"I figured it’d be easier for her to forgive you that way and for them to adopt me," Christian said.

"Well I’m as good as dead anyways."

"Don’t say that mom," Christian said his voice cracking, "you have a few good solid months left!"

Mary sighed, "I’ve been a terrible mother to you."

"But I forgave you."

"I swear to you Christian on my little brother’s grave that I was getting ready to go to California to beg for Tina’s forgiveness when I found out I had cancer," Mary said, "I’m not doing this because I’m dying, I’m doing this because I need my sister’s forgiveness to live on."

"So now that you’re dying, why do you need it mom?" Christian said, "is it really worth turning her peaceful life upside down?"

"Now I need it so I can die in peace Christian," Mary said crying, "but I’ve already come to terms with the fact that she may never forgive me."

"She has a good heart mom, I think she will," Christian said.

"When will you tell her that I’m not dead?" Mary asked.

Christian sighed and said, "when it feels right."

"Okay," Mary said.

"I can’t call you anymore until I tell them the truth," Christian said.

"But you can call Patty," Mary said.

"I will," Christian said.

"Bye son," Mary said.

"Bye mom," Christian said.

He hung up the phone with a deep sigh and dropped his head into his hands. 

"So," Christian jumped at the sound of Angelica’s voice as she walked into the living room, "you’re mom really is alive?"

"Shit," Christian muttered.

Angelica sat down next to him, "what did your mom do to mine that you have to try to get my mom to forgive her for?"

"You’re too smart for you own good," Christian said with a groan.

"So I’ve been told," Angelica said with a Porter grin.

Christian sighed, "you can keep a secret right?"

"That depends on if you tell me truth or not," Angelica said.

"I can’t tell you what my mom did to yours out of respect for your mom Angie," Christian said, "but I can tell you that it was really bad. My mom felt so bad and she wanted to go to California and beg your mom for forgiveness. Then she found out she had cancer."

Angelica looked sad, "I’m sorry."

"It’s okay Angelica, I’m just glad to be able to live with my only family remaining once my mom passes of course," Christian said.

"I’m glad you’re living with us too, but why don’t we just tell my mom that your mom is sick and wants to apologize?" Angelica said, "she always tells me to apologize to Andy when I beat him up and he always forgives me."

"This is a bit more serious than beating up Angie," Christian said, "we have to show your mom the importance of siblings and the importance of forgiveness."

"And what is the importance of siblings? Andy gets on my nerves!" Angelica said with a pout.

Christian chuckled, "well if Andy left tonight and you never saw him again how would you feel?"

Angelica frowned, "don’t even say that!"

Christian nodded, "that’s the importance of siblings Angelica. You love them whether you like it or not. I’ve always felt sad because I never got a chance to have one."

"I’ll be your sister," Angelica said smiling.

"Thanks Angie," Christian said, "unfortunately your mom has forgotten about that importance with losing her brother as such a young age and then losing her sister for over 20 years."

"She must miss them," Angelica said sadly.

"Yeah," Christian said, "I bet she does more than she cares to admit."

"What do you mean?"

"Well she did cry when I told her my mother died."

"You lied."

"I know, but I will tell her the truth I promise," Christian said, "but I have to try to at least get her to consider forgiving her before I do."

"Oh," Angelica said with a pensive nod, "I understand."

"Will you help me?"

Angelica looked at Christian for a moment before answering, "yes."