Tina’s voice brought him back to reality, "so…how may I help you young man?"

He looked at her and couldn’t stop the tears, Tina’s cheerful expression turned to one of worry. She pressed a button on her phone and said, "George, bring us two cups of water please."

"Right away," came the response.

Tina looked at him again and he took a deep breath. "I need to make sure you’re the right Tina Kennard," the boy said tentatively, "Do you know someone by the name of Mary Kennard?"

Tina stiffened instantly and said, "yes, she’s my sister. Why do you ask?"

"H-have you heard?" He said wiping his tears.

"Heard what? Honestly I haven’t heard from her in 20 years," Tina said.

"Why?" He asked.

Tina cocked her head to the side and hesitantly answered, "she condemned and disowned me for being gay."

The boy scoffed and muttered, "hypocrite."

Tina looked shocked, "who are you?"

"Oh I’m sorry," he smiled bashfully, "my name is Christian Kennard, I am her son."

Tina’s eyes widened, "her son? I didn’t know she married."

"She didn’t, that’s why she’s a hypocrite," Christian said, "how dare she condemn you like a high and mighty Christian, when she didn’t even know who my father is?!"

"You seem very angry," Tina said as George walked in with two glasses of water.

"I am," Christian said, "she was never there for me. I don’t even miss her."

"Miss her?" Tina said confused.

Christian cleared his throat, "last week… she died of cervical cancer." He cracked with the last word, feeling hot tears spill out of his eyes.

Tina dropped her head, tears spilling out of her eyes. Christian lifted his head watching her as she cried.

"Aunt Tina," Christian said timidly.

Tina lifted her head up with a small smile, "I like the sound of that."

Christian returned the smile, "may I…may I hug you?"

Tina smiled and stood up wiping her tears, "of course."

Christian excitedly stood up and hugged Tina so tight, Tina let out a breath, "can’t breathe!"

Christian laughed and said, "sorry." He released her, "I really wanted to meet you, before I went to my new home."

"New home?" Tina asked.

"Yeah, I’m 16, Patty my social services lady, found me a good group home," Christian said with a sad smile.