CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

“Mercedes!!”

Dannie, after an incalculable amount of time, was seeing her big sister again and as soon as Mercedes walked through the door that led into Marie's apartment, she leaped out of Marie's arms and onto her sister.

“Hey, Dannie.. How are you..?” Mercedes was relieved to see her sister in sound health and she clung to her tightly before letting her down and thoroughly examining every part of her to make sure she was perfectly intact.

“Sister, I'm okay... Aunt Marie has taken good care of me..”

“Aunt who?”

“Aunt Marie..” as Daniella said it this second time, she pointed a finger in Marie's direction.

Marie and Mercedes had never met each other before that time and so, Marie didn't know how to react. She was already embarrassed at how small her house was which was now being emphasized by the number of people in it: Her, Sensi, Lorenzo, Daniella, and Mercedes... One could even add Mercedes’ unborn child to this list.

“Hi Marie,” Mercedes said as she approached Marie, “Thank you