“What’s she doing in the car, she can come in like a polite person and say hello, and I’m going to get her.” Alice huffed and stalked to the door. Tina could not stop her.  “Nonsense…” Alice exclaimed you say hello and socialize for five minutes.  Bette will be happy to see you…” Helena’s protests went unheeded by Alice who dragged her along.

                     Helena looked like a deer caught in the headlights when she finally came to a stop in Bette’s dining room.  Helena was hot tonight; she wore a black skirt that fell right above her knees and a white ruffled shirt with a black satin tuxedo style jacket.

                      Tina surreptitiously watched Bette’s reaction.  Bette’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly a sign that she was pissed.  Her eyes, which had been dancing with light, were suddenly flat and cold.

                     “Good evening, Angelica, Bette.”  Helena said politely.  She pointedly avoided meeting Bette’s eyes.

                     “Hi Auntie Helena.”  Angelica greeted her with enthusiasm.  “Mom lets go.”  Angelica pulled Tina down the hall to her room.  Tina realized that she would have to hurry before Bette had Helena for dinner.

                     “Mom would it be ok if I went to a sleepover tomorrow night at Kim’s?”

                     “Sure honey.  Is that why you wanted to talk to me?”

                     “Uh huh.”  Angelica looked at the floor.

                       “You could have asked me that on the phone or asked Mama.” Tina probed. 

                      “Mom I don’t think I want a brother anymore.” Angelica blurted out.

                       Tina sat down. “We all talked about this honey and you were looking forward to being a big sister. What happened?”

                       “Cathy and Laura both have brothers and they can’t stand them.  I afraid that Mama will be mad if I tell her I don’t want a brother anymore.”

                       “Well I don’t think she’ll be mad.” Tina replied.  “I think that we should talk to her together about it.  How about that?”

                        Angelica smiled. “Thanks Mom.”

                       “I’ll be over tomorrow we can talk then.”

                       “You said I could go to Kim’s sleep over tomorrow.”