Mira couldn't believe her eyes when she returned to hotel room. Angie was totally engrossed with working on her laptop computer. At the corner of the room nun outfits stood out proudly against the multi colored couch which they laid upon.

Mira: Hello, I see you have been busy. What are you up to?

Angie: Just putting some final touches on our passports.

Mira: I take it we are now going to have a spiritual experience?

Angie: Yeah! And it's going to be one I remember for the rest of my life. First we take a plane to Santa Clara where we have a vehicle rented and then on to St. Michael's convent in Maraida which is about 15 minutes away from Asturias.

Mira couldn't help but admire Angie for her abilities with a computer and how she was taking control of the situation but she was also having some difficulty in knowing whether they were doing the right thing heading into this on their own.

Mira: You know Angie, we should probably have some back up on this.

Angie knew that Mira was right but she didn't want Rollie to have to be involved. She wanted to prove herself.

"Who do you have in mind?" Angie asked timidly.

Mira sensed that Angie was thinking she was talking about Rollie quickly said " What if we let Francis in on things?"

"No! He will tell Rollie everything!" Replied Angie

Mira: I understand what you're feeling Angie, maybe we could compromise.

Angie: What do you have in mind?

Mira: How about we keep daily contact with my service with the instructions that if they don't hear from us in over 24 hours they call Francis.

Angie: You know I let Sister Agnes back home know where we would be going, she is covering for us in case we get checked out. She has also let the head supervisor at St. Michael's know that we would be coming.

Shaking her head Mira then said, "Well aren't we the thorough one."

Angie: That’s my motto remember 'Always be prepared.'

Mira: And here I thought I had connections.

Angie: Sister Agnes and I go back a long ways.

Mira: Does she trust that you won't do anything foolish?

Angie: Yeah, I think so anyway. Why?

Mira: So you agree with what I suggested about Francis as being the wisest thing to do?

Angie realized that by the tone of Mira's voice that she probably wouldn't have much choice but to agree.

Angie: Yeah, okay.

Mira: So what's next there Sister Angie?

Angie: That’s Sister Anne Raine and your Sister Maria Thomas. I have all the details right here along with our passports.

Mira: No wonder those bags of yours where so darn heavy! What else have you planned?

Angie laughed then said "There's some cacciatore in the little fridge over there."

Mira: Wow! Did you leave anything out? Smiling in Admiration.

Angie: I don't think so. But I would like to say Thank you again.

Mira: Hey what are friends for anyway? Smiling

After going over some area maps and other information the two settled in for a good night's rest. The next morning turned out to yet another beautiful day. It was a good time of year to be traveling to Cuba as the Monsoon season was now over.

After putting brown rinse in her hair, Angie and Mira had a great cup of Java as they went over the plan again. They then headed to the airport. And as part of their plan, they stopped at a public park were they went into the ladies room and changed into their nun outfits.

Angie: How are you doing in there Sister Maria?

Mira: I just hope we will be well blessed in these outfits.

Both women then came out of the stalls they had changed in. Meeting each other's gaze they couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Angie: I don't think you'll be flirting with any flight attendants for awhile.

Mira: It’s a kinky world out there Angie stranger things can happen. You never know I just might find the right guy this way.

Angie shook her head at Mira as she said. "You're quite a case I bet you could tell quite a few stories."

Mira: Yeah but not in this get up!

When Angie finished putting in brown eye contacts the two headed for the airport once again. The flight to Santa Clara took no time at all. The guards at the terminal dressed in army uniforms brought more old memories back to Angie, this time though they were flashbacks of when Angie and her father where were leaving the island. Angie remembered her mother telling her how she had to be brave.

After getting through customs without a hitch the women headed out in a green mini van towards Maraida. The highways in Cuba weren't as well kept as the ones in the states and the signs of poverty were very apparent. Angie and Mira chatted about how it could be compared to the Bronx.

Checking the map Mira exclaimed, "We should be there pretty soon take the next exit." The secondary road towards Maraida was in worse need of repair. The potholes were huge. But the further they traveled the twisting road the palm trees became more abundant and the scenery became richer.

Angie was hoping it wouldn't be much further as she was getting more and more anxious. Just as she thought they would never get there a sign loomed up with St. Michael's written on it. After turning into the gates it was about another quarter mile before they could see the stone chapel with its adjacent quarters.

The grounds were very well kept and there were groups of children in uniforms playing throughout the place. An older bus was parked in the lot adjacent the driveway. It wasn't long after parking that a Nun in a flowing white habit came towards them. Welcoming them with a huge smile she introduced herself as Sister Claire.

