What Might Have Been

            Bette woke up early, she knew the company that was going to put up the fence around the pool. Tina was still sleeping when Bette went to check up on the baby. Angelica’s face lit up when Bette walked into the room.

            “Good morning sunshine. How are you today? You are so beautiful. Mom loves you very much. More than you will ever know. Shh, let’s not wake up your mommy. We will go and fix your breakfast. You look a little hungry.”

            Bette leaned over to pick up Angelica and changed her diaper and took her to the kitchen. She was feeding the baby when she heard the knock on the front door.

            “Who could be here this morning? Maybe one of your aunts? Let’s go see, shall we?” Bette said to Angelica.

            Bette was not prepared for what she would see on the other side of the door. She had Angelica propped up on her shoulder and she opened the door.

            “Candace! What are you doing here?” Bette whispered.

            “You are having a fence installed around the pool aren’t you?” Candace asked.

            “Yes, butYOU can’t do it. Tina is still asleep, she will freak if she sees you.”

            “Look, Bette I am just a contractor coming to do some hired work. I really did not even recognize the address. The name was just Kennard. It never said Tina on it. I would have past the buck had I known this was your home.”

            “How long have you been working for this company?”

            “I am just contracted in, Bette. Look, do you want the fence put up or not?”

            “Yeswe have to have it installed. The social worker is coming this week. I am trying to adopt our baby.”

            “She is beautiful, Bette. Just like her mom. What is her name?”

            “I am sorry, this is Angelica Kennard Porter. She is six months old. I think I have finally met the love of my life in this little cherub.”

            “She is gorgeous. I would think she were yours. She looks so much like you. Congratulations, Bette.”