I lay in bed with Jodi beside me. I looked at her and stared at her as she slept. I sighed heavily and closed my eyes. I continued to replay what Tina told me yesterday in my head. I sat up slowly as I heard my daughter crying.

“Mama’s coming baby.” I walked over to Angelica’s crib and picked her up. “Is mama’s baby hungry?” I rubbed her back as I walked out of the bedroom. I walked into the kitchen and sat Angelica in her chair. I made her a bottle and fed it to her. I smiled down at my little angel. I can’t believe she’s getting so big. I wish that I could have my family back, but I moved on. Did I? I shook my head as I began to have doubts about my relationship with Jodi, and Tina returning saying that she wants to be a family again. I don’t know what to do, but I don’t want to get hurt again.

****

“Why did you tell Bette that you still love her?”

“Because I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. I don’t want to argue with you Alice. I just wanted to talk to you.” I looked up at my friend Alice. “I needed to tell her, and she needed to know I still felt about her. I don’t like her relationship with Jodi. I think it’s unhealthy.”

“Why because Jodi’s deaf?” Alice looked at me worriedly. “I hope that’s not your reason.”

“No Al—I just don’t think that it’ll work out. I—,” I sighed and sat back in my chair. “I just want things to be the way they used to be. I miss all the fun that we all used to have.”

Alice nodded. “So do I, but things change. I mean—we still have our fun, but it’s not the same. Our group has changed a lot, but we still manage.” I traced my finger on the brim of my cup. “Are you going to talk to her again?”

“I guess if she wants to. She acted really weird around me when I told her that I wanted to be with her.”