B word ..Babies

Bette, Tina, and Maria pulling into the apartment where Joseph and Frank
Live.

Hey guys thanks for letting me stay the night and for breakfast. Maria stated.
Do you guys want to come in? Maria asked.
Ummmwell. Bette said
Oh come on Bette we can go in for a little bit..Beside I want to say hello to the guys.
Tina said as she was getting out of the car. Bette followed right behind her.
Hey JosephIm home? Maria shouted.
Um like a didnt know that! Joseph said jokingly.
They all walked into the kitchen to visit with Joseph.
Wow what smells so good? Tina replied as she looked over Josephs shoulder into the saucepan.
Oh I was making some of my mothers sauce. I do this and then freeze some of it.
Joseph stated.
Maria snuck in behind him trying to get a spoonful of sauce.
Oh no you dont Missy.you have to wait for it to get done. As he hit Marias hand with a wooden spoon playfully.
Hey Joseph there is something I wanted to talk to you about. Maria replied
The three girls took a seat around the table.. Joseph got some Lemonade out for them and began filling there glasses. Wait you got the leading roll on the movie Driving your Diesel Truck to North Dakota! Joseph said playfully or was it Big Boy Restaurant found out about the home movies of you slapping the statues *****.

What??laughed Bette and Tina in unison. Bette almost spit out her lemonade she was laughing so hard.
Oh Josephhas a unique flare for comedy..! Maria joked..He was always making me do something stupidLike when we went to the Westside Market in Cleveland and he made me yell Produce Really loud and everyone looked at me like I had just escaped the nut house.
You could tell that Joseph and Maria had a very close relationshiplike a brother and sister.
Hey JosephBette and Tina asked me to Maria said excitely.
We want her to move in with us Joseph Bette stated proudly
Yea we have an extra bedroom. Tina added.
Wait you mean I just got done with learning how to get through the family room without tripping on someones clothes? I dont have to explainthe bra on the coffee table to my friends when they are over? Joseph said jokingly.
Maria just looked at Joseph and smiled rolling her eyes and sayingHe is exaggerating!
Joseph grabbed his lemonade and sat at the table with the girls.
Are you serious about this Bette and Tina? Joseph inquired
Yes all joking aside I think it is a good move for everyone.If its ok with you? Bette
Wow this is really nice of you Bette and Tina.I know how much she has been longing for family in her lifeEven though we think of her as a sisterI think this is the ideal situation for her. Joseph stated Do I get visitation rights? Joseph said laughing.
Um only if you take both of them! Tina added playfully.
Why dont we come back in an hourwe can get Shanes truck and move your stuff.?
Bette said in her A personalitytake control voice.
Umyea that is fine with me.. I really dont have very much stuff. Maria added.
Tina and Bette got up to leaveThey hugged Joseph.
They headed out. Maria waved them good bye.
God can you believe this Joseph Maria said with her 1000 watt light bulb smile.
I am truly happy for you! Joseph saidHe and Maria started getting her stuff together while they were listen to some music.
Gosh JosephIm really going to miss those rabbit ears..! Maria said playfully.
pointing to the television which had rabbit ears since they didnt have cable.
Yea but the money we will save on water and electricity since you are moving out..we can afford on cable now.I cant wait to get Showtime! Joseph added.

Once Bette and Tina got back to their house.Bette went next door to ask Shane if they could barrow her truck.

Hey Jenny is Shane here? Bette asked as she walked into their house.
Yea She is back in her room trying to wake up. Jenny shared.
Hey Bettewhat brings you over here so early? Shane asked.
Well first of all its almost 2 pm.Also I wanted to know if I could use your truck today? Bette asked
SureWhy what are you up to? Shane asked
Bette sat on Shanes bed.Well Tina and I are having Maria move in with us.
She had been sleeping on the couch at Josephswe have an extra bedroomso its a perfect match..
Ohso in other words there is fresh meat moving in next doorhuh?? Shane said.
Bette turned into her over protective big sister modeFolding her arms across her chestShanethat is my sister we are talking about! Bette said sternly.
Right..I forgot Bette So I will go with you to help ok? Shane said sweetly..Well give me 15 minutes and I will have be ready to
Help
Thanks Shane Bette added as she left to go next door.
See ya later Jenny.. Bette stated.
Jenny was in deep concentration writing her story on the computer.

