Bette came back to the table after saving herself from a full blown emotional break down. She sat down and grabbed Tina’s hand and placed it back onto her thigh. Tina then spoke without taking her eyes away from the frolicking children “ You have to go through with it.” she said.

Looking down at their adjoined hands Bette said “I know.” Without looking at Tina she answered and felt the same sadness run that much more through her. Bettina came back to the table, and locked eyes with Bette immediately. “Are you o.k. Sweetie?”

“Yeah I’m fine.” Bette answered looking at the children with a far away look in her eyes. Bettina followed the gaze and immediately knew what she was thinking of, she didn’t want to drag up anymore sad memories so she asked a safer question, or so she thought.

“So tell me why are you here in Cuba? Are you just enjoying the house for a summer with your girlfriend?”

The question came so hard it caused Bette to look down again at her and Tina’s hands. She found her voice, despite the difficulty of the question “Yes and no. I’m here enjoying the house with Tina but that’s not the only reason why I’m here. I’m here for Melito, Mel’s son. I’m going to adopt him.”

“Oh you mean that adorable little boy that’s always climbing all over your aunt Toni? Where is his mother?”

“She’s uhh,…. She’s on drugs. So I’m here to make sure he’s o.k.” Bette answered apprehensively.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea Alicia was that bad.” Bette looked at her questioningly again. Bettina picked up on it and elaborated “This is a small town sweetie. Plus I still keep in touch with your Nanna every now and again. I tell her about my children and she informs me about her “precious gifts” as she constantly puts it.” that term made Bette smile. Her Nanna always called them that when she was talking about her grandchildren.

“Where is your family, if you don’t mind me asking? I mean you and your husband must have a pretty hard time running this place, I know how busy you guys get on the weekends and at night?”

Bettina smiled and answered politely “ My children have all moved out and started their own families. I have six grandchildren and seven and eight are on the way. That‘s something your mother would‘ve gotten a kick out of; me a grandmother.”

“And your husband…”

“Well,…… Jazz passed a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t get a chance to meet him.”

“Yeah I’m sure she would’ve loved you.” Bettina said watching the words register on Bette’s face.

“Excuse me?” Tina said finding a voice that Bette seemed to have lost today.

“My wife Jasmine, she would’ve loved you Bette. I know she loved your mother. You really don’t know how weird it is to have the love of your life dish with your best friend about you and some of your bad habits and embarrassing stories.” at this statement Bette nudged Tina as she had been the subject of many conversations between Carmen and Tina.

“I can imagine.”

TBC………….