“I know baby. But you’ve got your Auntie Toni and your Nanna there so they’ll be the ones taking care of you just like you’ll be taking care of Melito. Baby can I ask you a question?”

“Tina you can ask me whatever you want.” Bette replied trying to be open to whatever Tina’s question was.

“How come Melvin isn’t going to adopt Melito?”

“Because of his own selfish pride. He hasn’t forgiven Mel, which is why I don’t know if he thinks of Melito as his grandson. I know, it sounds crazy, but that what it is. It was down to either me or Carmen anyway, because if he decides to go to school here in America it’s a little easier for him if his legal guardian is an American.” Bette finished her sentence and immediately her mind went to Alicia. What did she look like? Did she look like Mel when he was using? What was her reaction to the legal actions Bette had taken? Questions raced through her mind and they were written all over her face. Tina noticed and wanted to put her at ease.

“You’re thinking ’bout Alicia aren’t you?”

Tina’s voice saying her name snapped Bette out of her hypnotic like state. “Huh,… uhh, no I was…”

“Bette it’s ok. You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t at the very least concerned for her well-being. You have a big heart, and I love that about you.”

Feeling at ease with Tina’s approval, Bette relaxed a little more. She closed her eyes and said

“I just hope she sees this as a reason to get clean. I’m not going to be in Cuba so I can’t mother him like he deserves. You know that this has nothing to do with me  and Alicia. This is strictly about Melito.”

Tina smiled and said “I love that you said that.”

“Do you love that I meant it too?”

“I do. And I love you because you meant it.” Tina said cupping Bette’s face and letting her lips overpower Bette’s. ” now seeing as how this is our last full day alone together for two whole weeks, what do you want to do?” Tina asked after releasing a beaming Bette. Just as Bette was about to voice her suggestion she was interrupted by the doorbell ringing feverishly. They both ran down to see who could possibly want to disturb them this early in the morning. Tina reached the window to look out and to her surprise there stood…………