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Tina, Tiny Pieces Chapter 24
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At Tina and Henry’s
It’s Saturday afternoon. I could be sleeping. I could go to the beach, although right now the beach holds too many competing memories, most of the more recent ones rather foul.
Instead I sit here, staring at the wall, an untouched, sweating glass of sweet tea on the end table next to me, my laptop cast aside on the couch cushions, askew and half-opened.
Henry is with Mikey. Angelica is with Bette. I am restless and nervous and bored.
Henry will be home in a few hours, the sleepover portion of his visitation having been rearranged to fit some family function on his ex-wife’s side. He called me an hour ago, wanting to know if I wanted to have dinner with him and another couple.
I cannot think of many things I would rather not do than that, but because I am restless and nervous and bored, I agreed.
I have a nagging feeling I will regret my decision but I wonder if that’s because I seem to have a nagging feeling about regretting, or potentially regretting, just about everything lately.
It is four now. I have been sitting here since I dropped Angelica off at Bette’s, which was right before lunchtime.
I wonder what they’re doing. I close my eyes, trying to picture where they are, in the house, or maybe outside. I find myself smiling for a second. It catches me off guard, that smile. I don’t seem to do it too much any more.
I hear them laughing, I imagine them giggling as they walk around the neighborhood, Bette’s index finger wrapped tightly inside Angel’s chubby fingers.
A fitting image, for Angelica has always had Bette wrapped around her finger. I sigh, remembering a time when I think I did too.
It just takes getting used to, I remind myself. It’s a strange situation, unnatural really – a child’s parents should be together. A family should live together, should share their time as one, as a unit. I realize the divorce rate is high enough that an intact, unblended family is sadly the more unnatural situation these days.
Still…
And I am angry. I don’t know why, exactly, but I know that I am because I’m jumpy and I feel tingly and I would love someone to yell at. About what, I’m not so sure.
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Man…if they EVER find their way back to each other in this story it will be a miracle. I am glad Tina is finally starting to right the wrongs she did. I just wish she hadn’t married Henry. That was a dagger. Please post soon.
This chapter is just as amazing as always. You write them so well and I can hardly complain but, I do just a little because I know you are not a TiBette(r). I don’t always comment but you are really a very gifted writer and I hope that you will let them get back some semblance of normalcy in their lives even if you don’t let them get back together. The angst is almost too much to see. Thanks for a terrific story.
ah kid, mushy???? its cute, in a anxiety driven way. god, you just never know about tina. is it somekind of personality disorder, or what? love your writing and am enjoying (?) this story. im still a believer, but have gotten over the total hell you writers can put me through. have way to much other shit to deal with. so this is a nice diversion. excellent as always. thanks.
My heart is breaking for Tina, which, BELIEVE ME, is a ridiculous statement for me to make at this time… I wish there’d be a happy B&T&A ending here, but I’m starting to doubt if that’s possible. Regardless, you’re an amazing writer, made me tear-up(which is a little like getting water from a rock), and I hope to see more soon.
Inside each was a ghastly arrangement of thick, full rolls of toilet paper, the cardboard tube of each roll glued or taped to a dowel or a spatula or a pasta spoon or any other kitchen implement she could find. She had carefully ordered them in varying heights, thereby fitting six rolls into each vase. In the middle, between both vases, a handwritten note.I’m sorry. I’m softly quilted, two-ply sorry. Bette. P.S. This toilet paper was made in International Falls. ………………………. I’m still in stitches over this one! Priceless Kid; simply Priceless!! ONLY Bette could pull this off. I think Tina is still pitiful. I don’t know that I’m ready to be overjoyed that she is finally allowing Bette to be the mother she was intended to be. Tina still cant face Bette without feeling so damned sorry for herself. I swear, this woman should carry a bag of balloons with her EVERYWHERE she goes; one never knows when Tina will break down and have a pity party!!
OMG..kid….you are going to kill me! Have you seen albeez around? that one hurt a little
LK – I wish I could reach into your story and help Tina. Someone needs to. I can’t decide if Tina is losing her mind, or re-gaining “Tiny Pieces” of her own mentality. Your writing is awesome, but LK, you’re driving me nuts right along with her. It’s reminescent of when I read “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath – it left me smotheringly numb. I hate that feeling…can’t breathe…ugggh!
