"I don't know why you're even bothering, Mija," Lourdes clicked her tongue and tapped Gloria on the shoulder, as she danced her way around the living room with Benny in her arms. "You know your mother is a cheater, right?"

"Don't listen to her," Milagra drawled, as Elena flashed her a suspicious look. Milagra arched the cards in her hands, fanning them out in an impressive shuffle only an experienced card-player could master. "Your Tia is just bitter that she can't play euchre to save her life. That's why she decided to waste her time wrestling a wide-awake child down for a nap instead of playing with us."

"Well, just know that Elena and I are watching you, mother," Gloria said, eyeing Milagra's hands closely as she dealt them out. Gloria gave her youngest daughter and partner a wink from across the table, and gathered her cards up in her hands.

"Anyway, Ma isn't on this winning streak alone," Ceci chimed in. "I want acknowledgement of my killer hands in each round of this game."

"She learned from the best," Milagra beamed. Then gave Elena a playful smile. "So did you," she assured her. "Your mom is just rusty. It's because she's been hanging out with Tia Lourdes for so long."

"It's not over yet," Elena replied, her brow creased in concentration. "Just you watch, we're taking you down this round."

Silence fell amongst them as everyone turned their attention back to the game. Shuffling cards around the table, and sipping their morning coffee. The kitchen was still a mess of the breakfast dishes nobody had bothered to wash before Milagra had suggested they play. Dirty plates had been stacked on the counter, and Julio had left a trail of syrup splatters from his pancakes on his way to the living room to watch Blue's Clues. Nobody cared though. Gloria planned to do a quick wipe down before she had to go downstairs to take over in the store. Right now though, she was content to let the chores wait so she could enjoy some simple fun with her family.

"I told you!" Elena shouted, giggling gleefully as she flashed her cards at her grandmother. "In your face! It's not over until I say it's over!"

"Alright, you redeemed yourself," Milagra conceded. Everyone dropped their cards to the table and Ceci began to gather them up. "Think you can do that again?"

"You bet," Elena said confidently. She glanced at her mom. "Right?"

"Yes, ma'am," Gloria smiled.

Ceci, always considerate, glanced up at the clock she had been keeping a careful eye on all morning. "We probably just have time for one or two more hands before we have to go."

Gloria watching her carefully, noticed her daughter nervously gulp. Under the table, Gloria naturally slid over and discreetly patted Ceci's lap. Milagra had been very opposed to the girls going any sort of prison setting, and, for once, Lourdes had actually agreed with her sister. Gloria had maintained that the girls were old enough to make the decision for themselves, and she supported them keeping in touch with their friend. Galina was due to come pick them up very soon, and so far neither Elena or Ceci had backed out of the visit.

XXX

However, when they pulled up in front of the juvenile detention center where Nicky was being held a few hours later, they both began having their doubts that this was what they wanted to do. Elena and Ceci both hesitated and glanced at one another, before slowly unbuckling their seatbelts and silently stepping out of the car.

Galina was fidgeting herself. Fussing with the buttons on her coat, and had been talking rapidly and non-stop since she'd picked them up. She looked so obviously uncomfortable to be there despite her clearly failed attempts to act normal, that neither Ceci or Elena had the heart to back out and say they'd actually prefer to wait in the car. In this moment, they felt like they were there for Red just as much as they were to see Nicky.

"Do we have to go through a metal detector like we're getting on an airplane?" Elena asked.

"Yes," Galina nodded. "It's nothing to worry about. You just have to walk through and then we can go see Nicky…..you remembered to leave your cell phones in the car, right?"

"Yes, you already reminded us," Ceci said with a gentle smile.

"Yes, of course," Galina nodded, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. "I forgot."

Ceci and Elena both moved to walk on either side of her, as they joined the others heading to the entrance. It was sort of an incredible sight to see, people from all different walks in life. Some in suits that made them look like lawyers, others dressed in ragged clothes. Some came in pairs and some alone. So many looked like just normal parents, and it made them all wonder how they had wound up raising children who went down such a wrong path. Yet, Galina knew she was the last person who should judge.

