“Alright then, I’ll let you go. Have a great time tonight. Oh, Tina, wait. I just want to let you know that we really miss you down here”.

“Thanks Oscar”, she replied. I miss you all too, but I’m very happy with my decision. I like knowing I’ll be with Angelica her first year”.

“Well, when you are ready to come back, your job will be waiting for you, Tina”, he assured her.

“I appreciate that so much. You have been so kind to me through everything”, Tina said.

“It’s not a problem, Tina. That’s what friends are for. I’ll talk to you soon. Congratulate Bette for me”.

“Okay, I will. Thank you so much for calling, Oscar. Good-bye”.

Tina turned back to Thelma and apologetically said, “I’m sorry about that”.

“Don’t worry about it, sweetie. It’s just fine”, Thelma said with a kind smile. And kind was the best word to describe this woman. A little woman, she was, with wavy black hair and a gentleness in her demeanor. She was always thinking of others. It was never a sacrifice for her to reach out and help anyone in need. And with Tina having reservations about leaving Angelica in someone else’s care, this woman, with a heart of gold, was exactly what Tina needed. She felt secure in trusting this woman with her child.

Thelma inquires, “Where’s the little darling”?

“She’s been napping for about twenty minutes, so she’ll probably sleep for another hour, Tina explained. There’s a jar of peaches in the fridge, her favorite, so you can give it to her when she wakes up, and I’ll be back in time for her dinner”.

Tina glanced down at her watch, and exclaimed, “It’s getting late. I’m meeting Bette at two, we have the spa appointment. I hate to rush off, but…..

Thelma interrupted her and said encouragingly, “Don’t you fret dear, you go and do what you need to get done. We’ll be just fine here”.

“Okay then, we should be back around five o’clock”, Tina explained.

“That’s fine, have a great time and relax”, she said to Tina.

“Thank you for being here, Thelma”, Tina said. “Is there anything I forget to mention, before I head out”?

” I don’t think so”, Thelma says with a grin.