Kid, you are a true artisan. You have sculpted a daedal work of art out of the mess that was season three. There is form and substance, depth and texture and it touches everyone in such a visceral way. Beautifully done! Tina accepted Henry’s invitation to dinner for all of the wrong reasons – her vexation is evident and it will no doubt be played out in her typical passive/aggressive way. She needs a scapegoat for her choler and Henry will once again become her whipping boy…..Tina’s comment about having once had Bette wrapped around her finger borders on prideful arrogance, but I suspect it it had more to do with her insecurity and her inability to articulate her feelings. By having Bette wrapped around her finger she had control over being loved…..Tina is surprised to see relief in Bette’s face when she arrives – and why shouldn’t she be? Bette has become inured to Tina’s unstable behavoir and the rescindment of her parental rights – she had prepared herself for Tina to be a no show as a means to safeguard her sanity. Tina is still living inside the shadow of her own universe…..Tina is someone that cannot live on a placid lake, she always has to have some sort of wave to subtly keep things off balance. Like her comment about the “babysitters”, she subconsciously lunges and parries creating tension – whether it’s with Henry, Tina, Alice or her mother. I get the feeling that she does it so that she won’t be disappointed when or if the other shoe should fall. Until she’s secure with herself she will always make things difficult for everyone else in order to maintain control…..Everything irritates Tina because she is slowly coming to the realization that she is the catalyst for everyone’s turmoil. She is also not amused that she is not able to read Bette like she used to, another sign that she is losing control…..I loved the symbolism with the flowers. They are beautiful, delicate and benign and they are seen differently by everyone that gazes upon them. However, if left unattended they die on the vine. It was also a symptom of their relationship, their lack of communication and their mutual need to be right…..If the apology should be as grand as the sin, then Tina has a long way to go. Wonderful way to showcase the difference between the two of them, practical versus elaborate……There was just a bit of growth from Tina as she lamented her knowledge of Bette’s favorite flowers – all very exotic, just like Bette…..I loved the panoply of toilet rolls – very creative! Costas – French Kiss, brilliant choice. It says so much about the two of them. It was a heartfelt gesture from Bette. She gave Tina what she wanted in a way that was uniquely Bette…..I loved how you added just a bit of levity to a tense situation with Angelica’s bonhomie. I could see Bette putting her forehead against Angelica’s and it was the perfect reunion. It was sentimental without being saccharine or cliched. Bette’s sang-froid towards Tina is understandable, yet she knew enough to curtail any unctuous behaviors. Bette defers to Tina for any uncertainty, she knows that it’s a game and that Tina is in charge. Tina knows this, and on some level is annoyed even though the circumstance is all her doing…..Bette and Angelica are so sweet together, I am looking forward to more of their interactions…..Alice is a smart woman – and perceptive. She knows that Tina seems to think that the grass is always greener on the other side. She knows that as much as she may want Bette to have Angelica, she knows that Tina is giving up a lot – control. Tina’s pride and arrogance are starting to take their toll on her, the burden that comes with power is weighing heavy on her and there are small signs that just maybe Tina is ready to abdicate her throne. If not abdicate, at least shift the balance of power in hopes of regaining some semblance of peace. This is an extraordinary many-layered palimpsest of raw emotion, pain, love, betrayal and redemption – fantastic!!!
This is one of your best chapters. The interplay of memory is beautiful and haunting. The description of their fight is just perfect. To show us the depth of Tina’s feelings in the past and how she was unable to express them then reveals so much about her current situation. Brilliant!
You make my heart ache for Tina, which after season 3 is no easy feat. I know she brought much of this on herself, but who hasn’t made monumental mistakes in life and lived to regret them? I love that you make us privy to her inner monologue because we can witness the real Tina, awful bits, flaws, and all. I thought the reunion scene, though not mushy was pitch perfect. Can you tell by my incessant rambling that I adore your writing? Thank you LK.
with this story i can really say that the opposite of love is hate.. and the line in between somtimes overlaps the other specially in the course of a long term relationship.. you have a gift to express emotions.. great writer..
