Tina looks up and smiles a bright smile. “Are you sure? I mean, this is something pretty big for you. Are you sure you don’t want to think about it a little longer?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Bette smiled.

They grinned at each other.

“So… When can we get together?” Tina asked.

Bette shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t know… Maybe next weekend? Saturday I have time. Jolene is to basketball and Sterling is to the theater.”

“I think I can make that work. I’ll ask my friends Dana and Alice to look after Elijah.” Tina said.

“Great.” Bette smiled. “Where shall we go?”

“What about going to the movies and dinner afterwards?” Tina asked.

“Sure.” Bette nodded.

“I’ll pick you up at… 6.30. What do you think?” Tina wanted to know.

“Sounds good.” Bette smiled.

They just grinned at each other but were interrupted by Elijah who entered and went to the kitchen to get some water.

“Having fun?” Tina asked.

“Yeah, I’m winning so Sterling is a little less happy.” Elijah laughed and the adults smiled.

“Glad you are enjoying yourself.” Tina told her son.

“Tell Sterling we’ll have to go and pick up Jolene in half an hour, please.” Bette told the young guy.

“Oh, okay.” He said to Bette and then went back to his room.

“Jolene is really doing great in class. Most of the kids really like her.” Tina told Bette.

“That’s great; I was quite worried about that.” Bette admitted.

“What do you mean?” Tina wanted further information.

“Well, Sterling has been bullied and I had my share of harassments back when I was in school so I was just worried the same would happen to Jolene but I’m glad that’s not the case.” Bette smiled at Tina who nodded.

“Yeah, I understand. I mean, I was worried that when Eli would go back to school after his accident, he would be bullied and he was, so does not always go that well.” Tina said.

“I don’t understand how you can just keep picking on one person, what’s the fun in that?” Bette wanted to know.

“I have absolutely no idea.” Tina shrugged her shoulders.

“Uhm, does Elijah have another mother?” Bette asked. She hadn’t heard of anything regarding another parent of Elijah.

“He had one, yes but Monica committed suicide a few months after Elijah’s accident.” Tina explained sadness in her eyes.

“Oh, sorry.” Bette said to Tina.

“No, it’s okay.” Tina smiled.

“Are you the birthmother or Monica?” Bette wanted to know.

“I am. So, is the James you talked about Sterling and Jolene’s father?”

“He is Sterling’s, yes, but he died. He got hit by a car when he was cycling home, a few hours before Sterling was born. I don’t know who Jolene’s father is because I went to a cryobank.” Bette explained.

“Oh, right, so they are half-siblings?” Tina said.

“Yes, but Sterling doesn’t care that his sister doesn’t have the same father as he does, he really sees Jolene as his sister, half or not.” Bette smiled.

“Oh, that’s nice.” Tina said.

“I should go; I don’t want to be late to pick up Jolene.” Bette said, placing her coffee cup on the table and standing up, Tina does the same.

“So, I’ll see you Saturday, then?” Tina asked.

“Yeah.” Bette answered. “I’m going to get Sterling.” She added and walked to Elijah’s room. Soon, mother and son were leaving the house.

“Bye.” They said to Tina, Elijah was still in his room.

“Bye for now.” Tina smiled and winked.