She winks at me, and just as she does a woman of about 70 comes up to us. “Christina! It’s so nice to see you.” She pulls Tina into a hug.

“Mother, you act like you didn’t know I was coming.”

“I did, but it’s still nice to see you.” She pulls away from and sighs. She clasps her hands together. “Elizabeth.” She whispers. What the hell. You’ve got to be joking me. Twice in one night someone uses that God forsaken name. She holds out her arms awaiting me to join her for an embrace.

I step forward, in respect, and embrace the woman. She plants her head in crook of my neck and inhales. Why do I feel like the only one who doesn’t have a secret? “Uh, hello.” I cringe at the close proximity.

She laughs the same melodious laugh Tina does. “Ah, baby girl. It’s okay. You are amongst friends here. It’s just, I haven’t seen you in so long. I’ve missed you.”

She’s missed me? This is the first time I’ve ever met this woman. Uh! Tonight has just turned into one big freaking nightmare for me. “Missed me? Ma’am, I mean no disrespect, but I’ve never met you.”

She let’s out another laughs. Oh Christ, would someone just let me in on the fucking joke. “You will learn so much learn dear, but for now- Christina, it’s late. Go take your room and the two of you can share it.”

“Alright, goodnight mother.”

“And Chirstina-” Her mother gives her a daring look. It scares the shit out of me. I’ll be on my best behavior. That’s it. Tina’s sleeping on the bed and I’m sleeping on the floor.

“Mother I know. Come on Bette.” I follow behind Tina out the door of the room out into the room where everyone is dancing. It’s a party. We immediately head to the bar where Tina orders up two shots of tequila. She looks at me smirking. “It’s too early to go to our room.”

I feel tired, but I couldn’t sleep if I tried. Not after the night I’ve had. I look at my watch, it’s 6am. Tina must have notice me look because she starts giggling. “You aren’t sleeping tonight.”