You’ve made me cry…nothing more to say.
The toilet-roll bouquet was priceless! I will follow wherever you take this story.
You are one amazing writer. Thank you
Your are one amazing writer. Thank you.
What does Tina want? Surrender? Surrounding her and treating her like a goddess? definitely not love.
getting married to henry was tina’s undoing. but i wonder even if tina does dump henry, would bette forgive her? this bette doesn’t seem very forgiving and she doesn’t seem to really love tina as much as herself. Tina’s such a wreck here and it seems only bette can make her better. anyway, wish that somehow tina and bette can find their way back together again in this story. gives me some form of hope that maybe …just maybe good things will happen too in season 4. SIGH
obsessive…
I didn’t have a chance to comment last chapter; so here it goes…For me, this is neither a TiBette or BeLena story. First and foremost, I feel that anything you write I will gladly read because your words draw out every character in their truest form. I almost feel like I can actually see all of this unfolding right before my eyes. I am not a one dimensional person that can ONLY see Bette and Tina together. Whomever you pair either of them with is all good to me; and if you never place them back together; that’s fine too. Last chapter, all I could think was it was about time Tina actually made a move regarding the help she needs. IMO, she wont really be cured until she can stop placing so much blame on others; but as you write so amazingly, I’m sure this will be addressed during Tina’s “therapy!” And maybe, just maybe, she’ll also stop feeling so damned sorry for herself.
BeGelica? Forgive me. I’m new at this.
Mushy? Not so sure about that. Unless you mean Bette and Angelica. But at least Tina’s beginning to do the right things and isn’t just habitually abusing others over her own shortcomings.
Bejelica?
So much hurt. It will be difficult to find a middle ground for B & T. Hopefully, for Angelica’s sake, they can. Your writing is amazing. Great detail and lots of emotion. Thank you.
This is killer. Somehow you are able to articulate every nuance a tortured mind can conjure.(Tina)She’s discovering that certain behaviors, no matter the befuddled reaon, have irrevocable conse-quences.I’m guessing further “tiny pieces” are in store for us.I have a grape sitting on my window sill morphing into a raisin.. it has your name on it.Sue
What you did or do with Tina to be honest in this fic I don’t really care. The situation was brought on herself and suddenly she gets a moment of clarity and everyone is supposed to jump up and say Thank you goddess Tina! Nope. I like that you didn’t have Angel completely recognize Bette, but she took to her! That was all I was worried about. I hope you write Angel and Bette’s day without TIna and Shane should be there right? Also I think it would be funny as hell to see Tina find out that Helena gave BEtte those flowers. Oh and your flashback tells me something that all TiBette fans should remember, something that the show even stated, Bette is very artistic and always looks for beautiful things, Tina is very practical. Tina didn’t appreciate getting flowers for $200 because she had left a note for Bette stating they needed two nights in a roll…To me it always seem that Bette was the one that had to come down to TIna’s level. I don’t care how bad you need toliet paper…I get a exotic beautiful bouquet of flowers well I walk my fat ass down the street and get them! Jez! Anywho! Still loving this, that’s right loving this story. AND hey! Just cuz I’ve recently started a story with B&T f*cking every which way…well that doesn’t mean I don’t want to read your very deep and powerful fic! Can’t wait for more! P.S….are you ver gonna repost your other fic?? You know the one right? As Time Goes By? I really missed revisiting that…oh well!
Angelette?
