Bette had bought a new SaaB. The other one was stolen and when the police eventually found it graffitt
vandalized the outside and in, and ***** was found crusty on the back seats. Bette didn’t want it back. The new one was great
though Bette was still sentimental about her old one. Angelica was waiting by the Saab when Bette came running out
keys in her hand. “right im ready let’s go, we’re gonna be late” Angelica jumped in and pulled her hood over
her head. Bette saw Mr.Benson in the other house picking at the splinters on the fence. “Morning Frank” Mr. Benson
nodded and went back to work. Getting in Bette looked at Angelica ” Why didn’t you say morning to him?” Angelica
gave a half tsk half hiccup “i hate him” Bette tsked an dturned on the car, revving. “please mummy can we
just go he makes me uncomfortable” Bette asked why but only got a stare out the window in return. shaking
her head Bette backed out. Angelica had kickboxing classes because Bette felt she was too passive. Angelica
had no problem being assertive with Bette and Tina but everywhere else adn with everyone else she shut down.
More than that sh was painfully shy and came on as weak. So three times a week this summer Bette drove her to
the rec centre where she went through hour kickboxing classes. It sure did her good physically, but emotionally Angelica
was still her old self. Bette didn’t know what to do.

 The rec centre was an old church that got burned down then re-built again as a community centre. It
was in a good part of town but was on edge to some rough neighbourhoods, Bette couldn’t find kickboxing classes
close enough the “good” side, at least ones that were affordable. Once again reminding Agie to be safe Bette
watched her disapear into the centre. She was getting tall. Suddenly a voice brought Bette back to earth..
“You Angel’s mother right?” It came from a slim gangsta kid with too large shoes an cornrows..the classic/cliche
example of an aliented black youth urbanite. He leaned against a bike rack an nodde at her…:Yes i am” Bette
check her rear view mirrors for anybody in the way. “Im Shad M’am…and uh aren’t you gonna take me out for ice cream?”
Bette looked at him, jaws open. She had never heard that before, he was strangely polite for a little gangbanger.
Bette did want to know more about Shad, anyone to do with Angie Bette needed to know. Seeing Bette mentally
debate Shad leaned back more and grinned a huge. that won Bette over. She had a sudden urge to touch his hair.
Motioning for him to get in Bette revved the car. Shad eagarly jumped in and smoothed the seat ” wow this is tight
how much it cost you?” Bette clucked her tongue…” A lot Shad, taht much i can tell you” Settling in he looke out
the window and tapped the sides, nodding his head in satisfaction and approval.

 For the next forty five minutes was the most interesting of bette’s interactions with youth other than Agelica.
Shad was both polite but firm, innocent yet hardened, and had a strange way of getting under Bette’s skin…in a good way.
He licked his cone and leaned into the store patio chair going on about Angelica whom he called “Angel”.
Bette found him delightfulk, he had her approval. At the rec centre dropping him off and waiting for Angie Bette
saw a group of older boys come around the centre corner and immediantly shad changed. He quickly got out and ignored
Bette’s goodbye…apparently it wasn’t cool to be getting a cone. After the long greeting with consisted of half hugs and
weird handshakes shad and the older boys hung around the corner acting like a bunch of idiots. Ogling at
females asses they went by and speaking with a swear word tied into every sentence. Bette wanted to box Shad’s ears
but it was the kind of group she didn’t want to even talk to. Bette saw Shad’s eyes change to that of a kid enjoying a cone to that
of a kid who saw too much and had to grow up too fast. Bette couldn’t help but like him. she had an urge to take him
home and cook for him. Waiting for Angelica Bette felt old. she could hardly remember the angst she felt when she was
Angie’s age…the years seemd to weigh her down. Looking at shad Bette felt that she was no closer in understanding
a teen’s mind.

TBC ( chapter 4: Bette and Tina play with cream and each other, Mr.Benson creeps Angie out, and all go out for a “family night”)