Angelica helped Bette set the table. Dark was settling in and both of their stomachs were growling to kingdom come. And Bette actually
took the time to cook something. Plates of chicken curry graced their white plates and Angie set the cutlery while Bette set the plates. Tina was sleeping, home
finally after the last bout of chemo…bald skinny sick and tired. Bette wanted to eat in the bedroom but also wanted to spend time with Angie, who was unsually
quiet that evening. Sitting down angie fiddled with the napkins until Bette sat down also with the pitcher of water. Angelica said thank you for the cooking, Bette
smiled in response…she appreciated the little things when it came to teens. As the evening went on though Bette noted that angie was a lot more sundued and polite, though
was worried that the other shoe might drop.
 
 ”well, how was therapy today angie?”

 ”o it was good, it was ok…….but i dont want to go back”

 ”we made a deal angel we promised thta-”

 ”i know i know…but i just, one of the girls hate my guts and its not helpful to be there anymore”

 ”have you spoken with Julia about this?”

 ”i havent actually but, you know i wanted to tell my mom first”

 ”yes i suppose so, but …i guess we’ll find you a better one then”

 :yea”

 ”so…angelica, are you going to say goodnight to mom before bed?”

 ”if she’s still awake she’s pretty conked now”

 ”it’s just that you havent, you have hardly seen her for a while now and im a little…suprised you havent talked to her more”

 ”i dont know”

 ”well-”

 ”it’s just that….i dont think i have the right to be there you know, some of these kids have been through nightmare stuff i never even heard of and i think
someone who has been through some of that stuff deserves my place you know, i can have like one-on-one counselling instead of soemthing like that”

 ”………………..it’s really nice to hear you thinking about soemone else, it’s important and means a lot to me to see that…sensitivity”

 ”your getting mushy now”

 ”eat your curry”

 Angelica could tell Bette was impressed however because while angie was eating Bette kept glancing at her. Angelica herself felt weird saying
stuff like a guru but didnt want to lie to Bette about not going. It was true that angelica was shamed and felt humiliated after being blasted by Vanessa, but her pride
wouldnt let her go again either. So she told Bette the truth…just not all of it. Angelica just wanted everything to disapear. including Tina. It was like some
stranger had invaded her home, she often stared at the bedroom door debating whether to go in and even greet her own mother. Her “real” mother. But sometihng
always stopped angie and she didnt know why. Tina’s baldness repulsed her, she looked like a skeleton. And Angelica really didnt know what to say to her. The loving
parent who held her at disney land while screaming on the rollercoaster she was no more, at least it seemed like to angelica. However she did promise Bette while washing the
dishes that angie would come in and say goodnight later…if Tina was awake.

 Later in her bedroom Angelica was undressing for bed when a tap made her jump three feet. Angelica quickly pulled up her pants and satyed still, listening.
suddenly another tap. it was someone throwing little pebbles at her window. Angelica looked out her half open window…………..Shad was standing there with a huge
grin on his face. Angelica almost swallowed her tongue. He was even taller now, but not as skinny having filled out in the shoulders….his skin was ebony as usual with
cool clothes draped over it.

 ”Angel baby….where you been? come on out but be quiet, i’ll buy you dinner and we’ll have a good time…catch up”

Angelica moved to open the window fully, she was about to put her leg through when her muscles stopped. Her body stopped her before her mind did. And Angelica looked
down at him again……why this tugging feeling?…..angelica ached for him…but……blinking back tears Angelica slowly moved back in and very carefully closed the window..all the
while her heart pounded.

 ”Angel?…hey Angel where you going?….angel?”