Lk..i think you’ve surpassed every writer on this site with this story,JMo. I’m amazed with your writing and just how flawless each chapter is. Really you’ve managed to do something with Tina in this story,Which IC couldn’t do in freaking 3 damn whole seasons. You’re actually telling us what’s going on in her pretty head. And for this, i thank you. Tina is, and always will be my favorite character. IMo, she’s the most realistic character. She’s not sugarcoated at all. And your writing is perfect. I Loved the fact that she allowed Bette to finally see their daughter again. She certainly didn’t have to, but she did. It’s a big step imo.I think Bette’s lack of words is really her just trying to hold in her anger,and not show too much emotions towards Tina.I don’t want Bette to hold in her anger towards Tina anymore. They’ve both been hurt by oneanother. The thing is, i’m getting this feeling that Tina knows she needs Bette. It’s eating her mind. She’s constantly thinking about their past, and constantly thinking about Bette period. Could it be that she’s unhappy because B’s not in her life. It’s obvious that she’s missing Bette so bad.Can they try to be friends at least? Tina’s desparate for a friend! I’m on your train LK, and i rarely get on people’s trains. I’m loving this fic, even if it’s making my fav. character look crazy. I too love those B&T hot fics, but you’ve got me hooked on this(possibly heartbreaking) story. Please post soon!
I’m not holding my breath for one ending or another. All I’d like to see for the time being is them becoming friends and both taking care of Angie.
Wow! you now at this moment I am watching “Sexual healing” on shotime. I won’t go into the dynamics of the show but it follows around 3 life couples who go thorugh a week long theraoy sessions to deal with their dysfunctions. I bring this up to say that there is a couple that would make TiBette look like “The Beavers.” I mean this couple is dealing with alcholsim, 2 severly disabled children, numerous affairs for both parties and the wife ended pregnant. All this occurred in the 23 years they have been together. So you know what’s one affair, tina’s marriage, taking away Bette’s parental role? Small potatoes. If that couple can work it out then anything is possible! lol Having said that I would be happy if a bus fell on Tina!
Always well written but if this was to make me feel better then not so muc. How can one person have so much vitriol for a person she supposedly loved unequivocably?? Does Bette feel anything towards Tina? It’s obvious that Tina doesn’t love Henry as she did and maybe still does love Bette. Tina needs major therapy and to ditch Henry. You’ve got some mighty deep thoughts, LK. Should we worry about you?
Amazing. To offer anything else would be extraneous. Thanks!
every time i open a new chapter, i call 911 just in case, so they’ll be ready to revive me…i still have no idea where are you going with that and it’s often hard to read because the light at the end of the tunnel ain’t visible yet…it was cute though, Bettelica reunion i mean…i hope, for Bette’s sake, that Angie indeed remembered her as her mama B and she’s not just a friendly baby
If this is an example of mushy happiness to you then we fans need to worry about you.You’re an amazing writer. It’s an absolute pleasure just to read your words.
Well Just read this and the last chapter…and have no words to describe….except absolutly Brillient….every last word….heartbreakig ..but with hope
This was simply superb as usual. And we only cried a little.
i just started reading your story yesterday and i got hooked! i couldn’t stop reading! great story!! i’m glad bette was finally able to reconnect with angelica again! i have to say i’m 100% bette fan and hope she finds her happiness whether it’s with tina, helena, or meg…but i hav to say, while i was reading, i was hoping she would end up with helena. it just seems like things are so far gone for bette and tina as sad as i am to say. anyways, post again soon! i can’t wait to read more!! =)
My Dear(author) – I’ve just spent the last 6 HOURS reading your story…and never have I been more moved and riveted to one place at the same time! It’s now 4 a.m. and sleep is calling, actually it’s been screaming at me for hours…but I couldn’t stop. Still, here, as I sit at the end of your last chapter I try to imagine, that tomorrow or the next day one of them will profess their undying love for each other and all will be right w/the world. But that’s up to you,and this is only a story…but I need to sleep…and to believe…that that kind of love does exist in the world and that besides all the stupid acts made in the name of love…that in the end the emotions that bookmarks our lives……are real…and undeniable. Let them find their way back…I implore you. I will most certainly dream it for you… Yet I must say Thank You – to the Goddess above for your talent!!!! You are truely blessed! And I am honored.
I was reading again this WONDERFUL story and wished it were a book that I could return to over and over again… I love your thought provoking story… I love the ..flowers and their symbolism, and how Bette really showed her love for Tina in such a unique and thoughtful way…” her flower bouquet” and how she said “An apology should be as bold and unfettered as the act that necessitated it.”…. wow- Deep… love it, love this story more…more…more!!!!!!