She hadn’t sent out any polariods, not one. Had considered it, but had never done it. She had collages all over the place, framed on the walls, stacked away in the basement. Making collages had been her salvation, the distraction Dr Howard had suggested she find her therapy.

Tina looked at the envelope again. Could Angelica have sent them off? Why would she do something like that without discussing it with her first?

Tina’s subconscious was right. She was afraid to take a chance on herself, her happiness.

Was she?

Tina supposed she wasn’t really happy. No one in that house had been for a long time especially since now the kids are gone. Tina folded the letter and slides it back into the envelope still not noticing the return address.

BETTE

It has been a month since they had buried Candace. Bette was still unable to move on. Kit, Shane, Alice and Helena all had attended the funeral. But knew there was nothing they could do for Bette.

Bette kept running Dacy last words through her head.

“I found Angelica.” “I found Angelica.” “I found Angelica.”

Candace slipped into a coma and didn’t make it back. This left Bette with a lot of unanswered questions. How long has she known the whereabouts of Angelica? Where is she? And, how was she doing?

One afternoon as Bette sat on the sofa watching an old DVD of her and Candace, Marcus walked in with a big yellow envelope. He sat by his mother and took the remote from her hand.

“Mom I have to talk to you and I need to have your full attention.”

Bette looked at Marcus and could see that he was serious. Marcus turned off the DVD player and placed the remote on the table. He turned on the sofa to face his mother.

“Mom, Mama made me promised to give you this after her death. She said that she wants you to read the letter she left you last. (pause) Mom, Candace wants you to look through everything first. She some how knew that she wouldn’t be around to share this with you but wants you to go on and not be afraid.”

Marcus handed her the envelope as Bette looked at him with confusion. What could have she left her? What was in the envelope?

“I’m going to be in the other room. When you are ready to share the contents of this envelope with me just let me know.”

Marcus got up and left the room. He had done what his Mama had instructed him to do. He’s done most of everything she had told him but only had a few more things left to do.

Bette looked at the envelope and the scripted words that were on the outside.

Bette opened the enveloped and there was one photo album that had Our Angel on the outside. And there was also another sealed envelope.

Bette set outside the sealed envelope and opened the album. What she saw on the first page brought joy, pain, and tears all at once.

TBC