Tina:  “I guess.”

Kit:  “So what does your family think about your move to California?”

Tina:  “Well, my family disowned me after I graduated from college.”

Kit:  “What?  Why would they do that to such a sweet girl?”

Tina:  “well, my parents are extremely devout Christians.  When I was growing up We went to church twice on Sundays, once in the morning and then at night, plus Sunday School and then to Prayer Meetings during the week.  I grew up in the south and that’s what everyone does.  We were an extremely close family.  We didn’t have a lot, but we had each other.  My daddy worked long and hard hours for our family and my momma worked as a waitress at the diner downtown.  I was the oldest, so I cared for my younger brother and sister until I left for college.  My siblings and I were extremely close growing up.  You could say that we appeared to be the perfect family.  However, my parents have extremely conservative views on things and when I came home after I graduated from college to tell them that I was *****, let’s just say it didn’t go over well.  They told me and showed me in the Bible that homosexuality was wrong and a sin.  They even prayed over me, almost like I was demon poessessed by the spirit of homosexuality.  After all of their prayer and reasoning I told them that I respect their beliefs and I am asking them to respect mine.  My father jumped up and pulled me off the couch and with such hatred and disgust said, “You are no longer my daughter or a part of this family as long as you live that lifestyle.  In my mind you are dead.  You are dead as long as you believe and life this lie.  Get out of this house and do not try to contact us.  We cannot have you a part of our family under these conditions.”  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  All the grace and love that had been given and taught to me as a child was gone.  I couldn’t believe that the man that was saying such hurtful things to me was indeed my father.  My mother just stood there sobbing and my brother and sister ran over to comfort me.  My father yelled at them and told them to get away from me . . . to get away from the pervert.  With that I left and I haven’t spoken to them in almost 10 years.”

Kit:  “Oh, sweet girl.  That breaks my heart.  How can people be so cold and uncaring?”

Tina:  “Well, not everyone is . . . including good people like you.”

Kit:  “Tina, I want you to know that you have a friend here anytime you need me.  I know how it feels to be without family.  I am going to introduce you to my sister and our friends.  In a sense we are a family.  Most of us have strained or difficult relationships with our biological families, so we decided years ago that we would be family to each other.  You have to meet them.  You will love them and I know they will love you.  So don’t worry girl, you just met your first L.A. sister.”

Tina:  (Tina starts to tear up overwhelmed by Kit’s kindness and stands up to give Kit a hug)  “Thank you Kit.  Your actions and words this morning have really touched my heart.  I am glad that my morning started the way it did, otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.”

Kit:  “I am glad you are okay.  Girl you had me scared when I saw you go down for the count.  But, I am really glad that I met you.  Baby girl, welcome to the family.  We are all crazy *****, but you’re gonna love us.”

Just as Kit finished her sentence in walks Alice, Dana and Shane.

When Kit goes to sit down again, she notices that the girls have arrived.  She smiles and then looks at Tina.

Kit:  “Girl, some of your new family just walked in.  Let me get them their orders and I will bring them over to introduce them to you.”

Tina:  (smiles)  “Okay.”

Kit walks up behind Shane, Alice and Dana and puts her arms around them.  Tina can hear laughter and fun bantering going back and forth within the group.  She can see that Kit is talking quietly to them and suddenly they all look over to the table where Tina is sitting. 

Alice breaks away from the group and walks over to Tina.

TBC . . .