You’re Still Here

Tina watched as Angelica put the movie they had watched away.

            “Well that was good.” She stated as the young woman looked over at her mother who merely nodded.

            “It was.” She replied. Angie went and sat down by her mom. She looked at her smiling and it was the first time in a long time that they had just sat down and watched something together, laughed and cried at the same time and enjoyed themselves.

            “We have to do this more often.” Angie said as she rested on the couch.

            “I missed doing this with you, just sitting. It’s hard having you out of the house,” Tina smiled. “Because I’m not used to really being by myself yet.” Angie smiled in way that always made Tina’s heart swell. With that raised eyebrow and half smirk that was so very familiar. Maybe she picked it up when she was younger; looking through her mother’s old photo albums at the face that she never knew but longed for.

            “Do you miss her?” Angie asked softly. Tina thought for a moment.

            “Yes I do.”

            “Can we try to find her?” Angie enquired as she crossed her arms and sat back staring off at the wall.

            “I don’t know if I’m up for an adventure honey…”

            “Please?” Angie had been begging her mother for years to try and help her find the woman she never knew but wanted to get to know. Whether it was a parent relationship or not. She wanted to know. Each time Tina refused but the look on her mothers face was a glimmer of hope.

            “Okay, let’s do it.”

Meanwhile in a small town in Arizona.

            “Hey lady, can I get a drink, I’m dying!” The man exclaimed as he shot through the door.  The tall woman looked at the man and shook her head.

            “Frank, you need to stop drinking.” She stated.

            “You’d lose all your business if I stopped drinking.” The woman reached over and rested her hand on Frank’s with sorrowful eyes. He looked up at her angry then his features softened to guilt. She looked around the bar that there were people everywhere; her waitresses could barely keep up with the people.