Tina finished undressing and pulled her night clothes on, feeling very tired. The euphoria of connecting with her daughter had not worn off but her tired body was not able
to bounce off the walls anymore. Opening the covers she got inot bed and out her head on the soft pillow, rest at last. At last. there was a knock on the door, someone out there knocking.
For some reason Tina found this hilarious…she chuckled adn guffawed..”come in come in why are ya knocking?” On the other side Angelica paused for a moment, Tina’s laughter disturbed
her for some reason, why on earth would she laugh like a maniac just cuz of some knocking? Angelica held hot chocolate in her hands, in a white mug that warmed her palms all the
way down to her toes. Angelica tok hold of the ***** and opened it, coming in slowly in little steps…the cup’s liquid surface perilously tipping this way and that. Tina lay on the pillow watching her, the
previous amusement bone-dry gone..instead she watched a little too closely and when Angie looked up she startd. ASome liquid burned her bare foot and Angelica cursed loud and roundly…”***** *****”
Instead of scolding her Tina just smiled and patted the sidetable for Angie to place the mug on. “sorry for swearing, it hurt like a….” Angelica sat on the dge of the bed and took her foot
and looked at it. A bright spot smeared the arch of it. Angelica cursed softly and turned around a little embarrassed by the quick intimacy with Tina, it had been so long Angie cursed herself
for not warming up sooner. There so much they had missed. Tina herself lay there looking at her only-born, her baby girl. Everything was magnified a thousand times it seemed, as if trying
to focus on her Tina called out to Angelica…”thanks” Angelica smiled and commented on the wonderful smell of the hot chocolate. Tina frowned….what hot chocolate? “The on i just
brought in mom”  “o yes…..i cant smell anytihng”  Angelica took the cup and brought it close…”now u can”   “strange i can’t, probably a cold coming” Angelica placed the cup back on the
sidetable. turning around again she smiled at Tina….Tina smiled back and touched Angelica on the knee….”there is only one picture”   Angelica looked at her…….”what?”   Tina nodded profusely…
“under my bed, the castle pieces are all there see”   Angelica now fully turned leaned closer, a strange doom gripped her chest…”mom are you ok? are you ok?” Tina frowned at Angelica…”of course im
ok what are you talking about?”  “you said some really strange things right now”   “im tired thats all…pass me the mug” Angelica turned to grab it but Tina took her arm again….”Angelica
I love you”  Angie turned back around and smiled…this warmth was strange feeling this way…”i love you more”   At that Tina smiled and took her hand kissing it she whispered…”always
know what you’re doing my love, dont be dependant on anyone”   “mom are you sure your ok?”  “just give me a hug”  Angelica got onher stomach and embraced Tina, she felt her mother
squeeze until it was difficult to breathe, “mom your choking me”  “sorry”  Angelica got up and reached for the cup again, tina took it in both hands and feeling the warmth looked up…”i think you
should get Bette”   “get mommy?”  Tina nodded, she nodded and waved Angelica away…”get her”.  Angelica stood for a moment then walked to the door turning around and looking a tTina once more, a feeling
of panic gripped her….she had never felt this way before. A second passed in which they looked at each other. Then Angelica was gone running down the hall. Tina felt the cup’s warmth
and settled down onto the pillow, her head tingled.   “Get Bette, get her…get Bette…get her….get Bette”.