The fact that I was so nervous going out with Bette was disconcerting, I realized as I smoothed out my skirt for what must have been the third time. Why does she have this affect on me, even now? Once more into the breach, I guess. Once I get my co-pilot that is. I gave a quick tap on the horn, hoping that would hurry her along.

Jess promised me she’d be on her best behavior tonight.

That thought makes me nervous, also.

I decided on a casual skirt and light blouse. Jess is in jeans and some t-shirt that she thinks is trendy. She’s dressed. Sometimes, that’s a good place to leave things.

We picked the restaurant. Although Bette hasn’t lived here for a number of years, I’m sure she knows all of the trendy places. Instead, we’ll be meeting at some place that’s more family-oriented. We’ll have some privacy to talk, but it won’t be too loud or too intimate.

An intimate dinner with Jess along. That would be one of her worst fears come true. I think that might be one of my worst fears, also, but in a different way.

Then again, it’s occurred to me, am I so intent on Jess attending to shield myself from Bette’s charms? Not that she’d be at Jeri’s, were she not going; having her with me ensures that.

Jess certainly makes things safer for me in other ways, keeps me in the right headspace.

I think I’ll need that.

This has all developed so quickly, Bette’s reintroduction into my life, into our life. We’ve talked on the phone a few times. It’s been nice. Really nice. She’s seemed much more mellow. Either that or I’m more immune to her moods. Perhaps it’s a combination.

Another tap on the horn, and I see Jess come bounding out the door, doing the gracefully clumsy leaps down the stairs that she tends to do. I’m surprised we haven’t ended up with more broken bones. Not disappointed, mind you; just surprised.

“She meeting us there?” Jess asks as she tumbles into the front seat.

Jess knows the answers to these things. I think she’s just probing for changes to the plan.

“Yes, we’re meeting her there. We’re going to have dinner and a good time.”

“And then?”

Jess, you better not be asking anything too personal with that question. “Then, dessert?”

She hates it when I play clueless. I hate it when I’m clueless without playing, but this time I think I’m on to her.

She slouches back in the seat, arms folded. She’s giving up on that line of attack.

When we arrive at the restaurant, Bette is of course there and waiting for us.

And she looks absolutely stunning.

My mouth is totally dry. I feel like I can’t speak.

Fortunately, I brought someone along who’s willing to take up that role. And, it seems, the role of protector as she takes up a position between Bette and myself. “Welcome to Los Angeles, Ms. Porter.”

“Please, Jess, call me Bette.”

“My mother doesn’t like it when I’m too familiar with adults.”

Great. I’ve created the world’s most polite monster.

Bette gives me this amused grin. I shoot back what I hope is a somewhat apologetic smile.

“So, shall we eat?” I ask, finally finding my voice.

The hostess leads us to a booth. I scoot in one side. Jess joins me so quickly she almost sat in my lap. Bette seated herself across from us.

I should have been studying the menu. Instead, I found myself taking surreptitious looks at the woman seated across from me.

Not that I was the only one. At least she wasn’t quite so reticent about it all.

“T, you look wonderful.” And she gives me that smile; who can resist that smile? “You too, Jess.”

Jess pulls a face and flops over the menu. Ok, there’s at least one woman who is, thus far, immune to Bette Porter’s charms.

She did look great. Whatever she’s been doing for the last fifteen years has served her well. I’d be tempted to say it was because she wasn’t raising a child, but that would sound wrong and I don’t want to begin a conversation by going in that direction. Still, I have to admit that the person seated next to me has, in many ways, aged me.

Bette was wearing a dark suit with a creamy silk shirt. She removed the jacket as we sat down, the sleeveless cut revealing her toned arms, the material accenting her mocha skin.

“Thank you.” That’s safe. I imagine she’s picked up on my assessment of how she looks this evening. I should probably say something, but Miss Prickly seated next to me keeps me quiet. The boat’s in calm water, let’s not rock it.

“Shall we get a bottle of wine?”

I learned several things during my time with Bette. One was the luxury of a well-selected wine to compliment both the meal and the dining experience. I nodded in agreement. “You choose.”

“Mother, please remember that you will have to drive your only child home at the conclusion of dinner.”

Some days, I hate all the PSAs that they indoctrinate the kids with. It is not uncommon that I have a glass of wine with dinner. Lately, it’s becoming far more common that I have whine with dinner. “I could never forget that, Jess,” I say, giving her a sweet smile, followed by a peck on the cheek.

She blushed, attacking any residual lipstick left behind with her napkin. Bette gave a small laugh to our interactions, which only made me smile wider, and Jess blush deeper.

“I’m thinking of the beef roast,” I tell Bette to help her selection.

“What about you, Jess?” Bette asks.

“I’m a vegetarian,” she announces.

This is the same daughter that polished off bacon with breakfast and a hamburger for lunch.

“It pains me to think of the poor creatures suffering.”

At this point I’m wondering why she’s never gone out for drama.

Bette, wisely, doesn’t respond. We remain, for a moment, in an uneasy silence as Jess continues to assault her menu.

Dtente occurs when the server arrives to take our orders. Jess, my newly minted vegetarian, orders a dinner salad. She is going to be so hungry after this. I ask them to bring us a basket of bread; hopefully that will hold her until dessert. Bette joins me with the beef, and picks an appropriate merlot as an accompaniment.

Orders placed, we’re back to just the three of us at the table.

Me, palms sweating like a teenager. Jess, being a teenager. And Bette, looking breathtaking. For a moment, I let myself relax and enjoy.

(tbc?)