“Gemma!” Tita Baby hugs and kisses me also. “How is our birthday girl? You’re looking much better, iha.” She takes the present from her daughter and I’m glad. “Nina,” she says to the little girl, “say ‘Happy Birthday’ to your cousin.”
Nina puts all her fingers in her mouth and looks away. She says something and Tita Baby pushes her hair from her face.
“Too bad it’s raining for your birthday,” Tita Baby says.
“It always rains on my birthday,” I tell her.
“Baby!” Mommy hugs her sister and they talk loudly. “Just leave the gate unlocked,” Mommy says to Emil. She and Tita Baby walk up to the house.
“I thought you’d be here later.”
“We left Baguio early.”
“Where are Ninoy and Tito Tonio?”
“Parking the car.”
“You wouldn’t believe all the people Nickulas has invited,” Mommy says.
“Aba,
