“Angie its a long road but your so smart it’ll feel like a breeze, be yourself and don’t let others bug you so much”

“i dont want to go i want to be homeschooled and sleep in”

“you know i would do that if i could Angie….”

“yeah..”

“you sure your ok?”

“mummy…what was my father like?”

“well….he was very tall, strong, dark…gentle, didn’t make you feel so small, artistic….i dont know where he is honey but he was a donor, you know that know
and he knew that”

“i wish i could meet him”   Bette didn’t say anything to that. Instead she felt Angie’s hair, the texture of it…wanting to hug her bu afraid to sever the delicate
connection they had just established. Suddenly Angelica turned around and hands on Bette’s shoulders asked frantically

” Mummy does it get any easier? it’s not going to right? i want it too but god im tired already and these weird feelings come and come and go
and everything makes me cry! thirteen sucks!”  With a sob Angelica rested against Bette who held her, not wanting to let go.

“shhhhh angie…shhhh…sure it get’s better, it’s going to be a rollercoaster but you’ll pull through”

“i hate being a teengaer”

“i know sweetie i did too”

“mom am i beautful?”

“tsk…course you are why even ask me that?”

“just that sometimes people stare at me, like  im an alien sometimes…cuz im mulatto probably”

“don’t ever call yourself that again Angelica…your a human being and your skin color doesn”t matter, it’s be hard on stupid epople soemtimes but your an old soul Agie, i can see it
in your eyes and your strong…and beautful”

“is it hard for you?”

“not much nowadays, i learned over the years not to let that upset me, i proved to myself long ago im capable of great things, skin gradually didn’t become an issue for me”

“well Shad thinks im beautful”

“who’s Shad”

“some boy im cool with”

“angie dont-”

“i know i know he’s not like that he’s my friend, he’s had a tough life you know…his mom’s a crackhead and his dad’s in jail, he takes care of his little brother”

“im sure its hard for him but dont do anytihng stu-”

“i know i know i know i wont do anything stupid, hes always the rec centre and were just homies thats all”

homies…hahah….”ok”

“mummy do you ever think about boys”

“No Angie, i  havent for a very long time”

 Angelica unwrapped herslef from Bette and closed her book. Bette felt a sudden loss, she wanted to take back her child in her amrs…but didn’t fearing to upset that
delicate connection. Bette stood up and helped Angie stand up too. Walking to the door Bette glanced up. Angleica put her book back into the bookcase and smoothed the book
spines in an almost loving way. Bette wanted to find out more about this “Shad”.

“Mummy! i have to  change!”

“  night  kiddo”

TBC tommorrow (Chapter 3: Bette spends quality time with Tina, takes Angelica out, and meets “Shad”)