"Conner!" Tia says throwing her arms around her long time BFF.
Conner lifts her up with her laughing. When he heard a little girl's squeals he instantly recognized the voice.
"Uncle Conner!" Little Angela says throwing her small arms around him.
Conner let's go of Tia and hugs his little "niece."
"So, how's my favorite kid?" Conner says, after putting her down.
"Okay." Angela says shyly. Looking down her feet.
Conner knew she was lying. Angela was never a good liar, neither was her parents. He knew Tia way too well, Angel hated lying.
"Well. If you say so." Conner nods to Tia who looked sad. She hoped Conner's presence helped whatever was bothering Angela.
"Is there coffee? The flight was pretty long."
After they were sitting down, Tia sent her daughter to her room to play. Angela wanted Conner to come, but he said he needed to talk to her mom first, but promised to have tea with her and her friends.
After Angela left, Tia opened up to Conner.
"The nightmares. They're getting worse. Conner, last night was the worst. She dreamed she saw Angel getting shot."
"How? The witnesses there barely remember the store's name. How can she remember something she never witnessed? She was still in newborn diapers."
"I don't know. The security tapes. They were never released to the public. Conner, she described exactly where Angel was shot. Dr Wylser is perplexed. At first she thought Angela saw the security tapes, but they are sealed. No one knows exactly what is going on in Angela's head."
Conner ran his hand through his hair. Holy shit. This is beyond anything he ever known. Could Angela be psychic? He never believed in that crap, but how else can he describe it?
"Tee. I'm going to talk to Angela. Do you mind staying here?"
"Of course." She smiled sadly at Conner who was walking away.
"Knock knock." Conner says while knocking. "RSVPing to the party."
Angela giggled. "Your tea is getting cold. Here's your cup. Ariel and Jackson are already done their tea." Angela says handing him a pink cup.
"Why thank you. Your are a excellent hostess." Pretending to take a sip, he flinches. "Ow! Liar. This tea is still hot!" Conner jokes.
Angela giggles. She loved Conner. Whenever he comes he always chased the nightmares away.
"Oops! I guess Ariel refilled it. Ariel, next time warn me." She says with her hands to her hips, pretending to scold her toy mermaid.
Conner "finishes" his cup. Putting it down, he knew the next few minutes would be hard on poor Angela.
"Angela, your mom tells me you been having bad dreams. Want to talk about it?"
Angela's smile instantly falls. "No. Conner, I have to clean up. Tea party is over." She starts putting her toy tea set away.
Conner takes her arm gently. "Angie. You don't have to hide anything from me. I can protect you."
Angela says nothing. Without meeting Conner's eyes, she pulls away. "I think my mom wants to talk to you."
Conner sighs. This was going to be a long week.
Conner gives Angela a sad smile as she was putting her toys away with a frown. The once cheerful atmosphere clouded. Conner leaves the room and goes to sit with Tia in the living room.
Tia was sitting on the couch listening to "Amazing Grace.'' She loved this song, it was played during Angel's funeral and always gave her comfort. The singer, Lynne Henry and her husband Guy Chesney performed this at the service. She released many gospel albums, many of them played at Tia's grandma's house. Tia closed her eyes losing herself at the lyrics. She felt Conner sitting beside her. He didn't say a word, he remembered this song as well, performing "Going Home" with the singers.
Conner held Tia as she sighed. Whatever happens, he was going to be there for Tia and Angela.