Alice was at the house helping Tina get the spare room ready.
Hey Alicethis is perfect timing. Bette stated.
Shane is going to go and help me move Maria.
Wow that is goodBabe Tina said as she was getting stuff out of the drawers.
Yea god for bid that Bettes High Fluentent Clients see her driving around in a pick-up truck. Alice joked.
Ha Ha AliceBette laughed.
Tina just smiled to herself.

Mean while back at Josephs.

So your sure your ok.living with Bette..and Tina.? Joseph asked while helping Maria pack.
Yea I really like it there, besides its not permanent.I hope to get my own place..
Maria shared.
Joseph I really appreciate how you have let me stay here. You have been such a good friend to meRemember back in Ohio we would joke about moving out here..
Now look at us. Maria smiled.
I know thank god we are out of there.. Joseph said
Just then the telephone rang..Hello Joseph said. Hold on a minute while I get her for you. Joseph covered the phone with his hand Maria it is DominicDo you want to talk to him?
Maria got an angry stare take over her..YesI might as well get it over with
Ummm I wander what is guilty parent buying spree will be this time.. Joseph whispered to
Maria.
Ill take it in your bedroom. Maria told him
Hello Maria said into the phone. In a very serious tone.
Im goodeverything is good here..Oh I got to met Elizabeth and her sister Kit.
Maria shared with her father.
Yes they have been very nice..extremely niceactually Im in the process of moving in with Elizabeth..Well she goes by Bette. Maria shared with her dad.
Oh you did? Wow that must have been your extremely lucky day. Maria added .
Your coming to town on Wednesday? Maria repeated.
I should be but I got a new job.actually twoIm going to be working with at-risk youth and helping at Kits Coffee Shop.
Dad really I dont need anything.
Well give me a call when you get in town and we can make arrangements then.
Talk to you later.

While Maria was on the phone Shane and Bette came there with the truck to move Marias belongs.
Well she only has these five boxes. Joseph stated as he carried the last one to the truck.
Oh I forgot she has her bags over there..
I can grab those Shane said as she went over to pick them up.
So who is she talking to? Bette inquired.
Its Dominic Milo—-he is her father. Joseph said She hears from him every now and thenHe isnt a back guyits just he isnt really a family man. He is an ex-professional athlete who works as an agent. Joseph added. He goes through these
I feel guilty phases He buys Maria something extravagant. She doesnt ask for the stuff.
He just gives it to ease his conscience.

Maria came out of the bedroom and was shocked because Bette, Joseph, and Shane had already loaded the truck..I cant believe you guys loaded everything already?
Maria commented I could have helped.everyone has done too much already.
Maria it was nothing Bette stated.
So what did Dominic have to say? Joseph inquired.
He is coming to town this week. Maria shared.
Well you guys better get going before someone helps themselves to your stuff..
Joseph stated.
You right lets go. Bette said.
Maria gave Joseph a hug good by. Then Maria followed Shane and Bette to the truck.
The waved by to Joseph.
Maria was very quiet in the truck on the way there.

When they pulled up Tina and Alice were waiting on the porch.
Hey roomie. Tina waved at Maria.
Maria just smiled and waved back.
I cleaned out the closet and draws for you ….So make yourself at home in that room.
Tina said sweetly.
Maria was so happy that she was finally going to be living with her sister after all these years. Thanks Tina. Maria said as she gave her a hug.
They unloaded the truck and within a half how Maria was unpacked.
Wow you move fast Maria.. Alice stated.
Yea well I dont have that much stuff.

