He told me that he would never allow me to see you again and if I tried he would have me arrested and thrown into jail. Being the high-powered attorney that he was with close friends and connections in so many places, I was scared to death to try and I deeply regret that I let him do that to me… I had nothing back then and couldn’t afford a lawyer at that time. He was such a cruel man but I’m sorry that I never came back for you. I’m so sorry… I hope that some day that you can forgive me.”

“Mother, the one thing I’ve learned about life since moving here is that everything happens for a reason and in this moment I’m just so grateful that you’re here in my arms again… I’m never letting you go.    So, you and Allyn are together?” Bette asked her other as she pulled away enough to gaze into her mother’s hazel eyes. For a split second it was similar to gazing into her lost love’s eyes. Her heart reminded her of its existence.

“Yes, she’s my wife…” Maxine shared quite proudly, “We’ve been together almost since I lost you, maybe a few years less. She was my savior as she took me in and when I was so lost and we fell deeply in love and then she helped me raise your twin siblings, Lynn and Andrew.”

“Wait! I have two more siblings? Twins? How can that be? Are they Melvin’s? How old are they?” Bette asked her questions in quick succession with concern in her voice.

“Sweetie, please take a breath… They’re almost five years younger. They’re supposed to come to the show today so you’ll meet them. They’re your full siblings… Sweetheart, look, I want to be honest with you… as I don’t want you to be angry with Allyn… She shared with me that she had employed you a few months ago but I was so scared that if I met you then you’d hate me for what I did to you so long ago in leaving you behind.

She mentioned that you’d shared with her that you were in therapy after losing your relationship with your wife. In addition to that, you had so much going on with Ozzie, in getting him as a foster son, and then getting the both of you settled into living here in the City and having employment. I asked her to wait… I felt that today would be a better choice for us to finally meet and reconnect, when we could both be open to reconnecting with love instead of anger.