Bette felt flush as she waited for the voice on the other end to acknowledge her. She couldnt understand what was taking so long, but in the mean time, she IMd James asking him to order her some lunch.

Im sorry for the wait. Hello Bette, what can I do for you? Melvins gruff voice replied.

Hi daddy, Bette said informally. Do you have a few minutes to spare? Bette sipped on her cold coffee.

Well, not really

Bette felt her temper rising. She now realized how much like her father shed become and it was leaving a bitter taste worse than her cold coffee, in her mouth.

Melvin Porter! Bette cut in. I apologize if your business affairs take precedence over everything and everyone, but for once can you treat me like your daughter and not a client or business endeavor? Bettes words rolled fluidly off her tongue.

Excuse me? Melvin said in a huff. Did you forget your manners Bette? Melvin asked indignantly.

No, but apparently you did, Bette volleyed back. Daddy, Im calling because I need a father, not business advice. Cant you for once see me as your daughter? Some interpersonal skills with some compassion would be greatly appreciated, Bette said firmly.

She could hear him cough and clear his throat on the other end. She knew shed been offensive, but didnt care. Kit was right. He was a part of why Bette had become some stern, so cold, and sometimes so superior to people. Shed learned to emulate his behavior to gain his approval instead of going with her heart or better-guided disposition. This call was the start of the improvements she needed to make and damn it, she was going to get that start today.

All right Bette, what seems to be troubling you, Melvin asked still sounding stern. Bette was really about to lose it, but for the moment held her temper.

Daddy, please, I implore you, Bette pleaded. Please just be a dad for once. I truly need that right now. I need the man that used to be able to smile, the man that used to comfort me through bad dreams, can you be that man daddy?

Silence! Melvin sat on the other end of the phone feeling the sting of Bettes words. She was right, though hed never admit it, so instead softened his disposition to accept what she asked of him.

Yes, Melvin replied. Yes, I can do that for you dear.

Now, Im going to just blurt this out, so bare with me. Please dont interrupt until I say Id done okay?

Okay.

Bette rambled that she and Tina were having problems and that theyd separated. She didnt tell him of her infidelity, but said the problem was her fault. Bette revealed that shed been selfish and had treated Tina unfairly, which included allowing him to repeatedly disregard their marriage, their desire to have a family, and Tina in general. Bette also talked to Melvin about how, because of his disapproving nature has caused her to be overly aggressive, to sometimes feel like shes superior, and a host of other Melvin-like personality traits. From time to time, Bette could hear Melvin groan of grunt his dissatisfaction with what he was hearing, but remained silent as promised.

Anyway, so thats pretty much it. Kit told me I needed to face up to what Ive done wrong, hence this call.

Okay, now that youve gotten that off your chest. How is it that Ive made you this way?

Bette sighed and waved to James to put her food on the desk. She sipped the iced tea and nibbled on the wrap before responding. She knew shed need her strength to continue.

Daddy, you know youve always wanted the best for me, but you ruled with an iron fist and there was rarely ever room for anything that didnt fit into the plan. Your plan, Bette took another bite of food. You set very high standards and sometimes that made it hard to be human. Not to mention that youre indifferent toward everything, you hid emotionally, and were often unrelenting when it came to seeing things from someone elses point of view, Bette stopped to eat and drink some more.

She could hear Melvin huffing and mumbling things supposedly under his breath. Are you finished now? Melvins gruff tone bellowed through the phone.

Uhm? Yes, I think so.

Good. Now afford me my turn at pointing fingers, Melvin addressed Bette. I did what I thought was in the best interest of both you and Katey. I provided for you both, I made sacrifices, and worked hard to afford you both a decent life. Katey chose to waste it doing who knows what, while you accepted the better way of life. You excelled, youve made a name for yourself, and youve got something to show for you life. With the, never mind

With the what? Bettes temper was rising.

What do you mean? I said never mind didnt I?