"This is alright," Galina said kind of shakily. After going through the security screening steps they had been allowed to enter the visitation room. Nicky still wasn't there. Half the round tables were occupied and only by parents and some siblings, who were still waiting for their person to appear.

"Here, girls, you must be thirsty," Galina muttered, as she rummaged through her purse for her wallet and undid the clasp. She pulled out a few bills and counted them out, giving a five each to Elena and Ceci.

"Go get yourselves something," she urged them. "And pick out some sweets for Nicky too. You know what she will like."

Grateful for something to do, both girls swiftly thanked her and hurried over to line up at the vending machines.

"This is so awkward," Ceci mumbled to her sister.

Elena nodded her agreement. "At least we get to leave after an hour," she reminded her. Which wasn't the case for Nicky who was here to stay for the next few months. At least it wasn't years, but it put their friend's case in perspective and reminded them both why they were doing this.

Galina had her chin resting in her hand, while her eyes scanned around the room as more people began to file in. She was glad that the girls had come with her, but increasingly feeling more irritated that her husband had refused to attend. Not that he was ever a comfort to her, but she would have felt better with another adult by her side. Dmitri had spoken to Nicky on the phone once since her incarceration. He didn't feel the need to give more than that, though he agreed that Nicky could come home to stay once she completed her sentence. They were still in talks with the lawyer about processing her adoption.

"Mom."

Galina saw Nicky mouth the word as she stepped into the visitation room and locked eyes with her. Though it pained her to see Nicky dressed in an orange jumpsuit looking so pale without the makeup she usually would have put on at home, Galina forced her red lips into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Ceci and Elena were still waiting to buy their snacks, as Nicky shuffled over to her as fast as she could without actually running.

"That's my girl," Galina purred, standing up quickly. Her chair creaked as it moved back against the linoleum floor. Nicky fell into her arms and squeezed her so tightly, that Galina's eyes bulged a little at the pressure. But she turned her head to kiss Nicky's hair, and then brush it back with a gentle hand so she could press her lips against her cheek. A maternal energy surged through her and automatically she was no longer anxious about the situation, but just grateful to see her.

"Let me look at you," Galina reached around her back to find Nicky's hands and squeezed them tightly in hers. She took a step back to get a better look at her. Letting go of Nicky's hands she brought them up to cup her face.

"You look okay," Galina nodded affirmatively.

"I am okay," Nicky promised. "I'm surviving. I'm even making new friends. Look-"

She turned around and waved her hand over at a small little girl leaning against the far wall watching them. "Can she join us?"

"Of course," Galina answered.

"This is Tricia Miller," Nicky introduced her, "and this is my foster mother. I call her Red."

"Yo, what's up?" Tricia straightened up to her fullest height, which still was so small. She could have passed for ten, though Galina knew she had to be older than that. She resisted the urge to ask however, as Ceci and Elena chose that moment to come back. Nicky wasted no time jumping into Ceci's arms, not unlike how she had embraced her mother. It was a surprise and a relief to see her closest friend, and Galina once again was filled with gratitude that both Gloria's girls had agreed to come.

"We brought you a coffee," Elena said setting it on the table. She had chocolate bars and a pack of licorice stuffed into the pockets of her hoodie. She dumped them onto the table, and then rushed back to give Nicky a big hug, once Ceci had let her go.

"That was sweet of you," Galina smiled. She noticed that a guard was coming towards them and that most everyone else in the room had already sat back down. "Take your seats girls," she told them urgently, not wanting any trouble that might impact future visits or Nicky's prolonged stay in this place.

"Tricia, what would you like?" Galina asked her, as the three other girls snatched up the sodas and treats on the table.

Tricia shook her head, sitting down in her own chair and moving it deliberately closer to Nicky's. "Nothing," she insisted.

Nicky gave her an incredulous look. "Don't be like that," she scoffed. "Red's not going to bite. She likes chips, Ma."

