At that remark Bette remembered just when and why she started liking women instead of the stereotypical man. She slowly approached him and saw the extremely oversized cigar he was puffing on and smiled broadly, he thought the smile was for him; of course.

“Why are you still standing in front of my home Al?”

He smiled at her finding amusement in the way she was being very brusque with him. He was quite amazed that she showed no signs of intimidation by him either.

“Come on Josephine, is that how you talk to your friends. Besides you have something of mine in there.”

“Nothing in that house belongs to you Al.” she answered very short and instantly upset by his incessant need to refer to Alicia as his property.

“Oh no, see that’s where your wrong. I own that bitch. She still owes for the shit that she’s used without payment. And if you have a problem with that I suggest you find a way to pay that off.” he finished as he eyed her body up and down. She could almost feel his eyes roam her body. “You now I think you’d look good on my arm.” He said as he caressed her upper arm with the tip of his fingers.

Bette looked down at his hand still on her upper arm as she turned and locked eyes on him and saw that stupid amused look in his face. “The ass of a baboon would look good on you.” his smile broke and his look hardened on Bette as he soon realized that she was no where near playing around with him. He retracted his hand and tried to stare her down, much to his dismay she was completely un rattled by his presence. In the background Toni could tell that he was getting upset by their whole little display, but the pride in her niece was a little disconcerting. Deep down inside she was hoping that her sister would’ve understood that the fire Bette was displaying was all her doing.

…………………………….

While the living room was full of men sharing laughter and stories with hushed voices, Tina and Carmen were in the kitchen sitting at the table with hot tea and a silence that could choke a horse.