Chapter 22

“Tina, thank you so much for coming with me – you have no idea how much it means to me.” Bette was visibly tense. Melvin had sent a note to her at work yesterday asking that she and “Miss Kennard” join him for for dinner tonight.

“Ok, Babe…just take a deep breath…let’s just get this overwith. What’s the worst that can happen? – Melvin writes you out of the will. He’s already stopped talking to you. Who knows what this is about. We can continue to speculate – or we can go join him and find out what he wants.”

“Right” – Bette let out a heavy sigh – let’s get this overwith T. God… I’m dying here – I can’t breathe.” Bette flapped her hands in front of her face – like that would help!

Tina took hold of Bette’s arms. “Bette…look at me…” Bette looked Tina in the eyes. Tina saw the panic – felt the panic Bette was feeling. “Ok, Baby – BREATHE – through your nose. You’re going to be ok – really – you just wish you were dying.”

“What would I do without you Tina?”

“I don’t know Bette – you’d probably kill yourself with your own cooking before you died from anything else. I’m here with you Babe – are you feeling any better?”

“Yeah – I guess we should get in there before I give the old man another reason to be pissed off at me.”

“Just remember to keep breathing. Hold my hand ok? I love you Baby.”

Bette gave Tina a quick peck on the lips, “I love you too Baby – let’s do it!”

Bette and Tina walked together hand in hand (***** you Melvin!) into the restaurant. They spotted Melvin and walked up to his table.

“Hello Bette…hello Miss…ah…Tina. I’m glad you could join me tonight.” Bette and Tina looked at each other – each raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

“Hi Daddy…ah…Dad.”

“Bette – aren’t you going to give your old man a hug?” Melvin said with a grin.

Bette walked over to her father and gave him a tentative hug – she still wasn’t quite sure what was going on.

“And Tina…let’s not stand on formalities here – come here and give your father in law a hug.”

Tina gave Melvin a hug – more affectionate than Bette’s. She pulled away from him and shot Bette a look that said “Ok, who the ***** is this – and what the ***** have they done with Melvin?”

“Please sit…sit. Oh, and Tina – you look radiant. Is the pregnancy going well? Tell me…are you feeling well Tina?”

“Yeah – I feel great. How are you?” Tina shot Bette another look – “What the ***** is going on?”

“I’m doing well Tina. I’m well.” Melvin smiled at Tina.

Bette felt like a doe caught in someone’s headlights. She thought for sure that they’d entered the ‘Twilight Zone’ or at least the ‘Outer Limits’. After all this cheerful banter – there had to be something else coming for sure.

Melvin continued to speak, “I wanted to speak to the two of you – together. Bette – I saw a rerun of of your debate with Faye Buckley – and I must say – that woman certainly is one bigoted *****!”

Bette and Tina’s eyes widened as they listened – Melvin continued.

“Anyway – seeing her attack you – and seeing your grief – Bette – well it almost killed me. I realized then that I have been absolutely ridiculous about things between us – the three of us. You have never given me any reason to be anything but proud of you – and I repay you by being a selfish prick.”

Tina thought to herself, “Oh God, that’s it – he’s taken up drinking! This is un-***** believable.”

“The least I can do is be happy for you – and I am sincerely happy for you – both of you. And I must say – I’m looking forward to being a grandfather again.”

Tina thought – “Man that’s it – he’s totally gone off the deep end – Drugs – yeah, it has to be drugs – or – maybe he’s getting senile.”

Bette still sat doe eyed – mouth open – waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“So anyway – I want you to know that I’m happy for you and I’m asking for your forgiveness.”

Bette finally spoke – “Yeah…ok…that’s great Dad. Yeah – I forgive you.”

“So”, Melvin continued, “My grandchildren – what do you know about them?”

“Well, Dad, um…there’s Dylan and Taylor. A boy and a girl. They are both thriving.”

“Oh- how wonderful – another grandson and my first granddaughter. So – what are the two of you doing as far as a last name for the babies?”

Tina looked at Bette – “uh-oh” they both thought – so much for ‘sharing the love’ tonight – this is going to be the deal breaker.

“Well – Melvin…”

“Call me Dad, Tina.”

“Ok – Dad.” If Tina could have had a drink – she’d certainly have run to the bar for one now. “We decided that we would all go by the last name Porter-Kennard.” Tina prepared to duck to dodge the grenade that was certain to be hurled her way.

Melvin smiled – “Well that’s much better than Kennard-Porter.”

Bette looked at Tina, leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Ok – I died out there when I couldn’t breathe – right? Maybe I’m not getting enough oxygen!”

“Well, what do my favorite girls want for dinner? Let’s order!”

After a pleasant – weird – but pleasant dinner – Melvin kissed “his girls” goodbye and told them he’d be in touch next week.

Bette and Tina – still hand in hand – made their way to their car. They both sat in the car – neither one of them said a word.

The most anxious person always speaking first, Bette said, “What the ***** was that?” Tina shook her head in disbelief and burst out laughing. Tina picked up Bette’s cell phone. “Oh, my God Bette, we have to call Kit – she’s going to die when she hears about this!”