"I ate all of Nicky's," Tricia admitted shyly.

"I'll get you some," Galina told her, reaching for her wallet once more. "Do you want a drink too?"

Tricia glanced over at Nicky again before responding. "A cream soda," she said. Them remembered her manners and added a choppy "please" to the end.

A minute later she had set the items in front of Tricia and taken her own place at the table. Nicky was busy drilling Ceci with questions about everything. Gossip about kids from school and the teachers she liked to make fun of. Elena added in a bit about their grandmother and what they had all been doing. Both girls seemed hesitant to share too much, lest Nicky get sad about what she was missing out on, but Nicky kept encouraging them to talk. She joked easily and really seemed to be trying to impress them all with how well she was doing.

"I need stories," she told her friends. "I need to know everything so I don't feel like a new kid when I come back to school. Do people know where I am?"

"I haven't told anybody anything," Ceci promised. "I think everyone probably just assumes you're still homeschooling."

"You can tell them the truth if anyone asks," Nicky assured her. "I'm not ashamed anymore."

"You have no reason to be," Galina spoke up. "You're doing everything you are supposed to and I can already see such a difference." Until then she had been content to listen to the girls chatter, drink her coffee, and just soak up the sight of her daughter. Yet, she felt like Nicky needed to hear that. To know that her mother was proud of her, because she was. She strongly believed that this was just one final hurdle they had to overcome before everything would get better. Nicky had learned her lesson.

"Thanks, Ma," Nicky said quietly.

"Nicky helps me with my homework," Tricia said softly. "She's wicked smart."

"That's just because I'm older and have already learned that stuff before," Nicky reminded her.

"No," Tricia insisted, looking up at Nicky with admiration. "You know more than the teacher does. I never understood anything when anyone else tried to show me how to do stuff."

"What grade are you in, Tricia?" Galina asked.

"Seven," Tricia replied. "But they said I have to do grade six again."

"You'll be caught up soon," Nicky told her encouragingly.

"Yeah, so long as I don't have to leave here…."

Tricia eyes looked worried as she continued to stare at Nicky, searching for a reassurance that Nicky didn't feel capable of giving. She had enjoyed having a little sister in here. Having someone to look out for and take care of. Tricia was glued to her side like velcro these days and Nicky was fine with it, though it worried her for the young girl to whom all of this was temporary.

"Are you going home soon?" Galina asked her.

"No," Nicky answered for Tricia, staring back at the little girl. "She doesn't want to go home."

"If they send me back there, I'll just run away again," Tricia announced.

"Back to your parents?" Ceci asked her quietly.

"Just my mom and her husband," Tricia replied. "I'd rather sit in here until I'm eighteen than have to go back and live with them."

"They must be bad if you prefer this place," Elena said sympathetically.

"Maybe someone else could talk you in?" Ceci suggested. "Do you have any other relatives?"

"No, there's nobody," Tricia said matter-of-factly. She reached in her potato chip bag and took one out. She crunched into it loudly and looked at Nicky graciously again. "I'm better off in here."

"You can't stay in here forever," Galina told her gently. "What do you intend to do once Nicky leaves?"

Tricia shrugged. "I'll figure it out," she said shortly. "Anywhere is better than going home."

XXX

"Thank you for coming today, girls," Galina said, breaking the companionable silence that they had been driving in since they had left the juvenile detention center. Their exit was approaching, and Galina merged the car into the right lane to drive off the freeway. "I know it meant a lot to Nicky to see you both."

"We'll come again," Elena told her.

"Yes," Ceci agreed, nodding her head. She had been staring out of the passenger window for the entire drive but now she turned back and smiled reassuringly. "I'm glad she's okay. She still seems like the same Nicky."

"I thought so too," Galina agreed. "I wasn't sure what to expect but she really seems to be making the best of things...and making a positive impact too. I've never seen her so protective of anyone as she was to that girl."

