Bette continues to walk into the kitchen holding Melito and some of the groceries. Toni is about to join her when she notices the Co-Parent Adoption papers laying on the end table. Toni noticed Alicia’s and Bette’s names were submitted as legal guardians of Melito. She also saw that Alicia had already signed the papers and was waiting for Bette’s signature to accompany hers. Bette came back into the living room to retrieve more groceries when she saw Toni looking the papers over, she hadn’t noticed Bette enter the room until she felt her eyes on her back.

"Toni I …"

"Bette, Alicia wants you to be a parent with her?" Bette looked away and nodded.

"And..?"

"And what?"

"Bette what did you tell her?"

" I told her no. What did you think?"

"Did you at least hear what she had to say or did you just flat out tell her no."

" I told her no. I came here to adopt my nephew and give him a better life. He can’t do that tied down to some junkie."

"That junkie is his mother."

" I know who and what she is, ok?"

"Do you really? Or are you still looking at her as an ex- girlfriend?"

"I’m looking at her as a person who’ll eventually end up hurting Melito. I have to protect him."

"And who are you?"

"I’m his mother!"

"I’m coming baby." Bette answered Melito without breaking contact with Toni’s intense and somehow hurt eyes. As she walked away Toni had to get her to listen to her.

"Josephine, we need to talk. After dinner , ok?" Bette just nodded and continued on her way to Melito.

Toni and Bette prepared dinner in complete silence, nothing but "excuse me’s", and "sorry’s" were their entire conversation. And instead of the ususal banter back and forth, there was awkward silence and lost glances across the table.

………………………….

Bette was in the kitchen finishing up the dishes when she heard Melito say "Can I say goodnight to Auntie Jo?"

"Hold on baby I’ll go get her." Toni walked into the kitchen, she saw Bette standing there as if she was waiting for her to say something that was to pertain to their future conversation.