Oh, come on daddy, dont insult me by playing coy. You know youve never approved of my being with a woman, Bette fired at Melvin. I know thats what you were going to say.
Fine! Yes, thats what I was going to say. Happy now?

Yes.

And now that youve brought it up Ill speak my peace on it. No, Ive never understood why you chose to be with a woman. Its not natural and makes no sense. A woman of you caliber should be with a man, sharing your mutual successes, and creating a family, Melvin snapped. This is beneath you Bette.

Beneath me? How is love beneath me? Bette was truly pissed now. Love is blind daddy. I didnt chose to be a *****, I already was. I dated boys because it pleased you. I made myself do things with them to fit in, not just to what you wanted, but what everyone around me wanted. Do you have any idea how hard it was wearing your shoes? Masking my feelings and emotions t the point where I can hardly or adequately? Or always doing things because Im worried about what you think? Thats not fair daddy.

Well, youre the one that calls it a lifestyle, so what else am I supposed to think? Sounds like you chose to be with a woman to me, Melvin played with semantics.

Youre killing me. Now I know how Kit feels when she has to deal with you, Bette huffed.

And what the ***** is that supposed to mean? Bette struck a nerve. I treat her as she treats me. Distant, Melvin tried to rebuff.

Oh no, thats not it at all. You make it a point to be condescending to her. You treat her as though shes unworthy and unaccomplished. Youve hurt her daddy and she doesnt deserve that. Shes a kind and beautiful person who made some mistakes. She did something shes good at, which is singing. She made a name for herself and in spite of some setbacks, is still revered in her craft. She is human damn it, Bette had completely lost it. She couldnt believe her father would be that insensitive. And you treat Tina the same way. You treat her as she though shes not good enough for me. Youve never tried to see the person inside. All you see is a woman and someone who cant by nature be the in-law you want to acknowledge. How does it feel daddy?

How does what feel?

To be a bigot!

What? Me? A bigot? Bette please. Think about what youre saying.

Oh believe me, Ive thought about it and its true. Youre a bigot in any number of ways and Im here to tell you that from this day forth that it will probably always will be so, because youre too blinded by what you think is right to see anything else. But you know what? It stops here. Ive wasted a lot of years and time trying to fit your mold. Ive hurt a lot of people including myself because of it and now Im breaking free, and Im going to start living my life. You can accept me or you can disown me, the choice is yours. If you accept it, know that you accept that Im a *****, accept that I will challenge you where necessary, and you will accept Tina as my wife, and maybe the mother of our child should be blessed with one. Anything contrary to that will not be tolerable and you will not be welcome in my life. Have I made myself clear? Bette had to catch her breath.

Silence! Melvin was sitting at his desk trying to comprehend that Bette had just blasted him into the proverbial middle of next week. He wondered if shed fallen and bumped her head, but the harsh reality was that what she had said was true. He was all the things hed been accused of and knew he was less than compromising when it came to making things right. Hed rather poison himself with his pride than swallow it and set things right. Bette had left him with more than enough to think about.

Yes. Abundantly, Melvins tone was now a little sullen from this verbal attack.

Good. And Im dead serious daddy. Thanks to Kit, I can see how your influence has affected me and as I said, I need to set some things right in my life. Now, you think about what I said and Ill speak with you soon. And if by some chance you have a positive change heart, call Kit, tell her you love her, and that youre still happy shes your daughter even though she chose a different path in life. Shes good person. But youll never know that if you dont give her a chance. Bye daddy,

Bye Bette.

Bette eased back into her chair and let out a loud sigh of relief. She felt a partial weight get lifted from her shoulders and smiled at the paperweight. If only Id paid attention to what this said sooner, Bette mumbled to herself. She looked at the time and realized that she still had a client to conference call. She rushed to finish her lunch and decided to go for a brisk walk to release any remaining negative energy. Rayne Bryant was a stickler for positive energy and thinking, so Bette needed to be on point for that conversation. Shed delayed Rayne long enough while she was going through her changes, but now it was time to put things back into perspective.

One down! Bette said as she checked off her Make Things Right To Do list.