"I can't believe someone as young as her can be in jail already," Elena shuddered. "She's younger than me…"

"I know," Galina said sadly. "And she really seems to have nobody…."

She sighed. She had wanted to find out more at that table but hadn't wanted to be nosy, and she'd heard enough to already break her heart. Some people just really did not have a fair shot. Some children learned grief and betrayal at such an early age it was amazing that they could learn to trust anyone.

"Give your mom a big hug tonight," Galina advised them, as they turned onto the street where Gloria's store and apartment was located. "You're lucky to have her."

"I've been upset before," Elena said after a long pause. "I never wanted to run away though. I've wanted to go back and live with my grandmother so many times, but I can't imagine what it is like to have nobody."

"You have lots of people who love you," Galina agreed. "In the end of it all, that's all that matters. Not the mistakes we make or the times we let each other down. If there's love, then we have everything we need."

"I think so too," Elena said softly, thinking back on that morning's fun in the messy kitchen with all the people she loved best in the world crowded in together. Those were the happiest times and when she felt so blessed to have the family that she did. She knew Ceci had felt the same way.

"I just wish things could stay the way they are right now," Ceci confessed. "Everything is going to feel wrong again once my grandmother goes back to Puerto Rico."

"That's never easy," Galina sympathized. She slipped her right hand off of the steering wheel and patted Ceci's gently. "I was only a little bit older than you when I left my family to come to America."

"Why did you decide to do that?" Elena asked.

Galina shrugged her shoulders. "Probably for a lot of the same reasons that your mother decided to move to New York as well. We want to give our children the best life we possibly can, but we don't always know how our decisions will pan out until we already make them."

"I think my mother was wrong," Ceci said.

Galina nodded her understanding. "Maybe she was," she surmised. "But we could spend a lifetime wondering what could have been. Sometimes we have to learn to let go of the life we imagined and embrace the life we've been given."

They arrived at Gloria's and Galina had to smile at the sweet sight that greeted them. Julio was running around with a huge grin on his face as Gloria laughed and chased him. She was wearing Benny in a carrier strapped onto her back. The baby was bundled up and having the time of his life being bounced as his mom and brother played.

"Time out!" Gloria declared. She wrapped her arms around Julio and squeezed him tight when she caught him. She kissed the top of his head and then still panting walked over to the car.

"How was she?" she asked breathlessly, her eyes searching all three of their faces for clues.

"She was fine," Ceci assured her. "As well as can be expected. Can I go back again next week to visit?"

"Of course," Gloria nodded. She thought both of her daughters looked tired after what was surely an emotional day, but she was glad that they seemed satisfied with their visit and wanted to go back.

"Your Grandma and Lourdes are upstairs preparing supper if you want to go help them," Gloria explained, excusing them since she correctly sensed they needed to decompress.

"Bye girls," Galina called after them, then leaned into Gloria's welcoming arms briefly. Benny used the opportunity to pull on her hair and she tilted her head back to look at the mischieviously guy.

"I better be heading home too," she sighed. "The drive home took us longer than I'd expected. We hit traffic."

"You could stay for supper," Gloria offered softly. "This must have been a difficult day for you."

"It was and it wasn't," Galina said, giving her friend a tight squeeze before pulling back to get back in her car. "But Dmitri will starve if I don't make it home in time for supper."

"Tell him to order a pizza and give you the night off," Gloria suggested, her eyes twinkling as Benny grabbed the end of her ponytail and put it into his mouth.

"I'm not sure that would go over well," Galina replied. "But I think it would be good for you to get some alone time with your girls tonight. I made it clear to them how lucky they are to have you and they know it. They're very lucky girls."

And Nicky was lucky too. Galina had felt more assured about her own mothering since she'd arrived at that prison. She wasn't perfect and she had made mistakes, but she was there for her foster daughter and someday hopefully soon she'd be adopted and truly hers. That was more than so many had, and her heart had been breaking for Tricia since she had laid eyes on her. Children didn't need a perfect mother; they just needed someone to love them. In that, she and Gloria both gave all that they could.