"Hello I'm Annie and this is Maria" Angie replied politely.

Sister Claire: We are so pleased at having you stay with us.

Mira: Thank you! We are looking forward to learning all about your part of the world.

Angie: It is very beautiful here.

Sister Claire: Yes, we will arrange for you to see all the local sites if you wish.

Angie: That would be wonderful. Thank you!

Sister Claire: You're more than welcome, follow me and we will have some refreshments. I'll have someone help you with your bags later.

She then took them to a huge library filled with hundreds of books lined on shelves and some overstuffed furniture. Sister Claire then offered them some Ice tea and some little fancy sandwiches along with some delicious lemon cookies.

After some general formalities Angie brought the conversation around by stating " Sister Agnes told me you have quite a few children staying here."

"Yes we have seventeen to be exact." Replied Sister Claire.

Angie: That must be quite a handful.

Sister Claire: Yes by times, but we are fortunate to have most of our children attend school during the weekday where they are well looked after by Senora Morales and her staff.

Angie cringed when she heard her mother being called Morales.

" How many children attend Senora Morales' school?" Asked Angie in a choked voice.

Sister Claire: Let me see along with our 17 there is another 28 local children. Oh and there is Senora Morales' daughter. That makes 46 in all.

Angie was so overwhelmed by hearing what Sister Claire had said that she became tongue-tied so Mira took over the conversation.

Mira: Senora Morales must be a very dedicated woman when it comes to children.

Sister Claire: Yes, Senora Morales is well known in these parts for her kindness to all children… Actually she is holding her annual celebration of Quinces for some local young girls on Friday. You must take it in.

Mira: I have heard that Quinces is a quite a tradition. It would be something to see for sure, thank you.

Sister Claire: Yes Quinces is very special time for young ladies, and this one is very special as its time for Senora Morales' own daughter to celebrate.

Mira: Senora Morales seems like quite a woman

Sister Claire: We should arrange for you to visit the school, where you could meet her.

Mira: That sounds all so great, it surely would be the highlight of our trip.

Angie had remained quiet through the rest of the conversation so Mira came to her rescue once again by asking if she was feeling okay. She was actually quite pale.

Angie: Just a bit tired from traveling.

Sister Claire: You should have a rest. I will show you to your room.

Angie: Thank you

Sister Claire then showed them to their room and let them know that supper would be served in the main hall at five. She would send someone to escort them.

The room was very bright with white stucco walls the only thing that was on them was a cross up over the twin beds, which were plainly furnished with gray blankets. A bible laid open on the nightstand between them along with a telephone.

Angie was still pale as she couldn't help feeling very uncertain about everything they where doing. She had thought of the possibility of her mother having more children but hearing it for a fact was very unsettling.

Mira: Hey are you okay?

Angie: I'm not sure.

Mira: You just got an earful it's going to take time to absorb it all.

Angie: My mother has another daughter! I have a sister…. She and her father got to be with my mother all this time.

Mira: Hey we don't know anything for certain.

Angie: I would love to have a sister, but a sister whose father destroyed my family. It's so hard to believe that life can be so cruel.

Mira: You can't think about it that way Angie… your sister is your sister regardless…. She didn't ask to be born into this situation, things happen.

Angie was dumbfounded by Mira's response." I don't understand. just where are you coming from anyway?"

Mira: We don't always have control over everything and you'll just have to accept it.

Angie: Why?… Why are you saying these things to me, better yet if you really feel that why do you want to help me?

Mira looking very serious with her eyes pointed to the ground replied. "I guess I have my own personal agenda.

" What do you mean Mira?" Angie asked with a quizzical look.

Mira: I just want to see that not everyone has do go without a family.

Angie had never heard Mira talk about her family so she didn't know what Mira was hinting at. So she just came out and asked "What is it Mira? What happened with your family? And what has that got to do with all this?"

Mira knew that she had already said too much, not to go any further so looking Angie straight in the eyes she said." I grew up without a father… My mother wasn't too settled in life and ran around a lot… She wanted to have a way of life so she had me.

Looking very concerned Angie said " I'm sorry."

Mira: Yeah but that’s not all it gets more complicated.

Angie: How?

