Chapter 22

Nadine turns to Adele and takes her hands. "Adele Wilson…you are smart enough… and you are capable to do just about anything you want to do. And yes…I really think you should take real classes." Upon hearing the expressed confidence that Nadine has in her, Adele appreciatively smiles. Nadine smiles back to her. "Okay?" Adele nods. "Okay." Nadine happens to glance off to her side; and a sudden look of pleasant surprise overtakes her face as she happily exults, "Oh my God…it's Corrine! What's she doing here?" "Who's Corrine?" "My sister. Come on." Nadine releases one of Adele's hands, while tightening her grip on the other, and enthusiastically races down the sidewalk; pulling Adele behind her. Corrine, who was leaning against her parked jeep, starts to walk towards the charging Nadine. Nadine releases Adele's hand and rushes into Corrine; joyously throwing her arms around her sister. Corrine has to slightly struggle to maneuver her arms out of Nadine's grasp so she could hug her back. "Cor…you're here. I can't believe it." "Yeah, well…Mom called and…" Corrine gazes upon Nadine, exuding an abundance of loving concern through her eyes. "How are you doing, Na? Are you okay?" "I'm okay." She whispers, "Do me a favor…don't mention the ‘you know what' in front of Adele…she doesn't know about it yet." Regardless of being unaware about whom she's referring to, Corrine willingly agrees to oblige Nadine. "Sure; fine…whatever." The sisters release their embrace, and Nadine turns to introduce Corrine to Adele. "Cor; this is Adele…" she smiles at Adele, "my best friend." Overwhelmed, Adele shoots her eyes down to the ground as a radiant smile expands across her countenance. She softly replies… "You're my best friend, too; Nadine." With the smile still beaming across her face, Adele looks back up at Nadine; then turns to Corrine and gives her a hug. "It's very nice to meet you, Corrine." At first, Corrine's a little taken aback by Adele's forwardly affection. "Uh…nice to meet you, too?" But once Adele releases her hold and delivers a kindhearted smile…combined with her genuine loving sincerity which she naturally emits to those she instinctively bonds with… Corrine immediately relaxes; and a smile is instantly evoked back at Adele. Nadine inquires, "So; have you been inside yet?" Corrine mildly scoffs, "Are you kidding…me and Mom together; alone?" "I think Dad's home today…so technically, the two of you wouldn't have been alone together." "Yeah; well...I don't think Dad would've appreciated being stuck alone with us together much either." Nadine wraps her arm under Corrine's and starts to lead her towards their house. "Come on, sis; let's go in." Cheryl…who's been watching out the window ever since Corrine pulled up…quickly closes the curtain, hurries to the couch and sits next to David. "They're coming in now." David folds down one corner of the newspaper in his hands and looks to Cheryl. "Try to behave." He folds the corner back up and continues reading. She shoots him an icy look and defensively asks… "What's that supposed to mean?" Not looking at her, David starts to answer, ""It means…" The girls enter the living room, and Nadine apprehensively announces, "Uh; Dad… Mom…look who's here. It's Cor." David puts down the paper, goes over to Corrine and starts hugging her; while Cheryl remains seated on the couch. "Hey, honey; welcome home." He releases his hug and turns to Cheryl. "Look, hon… it's Corrine…our daughter…coming back for…" he faces Corrine, "a visit? Or maybe… to move back?" "Just a visit, Dad." He disappointedly replies, "Well…I suppose a visit is better than nothing. Right; Cheryl?" Cheryl quips in a blasé manner, "Sure…whatever." Corrine, lacking feeling in her delivery, tersely addresses Cheryl, "Hey, Mom." Cheryl responds, equally emotionless, "Hey." An uneasy silence befalls the room. Feeling uncomfortable by the evident tension between mother and daughter, Adele, in a fashion unlike her usual soft spoken mannerism, blurts out…