I dialed the number like I’ve been doing it forever. In some ways, it was so easy to imagine doing this. In other ways, some that I was still learning, there were still many issues to address.

The phone was answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Hello, Bette?”

“T?” How good it sounded to me to hear that again. “What’s up? Why are you calling so early?”

Something tells me she doesn’t receive many early-morning calls. Not surprising, as I believe her schedule runs much later in the day than mine. “It’s not too early for you, is it?”

“Of course not, but what time is it there? Just after six?”

“Uh huh.” The benefit of time zones.

“T? What’s up? Why aren’t you asleep?”

“How was your flight?”

“It was good.” Bette paused for a moment. “But that’s not why you called, was it?”

“No.” At first I thought of keeping this to myself. But if Bette really wants back in to our lives, then she better be ready to take it all. “I got a call from Shane last night.”

“Oh. Is she okay?”

“She’s fine, but, it’s about Jess.”

“Jess is okay, right?” Now Bette’s voice rose with an edge of concern.

“She’s fine. It’s just that Jess spent some time at Shane’s yesterday evening.”

Silence on the other end of the phone. “Bette, I think I found out at least some of what’s been bothering Jess.” Why was I so nervous, besides the fact that I was talking to my ex-wife, a woman who was suddenly, again, becoming a major part of my life?

“That’s good, right?”

Let’s hope so. “It’s good that Shane called me to let me know, but it might not be easy for you to hear.”

“Okay.”

Please, Bette, do not freak out about this. “I think during our talk, Jess got the wrong idea.”

“How so?”

“She thinks you’re interested in me.”

Bette’s voice took on a lightness. “And that’s a wrong idea how?”

“No, Bette.” While flirting with Bette had its appeal, that wasn’t what kept me from sleeping last night. “She thinks you’re interested only in me.”

“Oh. But, how?”

“I’m not sure, exactly. Something about when we broke up – when she was a baby. She thinks you wanted a life with just me.”

“Oh.” The lightness was gone, replaced by sadness.

“I know.”

“T, are you going to talk to her?”

“Tonight.”

Silence

“I wish I were there.”

I think I actually believe that, Bette. “When are you coming back to town?”

“Friday, but I don’t think I’ll be in until late. Then I have some business on Saturday. Can we get together Saturday night?”

“I’m free.” When did this stop being so strange, Bette, talking with you on the phone?

“What about Jess?”

How to handle Jess will be the real question. “I’d ask her but”

“She’s still asleep?”

“Imagine that.” I guess her particular issues about her family don’t have her up all night. “Why not send her an email?”

“I’ll do that today.”

“Umm, wait.”

“Wait?”

“Please? Wait until tomorrow. Until after I’ve spoken to her tonight?” I’m not sure it will make much difference, but perhaps she’d be a little more receptive.

“Of course.” Another pause. “T?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

“For telling you that my daughter isn’t fond of you?” I suppose this is a change for us. Talking about things. We could do that once. I’m not sure when it all became too much.

“For talking to me about our daughter.”

Touch, Bette. I guess I’m just used to thinking of her as mine, even if a day doesnt go by where I think of you, also. “It’s important that she gets to know you.”

“I know. I’ve missed so much already.”

I would agree with that, but why pour the salt on the wounds? It was your choice, Bette, as much as mine.

“T?”

“Yeah?”

“She’s a great kid.”

This brings a smile. “Yeah, she is, really.”

“Thank you.”

“For?”

“For including me.”

If you’re going to reintroduce yourself to us, Bette, you need to be a part of everything this time. “Of course. Look, I should go. Time to get myself, and Jess, ready for our day.”

“T?”

“Hmm?”

“Please call me anytime. For anything, or for nothing.”

Where did we go, Bette? “Thanks.”

I hung up the phone in the silence that followed. Something about saying good-bye, I don’t know. It’s a formality, but it’s something I’ve said to Bette twice now. It’s not something I care to say to her again.

(tbc)