Mira: She was going with a single guy and another married man at the same time when it happened. She wasn't sure who was actually my father. I think she wanted me to be the married man's. But she didn't want her family to know she was running with a married man so she told everyone I was the other guy's. When the other guy found out she was pregnant he tried to be there but she had wanted the married man and didn't want anything to do with him. The married man ended up dying shortly after. The other guy came to the hospital when I was born but my mother was so bitter about the married man's death that she wouldn't have anything to do with my other possible father and told him to get the hell out. So after being told I was probably not his daughter and that the other married man probably was he got on with his life and settled down with another woman and had a family.

Angie: That wasn't very fair to you.

Mira: Believe me it got worse as I grew up with my mother, living the life of an adult. She was into partying a lot with men. Then one day she told me she was leaving with her new boyfriend for a year.

Angie: What happened to you?

Mira: I went to live with my Uncle where the other guy, my other possible father lived. I didn't know about him at the time until his sister came up one day and claimed to be my aunt.

Angie: So what did you do?

Mira: Like any other young naïve kid. I tried to let him know who I was and I wanted to talk to him. I had always wanted a father.

Angie: What do you mean tried?

Mira: I went right up to him at the local store and he ignored me.

Angie: What happened after that?

Mira: He wouldn't have anything to do with me he didn't even know who I was at the time. After that he told people that he had his own family and his wife to look after. They weren't that well off and that he didn't even know if I was his for sure.

Angie: That sounds so unreal.

Mira: Yeah and what was worse I even tried going through his daughter's friends to get close to him. She didn't even know that I had existed. Imagine her surprise!

Angie: It must have still been hard on you.

Mira: Yeah I became pretty tough after that, I hated the ground his wife and daughter and son walked on. It was so hard seeing him around with his daughter thinking it should be me not her with him. Believe me it was hard living in the same place.

Angie: What happened after that?

Mira: I turned to Michael, but that’s another long story.

Angie: So did things end there?

Mira: No my possible father died a couple months later and two weeks after I got a letter in the mail from his wife. It said if I wanted to have blood tests done to find out my real paternity, that I was to go to an appointment that had been set up, and if it turned out that in fact that I was .I would get an inheritance.

Angie: Did you go?

Mira: Yeah I did.

Angie: What happened after that? Was he your father?

Mira: Yes…. Another letter came with the results stating that he was and that my inheritance was set up in an account to use as I pleased.

Angie: Wow

Mira: Yeah but you know what was more unbelievable?

Angie: What

Mira: My father's wife the one I hated with a passion.

Angie: What? What did she do?

Mira: She also wrote something else in that letter that changed my life for good.

Angie: What did she write?

Mira: She asked if I would consider also inheriting a family and that my sister and brother would love to know me as their sister.

Angie: That must of floored you?

"Yeah, Yeah it did." Mira replied with tears brimming in her chocolate brown eyes.

Angie: So what happened next?

Mira: I inherited a great family. My sister is studying to be a child psychologist and my brother joined the army. Katie and I are very close and there isn't anything I wouldn't to for her or my little brother Kyle.

Angie: That’s quite the story!

Mira: Yeah, So do you see what I mean now. Sometimes we just have to wait to find things out.

Angie: You're right but it's just all so, I don't know strange I can hardly wait yet I'm so scared.

Mira: Now you can trust that I know how hard it is. You just have to try and keep your cool right now. You're going to get to see your mother tomorrow and you will have a clear head. We are just going to check things out!

Angie: I don't know what I would do without you. I'm so lucky to have you as a friend. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you.

Mira: Somehow I doubt that, you’re a lot stronger than you think.

Angie: I guess we have more in common than we ever knew.

A knock at the door ended the very unveiling story. A young boy with a huge smile had come to let them know supper was being served. His name was Luke

Luke was a little charmer who caught the attention of Mira with his huge smile and twinkling eyes. He was very polite in leading them like a little gentleman, opening doors and pulling out their chairs as the went to sit down to join the rest of children and staff for supper. It was hard to believe how well behaved the children were as they sat to eat. After a delicious meal the tables were cleared and the children sang some hymns and put on a talent show for the visitors. When they finished Sister Claire asked the two visitors to join her in the library once again.

Sister Claire: I have gotten permission for you to visit the school with the children and myself tomorrow if you like?

Angie: That would be very nice. Thank you.

Mira: We are very appreciative of all your kindness.

Sister Claire: You are most welcome.

It wasn't long after, that everyone retired for the night. But before going to sleep Angie and Mira talked about what could take place next day.

Angie: I hope I will get to see my mother.

Mira: I hope so too, but we will have to be careful. It's going to be hard but we have to make sure things are safe first. Remember we are just going to check things out tomorrow and plan more from there.

Angie: Yeah I know, but I can't believe this is actually happening.