The phone rangIll get itBette said.
Hello Bette replied Hi Kit.sure that would be great.
What time? 9:00 pm Ok I will spread the word.
Kit wants us all to come by the Planet tonight about 9:00 pmA band is going to be practicing there.They wanted to get some people to watch them..She said everyone is invited. Bette stated.
Wow that is cool! Maria said excitedly
Yea I totally dig thatfree concert. Shane added.
Hey I could do a spot in the magazine about it..So we could write off the drinks
Alice joked.
Thats what Im talking about Shane said.

Just then the door bell rang..
Ill get it Tina said as she walked to the door.
Everyone else was sitting around.
Hi can I help you? Tina asked.
Yes Im looking for a Maria Milo? The man stated.
Im Maria Milo Maria spoke as she walked up next to Tina.
MsI have a delivery for you The gentleman said.
Ok..but I wasn’t expecting anything. Maria added.
Could you sign here for me. The deliveryman said.
Sure Maria stated rolling her eyes because she knew it had come from her father.
Ok Jimmie you can back it off the truck. The delivery man yelled to his partner.
Everyone jumped up to see what it was..Oh my god! Alice said.
I cant believe itShane added.
Tina and Bette were surprised as they looked at it and then each other.
Maria was more annoyed at the gestureShe knew her father always wanted to put on a big show for everyone..Maria wasnt quite like her father in this areashe was more private
Wow a red sports car? Those things are so expensive. Shane added
Yea we just had a huge write up about those cars in the magazine. Everyone who is anybody has one.
The man parked the car and handed the keys to Maria.Wow you are one lucky girl today sweetheart. The man said as he left.

Bette do you mind going for a ride with me? Maria asked. I need some big sister advice.
Sure come on The jumped into the two-seater and sped off.
Bette Im embarrassed to get this car Maria shared as she was weaving in and out of traffic and shifting gears.
Why do you feel like that? Bette asked.
Because how can I drive around a car like this? I dont need this type of car.
I need a nice car that is more practical. Maria shared..I brought you along because your such a business personI felt you could help me sell this back to the dealer and then get something else.
You really want to do that? Bette stated You know this is going to be quite a chick magnetJust as Bette finished saying that a group of girls pulled up next to them at the light.Hey babe.you look hot can you take me for a ride. The tomboyish girl yelled out the window.
Bette and Maria just looked at each other..
I know this guy a couple of blocks uphe is very honest.he can help you out.
Bette stated.

Later on you see Bette and Maria pulling up in a used but very nice SUV.
The gang was on the porch..
Hey what happened to the sports car? Tina asked
Oh we switched it..Maria stated.. I dont think a baby seat looks good in a two-seater.
Just then Bette pulled out a brand new baby seat which had a huge bow on it.
Here Tina I got this for the baby. Maria added
Then Bette got out a three-wheeled stroller that you can go jogging with.
Tina just put her hand up to her mouth and said You are so thoughtfulwhy did you do all this.
I think these things are more practical than that chick magnet… Maria stated with a smile.
Hey I better go take a nap before we all head out to the Planet tonight. Shane stated.
Hey thanks again for all of your help today ShaneI really appreciated it. Maria stated
We really did appreciate it Bette chimed in.
I have to run too. Alice stated I will call you guys later. She jumped in her mini coup and sped off.
Wow for a single person Maria you sure do have a good head on your shoulders.
Tina stated.
They entered the house .Bette and Tina had a seat on the sofa.. Maria handed them an envelope. What is this Maria? Bette asked as Tina was looking over her shoulder.
Its my first six months rent. Maria stated.
But Bette said.
No Butts about itYou gave me a place to stay..now its by turn to pay you back.
Maria added. Look with all the excitement todayI am warn out. Im going to go and take a nap..in my new room. Maria said tiredly but proudly.


TBC……………..