Chapter Four

Bette phoned Kit and told her all about her afternoon with Tina.  They talked about how Melvin had affected both their lives particularly their relationships.  Kit encouraged Bette to continue to be open with Tina about the way things had been “back in the day” and to try to stop defending their father.  Kit asked her if she felt hopeful.  Bette said she was too afraid.  She worried that she read too much into everything whether it was positive or negative.  Kit asked if she was sure things were over with Candace.  Bette assured her that it was and that she was finally realizing that it wasn’t about ***** or falling out of love with Tina but more about just letting go and stepping away from herself.  She regretted looking elsewhere when she should have turned to Tina.  They talked for a while about how their father had been so controlling.  Kit asked Bette if she ever stopped to think about what he had left in his life.  It wasn’t until then that she realized all he had was his business.  As successful as he was he was alone.  She thanked Kit for listening to her and for being there for her.

All Tina wanted when she got back to Alice‘s was a long hot bath and some peace and quiet to think about her afternoon with Bette.  Like that was ever going to happen!  Alice and Shane were waiting when she walked in.  She told them to order dinner and let her clean up and she would tell them all about it.  Of course the first thing Alice wanted to know was did Tina have pictures of Bette actually working in the garden!  Tina asked Shane what she had said to Bette but of course she wouldn’t say.  Tina gave them the highlights and surprisingly they kept quiet and let her talk.  She wanted to know if they thought she was wrong not to have invited Bette along Friday night.  They both said they thought it would be best if they spent time with Bette without Tina before they were all together and that Tina and Bette needed to spend more time together.

Bette was just about to fall asleep when the phone rang; it was Tina’s cell.