Toni replies.

"You’re crazy. You are too much. I’m on my way out."

Bette says. Toni ends the call. She turns and faces the girls in the back seat.

"Girls! Take five."

Toni says. Vanity and Lisa exit the car. The girls shut their doors and approach Angelica’s front steps. The door opens and Bette exits the house.

"Hello, Vanity. Hello, Lisa."

Bette says as she walks by.

"Hey, Bette."

Lisa says.

"Hey, Bette. Can we go inside?"

Vanity asked.

"Sure. Angelica’s upstairs in her room."

Bette replies. The brunette walks over toward the jeep. And, Toni unlocks the door. Bette enters and closes the door fast. The weather was chilly and the wind blew heavidly.

"Hey, girl!"

Toni shouts.

"Hey."

Bette replies.

"God, I’m tired. Work has finally come to a stop for a couple of days. I’m thrilled that it’s Thursday. Tomorrow’s my day off and I have the rest of the weekend to myself. Is Angie staying the night with you?"

Bette asked.

"The night? I was going to ask you the same thing about Lisa."

Toni replies.

"Sorry. I’m on break tonight."

Bette says. And that’s when they both looked at one another and laughed.

"Melissa!"

Both woman said.

"Good. Lisa has gotten on my last nerve."

Toni says.

"Mr. O’neal doesn’t seem to notice."

Bette replies.

"That son of a…"

"Girl don’t do it. Now’s not the time being that my daughter will be in your car. I don’t need any more disappointments. I need her home all in one piece."

Bette replies.

"Sorry. I apologize. Talking about Mr. O’neal gets me all hot like a wire…"

Toni says. Bette blinks to herself and looks out the window. The girls were exiting the house one by one.

"She asked about her mother today."

Bette says.

"She did?"

Toni asked. She gazed out toward Angie.

"Yeah. I told her what she needs to know. But, as far as the fights, and me cheating, and Tina sleeping around, I chose to leave that part out."

Bette replies.

"Good. A child doesn’t need to hear those things anyway. You did a good thing Bette. And hopefully when she gets older you can tell her about the bad things. She’s only six and you’ll be surprised if she remembers. Does she remember her mother?"

Toni asked.

"Vaguely."

Bette replies.

"Wow! That’s…That’s, good."

Toni says.

"It doesn’t sound good. I think about her everyday."

Bette replies.

"Angie?"

Toni asked.

"No. Tina…"

Bette replies.

The girls approach the car and open both back doors. The look on Toni’s face displayed the saddness that Bette carried in her heart. It was hard to wake up everyday to an empty bed. It was a challenge to struggle with Angelica everyday. A process that should be shared was done alone by a single wealthy everyday.

To know that Tina was miles and miles away, gave Bette the courage to contact her. Her name along with the photo she carried in her wallet bought back the times when they once expressed their happiness toward one another. She thought it was time to resolve the matter that landed her the cutody of their daughter. Would Tina like to talk to her? She didn’t know. But, she was sure that she’d love to talk to Angie-their daughter. Their one and only child.