When Tasha turned around Alice was right there. They said nothing to each other but Tasha just fell into Alice’s arms. Alice just held her tight like she would never let go she knew Tasha felt better knowing her father approved of who she was.

”I’m so tired.”

“I know baby, we’ll hang downstairs at the repass for a while and then I’m putting you to bed.”

”Is that an order?” Tasha joked.

”Yes ma’am.”

She knew Tasha was just trying to lighten the mood by joking. After the burial everyone went back to the William’s house. From almost every spot in the house there was a story about Thomas Williams like when he would get in trouble when he was a boy to when he introduced his family to Janet. Alice was sitting among a conversation about how Thomas wanted to name Tasha Jacqueline and how Janet really didn’t like the name. His argument being they could call her Jackie baseball player Jackie Robinson. Tasha didn’t get her name until the minute she was born because Thomas thought she looked like a mini version of himself. When Alice looked around she saw Tasha was no longer among her family. She went upstairs to check on her and found her sleep in the bed in a wife beater and a pair of boy shorts. Her suit was hanging from the doorknob of the closet. Alice walked over and sat next to her.

”How long have you been to sleep?”

”Not long.”

”I’m sorry I woke you up do you want me to stay with you until you go back to sleep?”

”I don’t want you to miss anything downstairs.”

”The only thing I miss is right here in this room.” Alice took her shoes off and got in the bed next to her. Tasha leaned over and kissed Alice and her aunt came in the room at that moment.

”Oh so this is where you are.”

”Hi aunt Dana.”

”Why aren’t you downstairs baby?”

”I just needed to lay down a little bit.”

”Don’t you and Alice stay up here too long.” As she walked out she turned around and winked at the two.

”That’s my mom’s older sister.”

”She seems nice.”

”She is.” Somehow Tasha managed to fall back asleep in Alice’s arms. When Alice felt her dose off she got up and went back downstairs.