Tina and Kit had just finished clearing the dinner dishes when the doorbell rang. Kit wasn’t expecting anyone but Bette was the last person she would’ve thought to be at her door on this early Saturday evening. Everyone expected she would be in New York for at least a few more days.

“Hey sis I think you have my daughter here?”

Bette could barely get the words out before Angie heard her voice and came running out of the back room. Angie was euphoric when she saw her mom. She was so overwhelmed. She jumped into Bette’s arms and hugged tight without saying a word. Bette hugged her back and with tears in her eyes she extended her arms and invited Tina and Kit into the family embrace. The family held on to each other. Momma was home. She couldn’t believe she had only been away for approximately 36 hours. It felt like a lifetime.

***

Bette never felt more loved than she did at that moment. She was so happy to be home surrounded by her family. She wasn’t expecting that she would have seen Kit tonight but it was perfect having them all there. They really were the world to her and it’s evident she is the world to them. They finally loosen the embrace. Angie gets her speech back and starts up her mile a minute chatter again. Bette just laughs and hugs the little girl.

“I love you so much Angel. I know you have a lot to tell me but why don’t we sit down. Momma’s had a long day. I’m a bit tired OK.”

Kit and Tina were just preparing to serve dessert when Bette rang the doorbell so they got it ready, made coffee and everyone sat at the dining room table to have dessert and talk. Of course Kit and Tina were both curious as to what happened in New York with Jodi to explain Bette’s sudden appearance but that conversation would have to wait. Instead they let Angie have the floor. She filled her Momma in on everything that happened since she left. She stopped suddenly and asked…

“Momma where’s Jodi? Didn’t you go to New York to bring her back here?”