Bette tensed and gripped Angelica’s hand tighter.  “Not this time honey.”

            “Mama, I loved her too.  I want to go with you.”  Angelica voice was low and intense.

            Bette turned to her daughter and the love and pain in her young eyes broke her heart.  It wasn’t right that one so young should know such grief.  Angelica held her gaze unflinching. 

            “If Mom says its ok then you can come.”

            “Mom already said it would be ok with her if it was ok with you.”  Angelica returned evenly.

            Bette gave her a ghost of a smile.  Angelica was one persistent young lady.  If there was anything she wanted she would carefully dispatch any obstacle in her way.  She was surprisingly good for one so young. 

            Angelica remained blade straight at her mothers’ side as the ceremony concluded. She had the grace of both her mothers.  Her brown curly locks were reminiscent of Bette and her easy smile clearly from Tina.  If truth were told there was a hint of Rosanna’s steadiness a testimony of their bond and the years she was reared under her care as well.

            The Bentley took them past Rosanna’s ancestral home, that of her maternal grandmother, then past the home she and Bette had made, then onto Pacific Coast Highway.  The car slowed and turned with some difficultly onto a smaller road near a secluded area of beach that Bette, Rosanna and sometimes Angelica would come to relax and enjoy the surf. 

            It was the spot that Rosanna said convinced her there was a heaven and where she would have her ashes scattered when she was very old and gray.  Angelica knew without a doubt that this was where Mama would scatter ‘Sanna’s’ ashes and she was right. 

            They somberly exited the Bentley.  Denise insisted on driving this day as a tribute to Ms. Rosanna.  Bette did not have the energy to convince her to allow someone else to drive and ride along with her.

            “It would be my honor to drive you and Ms. Rosanna one last time.”

            Bette nodded her acceptance.  Rosanna cared deeply for Denise and she was a part of their life.  She had been a silent witness to their love and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for either of them.  On the rare occasions that they had conflict between them Denise would offer some story for each to reflect on from her numerous aunts and uncles.  She would begin by asking if she had ever told the story of her aunt or uncle so and so.  Of course they hadn’t heard the story and since Denise rarely talked about herself or her family they felt obliged to listen. 

            The story would engross them and they would find themselves reacting to the idiocy of Uncle Clem or Aunt Sophia only to recognize much later that she was really talking about one of them or their situation. 

            Denise opened the door of the Bentley and assisted Ms. Bette and Ms. Angelica out of the car.  Bette stood holding the urn containing Ms. Rosanna’s ashes. 

            “Ms. Bette, a limo has been following us” she spoke softly only for Bette’s ears. “It looks like the one Ms. Tina and Ms. Kit were in earlier.  Do you want me to wave them off?”

            Bette stood in the sunlight in her black suit and Denise knew that as much as she had sheltered Ms. Rosanna she would stand between Ms. Bette and anything she needed to for her as well. 

            Bette sighed and turned to Angelica. 

            “Honey, it seems your Mom is behind us in another car and probably your Aunt Kit.  Can you ask them to give us ten minutes before they come down?” 

            “Sure Mama.” 

            Bette walked down to the beach alone.  She stood at the waters edge holding the ashes of her wife close to her chest.

            Ro, honey I miss you so much already she whispered.