“Gina’s giving us a taste of her culture.” Angelica replied with excitement in her voice.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“It’s” Gina started talking.

“It’s a surprise.” Angelica cut her off.

“Ok.”

Within a few minutes we were served breakfast. Gina said it was called lahouifi m’semmen and akra, where the lahouifi m’semmen is like a flat bake and the akra is a spicy shrimp fritter. She also made a lemon sauce to go with it. We ate like we had not eaten in days. Even the twins who are usually picky eaters enjoyed the meal. After breakfast it took us all a while before either of us could move.

“Man, Gina if I weren’t happily married, a few years younger and you weren’t in love with my niece there, I would sure scoop you up,”

“Aunt Shane?”

“This was absolutely delicious.” She continued.

“So where did Tina run off to so early this morning?” Carmen asked.

“Um, there was a problem at the centre. With one of the kids there.”

“Did she say what?” Renee asked a bit concerned.

“No, she just said that Oscar asked her to come down. I’m sure its nothing too serious, so don’t worry about it.” I tried to reassure her.

“Hey Gina, what’s for lunch? Because after this you gotta do something for lunch.”

“Shane?!” This time it was Carmen and my turn.

“Hey I’m just asking.” She said nonchalantly. We all looked at her in amazement. “You can’t tell me you guys weren’t thinking the same thing.”

We all looked at each other. “Yeah.” We admitted.

Tina got home early afternoon. Apparently one of the girls at the centre was attacked by her father last night and ended up in the hospital, so Tina and Oscar spent the morning at the hospital with her and then the rest of the time trying to find a shelter for her to stay. It being Sunday was more difficult for them. When Tina got home she wasn’t in the best of spirits, not to mention tired and hungry. We hadn’t eaten lunch yet because breakfast didn’t digest fully yet. I ran her a bath and pampered her till dinner was ready.

***Angelica***

Gina and I were in the kitchen preparing our second meal of the day. I can’t say it was lunch because it was too late and it was too early for dinner, but it was perfect considering how we all ate like savages this morning. I am really enjoying this time with Gina. Tomorrow and Tuesday I have her all to myself when everyone is out of the house. I am still surprised that Tina asked her to come. She didn’t look too good when she came home today. Whatever happened at the centre must have really upset her. Mom doesn’t really talk much about the stuff that goes on at the centre. Renee goes with her sometimes and her mood changes sometimes.

I was mostly watching Gina cook, getting her stuff on occasion if she asked me. This morning was a little too much for me. I slept my pain off earlier but my arm still hurts. “You ok?” She asked seeing me holding my arm.

“Yeah, but I’m ok.” She walked over and kissed me. Not on the cheek, but on the lips. Not a brief peck, but a long one. “You know you haven’t kissed me like that since, since.” I bowed my head.

She raised my head back to hers and kissed me again, “I know. But it feels right now, being here with you, spending time with your family, not having to worry about your mom.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.”